The 40 most popular 2020s documentary TV shows, ranked. Click any show for ratings, reviews, trailers, and where to watch.


History of the World
2020
country: Australia
It's about human history, how humans shaped the world we live in. A history through cultures and civilizations - from early Mesopotamia to the industrial revolution. Documentary series from various european production company’s like BBC, SVT, NRK, DR, ARTE, Covering serveral topics of war, Persons Like Cleopatra, Hitler, George Washington, etc


Great Minds
2021
country: South Korea
A current affairs program that began airing on EBS in August 2021. Co-produced by the Ministry of Education, the National Institute for Lifelong Learning, and EBS, the program is part of the Korean MOOC (Korean Massive Open Online Course) program, which aims to disseminate world-class knowledge to the public amid the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic, which has widened the knowledge gap between classes and spread fake information on social media. Hear great thoughts from some of the world's leading minds right now, including Nobel Prize-winning economist Paul Krugman, Michael Sandel of What is Justice, and world-renowned conductor and pianist Daniel Barenboim.


JÓLVANEZÍGY
2023
country: Hungary
No overview available


Marvel Studios Legends
2021
country: United States
Revisit the epic heroes, villains and moments from across the MCU in preparation for the stories still to come. Each dynamic segment feeds directly into the upcoming series — setting the stage for future events. This series weaves together the many threads that constitute the unparalleled Marvel Cinematic Universe.


Number One on the Call Sheet
2025
country: United States
Some of Hollywood's biggest stars reveal their journeys to game-changing leading roles. In candid interviews, they shine a light on the highs and lows of their craft, breakthrough moments, blueprints for success, and the next generation's huge potential.


Welcome to Wrexham
2022
country: United States
Documentary series tracking the dreams and worries of Wrexham, a working-class town in North Wales, UK, as two Hollywood stars (Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds) take ownership of the town’s historic yet struggling football club.


On Patrol: First Shift
2022
country: United States
Dan Abrams, Sean "Sticks" Larkin and Curtis Wilson discuss what's in store for the upcoming episode of On Patrol: Live and provide a sneak peak of the departments and officers that the cameras will be following. The hosts will also look back at the most memorable moments from past episodes including everything from police pursuits to encounters with unforgettable suspects, as well as inspiring acts of heroism and courage under fire.


The Agency
2020
country: Turkey
Dicle finds herself in an agency when she comes to Istanbul dreaming of becoming a filmmaker. There’s only place for stars, ego wars, greed, fame, money, hope and disappointment here. As Dicle struggles to exist in this glamorous world without losing her way... Her broken family ties start to bleed again. Her father who abandoned them before she was born is now one of the sharks of the industry and they are working in the same agency. And the magical lights of cinema start to shed light on Dicle’s first love.


The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives
2024
country: United States
The scandalous world of a group of Mormon mom influencers implodes when they get caught in the midst of a swinging sex scandal that makes international headlines. Now, their sisterhood is shook to its core. Faith, friendship and reputations are all on the line. Will #MomTok be able to survive and continue to give the rulebook a run for its money, or will this group fall from grace?


News Treasury
2020
country: Hong Kong
"News Treasury" explores historical news events and rarely seen footage, allowing viewers to dig into the news archives. From Bruce Lee's funeral and the Baoshang Bank robbery to Queen Elizabeth II's visit to Hong Kong and the Sha Tin measles outbreak, viewers can relive important moments in history. The show offers a chance to revisit key events that shaped modern Hong Kong.


Amend: The Fight for America
2021
country: United States
Will Smith hosts this look at the evolving, often lethal, fight for equal rights in America through the lens of the US Constitution's 14th Amendment.


42: The Answer to Almost Everything
2021
country: Germany
What would we be without mucus? Can we live on water? How much does life weigh? Finding out the answers is the aim of ARTE's new science show. In a nod to Douglas Adams's "Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy", where the figure 42 is the ultimate answer to all questions, 42 tries to provide the answers.


THE LEVELING OF SOLO LEVELING
2024
country: United States
A two-part documentary that aims to explore the many incarnations of Solo Leveling, from its creation to the worldwide premiere events for the anime adaptation.


Disney Gallery / Star Wars: The Mandalorian
2020
country: United States
Executive producer Jon Favreau invites the cast and crew of The Mandalorian to share an unprecedented look at the making of the series. Each chapter explores a different facet of the first live-action Star Wars television show through interviews, never-before-seen footage, and roundtable conversations hosted by Favreau himself.


Prehistoric Planet
2022
country: United Kingdom
Experience the wonders of our world like never before in this epic series from Jon Favreau and the producers of Planet Earth. Travel back 66 million years to when majestic dinosaurs and extraordinary creatures roamed the lands, seas, and skies.


On Patrol: Live
2022
country: United States
"On Patrol: Live" follows police officers and sheriff's deputies from diverse agencies in different cities across the country for three hours. Program hosts Dan Abrams, retired Tulsa Police Department Sgt. Sean "Sticks" Larkin and Deputy Sheriff Curtis Wilson provide minute-by-minute perspective and analysis from a central studio location during footage. Local residents from the communities of featured departments are given the opportunity to have a firsthand experience during ride-alongs with officers on live nights.


非遗里的中国
2022
country: China
No overview available


The Center Seat: 55 Years of Star Trek
2021
country: United States
In honor of the sci-fi franchise’s 55th anniversary this year and produced by The Nacelle Company, the project will feature interviews with cast, crew and experts as it explores pivotal moments in the franchise’s history, from its inception at Lucille Ball’s production company Desilu to recent film and television adaptations.


Dark Side of Comedy
2022
country: United States
Throughout the history of comedy, many comedians have lost themselves to the art’s darker side, through addiction, suicide, depression and self-destruction. Dark Side of Comedy explores these stories, shining a new light on comedy’s darkest corners.


House of the Dragon: The House That Dragons Built
2024
country: United States
The House That Dragons Built is a 10-part docu-series diving into the making-of the first season of House of the Dragon. With over 100 interviews, the series provides four and a half hours of exclusive behind-the-scenes content, documenting the cast and crew’s 10-month-long production journey across four countries. Check out the full episodes on HBO Max.


Lion
2026
country: United States
The extraordinary true story of lion cub Kio, on his journey to become a king.


Arnold
2023
country: United States
This intimate docuseries follows Arnold Schwarzenegger's multifaceted life and career, from bodybuilding champ to Hollywood icon to politician.


Marvel Studios Assembled
2021
country: United States
Go behind the scenes of the shows and movies of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, following the filmmakers, cast and crew, and Marvel heroes every step of the way.


Planet Earth III
2023
country: United Kingdom
Journeying to the far reaches of our planet, this eight part series follows some of the world's most amazing species, telling extraordinary stories that are dramatic, thrilling, funny and sometimes heart-breaking, but always full of hope.


Conan O'Brien Must Go
2024
country: United States
Conan O'Brien visits new friends he met through his podcast, "Conan O'Brien Needs a Fan," where he dives deep with listeners from across the country and the world.


The UnBelievable with Dan Aykroyd
2023
country: United States
Each episode opens up a cabinet of curiosities to reveal the strangest-but-true stories in human history, brought to life through dynamic recreation, compelling graphics, and arresting archival. From Boston’s Great Molasses Flood to a man who survived being struck by lightning not once, not twice, but SEVEN times, these seemingly tall tales all actually happened, and our cast of experts dives into the historical record to tell you how and why.


100 Years of Warner Bros.
2023
country: United States
Tracing a century of movie and TV history, these four documentary specials explore the unparalleled global impact of Warner Bros. on art, commerce, and culture.


Earth at Night in Colour
2020
country: United Kingdom
Filmed across six continents, this docuseries uses cutting-edge camera technology to capture animals' nocturnal lives, revealing new behaviours filmed in full color like never before.


WWE Rivals
2022
country: United States
Actor and former WWE writer Freddie Prinze Jr. leads a roundtable discussion of WWE luminaries to delve into the storylines and dynamic characters behind the epic battles that built WWE. Each one-hour episode features archival footage from WWE’s library as well as interviews with the Legends involved and the Superstars who watched these rivalries unfold.


Superpowered: The DC Story
2023
country: United States
This docuseries takes an unprecedented look at the enduring and influential legacy of DC, allowing fans to rediscover the universe of characters, as well as the iconic comic book company’s origins, its evolution and its nearly nine-decade cultural impact across every artistic medium.


Código F1
2022
country: Spain
No overview available


Eat the poor Taoist
2023
country: China
No overview available


SNL50: Beyond Saturday Night
2025
country: United States
This docuseries explores the iconic Saturday Night Live, showcasing the audition process, writing, infamous sketches, and the pivotal 11th season that cemented the show's DNA under Lorne Michaels' leadership.


The Dinosaurs
2026
country: United Kingdom
From the first dinosaurs to the last, this epic documentary series examines their 165 million years on Earth and the forces that shaped their evolution.


Death of the Pastor's Wife
2026
country: United States
What happened to Mica Miller? This documentary series retraces her promising life, toxic marriage and the mysterious circumstances of her death.


Biography: WWE Legends
2021
country: United States
The stories behind some of the most memorable WWE Superstars of all time.


Killer Relationship with Faith Jenkins
2022
country: United States
Faith Jenkins investigates burgeoning romances from their sweet beginnings, and follows what happened all the way through to their bitter endings. With her background as a criminal prosecutor in the Manhattan District Attorney's Office, and her expertise in matters of the heart, Faith gives her professional POV of the nightmarish cases. With firsthand accounts from victims' family, friends and law enforcement, each episode reveals the inner workings of intimate attachments that seemed fated to last forever and ended in murder.


History's Greatest Mysteries
2020
country: United States
Investigates a wide range of historically compelling topics and the mysteries surrounding each including the Titanic, D.B. Cooper, Roswell, John Wilkes Booth, and more. Fresh, new evidence and perspectives will be showcased, such as never-before-released documents, personal diaries and DNA evidence.


JANET JACKSON.
2022
country: United States
The documentary takes viewers through Janet Jackson's life and career, contain never-before-seen footage, and feature home videos from the legendary artist. Jackson discusses her controversial 2004 Super Bowl halftime show performance with Justin Timberlake, her father Joe Jackson, the death of her brother Michael Jackson, and more.


The Yorkshire Auction House
2021
country: United Kingdom
Observational documentary series following auctioneer Angus Ashworth and his staff throughout the process from house viewings to auction day as they travel around the UK looking for antiques and collectables to sell.
Television in the 2020s is defined by streaming saturation and its correction — shorter seasons, faster cancellations, and international productions competing on equal footing with American ones.
Documentary series use length the way films can't — returning to subjects, following developments, and building cases across many hours. Streaming turned the format into a genuine cultural force.