In recent years, sports documentaries have gone on to become very popular. The documentaries not only delve deep into the stories of how athletes triumphed in their respective sports, but also talk about their struggles and journeys. The human drama draws audiences into these awe-inspiring stories and makes people realize how difficult it is to remain relevant in this field.
Apart from that, sports documentaries also give viewers a thrilling experience by giving them access to the sporting world. Viewers get to know about the routine their favorite athletes follow and how a sports organization works. This behind-the-scenes access can be very exciting for first-time viewers and sports fanatics. Meanwhile, the high production value of these documentaries makes the viewing experience even better. Although it can be hard for anyone to find a suitable title on Netflix because of its vast catalog, here are some of the best documentaries available for streaming right now on Netflix.
Icarus
The 2017 documentary follows Bryan Forgel and his journey to expose corruption in Russia’s sporting industry. The film also focuses on Grigory Rodchenkov, a Russian man considered to be a legend in the world of anti-doping. At first, it looks like a regular sports documentary talking about doping. However, it takes a wild turn when Rodchenkov decides to talk about how Russia has been trying to suppress information about the use of performance-enhancing drugs.
As the documentary moves forward, viewers get to know about the sheer magnitude of corruption happening in Russia. The best aspect of the documentary is that viewers don’t need to have extensive knowledge about doping to see this riveting story. The documentary went on to win the Oscar for Best Documentary Feature at the 90th Academy Awards. Currently, Icarus holds a 92% rating on the review site Rotten Tomatoes.
Sunderland ‘Til I Die
Sunderland ‘Til I Die is a fascinating documentary series about a football club that was once considered to be a giant of the game. In this documentary, viewers get to learn about Sunderland AFC and its history. However, it primarily focuses on the club’s bid to climb up the ladder and become a prominent name in the English Premier League once again. The series has been divided into two seasons. The first season is all about playing in the second tier of English football. Meanwhile, the second season is about the club’s journey under the new owner.
It is an unflinching look at how players feel the team gets relegated and how their morale goes down. On the other hand, it also shows how fans and the entire community rally behind these players, even though their team is struggling. Truly, one of the best sports documentaries on Netflix is available for streaming right now.
Naomi Osaka
In 2018, Naomi Osaka stunned the world when she defeated Serena Williams in the final of the US Open. Everyone believed that Osaka was the next big thing in tennis and she didn’t disappoint. Although she continued to be a star on the court, success and fame started taking a toll on her mental health. The above-mentioned documentary series takes viewers on a journey that sees Osaka battling mental health issues and using her stature to talk about important issues.
Apart from talking about tennis, the three-part documentary also touches on several social themes, including race and identity. It also encourages viewers to have an opinion on these issues. As a whole, it offers a compelling portrayal of one of tennis’s inspirational figures.
