16 Must-Watch Conscious Documentaries On Netflix
Netflix And…Learn?
In the bytes-and-pixels-dominated era of streaming entertainment, Netflix itself—and its counterpart, “Netflix and chill”—has become a verb for describing Friday nights with a glass of wine in hand. But did you know the streaming platform is also a treasure trove of content for the consciously minded global citizen?
Get ready to add all of these shows and movies to your watch list—Netflix isn’t just for streaming Friends, but also for educating yourself about sustainability or immersing yourself in places as far-flung as the Democratic Republic of Congo. Here are 16 of our top picks of what to watch on Netflix—the conscious edition.
If you’re crunched for time, head here for our recommendations for conscious docuseries!
1. The Social Dilemma
Documentary | 1h 34m
You have a new notification: you’re being mined. At least, that’s what the creators of social media are cautioning in the hottest new documentary on Netflix, “The Social Dilemma.” From the creator of the “like” button to Google data ethicists, some of Silicon Valley’s greatest minds speak out on the Frankensteinian nature of social media that preys on users’ mental health, addiction, and now threatens our democracy. One thing’s for sure: after watching this documentary, you’ll want to go through your privacy settings with a fine-toothed comb.
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2. I Am Not Your Negro
Documentary | 1h 33m
“I Am Not Your Negro” is a social documentary based on an unfinished book by James Baldwin, the celebrated author of ”Notes of a Native Son.” The film explores racism through the stories of Malcolm X, Martin Luther King Jr., and Medgar Evers, and it’s chocked-full of historical moments on black and white film and peppered with commentary from Baldwin on America’s treatment of African Americans. The year it was released (2016), The New York Times hailed it as one of the 10 best films of the year.
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3. Chasing Coral
Documentary | 1h 29m
SPF queens, gather around. “Chasing Coral” is a Sundance Film Festival-winning documentary showcasing the stunning beauty of coral reefs in technicolor—and the dramatic destruction of these complex animals due to climate change and pollution. Threatened by chemicals like oxybenzone and octinoxate found in sunscreens, coral reefs are being bleached white, leaving behind skeletons and a hole in the local ecosystem. It’s estimated more than 90 percent of coral will become extinct by 2050. If you’re not already a mineral sunscreen user, you will be after watching this environmental film.
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4. Crip Camp: A Disability Revolution
Documentary | 1h 48m
Universally acclaimed, “Crip Camp” is a documentary about a 1971 summer camp (Camp Jened) that was touted as a kind of Woodstock; it became associated with a magical summer that led to disability rights activism and the fight for accessibility legislation. Poignant and moving, Barack and Michelle Obama’s production company were the executive producers on this film, which won the Audience Award at the Sundance Film Festival.
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5. Brave Blue World
Documentary | 50m
Matt Damon, clean water activist and the co-founder of water.org, teams up with other celebrities, including Liam Neeson and Jaden Smith, in this documentary about the water crisis. By 2025, the UN estimates that 1.8 billion people will be living in water-stressed regions. From reuse to energy generation, the film explores different innovations around the world that help build a future for sustainable water. “Brave Blue World” is meant to inspire and uplift: we can all be part of changing the world and ensuring clean water is accessible for everyone.
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6. Knock Down The House
Documentary | 1h 27m
The 2018 Congressional race was one of the most groundbreaking for women—by the end, a record 117 women won elections across the United States, including the first Muslim and Native American Congresswomen. This political documentary follows the journeys of New York’s Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Missouri’s Cori Bush, Nevada’s Amy Vilela, and West Virginia’s Paula Jean Swearengin during that race. The behind-the-scenes look at the stakes, tears, and power will give you a whole new perspective on politics and leave you with all the feels. (For more like this, check out “And She Could Be Next,” too!)
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7. The True Cost
Documentary | 1h 32m
If you haven’t yet watched this staple documentary exposing the exploits of the fast fashion industry, stop everything you’re doing and go watch it now. Produced in 2015, “The True Cost” tells all about the hidden human and environmental impacts behind that $5 t-shirt. It interviews garment workers, factory owners, and entrepreneurs creating ethical fashion brands to pave the way for change. Fun fact: This movie even inspired the founding of The Good Trade.
*The True Cost is no longer on Netflix, but you can still watch it online here
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8. He Named Me Malala
Documentary | 1h 28m
This documentary tells the story of Malala Yousafzai, a Pakistani girl who was shot by the Taliban for pursuing girls’ right to an education. Having since gone on to be the youngest winner of the Nobel Peace Prize, Malala has even been honored by the United Nations, which celebrates every July 12 as Malala Day. This is her story about championing girls’ education, and it’s hard not to fall in love with her bold and bright spirit.
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9. Tidying Up With Marie Kondo
TV Series | 30–40m episodes
One of the signature croppings of the minimalism movement, Marie Kondo’s KonMari method for decluttering your life by deciding which items “spark joy” has had a profound cultural impact. Now, there’s a Netflix show all about it, and Marie herself goes around to different families’ houses to tidy up. If you love a drama-free, lower-key version of HGTV’s “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition,” her soft-spoken take on creating empathy for your possessions is perfect for you. It’s also the perfect show to do laundry to as Marie shares pro-tips for folding different articles of clothing in each episode. When this show was released, charities including Goodwill reportedly claimed up to a 20 percent increase in donations for the year, which was attributed to the show.
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10. City of Joy
Documentary | 1h 16m
This documentary explores the lingering aftermath of war-torn Eastern Congo for many surviving women, and how they turned a dark reality into light. Bound to remind you of the world-at-large, “City of Joy” is a heart-wrenching yet beautiful testimony of how Congolese women are starting their own grassroots movement to create a safe haven and rise up. Since the organization opened its doors, over 1,000 women have healed and graduated to go back to their communities as leaders.
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11. 13th
Documentary | 1h 40m
Prepare yourself if you choose to stream “13th,” an intense documentary by Ava DuVernay about the criminalization of African Americans and the prison problem in the US. Racial inequality is a heavy problem, and this piece spares no detail. Critics have called it a "powerful, infuriating and at times overwhelming" documentary that will leave you seeing America from a sobering perspective and likely impassioned to take a stand.
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12. Period. End of Sentence.
Documentary | 25 mins
“Period. End of Sentence.” gives a glimpse into how a magical pad-making machine in a rural village outside of Delhi, India broke down taboos around menstruation. As the mini-documentary progresses, it’s inspiring watching girls go from sheepishly giggling at the mention of the word “period” to selling their own pads in this mini-business. The documentary also won an Oscar in 2018, showing that a period should be the end of a sentence—not the end of a girl’s education.
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13. Before the Flood
Documentary | 1h 36m
Produced in conjunction with National Geographic, this documentary stars Leonardo DiCaprio who crisscrosses the globe, tallying five continents in total, to gain a better understanding of climate change and the paradise it has degraded. Watch from start to finish and you’ll see cameos from faces you might recognize: Pope Francis, Elon Musk, and Barack Obama, among others.
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14. Standing Tall
Documentary | 49m
“Standing Tall” features five women from Asia, Africa, and Latin America who tell their own stories of resilience amidst violence and inequality. The global fight for women’s rights is still at hand, and this deep dive gives context and numbers alongside personal stories of women from places that have risen above, like Cameroon. (For a shorter feature, check out “Refugee” on Netflix with Cate Blanchett, a half-hour film featuring five acclaimed photographers who provide detailed insight into the difficult conditions faced by refugees dreaming of a better life.)
Watch on Netflix
15. Sustainable
Documentary | 1h 31m
If it’s not already obvious from the title, this documentary unpacks the food supply chain from the perspective of those at the start: farmers. Featuring generations of farmers and Chicago-favorite chef Rick Bayless, this documentary on the history of the sustainable food movement evaluates the impact of how we eat in the modern age. If you’re a farm-to-table advocate or want to learn how to make your grocery shopping list more sustainable, check out this award-winning documentary that’s bound to make you care more about the food you’re eating.
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16. Minimalism
Documentary | 1h 18m
The idea that things don’t bring happiness isn’t a new one for the conscious consumer—but for the shopaholic who’s yet to embrace minimalism, this award-winning film might be that final gentle push. It gives a real look at what the American dream means in material terms. It envisions a world where enough is enough and examines the virtues of having less. Thoughtful and sprinkled with an array of expert interviews, this close-up look at minimalism is well-told.
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What are some of your other favorite conscious documentaries? 🎞️ Share their titles in the comments below!
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Alice is a California-grown writer thinking on the things shaping urban living, the modern woman, and living a conscious life of impact in light of a bigger world. A graduate of Northwestern University's j-school, she spent time abroad working with a microfinance project in Peru before transitioning into a 9-5 in the global development sector. When she's not daydreaming about opening a social impact coffee shop, you can find her traveling, plié-ing at the barre studio, or curled up with a good book. Follow her latest creative endeavors and musings on Instagram at @alice.zhng.