Take the Holy Week break as an opportunity to explore the real-life stories that are—in many ways—stranger than fiction. If you haven’t discovered the allure of documentary-watching, you’re in for a treat! Netflix is a great place to catch up on documentaries that are just as engrossing and bingeable as superhero movies. Need a little help choosing where to start? Here are five documentary films and five docu-series that you can binge-watch on Netflix over Holy Week. (Plus, treats that are just as binge-worthy.)
Crip Camp: A Disability Revolution (2020)
Runtime: 1 hour 47 minutes
The Oscar-nominated documentary feature Crip Camp is a story about a group who are all too often left forgotten: people with disabilities. Many of the people featured in the film attended a summer camp for disabled individuals called Camp Jened, then went on to fight for basic human rights during a time when disability rights were largely put on the back burner. Watch now.
Treat yourself to Miss B’s… special pandesal that will empower you for the day ahead.
My Octopus Teacher (2020)
Runtime: 1 hour 25 minutes
Nature lovers will find an uplifting tale in My Octopus Teacher, which follows filmmaker Craig Foster as he snorkels off the coast of South Africa and befriends a small octopus in an underwater kelp forest. The Oscar-nominated documentary is a stunning yet intimate picture that explores the beauty and dangers of the natural world—and how we often forget that we are a part of it all. Watch now.
Treat yourself to Miss B’s… Shooky Bucket of warm, delicious chocolate chip cookies that you can share with pals while watching the interspecies friendship unfold onscreen.
American Factory (2019)
Runtime: 1 hour 49 minutes
The Oscar-winning film American Factory is a startlingly modern piece of work sharing the plight of American and Chinese factory workers in a glass-making facility. Part of the film is about the stark differences between the two cultures, but it is also about the similar struggles of the working class in any culture. Watch now.
Treat yourself to Miss B’s… milky pandesal to celebrate your well-deserved break from work.
13th (2016)
Runtime: 1 hour 40 minutes
Directed by Ava DuVernay, 13th explores the political and economic motives behind the 13th amendment and its long-standing effects on minorities in the United States. If you want a fascinating yet heartbreaking look at racial inequality and mass incarceration of minorities—specifically, African-Americans—in the United States, this is a must-watch. Watch now.
Treat yourself to Miss B’s… sticky-sweet ensaymada pudding as a comfort at the injustice in the film.
The Dawn Wall (2017)
Runtime: 1 hour 40 minutes
In Yosemite’s famous El Capitan, a formidable slab of rock known as the Dawn Wall has never been scaled—that is, until two men decided they wanted to free climb it. The Dawn Wall follows Tommy Caldwell and Kevin Jorgeson’s weeks-long journey (yes, they sleep up there), an insanely terrifying undertaking that feels so beyond the natural abilities of humans that even non-climbers will be awed by the feat. Watch now.
Treat yourself to Miss B’s… thousand-gram dirty brownies sprinkled with nuts that are as “rocky” as the Dawn Wall.
The Keepers (2017)
Episodes: 7
For some reason, true crime is endlessly fascinating for many people. There are a lot available on Netflix, but you can start strong with The Keepers. Set in Baltimore, the docuseries dives into the mysterious murder of the nun Sister Catherine Cesnik in 1969. And in the aftermath of her death, an even more horrifying story emerges. Watch now.
Treat yourself to Miss B’s… boba buns with a mysterious filling of boba and milk tea custard.
Ugly Delicious (2018)
Episodes: 12 (2 seasons)
Food and travel—a combination is universally adored. Award-winning chef David Chang gallivants around the world to sample strange and wonderful cuisines in Ugly Delicious. His adventures are fresh and relatable, going from well-known foodie destinations to off-the-beaten tracks to uncover the cultural secrets behind yummy (and even not-so-yummy) dishes. Watch now.
Treat yourself to Miss B’s… best-selling homemade soy-based milk drink that’s the perfect pair for many of the food served on Ugly Delicious.
Our Planet (2019)
Episodes: 8
When you watch Our Planet, you’ll find yourself falling in love with the beauty of the natural world. More importantly, the eight-part docuseries doesn’t just deliver breathtaking footage but also drives home the point that it’s up to us to keep the planet alive. Narrated by David Attenborough, Our Planet is as visually stunning and richly immersive as the highly popular BBC’s Planet Earth. Watch now.
Treat yourself to Miss B’s… decadent lava cakes as David Attenborough shares the dangers and effects of global warming.
Last Dance (2020)
Episodes: 10
Take a peek behind the scenes of the final season of Michael Jordan’s storied Chicago Bulls, a legendary team that will end their run with six rings in 1998. Last Dance chronicles the end of a dynasty—and a highly entertaining one at that. From Scottie Pippen’s rise to stardom to Dennis Rodman’s antics off the court, the Bulls features an unforgettable cast of characters that feels almost larger than life. And of course, at the center of everything is Air Jordan, a magnetic figure who is one of the greatest athletes who ever lived. Even if you’re not an NBA fan or a sports lover, Last Dance is a highly entertaining watch. Watch now.
Treat yourself to Miss B’s… Basque burnt cheesecake and feel like a champion.
Lenox Hill (2020)
Episodes: 8
Heartbreaking yet uplifting in its humanity, Lenox Hill follows the day-to-day life of two brain surgeons, an emergency room physician, and an OBGYN at the Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City. Joys, struggles, triumphs, and tragedies play out on screen as this docuseries offers an intimate glimpse at the lives of the people who are tasked to save our lives. Watch now.
Treat yourself to Miss B’s… life-affirming cuatros leche, a rich and creamy vanilla-based cake made with four different types of milk.
Truly, these 10 binge-worthy documentaries are the answer to the age-old question of, “what to watch on Netflix?” And with your Miss B treats within reach, you’ll truly never want to leave your couch—until the next vacation, of course. When you’re ready to hit the road, visit KKday for travel deals and other essentials.
*Featured photo via Pexels
