12 Eye-Opening Documentaries On UK Netflix Right Now

After firmly establishing itself as the video rental service that the 21st Century deserved, Netflix has been quietly collecting accolades for its original productions. First by picking up the baton of cancelled shows, then by spawning its own series, and most recently by wading into the murky-world of full-length feature films.

But perhaps its most unexpected success has come from 10 part documentary series Making A Murderer, which has proved that even the most casual Netflix viewer has a thirst for factual and engrossing television. Just as well the network's already got a ton of it available.

It'd be way too easy at this point to drop the Louis Theroux bomb - so we'll get his honourable mention out of the way now - and besides, it'd be a crime to mention only one of his works. (So watch them all). Instead, let's look at the less obvious, but acclaimed pieces of work that you simply shouldn't scroll past any longer.

Some of the entries are bleak portrayals of the darker end of humanity and some are lighter and more heart-warming. But either way, you're guaranteed to spend your next evening at home witnessing something truly worthwhile - or why not binge-watch a few on your next day off?

We're all familiar with clips of home movies from wonderful visits to the likes of Disney World and the neighbouring SeaWorld, but Blackfish has shattered that sentiment and has experienced much media coverage since its release. The film presents the argument against Sea world’s captivity of whales - as if it needed over-stating anyway.

Tilikum, a large Orca that has been responsible for the deaths of three people has been in captivity since his childhood, when he was taken from the wild and separated from his mother. It’s argued that his captivity has led to severe mental issues and Seaworld are more responsible for the deaths than Tilikum should ever be.

Using actual footage of these serious incidents, this is a startling and brutal film and is certainly the tearjerker of the list. If you can make it through the initial “kidnapping” of Tilikum, then you’re in for a harsh awakening that may keep you away from the likes of Seaworld for the rest of your life.