25 Uplifting Documentaries on Netflix to Deep-Cleanse Your Soul

Disney’s mesmerizing French nature documentary explores how the ocean impacts human life and the environment. Melt away your troubles with the beautiful underwater cinematography!

Watch Oceans on Netflix.

Beautiful shots of sushi? Yes, please! Heartfelt and technically gorgeous, Jiro Dreams of Sushi follows the daily life of sushi chef icon Jiro Ono.

Watch Jiro Dreams of Sushi on Netflix.

Undefeated tells the inspirational story of an inner-city high school football team that harnesses its players’ physical and emotional strengths to reach its first playoff game. After 110 years, the team seizes the chance to break its losing streak.

Watch Undefeated on Netflix.

Dive into Elmo’s world – or, more precisely, the life of the man behind the adorable furry puppet. Whoopi Goldberg narrates the story of Kevin Clash, who started out in a working-class Baltimore neighborhood before hitting Sesame Street.

Watch Being Elmo: A Puppeteer’s Journey on Netflix.

This heartfelt rockumentary brings us into the passionate and hardworking lives of backup vocalists and the stars that they support. Singers include Lisa Fischer, Judith Hill, Darlene Love, and Merry Clayton.

Watch 20 Feet From Stardom on Netflix.

In the ’70s, actor Bing Russell started an independent baseball team of scrappy underdogs that nobody wanted and called them the Portland Mavericks. This inspiring documentary follows their journey – you might know one of the former players, Kurt Russell, aka Bing’s son.

Watch The Battered Bastards of Baseball on Netflix.

This adorable documentary is one that you’ll be able to pull up with the family, whether you’re all together in one place or putting together an online watch party. It follows some of the most competitive golfers in the world, who all happen to be in elementary school.

Watch The Short Game on Netflix.

He Named Me Malala is an empowering documentary about how teenage Pakistani activist and Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Malala Yousafzai got shot and lived to tell her story. We get an intimate picture of her life as well as her steadfast advocacy for women and girls.

Watch He Named Me Malala on Netflix.

The Last Man on the Moon documents the awe-inspiring journey of astronaut Eugene Cernan, who left his footprints on the moon along with his daughter’s name traced in lunar dust. This story is full of adventure and heart for when you need a little pick-me-up.

Watch The Last Man on the Moon on Netflix.

For the Love of Spock takes on how Leonard Nimoy became Spock from Star Trek. While critics originally panned the show, it and Nimoy’s 50-year role of Spock have become beloved parts of sci-fi culture.

Watch For the Love of Spock on Netflix.

While not absent of tragedy and heartbreak, Maya Angelou: And Still I Rise traces a story of perseverance. From the hardships in her life, poet and civil rights activist Angelou rose to share her beautiful writing with the world.

Watch Maya Angelou: And Still I Rise on Netflix.

How could a movie about a baby elephant not soothe the soul? The emotional film features scientists and animal experts who fight to save an orphaned baby elephant and her species.

Watch Naledi: A Baby Elephant’s Tale on Netflix.

The feel-good documentary I Am Bolt takes us into the life of Olympic champion Usain Bolt. Who else can teach you a thing or two about pushing forward but the fastest man in the world?

Watch I Am Bolt on Netflix.

There’s nothing like a pirouette to uplift the spirits, right? The ballerina documentary Restless Creature: Wendy Whelan follows the inspiring 30-year career of its subject, one of the world’s best ballerinas.

Watch Restless Creature: Wendy Whelan on Netflix.

In Heal, spiritual leaders, health experts, and those living with chronic illness discuss the connection between mental and physical well-being. You might have heard of the speakers, including Marianne Williamson and Deepak Chopra.

Watch Heal on Netflix.

Beychella never gets old, and it’ll always be an everlasting fountain of empowerment and joy for us mere mortals. Besides her breathtaking performances, we also see footage of Beyoncé training up for Coachella in Homecoming.

Watch Homecoming: A Film by Beyoncé on Netflix.

There’s nothing like an oldies classic to keep the soul afloat! Echo in the Canyon follows how bands such as The Beach Boys and The Mamas & the Papas fostered the iconic California sound. These bands migrated to Los Angeles at Laurel Canyon, which became a hotbed of musical creativity in the ’60s.

Watch Echo in the Canyon on Netflix.

Quincy illuminates the illustrious career of the great Quincy Jones himself. We hear past and present testimonials from those who the music legend inspired, including Oprah, Will Smith, and more.

Watch Quincy on Netflix.

This Academy Award-winning documentary short film shines a light on a truly badass group of women in Hapur, India, who create and sell low-cost, biodegradable sanitary pads. While providing women with access to these basic hygiene products, they also debunk stereotypes about menstruation.

Watch Period. End of Sentence. on Netflix.

Knock Down the House gives us an up close and personal look at four hardworking women who take on the 2018 Congress run. One of those fearless leaders? Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.

Watch Knock Down the House on Netflix.

Miss Americana peels back the layers shrouding the enigmatic life of pop icon Taylor Swift. While documenting the not-so-glamorous parts of stardom, the film also reveals how Swift developed her political voice and embraced her position as a role model for young fans.

Watch Miss Americana on Netflix.

Hiyori Kon is banned from participating in sumo wrestling because women are not allowed to competitively participate in Japan, but this isn’t going to stop her from striving for excellence in the sport. In this documentary short, the 20-year-old wrestler defies obstacles in and out of the ring to assert her presence.

Watch Little Miss Sumo on Netflix.