Uncover the Truth: Netflix’s Most Anticipated Documentary Releases of 2025

At Netflix’s annual showcase of upcoming films, series, and games for 2025, Chief Content Officer Bela Bajaria shared an exciting outlook on what’s ahead. “No matter what people are looking forward to this year, there’s no way to be fully prepared for what’s next on Netflix,” she said.

The event took place at the historic Egyptian Theatre in Los Angeles and featured special guests, including WWE superstars CM Punk and Rhea Ripley, filmmaker Guillermo del Toro, actors Ben Affleck and Tina Fey, comedian John Mulaney, and the creators of Stranger Things, the Duffer Brothers. The showcase was also live-streamed across 12 countries, where local events were held.

Bajaria emphasized Netflix’s broad appeal, noting that with over 700 million viewers worldwide, the company must offer the best content across multiple genres, from TV shows and films to interactive games. She predicted that 2025 could be Netflix’s biggest year yet.

Upcoming Releases

Netflix’s 2025 lineup includes exciting new films, comedies, unscripted shows, live events, and returning favorites.

New Films

• Frankenstein – A long-awaited project by Academy Award-winning filmmaker Guillermo del Toro. He described the story as deeply personal, saying, “Over the decades, the character has fused with my soul in a way that it has become autobiography.”
• RIP – A crime thriller starring Ben Affleck and Matt Damon. Affleck described it as “a really fun, engaging ride that keeps you guessing.”

New Comedies

• The Four Seasons – A remake of the 1981 film, adapted by Tina Fey. She shared that the cast was carefully chosen to recreate the warmth and humor of the original.

New Unscripted Shows

Netflix is expanding beyond its popular dating shows and sports documentaries:

• Building the Band – A performance-based reality show.
• Million Dollar Secret – A social experiment series exploring themes of wealth and secrecy.

New Live Events

Netflix will continue to invest in live programming, adding to events like WWE, the Screen Actors Guild Awards, and the NFL’s Christmas Day game. Bajaria announced:

• TUDUM – Netflix’s global fan event, streaming live from Los Angeles on May 31.
• Everybody’s Live with John Mulaney – A weekly live late-night show, premiering on March 12. Mulaney joked, “We will be live globally with no delay. We will never be relevant. We will never be your source for news. We will always be reckless.”

New Prestige TV

Some of the high-profile series set to debut include:

• Death by Lightning – A new series from Game of Thrones creators David Benioff and D.B. Weiss.
• Zero Day – A political thriller starring Robert De Niro.
• Black Rabbit – A drama featuring and produced by Jason Bateman and Jude Law.
• The Beast in Me – Starring Claire Danes and Matthew Rhys.

Returning Favorites

2025 will also bring back some of Netflix’s biggest series:

• Stranger Things (Final Season) – Co-creator Ross Duffer described it as their “biggest and most ambitious season yet,” while Matt Duffer called it their “most personal story.”
• Wednesday (Season 2) – Production has wrapped, and the new season will premiere later in the year.
• Squid Game (Final Season) – Bajaria confirmed it will debut on June 27, 2025.

The Duffer Brothers also revealed two new projects for 2026: The Boroughs and Something Very Bad is Going to Happen. Ross Duffer emphasized their commitment to Netflix, saying, “If you want to tell original stories like we do, this is really the place to be.”

Gaming on Netflix

Netflix is expanding its gaming offerings, allowing fans to engage more deeply with their favorite shows.

• Squid Game: Unleashed is on track to become Netflix’s most downloaded game ever.
• More games based on hit shows like Ginny & Georgia, Sweet Magnolias, Love is Blind, and Single’s Inferno will launch in 2025.
• Netflix will also become the exclusive mobile home for the WWE 2K video game franchise later this year.

New Stranger Things Merchandise Partnership

Netflix has partnered with Jazwares, a leading global toy company, to launch an all-new Stranger Things product line. This marks Netflix’s first global master licensing agreement for the Stranger Things franchise. The collection will feature a wide range of products inspired by the show’s well-loved characters and themes, covering both the highly anticipated Stranger Things 5 and its upcoming animated spinoff series.

What’s in the New Stranger Things Collection?

The Jazwares collection is designed for fans of all ages and will include:

• Action Figures – Highly detailed and fully articulated figures in different styles and sizes. These collectibles come with accessories, allowing fans to recreate epic battles against the Demogorgons and other creatures from the Upside Down.
• Playsets & Scene Replicas – Immersive sets that bring the world of Stranger Things to life, complete with interactive features, accessories, vehicles, and figures.
• Toy Vehicles – A range of show-inspired vehicles, including BMX bikes and action-packed rides with special features, figures, and accessories. Some models will also have radio-controlled options for even more interactive play.
• Plush Toys – A selection of plush characters, including collaborations like the Squishmallows x Stranger Things collection, perfect for fans of all ages.
• Costumes & Accessories – A variety of costumes based on Stranger Things, designed for Halloween, cosplay, or everyday dress-up.
• Role-Play Costumes & Toys (North America) – Premium costumes and accessories that let fans step into the world of Stranger Things with realistic, high-quality details.
• Pet Toys & Accessories – A special collection for pets, including themed wearables, interactive toys, beds, and essential gear like leashes and collars.

With Tudum set to bring exciting reveals and Stranger Things expanding into new products, Netflix continues to find fresh ways for fans to engage with their favorite stories and characters.

Upcoming Netflix Documentary Releases

Air Force Elite: Thunderbirds (Documentary Film) – Spring 2025

A new documentary set for release this spring takes viewers behind the scenes of one of the United States Air Force’s most elite units: the Air Demonstration Squadron, also known as the Thunderbirds. These highly skilled pilots travel across the country, performing complex aerial maneuvers in military aircraft to demonstrate both their expertise and the power of their planes.

For the first time ever, audiences will experience what it’s like to sit in the cockpit with these legendary aviators. The Thunderbirds, established in 1953, are one of the oldest aerobatic demonstration teams in the world. For more than 40 years, they have performed using the F-16 Fighting Falcon, showcasing its speed, agility, and precision.

Air Force Elite: Thunderbirds offers an exclusive look at the intense training, challenges, and personal sacrifices required to be part of this elite squadron.

American Manhunt: Osama Bin Laden (Documentary Series) – Premieres March 10

Following the success of American Manhunt: O.J. Simpson and American Manhunt: The Boston Marathon Bombing, the next installment in Netflix’s American Manhunt series will examine the worldwide search for Osama bin Laden.

Directed by Mor Loushy and Daniel Sivan, this three-part docuseries explores the massive international effort to track down bin Laden, the leader of the militant group al-Qaida and the mastermind behind the September 11 attacks. Featuring interviews with key U.S. government officials involved in the mission, the series provides new insights into the intelligence, military strategies, and political decisions that led to the operation that finally located and killed him.

Chaos: The Manson Murders (Documentary Film) – Premieres March 7

Netflix is set to release Chaos: The Manson Murders, a documentary by award-winning director Errol Morris (The Thin Blue Line, Wormwood), which reexamines the Manson Family murders—one of the most notorious crimes of the 1960s.

Based on the 2019 book CHAOS: Charles Manson, the CIA, and the Secret History of the Sixties by Tom O’Neill and Dan Piepenbring, the documentary investigates lesser-known connections between Charles Manson, the CIA, LSD experiments, and key figures like Jack Ruby and Vincent Bugliosi. Using in-depth interviews, rare archival footage, and even recordings of Manson’s own music, Morris challenges the official narrative surrounding the case.

This gripping film examines the political and cultural influences of the time, encouraging viewers to question how powerful institutions and individuals may have shaped one of the most infamous crime stories in American history.

Eddie (Documentary Film) – Release Date TBA

For the first time, Eddie Murphy reflects on his groundbreaking career in the upcoming Netflix documentary Eddie.

Directed by two-time Oscar winner Angus Wall, the film explores Murphy’s rise from a teenage stand-up comedy sensation to a Saturday Night Live star, a record-breaking stand-up comedian, and a Hollywood box-office leader. Spanning nearly 50 years, the documentary traces his journey from an ambitious young comic to a global entertainment icon.

Murphy shares personal stories about his legendary film career, which includes classics such as Beverly Hills Cop, Coming to America, Trading Places, and The Nutty Professor, as well as his voice work in the Shrek franchise and his Oscar-nominated role in Dreamgirls.

Through exclusive interviews with co-stars, directors, and fellow comedians, Eddie provides an intimate look at the man behind the comedy. Produced by John Davis, John Fox, Charisse Hewitt, Terry Leonard, and Kent Kubena, this documentary promises to reveal a side of Eddie Murphy that fans have never seen before.

Gone Girls: The Long Island Serial Killer (Documentary Series) – Release Date TBA

For more than a year, human remains were found along Ocean Parkway in Suffolk County, Long Island. Many of the identified victims were young women from New York City who had worked in the sex industry and had been missing for years—some for over a decade. As authorities investigated, it became clear that a serial killer was targeting this vulnerable group. Despite the disturbing pattern, the case remained unsolved for more than 13 years.

In 2023, investigators finally made a breakthrough, leading to the arrest of a suspect believed to be the “Long Island Serial Killer.”

The three-part documentary series Gone Girls: The Long Island Serial Killer examines the long-running investigation, the societal stigma surrounding the victims, and the delayed justice that frustrated many. Featuring interviews with journalists, law enforcement officials, and those connected to both the victims and the accused, the series is directed by Liz Garbus, known for her 2020 film Lost Girls, which explored a mother’s relentless search for her missing daughter—one of the serial killer’s victims.

Katrina: Come Hell and High Water (Documentary Series) – Premieres August 2025

In late summer 2005, Hurricane Katrina struck the Gulf Coast, causing massive destruction across several states. However, New Orleans suffered the worst devastation when the levees failed, flooding much of the city. The storm resulted in hundreds of deaths and billions of dollars in damage, while government inaction and mismanagement only made the crisis worse.

Even nearly 20 years later, the disaster remains a symbol of failed leadership and a reminder of the power of community resilience.

Katrina: Come Hell and High Water is a three-part documentary series executive-produced by Spike Lee, who previously directed When the Levees Broke: A Requiem in Four Acts (2006). The series presents firsthand accounts from the people of New Orleans, sharing their experiences of survival, loss, and rebuilding. Through emotional personal stories and historical footage, the documentary highlights both the human impact of the disaster and the ongoing challenges of preparing for extreme weather events.

Pangolin: Kulu’s Journey (Documentary Film) – Premieres April 21

Pangolins, small, scaly mammals found in Asia and Africa, are among the most illegally trafficked animals in the world. Their protective scales are highly valued on the black market, making them a frequent target for poaching.

Directed by Academy Award–winner Pippa Ehrlich (My Octopus Teacher), Pangolin: Kulu’s Journey tells the story of Kulu, a baby pangolin rescued in a sting operation in South Africa. The film follows a man who finds a new sense of purpose in rehabilitating Kulu and preparing the young pangolin for a life in the wild.

With stunning visuals and an emotional narrative, the documentary sheds light on the delicate balance between humans and wildlife, raising awareness about conservation efforts to protect endangered species.

Titan (Documentary Film) – Release Date 2025

In June 2023, the Titan submersible vanished during an expedition to explore the wreck of the Titanic, located off the coast of Newfoundland, Canada. After an intense four-day search, experts determined that the vessel had imploded during its descent, instantly killing all five passengers.

The upcoming documentary Titan investigates this high-profile disaster, focusing on OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush and his mission to revolutionize deep-sea tourism. The film explores the risks he took, the warnings that were ignored, and the tragic consequences of pushing technological limits without proper safety measures.

Director Mark Monroe recalls being “horrified and mesmerized” by the 24/7 media coverage of the event. He explains that while the Titan expedition was meant to offer a unique adventure, it instead became a grim warning about the dangers of unchecked ambition and the unknowns of deep-sea exploration. Through expert interviews and investigative reporting, the documentary seeks to uncover what went wrong and what lessons can be learned from the tragedy.