Get the popcorn ready! Celebrity documentaries are a major thing these days. Just like true-crime documentaries, celebrity documentaries are cropping up on streaming services almost daily. We have so much more access to information now than ever before, so a really interesting celebrity documentary can be thrown together in what seems like just a few months, instead of the years it used to take. And honestly, we’ve never been more intrigued. In the past, the private lives of celebs were largely a mystery, but that’s definitely no longer the case.
Celebrities are practically royalty in America, and between the paparazzi constantly following them and delivering us juicy details and all the things celebs post on social media themselves, we know more about them and what they do in their spare time than ever before. And you know what? It just makes us want more. There’s something so interesting about seeing how the rich and famous live their lives.
Good or bad, fame and fortune definitely seem to invite drama, as we’ve seen play out on more than a few documentaries and even on TV news screens in recent years. From Britney Spears and Marilyn Monroe to Kanye West and Michael Jackson, celebrity documentaries are definitely must-watch TV — and we don’t see that changing anytime soon. Keep scrolling to find out which celebrity documentaries are total must-watches.
'Amy'
A huge talent gone much too soon. Many of singer-songwriter Amy Winehouse’s fans were left reeling after her untimely death in 2011. The 2015 documentary Amy seeks to uncover some of the reasons behind Amy’s death. The singer died from alcohol poisoning, and the film chronicles some of the details of her personal life that may have contributed to her alcohol and substance abuse issues.
'Dancing With the Devil'
Three years after their nearly fatal overdose, Demi Lovato teamed up with YouTube to produce the docuseries Dancing With the Devil, in which Demi reveals intimate details about the night of the overdose, as well as the months-long recovery process that ensued. It’s a heartbreakingly transparent look at addiction and mental illness.
'Homecoming'
Beyoncé has always been the kind of performer who just keeps going, seemingly with an amazing attitude and the biggest smile on her face. But in the 2018 Netflix documentary Homecoming, Bey reveals all of the things she’s struggled with as a celebrity of her caliber throughout the years, including body image issues that were heightened after she gave birth to her daughter Blue Ivy.
'Gaga: Five Foot Two'
Lady Gaga’s mind is undoubtedly a unique and fascinating place, and when Netflix released Five Foot Two, fans got to take a tiny peek inside. The documentary follows the singer around as she works and lives, chronicling not just her artistic process, but her battle with fibromyalgia and the impact of the increasing pressures on her as a celebrity.
'The Mystery of Marilyn Monroe: The Unheard Tapes'
If you want to know more about who Marilyn Monroe was as a person, check out the Netflix documentary The Mystery of Marilyn Monroe: The Unheard Tapes. As the title indicates, it gives fans a glimpse into how Marilyn truly felt about herself, her celebrity, and Hollywood, using never-before-heard recordings of the late star herself.
'The Last Dance'
Even Michael Jordan mega-fans didn’t know a lot of what’s revealed in 2020’s The Last Dance. The docuseries chronicles nearly the entire life of the basketball legend, from his childhood to present day, using never-before-seen footage and interviews with Michael himself and many of his former teammates. It’s Michael Jordan like you’ve never seen him before, and incredibly inspirational to boot.
'Michael Jackson's This Is It'
Michael Jackson’s This Is It came out in 2009, just a few months after the music icon’s sudden death. That’s because the film was nearly complete when he died and covers the months immediately before his accidental overdose. It follows Michael as he prepares to go on tour, and offers a personal look at who Michael really was off camera, giving fans some fascinating insight into what his mental state was like before he died.
'Jeen-Yuhs'
This 2022 Netflix documentary about embattled rapper and businessman Kanye West is an eye-opener. The first two episodes of the three-part series are a deep dive into the early days of Ye’s career and also provide some keen insights into his relationship with his mother, as well as the work he put in to be taken seriously as a rapper and not just a producer. Then, in the third episode, we see how his mental health deteriorates after his mother’s death, ultimately leading to a major shift in his persona.
'Miss Americana'
Miss Americana chronicles how Taylor Swift went from a teenybopper country singer to a bona fide pop music sensation and empowered songwriter. It offers up lots of behind-the-scenes moments, concert footage, and an unprecedented peek into her personal life, and essentially her growing feminism.
'Travis Scott: Look Mom I Can Fly'
Another Netflix original documentary, Travis Scott: Look Mom I Can Fly offers an intimate look at the rise of the popular rapper. From his relationship with Kylie Jenner to home video revealing his come-up, this doc is both eye-opening and inspiring. It’s definitely worth a watch if you’re curious about Travis beyond the 2021 Astroworld tragedy.
'This Is Paris'
Ever wonder what happened to Paris Hilton? Well, in 2020 the original celebutante began her campaign for a comeback, and in the YouTube documentary This Is Paris, she reveals how her image fell apart. Paris goes into detail about her time at a treatment center where she says she was abused and she discusses the impact the skewed public perception of her has had on her in the past decade or so.
'Framing Britney Spears'
This is the documentary that started it all. Britney Spears has never totally left the collective consciousness of fans, but when The New York Times documentary Framing Britney Spears was released in 2021, viewers learned surprising things about the popstar and what led to her so-called “mental breakdown.” The masses rallied behind her, ultimately helping her get the help she needed to end the 14-year conservatorship her father had over her.
'Tiger'
Golfer Tiger Woods has led quite a scandalous life, and the HBO Max documentary Tiger gets into it all. The film details his dedication to his sport, the rise of his fame, the disturbing personal issues that almost ruined his life, and ultimately, his comeback both as an athlete and a human being deserving of respect.
'Kid 90'
The ’90s marked a boom for child actors, many of whom quickly skyrocketed to fame only to be left in the dust once adolescence had passed. Actress Soleil Moon Frye details what it was like to be a part of that world in this documentary, which features interviews with many of her famous peers, including Brian Austin Green and David Arquette, as well as footage recorded by a teenage Soleil herself.
'Surviving R. Kelly'
If you can stomach it, the much-talked-about documentary Surviving R. Kelly is a revealing look at the misdeeds of the imprisoned R&B singer. Each episode is told from the perspective of his victims, who were brave enough to sit in front of a camera and speak their truth. It also offers up commentary from other public figures including civil rights activists and celebrities.
'What Happened, Miss Simone?'
What Happened, Miss Simone? is a revealing documentary about the legendary singer and activist Nina Simone. It features revealing details about her life, career, and passions, told via archival footage and exclusive recordings, all set to Nina’s powerful tunes. It’s definitely a worthwhile watch for music fans, particularly those interested in music history.
'Billie Eilish: The World's a Little Blurry'
It may seem like singer Billie Eilish’s rise to fame happened at lightning speed, but the musician, now 20 years old, has been in the public eye for years. She started drawing attention when she was just 14, with lyrics that felt far too mature for a child of her age, but that we couldn’t help but relate to. The documentary Billie Eilish: The World’s a Little Blurry goes deep into her story as a then-teenaged Billie writes, records, and performs her chart-topping songs.
'Seasons'
A lot of us were familiar with Justin Bieber’s story as a kid singing sensation, but when he struggled to transition into adulthood, we just didn’t get it. His 2020 YouTube documentary Seasons gives first-hand perspective into his struggles and his ongoing efforts to overcome them. It features interviews with Justin and his wife, Hailey Bieber, among others.
