The Best Documentaries on Hulu Right Now

Hulu has quietly become a streaming powerhouse, boasting a diverse and impressive library that extends far beyond network television reruns․ Among its hidden gems lies a treasure trove of documentaries, each offering unique perspectives, compelling narratives, and thought-provoking insights into the world around us․ From true crime investigations that grip you from the first scene to heartwarming stories of human resilience that leave you feeling inspired, Hulu’s documentary collection truly has something for everyone․ Navigating this vast landscape can be daunting, so we’ve curated a list of the absolute best documentaries currently streaming on Hulu, ensuring you spend your valuable viewing time with films that are both informative and entertaining․

Unveiling the Must-See Documentaries

This curated list explores a wide range of topics and styles, showcasing the breadth and depth of Hulu’s documentary offerings․ We’ve considered critical acclaim, audience reviews, and overall impact when selecting these titles․ Prepare to be captivated, challenged, and enlightened․

True Crime Thrillers: Unraveling the Mysteries

Hulu boasts a particularly strong selection of true crime documentaries, perfect for those who enjoy unraveling complex mysteries and delving into the darker side of human nature․

• “Fyre Fraud”: This gripping documentary explores the disastrous Fyre Festival, a luxury music festival that promised an unforgettable experience but delivered a chaotic nightmare․ It’s a cautionary tale about social media hype, influencer culture, and the dangers of believing everything you see online․ The film meticulously chronicles the planning, execution, and ultimate collapse of the festival, exposing the fraud and deception at its core․
• “Minding the Gap”: While not strictly true crime, “Minding the Gap” explores themes of domestic abuse, poverty, and trauma through the lens of three young skateboarders in Rockford, Illinois․ The film offers a raw and intimate look at their lives, revealing the complex and often painful realities they face․ It is a powerful and moving exploration of masculinity, friendship, and the challenges of growing up in America․

Social and Political Commentary: Understanding the World Around Us

These documentaries offer critical perspectives on important social and political issues, encouraging viewers to think critically about the world and their place within it․

• “Hillary”: This four-part documentary series offers an unprecedented look at the life and career of Hillary Clinton․ From her childhood to her time as First Lady, Senator, Secretary of State, and presidential candidate, the series explores the complexities of her public image and the challenges she has faced throughout her career․ Featuring extensive interviews with Clinton herself, as well as family, friends, and colleagues, “Hillary” provides a comprehensive and insightful portrait of one of the most influential figures in American politics․
• “I Am Greta”: Follow Greta Thunberg’s extraordinary journey from Swedish schoolgirl to global climate activist․ This documentary provides an intimate portrait of Greta, showcasing her unwavering dedication, her powerful speeches, and the challenges she faces as she travels the world to raise awareness about climate change․ “I Am Greta” is an inspiring and urgent call to action․

Nature and Science: Exploring the Wonders of Our Planet

Discover the beauty and complexity of the natural world with these fascinating documentaries that explore everything from the depths of the ocean to the vastness of space․

• “Free Solo”: While technically available on Disney+ (which often comes bundled with Hulu), “Free Solo” is an absolute must-watch․ This Oscar-winning documentary follows Alex Honnold as he prepares to free solo climb El Capitan, a 3,000-foot granite monolith in Yosemite National Park, without any ropes or safety gear․ The film is a breathtaking and heart-stopping look at the limits of human potential and the incredible dedication required to achieve the seemingly impossible․
• “Jane”: This captivating documentary tells the story of Jane Goodall, the renowned primatologist who revolutionized our understanding of chimpanzees․ Using previously unseen footage from National Geographic’s archives, “Jane” offers an intimate and revealing portrait of Goodall’s life and work, showcasing her groundbreaking research and her unwavering commitment to conservation․

Music and Arts: Celebrating Creativity and Innovation

These documentaries celebrate the power of music and art, exploring the lives and work of influential artists and musicians․

• “Summer of Soul (…Or, When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised)”: This Oscar-winning documentary tells the story of the 1969 Harlem Cultural Festival, a six-week music festival that celebrated Black culture, music, and unity․ Featuring performances by Stevie Wonder, Nina Simone, Sly and the Family Stone, and many more, “Summer of Soul” is a vibrant and joyous celebration of Black history and culture that was largely forgotten for over 50 years․
• “The Beatles: Eight Days a Week ‒ The Touring Years”: This documentary chronicles The Beatles’ journey from their early days in Liverpool to their final concert in 1966․ Featuring rare footage and interviews, the film provides a fascinating look at the band’s rise to fame and the intense pressures of touring․ It’s a must-see for any Beatles fan․

Sports Documentaries: Triumph, Adversity, and the Pursuit of Excellence

Witness the highs and lows of athletic competition through these compelling sports documentaries, showcasing the dedication, sacrifice, and resilience required to succeed at the highest level․

• “Untouchable”: This powerful documentary explores the scandal surrounding Harvey Weinstein, focusing on the brave women who came forward to accuse him of sexual assault and harassment․ “Untouchable” is a difficult but important film that sheds light on the prevalence of sexual misconduct in Hollywood and the systemic power structures that enable it․
• “Ask Dr․ Ruth”: This surprisingly heartwarming documentary tells the story of Dr․ Ruth Westheimer, the pioneering sex therapist who became a cultural icon in the 1980s․ The film explores Dr․ Ruth’s remarkable life, from her childhood as a Holocaust survivor to her groundbreaking work in sexual education․ “Ask Dr․ Ruth” is an inspiring and uplifting story about resilience, perseverance, and the importance of open and honest communication․

Beyond the Headlines: Finding Hidden Gems on Hulu

While the documentaries listed above are widely acclaimed and popular, Hulu also offers a wealth of lesser-known documentaries that are well worth exploring․ Don’t be afraid to venture beyond the headlines and discover some hidden gems․

Tips for Finding Underrated Documentaries

• Browse by Genre: Hulu allows you to browse documentaries by genre, making it easy to find films that align with your interests․
• Read Reviews: Check out user reviews and ratings to get a sense of what other viewers thought of a particular documentary․
• Explore Similar Titles: After watching a documentary you enjoy, check out the “similar titles” section for recommendations․
• Use Hulu’s Search Function: Don’t underestimate the power of a simple search․ Try searching for specific topics, people, or events that interest you․

Examples of Underrated Documentaries on Hulu

While this list is not exhaustive, here are a few examples of underrated documentaries that deserve more attention:

• “Becoming Cousteau”: A deeper look at the life and work of Jacques Cousteau․
• “Jacinta”: A raw and unflinching look at addiction and recovery․
• “We Are Freestyle Love Supreme”: A fun and inspiring documentary about the improv hip-hop group founded by Lin-Manuel Miranda․

The Ever-Evolving Landscape of Streaming Documentaries

The world of streaming is constantly changing, with new documentaries being added and removed all the time․ It’s important to stay up-to-date on the latest releases to ensure you don’t miss out on any hidden gems․ Keep an eye on Hulu’s new releases section and follow documentary film news to stay informed․

Documentary filmmaking continues to evolve, incorporating new technologies and storytelling techniques to engage viewers in new and exciting ways․ Virtual reality documentaries, interactive documentaries, and short-form documentaries are just a few examples of the innovative approaches being used to tell stories and explore complex issues․ The future of documentary filmmaking is bright, and Hulu is well-positioned to be a leading platform for showcasing these innovative works․

Ultimately, the best documentary for you depends on your personal interests and preferences․ Whether you’re drawn to true crime, social commentary, nature, music, or sports, Hulu offers a diverse and compelling collection of documentaries to choose from․ So, grab some popcorn, settle in, and prepare to be captivated by the power of storytelling․

Discovering new perspectives and understanding different cultures can be an enriching and transformative experience, and documentaries provide a unique window into the world․ By exploring the vast and varied landscape of documentary filmmaking, you can broaden your horizons, challenge your assumptions, and gain a deeper appreciation for the complexities of human life․ Happy viewing!

Streaming services offer unprecedented access to a wide array of content․ Documentaries are now more accessible than ever․ Take advantage of the opportunity to learn and grow through the power of film․