There are more than 1,000 documentaries available to stream on BBC iPlayer. I’ve selected 40 of the best actually worth watching, including award winning and critically acclaimed, in order of their IMDb score.
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Free Solo (2018) – IMDb score 8.1 – Adventure/Sports
For Fans Of: The Dawn Wall, Meru, Valley Uprising
Academy Award–winning and critically revered, this jaw-dropping documentary follows Alex Honnold’s attempt to climb El Capitan without ropes — a breathtaking portrait of obsession and risk.
The Blue Planet (2001) – IMDb score 8.0 – Nature
For Fans Of: Planet Earth, Life, The Private Life of Plants
Narrated by David Attenborough and BAFTA-winning, this genre-defining series explores the mysteries of the world’s oceans with stunning cinematography and ecological insight.
Planet Earth II (2016) – IMDb score 8.0 – Nature
For Fans Of: The Blue Planet, Seven Worlds One Planet, Dynasties
BAFTA-winning and visually spectacular, this sequel showcases Earth’s wildlife in dazzling detail, from urban jungles to remote islands.
The Century of the Self (2002) – IMDb score 8.0 – History/Politics
For Fans Of: HyperNormalisation, The Power of Nightmares, The Social Dilemma
Critically acclaimed and widely studied, Adam Curtis’ landmark series explores how Freudian psychology shaped consumerism, politics, and identity in the 20th century.
The Death of Yugoslavia (1995) – IMDb score 8.0 – History/Politics
For Fans Of: Once Upon a Time in Iraq, The Fog of War, The Rise of the Murdoch Dynasty
BAFTA-winning and historically vital, this documentary uses firsthand accounts to trace the collapse of Yugoslavia and the brutal wars that followed.
Planet Earth III (2023) – IMDb score 8.0 – Nature
For Fans Of: The Blue Planet II, Frozen Planet II, Dynasties
The latest in the acclaimed Attenborough series, this visually stunning and ecologically urgent documentary explores the planet’s most fragile ecosystems.
All the Beauty and the Bloodshed (2022) – IMDb score 7.9 – Biography/Activism
For Fans Of: The Velvet Underground, Citizen K, The Internet’s Own Boy
Winner of the Golden Lion at Venice and Oscar-nominated, this powerful portrait of artist Nan Goldin explores her activism against the Sackler family and the opioid crisis.
HyperNormalisation (2016) – IMDb score 7.9 – Politics/Media
For Fans Of: The Century of the Self, The Great Hack, The Fog of War
Adam Curtis’ acclaimed essay film examines how governments, corporations, and media constructed a simplified version of reality to maintain control.
The Power of Nightmares (2004) – IMDb score 7.9 – Politics/History
For Fans Of: The Fog of War, Bitter Lake, The Dissident
This provocative BBC series explores the rise of radical Islamism and neoconservatism, arguing that fear replaced hope in modern politics.
Dynasties (2018) – IMDb score 7.9 – Nature
For Fans Of: Planet Earth II, The Hunt, Serengeti
BAFTA-nominated and visually rich, this Attenborough-narrated series follows five animal families as they fight for survival and legacy.
Civilisations (2018) – IMDb score 7.8 – Art/History
For Fans Of: The Story of Art, Mary Beard’s Ultimate Rome, The Ascent of Man
A sweeping, critically praised BBC series exploring the global history of art and culture, narrated by Simon Schama and Mary Beard.
The Rise of the Murdoch Dynasty (2020) – IMDb score 7.7 – Biography/Politics
For Fans Of: Succession, The Loudest Voice, Citizen Kane
This BBC series investigates Rupert Murdoch’s media empire, its political influence, and the family drama behind the headlines.
Black Hollywood: ‘They’ve Gotta Have Us’ (2018) – IMDb score 7.6 – Culture/Film
For Fans Of: Is That Black Enough for You?!?, 13th, The Black Power Mixtape
Critically acclaimed and visually stylish, this documentary celebrates Black creativity and resilience in Hollywood across generations.
Life and Death Row (2014–present) – IMDb score 7.6 – Crime/Justice
For Fans Of: The Confession Tapes, For Life, Time: The Kalief Browder Story
Award-nominated and emotionally gripping, this BBC series follows young filmmakers documenting death row cases in the U.S.
Walking With Dinosaurs (1999) – IMDb score 7.6 – Nature/History
For Fans Of: Prehistoric Planet, The Lost World, Jurassic Park (documentary-style)
BAFTA-winning and groundbreaking, this series uses CGI and scientific research to bring the age of dinosaurs to life.
I Am Greta (2020) – IMDb score 7.5 – Biography/Environment
For Fans Of: An Inconvenient Truth, The 11th Hour, Youth v Gov
Critically praised and festival-nominated, this intimate portrait follows climate activist Greta Thunberg from solo protests to global influence.
Gazza (2022) – IMDb score 7.5 – Sports/Biography
For Fans Of: Diego Maradona, Senna, Rooney
This BBC documentary explores the rise and fall of football legend Paul Gascoigne, blending fame, mental health, and media scrutiny.
The Last Mountain (2021) – IMDb score 7.5 – Adventure/Family
For Fans Of: Touching the Void, The Rescue, The Summit
Critically acclaimed and emotionally resonant, this film follows the family of climber Tom Ballard as they retrace his final expedition.
Mary Beard’s Ultimate Rome: Empire Without Limit (2016) – IMDb score 7.5 – History
For Fans Of: Civilisations, Rome: Rise and Fall of an Empire, The Story of Europe
Historian Mary Beard explores the Roman Empire’s legacy in this engaging, accessible BBC series praised for its wit and depth.
Black and British: A Forgotten History (2016) – IMDb score 7.4 – History/Social
For Fans Of: Small Axe, The Unwanted, Enslaved
David Olusoga’s acclaimed series uncovers the long, complex history of Black people in Britain, challenging national narratives.
Milli Vanilli (2023) – IMDb score 7.4 – Music/Biography
For Fans Of: McMillions, The Inventor, This Is Pop
Critically praised and festival-featured, this documentary revisits the infamous pop scandal and the human cost of fame and deception.
Dionne Warwick: Don’t Make Me Over (2019) – IMDb score 7.4 – Music/Biography
For Fans Of: Tina, Quincy, The Black Godfather
Emmy-winning and widely celebrated, this documentary honours the legendary singer’s career, activism, and cultural impact.
Carole King and James Taylor: Just Call Out My Name (2022) – IMDb score 7.4 – Music/Performance
For Fans Of: Echo in the Canyon, The Bee Gees: How Can You Mend a Broken Heart, Laurel Canyon
A warmly received concert documentary capturing the enduring musical partnership of two American icons.
Catching a Killer: The Murder of Emma Caldwell (2021) – IMDb score 7.3 – Crime/Justice
For Fans Of: The Detectives, Crime After Crime, The Murder of Jill Dando
This BBC true crime special investigates a long-unsolved murder, praised for its sensitivity and journalistic rigour.
Blair & Brown: The New Labour Revolution (2021) – IMDb score 7.3 – Politics/History
For Fans Of: The Rise of the Murdoch Dynasty, Inside the House of Commons, The Cameron Years
A detailed and critically noted account of the partnership and rivalry that shaped British politics in the 1990s and 2000s.
We Need to Talk about Cosby (2022) – IMDb score 7.3 – Culture/Crime
For Fans Of: Surviving R. Kelly, Allen v. Farrow, The Me You Can’t See
Emmy-nominated and widely discussed, this docuseries confronts the legacy of Bill Cosby through survivor testimony and cultural analysis.
7/7: One Day in London (2012) – IMDb score 7.2 – History/Tragedy
For Fans Of: One Day in September, Four Hours at the Capitol, Once Upon a Time in Iraq
A powerful and respectful documentary recounting the 2005 London bombings through survivor stories and archival footage.
How to Die: Simon’s Choice (2016) – IMDb score 7.2 – Ethics/Health
For Fans Of: Terry Pratchett: Choosing to Die, Being Mortal, The Grown-Ups
BAFTA-nominated and emotionally profound, this documentary follows one man’s decision to end his life on his own terms.
Brawn: The Impossible Formula 1 Story (2023) – IMDb score 7.2 – Sports
For Fans Of: Drive to Survive, Senna, Schumacher
Narrated by Keanu Reeves and praised for its slick storytelling, this critically acclaimed docuseries recounts the astonishing rise of Brawn GP — the underdog team that stunned the racing world by winning the 2009 Formula 1 championship against all odds.
ABBA: Against the Odds (2024) – IMDb score 7.2 – Music/Biography
For Fans Of: Tina, The Bee Gees: How Can You Mend a Broken Heart, This Is Pop
A fresh and critically praised look at ABBA’s rise, resilience, and reinvention, this documentary celebrates the Swedish pop icons’ global legacy and personal journeys.
On the Tracks of the Wild Otter (2023) – IMDb score 7.2 – Nature
For Fans Of: Wild Isles, The Secret Life of the Otter, The Private Life of Plants
A beautifully shot and warmly received nature special following otters through British waterways, blending science, storytelling, and conservation.
The Private Life of Plants (1995) – IMDb score 7.2 – Nature
For Fans Of: Life, The Green Planet, The Blue Planet
David Attenborough’s groundbreaking series reveals the hidden lives of plants using time-lapse photography — a quiet revolution in nature storytelling.
Our War (2011–2014) – IMDb score 7.2 – War/Personal Testimony
For Fans Of: Once Upon a Time in Iraq, The War Tapes, Restrepo
BAFTA-winning and emotionally raw, this BBC series uses helmet-cam footage and interviews to document British soldiers’ experiences in Afghanistan.
Marcus Rashford: Feeding Britain’s Children (2020) – IMDb score 7.1 – Biography/Social Justice
For Fans Of: Citizen Ashe, Rising Phoenix, The Black Power Mixtape
Critically acclaimed and widely discussed, this documentary follows footballer Marcus Rashford’s campaign to end child food poverty in the UK.
Jesy Nelson: ‘Odd One Out’ (2019) – IMDb score 7.1 – Mental Health/Social
For Fans Of: Miss Americana, The Me You Can’t See, Framing Britney Spears
Winner of a National Television Award, this powerful documentary sees Jesy Nelson open up about cyberbullying, body image, and mental health.
Andy Murray: Will to Win (2013) – IMDb score 7.1 – Sports/Biography
For Fans Of: Federer: Twelve Final Days, Andy Murray: Resurfacing, Break Point
A celebratory and insightful look at Murray’s rise to Wimbledon glory, blending personal interviews with career-defining moments.
Pavarotti: The Last Tenor (2004) – IMDb score 7.0 – Music/Biography
For Fans Of: Pavarotti (Ron Howard), Luciano Pavarotti: A Life in Seven Arias, Maria by Callas
A heartfelt tribute to the legendary tenor, this documentary captures his final performances and enduring cultural impact.
Escape from Kabul Airport (2022) – IMDb score 7.0 – War/Current Affairs
For Fans Of: Once Upon a Time in Iraq, The Rescue, For Sama
BAFTA-nominated and critically urgent, this documentary recounts the harrowing 2021 evacuation of Kabul through firsthand accounts and never-before-seen footage.
AIDS: The Unheard Tapes (2022) – IMDb score 7.0 – History/LGBTQ+
For Fans Of: It’s a Sin, How to Survive a Plague, The Death and Life of Marsha P. Johnson
Critically acclaimed and emotionally resonant, this BBC docuseries uses real audio recordings to tell the untold stories of Britain’s AIDS crisis.
More best lists on BBC iPlayer: