The Best Documentaries To Stream On Disney+ Right Now: Editors' Picks

Explore documentaries selected by our editors for standout storytelling and popular topics, including sports, history, space, science, and more

A great documentary can take you anywhere: The cliffs of Yosemite, a legendary concert, a football stadium during the final quarter, or the early days of Disneyland. This guide gathers editors’ favourite and popular picks from Disney+, with plenty of gripping nonfiction for everyone.

Best Documentaries To Watch On Disney+ in Australia

Our editors chose titles based on storytelling, popularity, and awards recognition. Their selections cover a broad range of subjects, spanning sports, true crime, history, nature, science, and Disney Parks. This is not a ranked list, so jump straight to the section that fits your mood best.

Award-Winning & Editor-Favourite Documentaries

Start here for documentary movies that have been honoured with nominations and awards for their stunning scenes and captivating storytelling. 

A Journey To The Limits Of Human Ability: National Geographic Documentary Films’ Free Solo

Free Solo follows climber Alex Honnold as he prepares to scale El Capitan in Yosemite National Park without a rope. The 2018 Documentary (Feature) Oscar® Winner is a tense, intimate portrait of discipline, risk, and focus, with filmmaking that puts viewers close to the physical and emotional scope of the climb.

Stream Free Solo on Disney+ now

An Unshakeable Bond With Our Closest Relatives: National Geographic Documentary Films’ Jane

This documentary uses archival footage to revisit Jane Goodall’s groundbreaking chimpanzee research and the work that helped reshape how people understand the natural world. Director Brett Morgen combines Goodall’s story with music by Philip Glass, making for an artistic personal portrait and an inspirational conservation story.

Stream Jane in Disney+ now

A Hail Mary That Saved Lives: National Geographic Documentary Films’ The Rescue

Chronicling the 2018 mission to save 12 boys and their soccer coach from a flooded cave in Northern Thailand, this is a story of persevering against the odds. The documentary focuses on the cave divers, Thai Navy SEALs, and international rescue teams whose courage and technical skill helped turn a global crisis into a story of shared humanity.

Stream The Rescue on Disney+ now

Resistance Through Music & Community: Summer of Soul 

The Oscar®-winning Summer of Soul (...Or, When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised) revisits the 1969 Harlem Cultural Festival through archival performance footage and present-day interviews. Directed by Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson, the movie blends music history, cultural memory, and performances by artists including Stevie Wonder, Nina Simone, Sly and the Family Stone, and more.

Stream Summer of Soul on Disney+ now

National Geographic & Nature Documentary Picks

For wildlife, conservation, and stories about our natural world, Disney+ has a massive Disneynature and National Geographic library. Here are some of our editors’ favourites.

From The Grand Canyon To Biscayne: National Geographic’s America’s National Parks

Spanning two seasons, this show explores landscapes and wildlife in 10 U.S. national parks, including famous destinations and lesser-known natural gems. The docuseries captures sweeping scenery and fascinating animal stories, showing us how diverse America’s protected park spaces can be.

Stream America’s National Parks on Disney+ now

A Highly Sophisticated Community: Disneynature’s Dolphin Reef

Follow Echo, a young Pacific bottlenose dolphin, as he explores his coral reef home and learns his place within the reef ecosystem. Natalie Portman narrates this family-friendly Disneynature movie about ocean life, predators, and the relationships that keep a reef alive.

Stream Dolphin Reef on Disney+ now

Small But Mighty: National Geographic’s Secrets of the Bees

Secrets of the Bees follows National Geographic Explorer Bertie Gregory into the hidden world of bees, including life inside the hive and the surprising ways different species adapt to their surroundings. Executive produced by James Cameron (creator of Avatar), the 2-part series combines the beauty of nature with science, behavioural insights, and close-up filmmaking.

Stream Secrets of the Bees on Disney+ now

ESPN, 30 for 30 & Sports Documentaries

These editor-picked ESPN 30 for 30 documentaries and docuseries explore how pressure, identity, teamwork, and legacy build the sports moments that stick with us.

A Game-Changing Transition: 30 for 30: Renée

A dynamite tennis player, Renée took the sports world by storm when she attempted to enter the 1977 U.S. Open as a woman. Directed by Eric Drath, this fascinating film chronicles the surprising and affecting human story behind one of America’s first transgender people in the public eye.

Stream Renée on Disney+ now

True Crime on Disney+ Documentary Picks

Stream stories of long-running cons and complex criminal cases available on Disney+.

A Search For The Truth: Death in Apartment 603: What Happened to Ellen Greenberg?

Death in Apartment 603: What Happened to Ellen Greenberg? follows Ellen’s family as they seek answers to what really happened the night she died. The 3-part show revisits the case, the disputed official ruling on her death, and the questions that kept the mystery in public conversation.

Stream Death in Apartment 603: What Happened to Ellen Greenberg? on Disney+ now

A Mormon "Momfluencer" Who Wasn’t What She Seemed: Devil in the Family: The Fall of Ruby Franke

Devil in the Family: The Fall of Ruby Franke examines the case of Ruby Franke, the family vlogger arrested for child abuse in 2023. The docuseries looks at the public image of a popular online family and the disturbing reality that was lurking behind the facade.

Stream Devil in the Family: The Fall of Ruby Franke on Disney+ now

A Con That Exploited Others’ Kindness: Scamanda

Scamanda follows the story of Amanda Riley, a wife, mother, and blogger whose cancer story drew support from her community, until an anonymous tip led to a long investigation. The docuseries expands on the podcast of the same name and traces how Riley’s claims began to unravel.

Stream Scamanda on Disney+ now

Dark Tales From America’s Most Stunning Places: Wild Crime

Wild Crime follows investigators working intricate cases in America’s national parks and wilderness areas. The show blends true crime with remote settings, documenting how specialised teams pursue answers when a case unfolds in remote, difficult terrain.

Stream Wild Crime on Disney+ now

Space, Science & Disney Stories

These documentaries take you on a journey into big feats of engineering and exploration, and introduce you to the people who create them. 

Inside The Wonders Of Disney Experiences: Behind the Attraction

The first two seasons of Behind the Attraction go behind the scenes of Disney Parks favourites, including the Haunted Mansion, Pirates of the Caribbean, Jungle Cruise, Star Tours, and more. Told through cast member experiences, season three takes to the sea and uncovers the story of how Disney Cruise Line came to be. This new season explores the magic of Disney Cruise Line, and examines its history, design details, archival material, and Imagineering stories.

Stream Behind the Attraction on Disney+ now

The Origins Of The Happiest Place On Earth: Disneyland Handcrafted

In Disneyland Handcrafted, director Leslie Iwerks charts the year leading up to Disneyland’s opening day on July 17, 1955. Using rare, and in some cases never-before-seen, archival footage and audio recordings, Leslie Iwerks explores the legacy and nostalgia behind the creation of Disneyland Resort and highlights the workers, artists, craftspeople, and Imagineers who helped turn Walt Disney’s dream into a real park. If you’re a fan of Disney lore, there’s more coming up in Iwerks’ latest documentary, Disney Worldbuilders.

Stream Disneyland Handcrafted on Disney+ now

Spotlighting Unsung Heroes: National Geographic Documentary Films’ The Space Race

The Space Race tells the little-known story of the Black pilots, scientists, engineers, and astronauts connected to NASA and the broader efforts to reach space. The documentary profiles figures including Guion Bluford, Ed Dwight, and Charles Bolden while connecting space exploration to the civil rights era and American history.

Stream The Space Race on Disney+ now

FAQs About Documentaries On Disney+

Learn more about popular nonfiction content on Disney+, including documentaries, docuseries, and sports stories.

Does Disney+ have National Geographic documentaries?

Yes. Disney+ includes National Geographic Documentary Films, documentaries and docuseries about animals, nature, exploration, science, history, and real-world adventure. 

Are there ESPN documentaries on Disney+?

Yes. Disney+ includes select ESPN programming and documentaries, and more sports stories and broadcasts. Stream great sports entertainment, including live events, on Disney+.

What documentary categories are best for families?

For family nights in, National Geographic nature documentaries, Disneynature movies, Disney Parks stories, and history or science topics are always fascinating choices. Before you press play, check the rating and description, especially for true crime, survival, or mature historical subjects.

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