5 Best Netflix Documentary Series to Watch This Weekend (May 16-17)

When it comes to weekend decompression, Netflix’s algorithm usually diverts us to a curated list of shows and films based on our watch history. But if you are looking for something more than just scripted entertainment, there is nothing better than a documentary series! And Netflix has a hoard of critically acclaimed documentaries. 

If you are looking to spend this weekend (May 16-17) immersed in some gripping storytelling, Netflix has an eclectic mix of absolute jaw-dropping docuseries. From psychologically disturbing cult tales to some calming excursion into backyard soil, here are the five best Netflix documentary series for you to watch over the weekend!

1 Worst Ex Ever (2024-2026)

Containing two seasons and a total of eight episodes, Worst Ex Ever, the true crime docuseries, tells the story of true romance horror stories. A spin-off of the highly successful Worst Roommate Ever, this docuseries utilizes a gripping mix of talking-head interviews, bodycam footage, and eerie animations to dissect relationships that turned into survival stories.

The series masterfully maps the psychological red flags of intimate partner betrayals and also features first-person accounts and police reporting. It is admittedly a stressful watch, but at the same time, it serves as a cautionary tale of human psychology and romantic relationships. It may leave you traumatized, but trust us, it is definitely an insightful watch that you will likely remember for the rest of your life. 

What makes the Worst Ex Wever stand out in a crowded true-crime genre is how it deliberately shifts away from the antagonist’s perspective to market itself as a survivor show. The lack of archival footage makes the show use animation to fill in the blanks, which keeps the pacing breakneck. Its baseline psychological study of how ordinary environments and people can transform into crime sagas makes it an incredibly intense binge.

2 Trust Me: The False Prophet (2026)

A documentary miniseries by Rachel Dretzin, Trust Me: The False Prophet, is a cult docuseries about the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. The documentary series follows cult experts Christine Marie and Tolga Katas (videographer), who entered the fundamentalist church in Utah and uncovered shocking revelations about Samuel Bateman, a self-proclaimed successor to the infamous, imprisoned Warren Jeffs.

The series is an absolute masterclass in accidental investigative journalism. It is primarily built from the footage that Bateman allowed them to film, believing that it would lead to the spread of his message. The docuseries is a vital, hard-fought rescue mission offering a unique perspective from the survivors.

The true brilliance here is the dark irony of the footage, the cult leader himself actively hands over the rope that is later used to hang him legally. It avoids looking at the FLDS through a historical lens, choosing instead to expose a dangerous modern faction operating right under the authorities’ noses. Easily one of the most compelling ones on this list, it can be your ultimate weekend binge-watch!

3 The Keepers (2017)

A seven-episode investigative documentary series, it explores the mysterious murder of Catherine Cesnik in 1969. Catherine was a nun and an English and drama teacher at the all-girls Archbishop Keough High School in Baltimore. Her murder remains unsolved to this day, and many believe it was a cover-up after she suspected a priest was s*xually abusing girls at the school.

Originally premiered in 2017, The Keepers remains a gold standard of investigative filmmaking on Netflix. Directed by Ryan White, it doesn’t just ask who killed Sister Cathy, but meticulously builds a case around what she was trying to expose before she was silenced. Deeply devastating but profoundly empowering, it is one of the best docuseries on the platform.

The heartbeat of the show belongs entirely to the elderly former students of Sister Cathy, who refuse to let her be forgotten. A true-crime doc that is also profoundly empowering, it definitely deserves a spot on your weekend watch list! Especially if you want a deeply moving and beautifully constructed narrative that respects the victim far more than the mystery of the crime itself!

4 This is a Gardening Show (2026)

A documentary comedy miniseries hosted by Zach Galifianakis, it is lighthearted and warm, making it perfect for a weekend watch. Galifianakis takes us into the world of agriculture, ecology, and composting, interviewing eccentric experts and brutally honest children across six comedic, informative episodes.

A nature documentary that is also enlightening and funny, Galifianakis’ signature deadpan absurdity elevates it to a new level. Each episode explores the wild lives of vegetables and more. The reason why you must watch it at least once is that beneath the oddball humor, the show manages to sneak in genuinely fascinating insights into climate change, ecology, and soil health. 

Watching Galifianakis treat modern eco-scientists and children with the exact same uncomfortable gravity that he brings to his Hollywood roles, it is equal parts entertaining and informative. Unlike usual documentaries that plunge you deep into thought, this will keep you entertained and optimistic while sneaking in profound truths about biodiversity and hilariously absurd jokes.

5 The Dinosaurs (2026)

The Dinosaurs, as the name suggests, is a nature documentary miniseries executive-produced by Steven Spielberg. Narrated by Morgan Freeman, this four-part docuseries charts the 235-million-year dynasty of history’s most terrifying and fascinating creatures, from their chaotic climate origins to the inevitable asteroid impact.

Netflix has visibly thrown immense weight behind the docuseries, utilizing cutting-edge VFX alongside evolutionary storytelling by Freeman. What sets it apart from other prehistoric documentaries is its character-driven pacing that reframes the creatures beyond their terrifying monster imagery.

By giving specific prehistoric creatures arcs through shifting biomes, the show makes millions of years of evolution feel like an intimate family drama. It commands a spot on this list because of Spielberg and Freeman’s pairing, providing an unmatched theatrical living room experience. It is the perfect big-screen living room experience over the weekend, that both evolutionary purists and casual viewers will appreciate.

So, which of these documentary series will you be watching now? Let us know in the comments section below. 

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