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    Home/Browse/TV Shows/Documentary TV Shows

    Documentary TV Shows

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

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    Galileo
    TMDB2.4

    Galileo

    1998

    country: Germany

    This daily German magazine show delivers interesting facts on numerous topics centering around technology, life, and bizarre knowledge.

    Fuse
    TMDB3.8

    Fuse

    1962

    country: SU

    Fitil is a popular Soviet/Russian television satirical/comedy short film series which ran for about 500 episodes. Some of the episodes were aimed at children, and were called Фитилёк, Fitilyok, Little Fuse. Each issue contained from the few short segments: documentary, fictional and animated ones. Directed by various artists, including Leonid Gaidai who presented his famous trio of Nikulin, Vitsin and Morgunov into the cast. It was called in USSR as "the anecdotes from the Soviet government".

    Vetenskapens värld
    TMDB3.4

    Vetenskapens värld

    1971

    country: Sweden

    Vetenskapens värld is a popular science TV documentary program broadcast on Swedish Television (SVT).

    Beyond Belief: Fact or Fiction
    TMDB3.6

    Beyond Belief: Fact or Fiction

    1997

    country: United States

    Can you tell the difference between fact and fiction? Several stories of strange, mysterious and incredible occurrences are chronicled during each episode. It is up to the viewer to decide which stories actually happened and which were completely fabricated by the show’s writers. The answer is revealed by Jonathan Frakes at the conclusion of each episode.

    Cuisines des terroirs
    TMDB5.0

    Cuisines des terroirs

    2001

    country: Germany

    A sensual approach to culinary art "on the ground", meeting farmers, winegrowers, restaurateurs and cooks, where gastronomy and the art of living have their roots.

    The Girl
    TMDB3.9

    The Girl

    2016

    country: Colombia

    A young woman who was part of the guerrilla group is now seeking a better life in the city. She wants to study medicine, to heal rather than harm, but she will face a challenge, because being part of outlaw groups always has consequences.

    凤凰大视野
    TMDB5.0

    凤凰大视野

    2004

    country: Hong Kong

    No overview available

    Democracy Now!
    TMDB3.5

    Democracy Now!

    2001

    country: United States

    A United States daily progressive, nonprofit, independently syndicated program of news, analysis, and opinion.

    Bares für Rares
    TMDB3.8

    Bares für Rares

    2013

    country: Germany

    In the show, selected applicants each present a curiosity, rarity or antique they have brought with them. Once they have received their expertise, they will have the opportunity on site to offer their exhibit to a changing five-person podium for sale and, ideally, to sell it to the highest bidder for „Bares“ ("cash").

    NOVA
    TMDB3.5

    NOVA

    1974

    country: United States

    PBS' premier science series helps viewers of all ages explore the science behind the headlines. Along the way, NOVA demystifies science and technology, and highlights the people involved in scientific pursuits.

    mare TV
    TMDB4.2

    mare TV

    2001

    country: Germany

    No overview available

    Great Performances
    TMDB3.0

    Great Performances

    1971

    country: United States

    The best in the performing arts from across America and around the world including a diverse programming portfolio of classical music, opera, popular song, musical theater, dance, drama, and performance documentaries.

    Mayday
    TMDB4.1

    Mayday

    2003

    country: Canada

    Major real-life air disasters are depicted in this series. Each episode features a detailed dramatized reconstruction of the incident based on cockpit voice recorders and air traffic control transcripts, as well as eyewitnesses recounts and interviews with aviation experts.

    Panorama
    TMDB3.1

    Panorama

    1953

    country: United Kingdom

    Current affairs programme, featuring interviews and investigative reports on a wide variety of subjects.

    kinokino

    TMDB5.0

    kinokino

    1978

    country: Germany

    No overview available

    It's Not Rocket Science!
    TMDB4.0

    It's Not Rocket Science!

    1993

    country: France

    C'est pas sorcier is a French educational television program that originally aired from November 5, 1994 to present.

    RE: European Stories
    TMDB3.5

    RE: European Stories

    2017

    country: Germany

    Discover Europe in all its diversity of viewpoints

    A Girl's Guide to 21st Century Sex
    TMDB2.5

    A Girl's Guide to 21st Century Sex

    2006

    country: United Kingdom

    A Girl's Guide to 21st Century Sex is a documentary TV series about sex, which ran in eight episodes on Channel 5 and was presented by Dr Catherine Hood. The 45-minute long episodes were broadcast on Monday nights. The series started on 30 October 2006, with the final programme broadcast on 18 December 2006. Each episode explained a sex position and covered a sexually transmitted disease. Additionally, the following topics were discussed: sex among handicapped and overweight people, penis enlargement devices, penis enlargement surgery, sexual violence against men and penis removal, tantric sex, the g-spot, erectile dysfunction, sex reassignment surgery, cosmetic surgery of the vagina, swinging, lichen sclerosus, the use of recreational drugs during sex, male homosexual sex in public toilets, full body plastic wrap bondage, and sex dolls.

    Oddity Archive
    TMDB4.0

    Oddity Archive

    2012

    country: United States

    The Oddity Archive is a web series that revolves around the "cultural dustbin", especially as it pertains to media. The Archive also functions as an actual archive of sorts, with a modest collection of off-air Betamax and VHS recordings (about 400 total as of June, 2014). There's also a decent collection of ephemeral video, "ripoff" and "drugstore" LP's/cassettes/8-tracks, as well as (working) obsolete technology.

    20/20
    TMDB3.1

    20/20

    1978

    country: United States

    20/20 is an American television newsmagazine that has been broadcast on ABC since June 6, 1978. Created by ABC News executive Roone Arledge, the show was designed similarly to CBS's 60 Minutes but focuses more on human interest stories than international and political subjects. The program's name derives from the "20/20" measurement of visual acuity. The hour-long program has been a staple on Friday evenings for much of the time since it moved to that timeslot from Thursdays in September 1987, though special editions of the program occasionally air on other nights.

    Invitation au voyage
    TMDB3.5

    Invitation au voyage

    2017

    country: France

    No overview available

    Quarks
    TMDB4.7

    Quarks

    1993

    country: Germany

    No overview available

    Die Ratgeber

    TMDB5.0

    Die Ratgeber

    2019

    country: Germany

    No overview available

    Horizon
    TMDB3.7

    Horizon

    1964

    country: United Kingdom

    Horizon tells amazing science stories, unravels mysteries and reveals worlds you've never seen before.

    Chiisana Tabi
    TMDB4.5

    Chiisana Tabi

    1983

    country: Japan

    No overview available

    L'épicerie
    TMDB3.9

    L'épicerie

    2002

    country: Canada

    No overview available

    Xenius
    TMDB2.0

    Xenius

    2009

    country: Germany

    No overview available

    American Experience
    TMDB3.3

    American Experience

    1988

    country: United States

    TV's most-watched history series brings to life the compelling stories from our past that inform our understanding of the world today.

    Behind the Music
    TMDB3.6

    Behind the Music

    1997

    country: United Kingdom

    An intimate look into the personal lives of pop music's greatest and most influential artists.

    Enquêtes criminelles
    TMDB4.0

    Enquêtes criminelles

    2008

    country: France

    No overview available

    Independent Lens
    TMDB3.3

    Independent Lens

    1999

    country: United States

    This acclaimed Emmy Award-winning anthology series features documentaries and a limited number of fiction films united by the creative freedom, artistic achievement and unflinching visions of their independent producers and featuring unforgettable stories about a unique individual, community or moment in history.

    Frontline
    TMDB3.3

    Frontline

    1983

    country: United States

    Since it began in 1983, Frontline has been airing public-affairs documentaries that explore a wide scope of the complex human experience. Frontline's goal is to extend the impact of the documentary beyond its initial broadcast by serving as a catalyst for change.

    Unanswered Questions
    TMDB4.0

    Unanswered Questions

    1992

    country: South Korea

    A current affairs/journalism program that investigates unsolved cases and looks into various problems in society, religion and more.

    The South Bank Show
    TMDB2.8

    The South Bank Show

    1978

    country: United Kingdom

    The South Bank Show is a television arts magazine show produced by ITV between 1978 and 2010. A new series began on Sky Arts from 27 May 2012. Presented by Melvyn Bragg, the show aims to bring both high art and popular culture to a mass audience.

    World War Two
    TMDB4.0

    World War Two

    2018

    country: United States

    Follow the deadliest conflict in human history in real time, week by week, blow by blow.

    Nature
    TMDB4.0

    Nature

    1982

    country: United States

    Consistently stunning documentaries transport viewers to far-flung locations ranging from the torrid African plains to the chilly splendours of icy Antarctica. The show's primary focus is on animals and ecosystems around the world. A comic book based on the show, meant to be used an as educational tool for kids, was briefly distributed to museums and schools at no cost in the mid-2000s.

    The Henry Ford's Innovation Nation
    TMDB2.5

    The Henry Ford's Innovation Nation

    2014

    country: United States

    The Henry Ford’s Innovation Nation is a weekly Saturday morning show on CBS that showcases present-day change-makers from all over the world who are creating solutions to real needs. It is hosted by news correspondent and CBS Sunday Morning regular Mo Rocca. Each episode presents stories related to the process of innovation and also includes one story on The Henry Ford—its Archive of American Innovation, its unique visitor experiences and its unparalleled expertise. The intent is to stimulate curiosity and to inspire audiences with entertaining yet educational stories about yesterday and today’s visionaries and turning points that changed the course of history, as well as innovations and inventions that are changing the world today. The Henry Ford’s Innovation Nation is produced in partnership by The Henry Ford and Litton Entertainment, a leading independent production and distribution company.

    Countryfile
    TMDB2.7

    Countryfile

    1988

    country: United Kingdom

    The people, places and stories making news in the British countryside.

    MythBusters
    TMDB3.9

    MythBusters

    2003

    country: United States

    MythBusters is a science entertainment television program created and produced by Australia's Beyond Television Productions for the Discovery Channel. The show's hosts, special effects experts Adam Savage and Jamie Hyneman, use elements of the scientific method to test the validity of rumors, myths, movie scenes, adages, Internet videos, and news stories.

    Intimate Portrait
    TMDB2.3

    Intimate Portrait

    1993

    country: United States

    Intimate Portrait is a biographical television series on the Lifetime Television cable network focusing on different celebrities, which includes interviews with each subject. Among the people profiled were Grace Kelly, Natalie Wood, Carly Simon, Jackie Kennedy, Katharine Hepburn, Carol Burnett, Tanya Tucker, and Marla Maples.

    About Documentary TV Shows

    Documentary

    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.

    In this list

    Years covered
    1953–2019
    Best reviewed
    Mayday (8.2)
    Often also
    News, Family, Talk
    Longest run
    74 seasons

    Common questions

    What are the best documentary TV shows?
    By popularity across Flickfolio and TMDB, the top picks right now are Galileo, Fuse, and Vetenskapens värld. The full ranked list of 40 sits above — open any show for ratings, reviews, and streaming availability.
    How is this list ranked?
    Documentary TV shows are ordered by overall popularity, which blends how often a title is viewed, searched, and logged. It updates as viewing habits shift, so the list reflects what people are actually watching rather than a fixed critical canon.
    Where can I watch these TV shows?
    Every show page lists current streaming, rental, and purchase options for your region, alongside community ratings and reviews from Flickfolio members.

    Keep browsing

    Documentary by Country

    Japanese DocumentaryKorean DocumentaryFrench DocumentaryItalian DocumentaryBritish DocumentaryGerman DocumentarySpanish DocumentaryIndian DocumentaryChinese DocumentaryHong Kong DocumentarySwedish Documentary
    Mexican Documentary
    Brazilian Documentary
    Russian Documentary

    Documentary by Decade

    2020s Documentary2010s Documentary2000s Documentary1990s Documentary1980s Documentary1970s Documentary1960s Documentary1950s Documentary

    Other Genres

    AnimationDramaComedyWesternCrimeMysteryFamilyAction & AdventureKidsRealitySci-Fi & FantasySoapWar & Politics

    In Theaters Too

    Documentary Movies