If you need some motivation in your life, we suggest watching any of these 11 best biographical documentaries on Netflix instant in 2015.
In a change of pace from the best alien documentaries on Netflix, we take a look at people who actually lived on this planet. We are often fascinated with the lives of famous people. We want to know what made them tick and perhaps discover a secret ingredient or a shortcut to success. Sometimes, we want to be reassured that they also suffered from common human faults and that despite their status, they aren’t infallible. That way we know that we have at least something in common with them.
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What secrets did Tesla hide, who killed Tupac, how did Jimi became the Guitar God? These are just some of the questions that tickle our imagination. These 11 best biographical documentaries on Netflix instant in 2015 provide us with the answers.
To rank best biographical documentaries on Netflix instant in 2015, we had to devise a system. Going by IMDb rating alone wouldn’t cut it, although we did include it in our final ranking. We also went over a dozen lists on the most popular sites in order to get an accurate feel on public opinion. We mixed it all together and came up with a genuine Insider Monkey ranking. Let’s see who made it to our list of 11 best biographical documentaries on Netflix instant in 2015.
11. The Queen of Versailles
Site rank 1, IMDb rank 3; Overall Score = 4
Directed by Lauren Greenfield
Modeled after the famous French royal palace, the Versailles House is an attempt to introduce some French class and panache to Florida by David and Jackie Siegel. The film follows their struggle as, during the construction of their dream mansion, the Great Recession of 2008 hits and David’s company goes under. The family and their home have become American shorthand for the excess of the real estate bubble.
10. Biggie and Tupac
Site rank 6, IMDb rank 2; Overall Score = 8
Directed by Nick Broomfield
The controversial documentary tries to reveal the truth behind the murders of Tupac Shakur and Christopher Wallace, better known as Biggie Smalls or the Notorious B.I.G. Broomfield paints a shocking picture of the infamous West Coast-East Coast war that rocked the rap scene in the 90s. Sometimes the scenes just hypnotize you.
9. The Source Family
Site rank 8, IMDb rank 1; Overall Score = 9
Directed by Jodi Wille and Maria Demopoulos
The Source Family offers incredible insight into the lives of James Edward Baker, AKA Father Yod, and his followers. Father Yod was the founder of the Source Family, a utopian commune in Los Angeles in the 70s. The commune thrived until the local authorities discovered that Father Yod had 13 wives.
8. Charles Bradley: Soul of America
Site rank 2, IMDb rank 7; Overall Score = 9
Directed by Poull Brien
A life in poverty changed by a magnificent debut album is a story of many successful singers in the world. The only difference between most of them and Charles Bradley is that Charles was 62 when he released his. Never give up on your dreams.
7. The Punk Singer
Site rank 4, IMDb rank 6; Overall Score = 10
Directed by Sini Anderson
The Punk Singer follows the story of Kathleen Hanna, founder of Bikini Kill, Le Tigre, and the Julie Ruin, and one of the most influential members of the riot grrl movement of the 1990s.
6. Bella Vita
Site rank 3, IMDb rank 7; Overall Score = 10
Directed by Jason Baffa
Chris Del Moro, a professional surfer and artist, returns to his Italian homeland and reminisces about his childhood, and how growing up between Italy and California affected him, while his friend Jason Baffa keeps the camera rolling.
5. Good Ol’ Freda
Site rank 7, IMDb rank 4; Overall Score = 11
Directed by Ryan White
Freda Kelly was the Beatles’ secretary ever since the famous Liverpool band released their first single “Love Me Do” in 1962. For 50 years, she never said a word to the public about her amazing experience. Finally, in 2013, she decided to tell her story. Definitely a must-watch for all Beatles fans and one of the best biographical documentaries on Netflix instant in 2015.
4. Champs
Site rank 9, IMDb rank 5; Overall Score = 14
Directed by Bert Marcus
Mike Tyson, Evander Holyfield and Bernard Hopkins reveal what it takes to become a boxing champion, all while talking directly into Marcus’ camera.
3. Jimi Hendrix: Hear My Train A Comin’
Site rank 5, IMDb rank 10; Overall Score = 15
Directed by Bob Smeaton
A part of the American Masters series, Hear My Train A Comin’ shows us archival footage (some of it never seen before) and interviews with people who knew Hendrix, part of rock’s tragic “27 club,” in an attempt to shed some light into his life and work.
2. What Happened, Miss Simone?
Site rank 11, IMDb rank 8; Overall Score = 19
Directed by Liz Garbus
Nina Simone’s life was filled with controversy. The film tries to discover in what way that fact affected her music and activism and how she became known as the High Priestess of Soul.
1. Life Itself
Site rank 10, IMDb rank 9; Overall Score = 19
Directed by Steve James
The story follows the life of Roger Ebert, American film critic and Pulitzer Prize winner. It is based on Ebert’s memoir of the same title and follows Ebert through the last few months of his life — as he struggled with terminal cancer and the loss of his lower jaw, yet continued to review films and influence the industry. America’s fascination with Ebert’s decades-long career and very public illness makes this the best of the 11 best biographical documentaries on Netflix instant in 2015 list.
