Hulu offers a wide selection of high-quality documentaries, ranging from true crime stories to nature and humanity. Whether it’s the shocking fall of Ruby Frank in “Devil in the Family” or the quiet courage showcased in “The Sinking of the Lisbon Maru,” each documentary offers a genuine and complex experience.
If you are looking for the best documentaries on Hulu, this curated list will provide you with the latest and greatest. Don’t miss out.
Sally (2025)
- Genre: Documentary / Biography / History
- IMDb rating: 7.3/10
- Director: Cristina Costantini
Based on true events, “Sally” tells the story of former professional bodybuilder Sally McNeill’s turbulent marriage that ultimately led to her death. The documentary recounts years of family conflict, emotional stress, and personal breakdown, culminating in a tragedy televised worldwide.
The film focuses on subtle yet unsettling moments, such as dinner arguments, the bruised silences after training, and how love turns to fear. Through interviews, home videos, and real courtroom recordings, it forces us to confront how relationships can rot before they even break down. That’s why it’s one of Hulu’s most impactful true crime documentaries.
Underdogs (2025)
- Genre: Nature / Docuseries
- IMDb rating: 8.1/10
- Director: Narrated by Ryan Reynolds
From the creators of “Last Chance U,” “Underdogs” is one of the best Hulu documentaries of 2025. The docuseries follows high school football teams across America as they chase the impossible, balancing ambition, family expectations, and the pressures of small-town fame.
Each episode captures the stories behind different faces: a weary coach staring at the scoreboard, a mother counting tips at a restaurant to buy her son sneakers, a senior quarterback wondering if this is his last chance to chase a bigger dream.
If you’re looking for a new Hulu documentary that celebrates the human spirit and perseverance, “Underdogs” offers a unique experience.
Free Solo (2018)
- Genre: Adventure / Sport
- IMDb rating: 8.1/10
- Director: Jimmy Chin, Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi
- Watch it on Hulu
“Free Solo,” which won an Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature, remains one of the most thrilling documentaries on Hulu. The film tells the story of professional climber Alex Honnold, who attempts to scale Yosemite’s 3,000-foot-tall El Capitan with no ropes, no safety gear, and nothing left to chance.
The film reveals Honnold’s balancing act between the pursuit of perfection, human connection, and mortality, making it both a study of human limits and an exploration of physical achievement.
The Sinking of the Lisbon Maru (2023)
- Genre: Historical / War
- IMDb rating: 8.4/10
- Director: Fang Li, Ming Fan
- Watch it on Hulu
“The Sinking of the Lisbon Maru” recounts a little-known tragedy of World War II: the sinking of a British prisoner-of-war transport by Japanese forces off the coast of China in 1942. The film blends survivor testimony, archival material, and newly discovered evidence to reconstruct the harrowing ordeal of the hundreds of people trapped at sea.
Rather than dramatizing history, it gives voice to survivors, historians, and rescuers. The result is an unforgettable and deeply human account of loss, courage, and reconciliation.
“The Sinking of the Lisbon Maru” stands out among many historical documentaries on Hulu, serving as a reminder of human resilience even in the darkest moments of war.
Legacy: The True Story of the L.A. Lakers (2022)
- Genre: Sports / Biography / Docuseries
- IMDb rating: 8.2/10
- Director: Cristina Costantini
- Watch it on Hulu
“The Legacy: The True Story of the Los Angeles Lakers” is a sports documentary about the Lakers. This Hulu sports documentary captures the triumphs and tribulations behind decades of championship glory. Directed by Antoine Fuqua, the series traces the Buss family’s ownership of the Lakers, from the rise of Magic Johnson to the era of LeBron James.
What sets “The Legacy” apart from other basketball documentaries is its breadth and depth of coverage. It features rare archival footage and candid interviews with players, coaches, and Lakers team members.
If you’re a Lakers fan or interested in sports documentaries, “The Legacy” may surprise you.
Welcome to Wrexham (2022)
- Genre: Sports
- IMDb rating: 8.3/10
- Director: /
- Watch it on Hulu
“Welcome to Wrexham” tells the story of two Hollywood actors who buy a failing Welsh football club.
What I love most about “Wrexham” is that it doesn’t try to glorify Ryan Reynolds or Rob McElhenney. Instead, it chronicles their difficult learning process and the heartfelt experiences of locals who never sought fame and fortune but ultimately found success. If you only watch one Hulu sports documentary this year, make it this one.
Billy & Molly: An Otter Love Story (2024)
- Genre: Nature / Animal / Wildlife
- IMDb rating: 8/10
- Director: Charlie Hamilton-James
- Watch it on Hulu
“Billy & Molly” tells the story of a lonely man who unexpectedly befriends a wild otter off the coast of the Shetland Islands. It’s undoubtedly one of the most emotionally resonant nature documentaries I’ve ever seen.
Billy makes this fragile creature a part of his life, without forced drama, but with trust and companionship. It embodies something that many Hulu documentaries fail to capture: how humans should connect with the natural world.
Devil in the Family: The Fall of Ruby Franke (2025)
- Genre: True Crime
- IMDb rating: 7.3/10
- Director: Olly Lambert
- Watch it on Hulu
“Devils in the Family” revolves around Ruby Franke, a once-beloved family vlogger whose flawless online persona devolves into a nightmare of abuse and manipulation.
This documentary weaves together smile-filled home videos, meticulously edited YouTube clips, and confessional interviews. You’ll see how control masquerades as love, and how public approval masks inner fears.
The film unfolds like a slow, breathless awakening, and we, the audience, participate in the construction of this illusion. Among the new Hulu documentaries of the year, “Devils in the Family” holds a mirror to our obsession with perfection and the price people pay to maintain it.
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Cult Massacre: One Day in Jonestown (2024)
- Genre: Crime / History
- IMDb rating: 7.5/10
- Director: Marian Mohamed
- Watch it on Hulu
Few true-crime documentaries on Hulu are as unforgettable as “Cult Massacre: A Day in Jonestown.” This film recreates the 1978 Jonestown massacre, in which over 900 followers of Jim Jones were killed in the Guyanese jungle.
This documentary is remarkably restrained. Survivors’ trembling voices recount how their devout faith gradually became a trap. Archival recordings of Jones himself are almost unbearable, yet irresistible. Watching it, I couldn’t help but wonder how ordinary people could become so ensnared in collective delusion.
A Beautiful Planet (2016)
- Genre: Nature / Space / Science
- IMDb rating: 7.3/10
- Director: Toni Myers
- Watch it on Hulu
A Beautiful Planet is a visually stunning Hulu documentary that takes viewers on a bird’s-eye view of Earth from the International Space Station. The documentary not only showcases the Earth’s magnificent vistas but also offers in-depth insights from scientists into climate change and human impact.
I personally find the documentary’s most captivating quality anew, allowing viewers to reconnect with the fragility and wonder of our planet. Every shot is as exquisite as a postcard, and the director skillfully incorporates scientific explanations, allowing viewers to enjoy both the beauty and the knowledge.
Perfect Wife: The Mysterious Disappearance of Sherri Papini (2024)
- Genre: True Crime / Documentary
- IMDb rating: 7.3/10
- Director: /
- Watch it on Hulu
“The Perfect Wife” is a gripping true crime documentary on Hulu, focusing on the mysterious 2016 disappearance of Sherri Papini in California. Through police investigations, family interviews, and news reports, the documentary presents a comprehensive account of the events, exploring the underlying psychological motivations and social reactions.
This documentary delves deeply into the emotional toll on the family members and the media’s amplification of the incident. After watching it, you’ll not only be shocked by the case itself, but also leave you with deeper reflections on human nature and family relationships. How well do we really know the people we love?
Blackpink: The Movie (2021)
- Genre: Music / Concert / Biography
- IMDb rating: 6.8/10
- Director: Su Yee Jung
- Watch it on Hulu
Among the many music documentaries on Hulu, “Blackpink: The Movie” captures the most captivating moments of the world’s most famous girl group at their peak, as well as the humanity behind them.
What I love about this documentary is that it peels back the veil of stardom. You see the exhaustion of late-night rehearsals, the nervousness before going on stage, and the silent pressures of global fame. But you also see the friendship between the four girls.
For longtime fans, it’s a gift; for new fans, it’s a perfect opportunity to get to know Blackpink.
Harlan County U.S.A. (1976)
- Genre: Social / Historical
- IMDb rating: 8.2/10
- Director: Barbara Kopple
- Watch it on Hulu
Harlan County, U.S.A. is a landmark labor documentary, chronicling the Kentucky coal miners’ strike of the 1970s.
This documentary’s enduring popularity stems from its ability to capture the workers’ resilience, fear, and hope. Director Barbara Kopple’s meticulous tracking technique imbues each scene with a sense of presence, making the historical events feel tangible.
Fire of Love (2022)
- Genre: Nature / Science / Biography
- IMDb rating: 7.6/10
- Director: Sara Dosa
- Watch it on Hulu
“Fire of Love” tells the story of Katia and Maurice Krafft, a French volcanologist couple who not only study volcanoes but also capture some of Earth’s most spectacular eruptions.
Director Sara Dosa uses a poetic narrative style to weave the couple’s adventures with their love story. The film’s image quality is exceptional, with many breathtaking shots.
My Old School (2022)
- Genre: Comedy
- IMDb rating: 7.1/10
- Director: Jono McLeod
- Watch it on Hulu
“My Old School” tells the story of 32-year-old Brian MacKinnon, who disguised himself as 16-year-old Brandon Lee in 1993 to re-enroll at Bearsden Academy in Scotland. He successfully integrated into the student body and even participated in school plays. However, his secret was eventually revealed, sparking widespread public concern.
Director Jono McLeod tells this absurd yet true story humorously and creatively, combining animated reenactments with Alan Cumming’s lip syncing.
Read more: Best Movies & Shows on Hulu: Top Picks You Shouldn’t Miss
Final Thoughts
The beauty of Hulu’s best documentaries lies in their ability to reveal the truth behind the images. Whether you’re drawn to moving crime stories or breathtaking natural landscapes, Hulu has a wealth of documentaries to choose from.
Select one that interests you from this list and start watching!
