While we’re always down for a good narrative film, sometimes the most compelling stories are the ones pointing the camera at our own world. From personal profiles to investigations, from stories of triumph and endurance to tales of redemption, Paramount+ has no shortage of excellent documentaries. We’ve narrowed down our favorites to make things easy for you. Here are the best documentaries on Paramount Plus.
What are the best documentaries on Paramount+?
These are just a few highlights, and our shortlist barely scratches the surface. Showtime has long been one of the most renowned documentary networks, alongside HBO. Since Paramount merged Showtime into its streaming service, Paramount+, subscribers now have access to a wealth of top-tier documentaries. The Smithsonian Channel is also part of Paramount+, so you’ll find plenty of nature documentaries, while hard-hitting investigative stories can be found under the CBS documentaries brand, thanks to Paramount’s ownership of CBS.
Birthing a Nation: The Resistance of Mary Gaffney (2023)
Countless unsung heroes defied oppression in the name of liberty. This documentary centers on one such figure, Mary Gaffney, in the antebellum South. Sadly, like so many others, her story hasn’t been heard by many. During years of forced birthing under enslavers, she found ways to resist and reclaim autonomy over her own body. Drawing from a 1930s video interview conducted by the Works Progress Administration, a government relief program that recorded thousands of formerly enslaved men and women, Birthing a Nation uses Gaffney’s own words to bring often-overlooked voices to the forefront. Historians also speak to the material and address what textbooks often omit. This is a short documentary, and it’s a perfect choice if you’re looking for something impactful with a shorter runtime.
I Am Ready, Warden (2024)
Nominated for an Academy Award for Best Documentary Short, I Am Ready, Warden follows the final days of John Henry Ramirez as he awaits execution in Texas. Directed and produced by filmmaker Smitri Mundrha, the film looks at the emotional and procedural realities of capital punishment. Beyond that, the documentary also offers an intimate look at Ramirez’s experience and search for forgiveness from his victim’s son. At under 37 minutes, the film delivers a concise yet impactful examination of a life approaching its end.
Afghan Dreamers (2022)
From MTV Documentaries and directed by David Greenwood, Afghan Dreamers follows five girls who defied the Taliban’s restrictive ban on women’s education and formed an international robotics team. The girls worked in secret, overcoming incredible obstacles to pursue their passion and to prove the impact women can have. The film is many things — heartbreaking, inspiring, and full of determination — but you’ll have to watch to see just how inspiring it really is. Afghan Dreamers won Amnesty International’s Best Human Rights Film Award, and for good reason.
Murder in Big Horn (2023)
This harrowing three-part documentary miniseries from Showtime, Murder in Big Horn, follows the community movement that began when the bodies of three Native American women were found in the Big Horn region of rural Montana. As the community searches for answers, the documentary not only focuses on these specific cases but also examines the wider epidemic of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women. It explores the investigations, community impact, and systemic challenges surrounding these disappearances and many others. Premiering at the Sundance Film Festival in 2023, Murder in Big Horn combines personal interviews, archival material, and investigative reporting to humanize the victims and raise awareness of the search for justice. There’s a lot of historical and cultural context to unpack, and the documentary handles the material thoughtfully and thoroughly.
Couples Therapy (2019)
For a bit of lighter fare, Couples Therapy is a Showtime-produced docuseries now in its fourth season. Each episode follows different couples as they participate in therapy sessions, giving viewers an intimate look at their relationships. This setup is observational in its structure, and in each episode, we feel like we’re a fly on the wall, witnessing the challenges, joys, and complexities of vastly different relationship experiences. The series explores communication struggles, emotional growth, and a full gamut of interpersonal dynamics that shape modern partnerships. This is an entertaining watch that is entirely relatable.
How we picked the best documentaries on Paramount Plus
While Paramount+ may not have as many award-winning documentaries as some other platforms, narrowing down our favorites was still a challenge. We focused on a variety of subjects and documentary styles, while also considering films and series that have won awards or received high audience and critical ratings.
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