If you look around you, you will notice that women are constantly breaking barriers in the workplace, business, and government; as a result, you get to see many documentaries about women on Netflix.
Well, if you use other platforms, don’t fret because these fantastic shows are not limited to Netflix.
They are available on lots of other different streaming platforms.
Our focus, however, is on the fantastic stories that celebrate women’s outstanding performances that you can stream on Netflix.
We’ve created a list of amazing stories from women from different walks of life on Netflix that struck a chord with us.
1. Miss Americana (2020)
- Starring: Taylor Swift.
- IMDb Rating: 7.4/10
If you follow the music business and scene, it’s pretty evident that Taylor Swift is one of the golden girls of the industry.
She stays on top of the charts and has a huge fan base (the Swifties) that the BTS army, other K-pop stans, and the Barbz can only rival.
Miss Americana gives the general public a sneak peek into Taylor’s life which isn’t very public.
Taylor wields a lot of influence in the industry, and the documentary throws more light on her journey from when she was first signed at 14 to her rise to fame.
In Miss Americana, you can follow Taylor through the stories of her struggles, love affair, involvement in politics, family, and lots more.
2. Athlete A (2020)
- Directed by: Bonni Cohen, Jon Shenk.
- IMDb Rating: 7.6/10
Every day we hear stories of women dealing with all kinds of abuse in the workplace.
Athlete A covers a true life story of the abuse that some young female gymnasts faced at the hands of Doctor Harry Nassar, who was a sports physician when these incidents occurred.
The sad part about this story is the lengths to which those who were meant to protect these girls went to cover up these predators.
Athlete A is one of the documentaries about women on Netflix that every woman is encouraged to see at least once.
It helps to follow the story of the journalists from the Indianapolis Star as they uncover the mess that went on for too long in the young female US national team until 2016.
This will help raise personal awareness, teach women to speak up and prevent similar situations.
3. Disclosure (2020)
- Directed by: Sam Feder.
- IMDb Rating: 8.2/10
The pandemic presented an excellent opportunity for people to tell and document their stories.
Disclosure, a documentary that looked into the lives of transgender people, was released on Netflix in 2020.
You get an exclusive look into the lives of some of the most famous people in Hollywood who are part of the transgender community.
The media plays a massive role in how certain things get to be perceived by the general public.
It can be used to sabotage or uplift a cause, and Disclosure showed how the Showbiz industry pushed certain narratives about the community out through TV shows and films.
It is one of the few documentaries about women on Netflix that is very inclusive and features a lot of Trans and LGBTQ activists.
4. The Bleeding Edge (2018)
- Directed by: Kirby Dick.
- IMDb Rating: 7.6/10
The Bleeding Edge is one of the documentaries about women on Netflix that showcases some of the things that go on behind the scenes in the medical field.
Kirby Dick and Amy Ziering are two notable figures in the world of investigative filmmaking who looked into the medical device industry and discovered a lot of vices going on daily.
The documentary focused on the complications that occurred after female patients used Essure for birth control.
Before Essure was discontinued in 2018 due to several controversies, it was used as a permanent birth control option meant to replace tubal ligation.
The documentary also looked at the discomfort, injury, and pain caused by other devices that handle issues like vaginal prolapse and hip joint replacement.
5. Knock Down the House (2019)
- Starring: Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Amy Vilela, Cori Bush, Paula Jean Swearengin.
- IMDb Rating: 7.3/10
Knock Down the House is another fascinating show that sees four women contesting for Congress in the 2018 United States midterm elections.
The women include Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Cori Bush, Paula Jean Swearengin, and Amy Vilela.
In their bid to rise to office, they seek to challenge the political establishment that has been in order and bring assistance to their people.
When you begin watching this documentary, you will have familiarized yourself with the candidates’ unique backgrounds and motivations.
You will even be exposed to some of the obstacles they experience. Notwithstanding the odds against them, these women relentlessly fight for their communities.
6. Joan Didion: The Center Will Not Hold (2017)
- Starring: Hilton Als, Tom Brokaw, Dick Cheney.
- IMDb Rating: 7.5/10
Joan Didion: The Center Will Not Hold is a fascinating look into the life and career of Joan Didion.
Joan Didion is a writer who has profoundly impacted American literature and culture.
In case you are unfamiliar with Didion’s work, she is perhaps best known for her essays and nonfiction books.
Her books ultimately explore the darker aspects of American society.
The show is a deeply personal portrait of the woman behind the words, featured exclusively in documentaries about women on Netflix.
7. My Beautiful Broken Brain (2016)
- Directed by: Sophie Robinson, Lotje Sodderland.
- IMDb Rating: 7.1/10
My Beautiful Broken Brain is a touching bit that you can also find in the documentaries about women on Netflix.
It is about Lotje Sodderland, who is a strong and creative woman. Unfortunately, at 34, Lotje suffers a massive stroke that leaves her with aphasia.
This condition completely changes her life because she cannot speak, read or write.
You can join Lotje on her road to recovery and see as she learns to communicate again and rebuild her life after the stroke.
You can even relate to her frustration and isolation and learn from her determination and courage in adversity.
8. She’s Beautiful When She’s Angry (2014)
- Directed by: Mary Dore.
- IMDb Rating: 7.8/10
If you are a feminist looking to keep tabs on the movement, She’s Beautiful When She’s Angry is the right watch.
You will discover a whole new world of women who helped shape it.
Here, you get a first-hand view of the second wave of feminism in the 1960s and 70s, basically about equality, freedom, and reproductive rights.
You also get to see feminist lights like Kate Millett and Gloria Steinem interviewed on what they did to get their voices heard.
So, check out the documentaries about women on Netflix for this show to build lasting friendships and sisterhoods.
9. The Hunting Ground (2015)
- Directed by: Kirby Dick.
- IMDb Rating: 7.4/10
The Hunting Ground is another show that uncovers sexual assaults on college campuses across the United States.
Although most of these mishaps are usually swept under the carpet, this is not true with The Hunting Ground.
On the contrary, the show follows several survivors of sexual assault sharing their experiences and struggles to find justice.
The survivors in the show are intelligent, courageous, and determined, and their stories will leave you feeling heartbroken and inspired.
You can find it among the documentaries about women on Netflix on your way to being informed, engaged, and ready to make a difference.
10. Period. End of Sentence. (2018)
- Starring: Arunachalam, Muruganantham.
- IMDb Rating: 7.4/10
Periods are a natural and vital part of a woman’s reproductive cycle but are often shrouded in shame and silence.
This Oscar-winning documentary breaks the taboo when discussing menstruation issues in rural India.
Follow a group of women in Hapur, a small village outside of Delhi, as they manufacture and market low-cost sanitary pads.
This simple solution may seem insignificant to some, but it can potentially change the lives of millions of women in India who lack affordable menstrual products.
You can join the fight for menstrual equity by making this top-tier documentary about women on Netflix your first watch.
11. RBG (2018)
- Starring: Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Jane Ginsburg, James Steven Ginsburg, Nina Totenberg, Clara Spera, Gloria Steinem.
- IMDb Rating: 7.6/10
This show is a biographical look into the life and legacy of Ruth Bader Ginsburg.
Ruth is among the many independent ladies who broke out and made history.
She turned out pretty well as a pioneering lawyer, feminist icon, and Supreme Court Justice.
If you ever feel laid back, take refuge in the professional journey of RBG, from her upbringing in Brooklyn to her rise as a cultural icon and influential jurist.
It goes without saying that though they may be many obstacles, there’s always a chance to pull through.
12. The Keepers (2017)
- Directed by: Ryan White.
- IMDb Rating: 8/10
If you’re a true-crime junkie always looking for a new mystery to unravel, look no further than The Keepers.
You will be star-struck by exploring the unsolved murder of Sister Cathy Cesnik. Sister Cathy was a beloved nun and teacher in Baltimore, Maryland.
As one of the documentaries about women on Netflix, the show delves into the systemic abuse and cover-up within the Catholic Church.
It also praises the strength and persistence of the women who refused to be gagged in these events.
The series will ultimately drive you to fight for what’s right and stand for justice wherever you find yourself.
13. What Happened, Miss Simone? (2015)
- Directed by: Liz Garbus.
- IMDb Rating: 7.6/10
Have you ever watched a documentary that left you feeling empowered and in awe of the incredible talent and resilience of women?
Well, What happened, Miss Simone? Will have you singing Kumbaya!
It is about the life and legacy of the legendary musician and activist Nina Simone.
Nina’s life is portrayed from her early years as a child prodigy in North Carolina to her rise to fame as a pioneering jazz and blues singer in the 1960s.
You can stay in touch with Simone’s personal and political struggles, including her experiences with racism, domestic violence, and mental illness.
14. Daughters of Destiny (2017)
- Starring: Shilpa Anthony Raj, Abraham George, Ajit George.
- IMDb Rating: 8.6/10
Daughters of Destiny is a beautiful tribute to the power of education and its impact on one’s life.
This four-part series is one of the documentaries about women on Netflix that focuses on the stark realities of gender inequality and poverty.
It opened up at Shanti Bhavan School, founded by Dr. Abraham George.
The school is outstanding because it provides free education and boarding to children from economically deprived families.
The show’s core challenges the deeply ingrained gender biases prevalent in society by catering exclusively to girls.
15. Strong Island (2017)
- Directed by: Yance Ford
- IMDb Rating: 6.4/10
Strong Island is another one of the many riveting documentaries about women on Netflix that you should buckle up for.
It’s an on-screen account of the murder of Ford’s brother, William Ford Jr., killed by a white man in Long Island in 1992.
You stand a chance of gaining a more profound knowledge of the impact of William’s death on the Ford family and the systemic racism that allowed his killer to walk free.
This exclusive documentary is all about seeking answers and finding closure.
It thrives on interviews with Floyd’s family members, friends, and witnesses.
By sparing a moment, you will dig deep into the events leading up to Floyd’s death and the flawed investigation that followed.
16. First They Killed My Father (2017)
- Starring: Sreymoch Sareum, Kompheak Phoeung, Socheata Sveng, Dara Heng, Kimhak Mun.
- IMDb Rating: 7.2/10
First They Killed My Father is the last piece among the documentaries about women on Netflix for your viewing pleasure.
It narrates the harrowing true story of Loung Ung, a young girl who survived the Khmer Rouge regime in Cambodia.
Set in the 1970s, the show shines a light on Loung and her family as they are forced from their home in Phnom Penh and sent to a labor camp in the countryside.
You’ll uncover the atrocities committed by the Khmer Rouge, including forced labor, starvation, and mass executions.
Its authentic portrayal of a historical tragedy and celebration of female strength makes it an intriguing reel.
