Documentary enthusiasts seeking hidden gems need look no further. A Reddit thread asking for little-known documentaries that 'blew your socks off' drew over 2,000 responses, unearthing a treasure trove of stories across nature, crime, and the bizarre.
My Octopus Teacher
One of the most recommended titles is 'My Octopus Teacher' (2020), which follows diver Craig Foster and the remarkable bond he forms with an octopus over a year in a South African kelp forest. Described by fans as 'not your typical nature doc', it won the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature in 2021. Stream it now on Netflix.
The Wild and Wonderful Whites of West Virginia
This 2009 documentary, produced by Jackass star Johnny Knoxville, profiles an infamous outlaw family in rural Appalachia. Director Julien Nitzberg spent a year with five generations of the White family. The New York Times called it 'compelling and complicated', while one viewer said it's 'one of the craziest docs to ever exist.' Rent or buy the 10th Anniversary Edition on Prime Video.
Three Identical Strangers
This 2018 film tells the stranger-than-fiction story of triplets separated at birth who reunite by chance. Bobby Shafran, Eddy Galland, and David Kellman's rise to global celebrity is shadowed by a horrifying discovery. The BAFTA-nominated film is available to purchase on YouTube, Apple TV, and Prime Video.
Class Action Park
Chronicling New Jersey's infamous Action Park, this 2020 documentary details the amusement park's high injury rate and six recorded deaths before its 1996 closure. Featuring newly unearthed recordings and interviews with former visitors, it's available on HBO Max.
Jiro Dreams of Sushi
This 2011 film follows 85-year-old sushi master Jiro Ono in his quest for perfection at his world-famous Tokyo restaurant. The first sushi chef to earn three Michelin stars, Ono's story also explores his son's struggle with legacy. With a 99% critics' rating on Rotten Tomatoes, it's free to stream on Plex.
