Here’s a list of some of the great documentaries and series I’ve watched on Netflix over the years, the ones I genuinely think are worth your time. Scroll to the end. This list is comprehensive.
Seeing as most people start the year with health and wellness goals, the health-focused titles on this list are absolute must-watches. If nothing else, they’ll inform, challenge, and maybe even shift the way you think.
Now… let’s talk K-dramas. 🤦🏾♀️
Yes, I binge-watched them. So much so, my novels — the Chasing Horizons series was born out of being thoroughly fed up with predictable plots. I wanted see something different. Hope my books make it to the screen someday.
Even if you’re not big on TV, at least watch the food and health documentaries — it’s important to stay informed.
Live to 100: Secrets of the Blue Zones
I remember watching a documentary about Cuba years ago and seeing a man in his nineties cycling faster than I could. It stayed with me.
If living well into your nineties — and doing it with vitality — is something that interests you, this is a must-watch.
Live to 100 explores the world’s “Blue Zones”: regions where people consistently live longer, healthier lives. It examines what they have in common — from diet and movement to community and mindset.
I was genuinely surprised to see a small town in America featured alongside places like Sardinia and Costa Rica. The series also journeys to Okinawa, Japan, where some of the world’s oldest residents still live with a calm, purposeful rhythm guided by a concept known as Ikigai — a reason for being.
Quiet. Grounded. Thought-provoking.
Seaspiracy
I’ll be honest — this one left me staring at the screen wondering what God must think of the mess humans have made of His masterpiece.
Seaspiracy follows a filmmaker passionate about ocean life as he sets out to document the harm humans cause to marine species… and ends up uncovering alarming levels of global corruption.
It will absolutely make you question the origins of the seafood you eat.
It’s uncomfortable. Disturbing. Necessary.
Watch with open eyes.
Down to Earth with Zac Efron
High School Musical is firmly in the rear-view mirror. In this travel series, Zac Efron journeys around the world with wellness expert Darin Olien, exploring sustainable living, alternative health practices, and cultures that do things… differently.
Some of the places they visit will make you want to book a flight immediately.
It’s light, engaging, and surprisingly informative — the kind of show you put on “just to watch” and end up learning from.
The Diplomat (USA)
Set against the backdrop of an escalating international crisis, The Diplomat follows Kate Wyler, a seasoned career diplomat who unexpectedly lands a high-profile role she is neither prepared for nor entirely suited to. As global tensions rise, the pressure begins to fracture her marriage and threaten her political future.
Smart, tense, and quietly explosive.
Savage Beauty (South Africa)
Driven by a tragic past and a thirst for revenge, a mysterious woman infiltrates the inner circle of a powerful family who control a global beauty empire. Beneath the glamour lies betrayal, manipulation, and dark, carefully guarded secrets.
Stylish. Seductive. Ruthless.
Kin (Ireland)
Kin tells the story of a fictional Dublin family entangled in a brutal gangland war, where loyalty is tested, power is fragile, and the bonds of blood run deep. At its heart, this is a story about family — the kind you protect, even when they’re wrong.
Raw. Gritty. Uncompromising.
Now for Korean Dramas…
If you’ve never watched a K-drama and you’re wondering what all the hype is about, let me make it easy for you.
Start here.
These three are gateway dramas — once you’re in, you’re
Itaewon Class
If you like underdog stories, quiet strength, and slow-burning revenge arcs, this one will hook you.
It follows Park Sae-ro-yi, a principled young man who builds a bar business in Itaewon after his life is shattered by injustice and loss. It’s about resilience, ambition, loyalty, and rewriting your own destiny.
Park Seo-joon (one of my favourite actors) leads this brilliantly. He has that rare ability to be restrained and magnetic at the same time.
Strong story. Strong characters. Deeply satisfying.
She Was Pretty
Same male lead. Completely different energy.
This is lighter, romantic, and charming — the kind of show you smile through without realising it. It centres around childhood friends who reconnect as adults… with a few unexpected twists along the way.
It’s about self-worth, perception, and learning to be seen.
Sweet, funny, and perfect if you want romance without heaviness.
Love in the Moonlight
I love a good K-period drama. I know they’re not everyone’s cup of tea, but this one is genuinely special.
Set in the Joseon dynasty, it tells the story of a crown prince and a young woman disguised as a man, brought together by fate, secrets, and politics. It’s rich in atmosphere, beautifully shot, and emotionally layered.
Both the male and female leads are on my list of favourite Korean actors — and their chemistry is everything.
Elegant. Romantic. Addictive.
When I say I’ve travelled around the world on Netflix, I truly mean it.
The first two series I watched years ago, the last one more recently. And The Manny season one? Genuinely funny. The little boy, Leo, was given some brilliant lines.
Lupin (France)
Omar Sy is widely regarded as one of the most successful and internationally recognised Black actors to come out of France. If you haven’t watched The Intouchables, please add it to your list — immediately.
Lupin is stylish, clever, and fast-paced, following a gentleman thief inspired by the fictional Arsène Lupin. It’s sharp, entertaining, and beautifully acted. Omar Sy carries this series with ease.
Charming. Smart. Addictive.
La Reina del Sur (Mexico)
This one is intense.
It tells the story of Teresa Mendoza, a woman forced into the dangerous world of drug trafficking after tragedy strikes. What follows is a rise to power built on survival, strategy, and steel nerves.
It’s dramatic, gritty, and gripping, not light viewing, but incredibly compelling.
The Manny (Mexico)
Light, funny, and surprisingly heartwarming.
A high-powered career woman hires a male nanny to help care for her children, and the dynamic that follows is both entertaining and unexpectedly touching. Season one had me laughing out loud, and young Leo absolutely steals the show with his one-liners.
Easy watching. Feel-good. A perfect palate cleanser.
Somebody Feed Phil
I absolutely love this series. I genuinely want to visit every single country and restaurant Phil has been to. If you’re the type who builds travel plans around food, this is gold.
It’s also brilliant for restaurant recommendations when you’re travelling — the kind you bookmark immediately.
And I can’t ignore the way Phil generously shares the majority of his meals with the camera crew. That, my friends, is exactly why he’s not massive. 🤣
Joyful. Wholesome. Deliciously watchable.
The Sidemen Story (UK)
If you’re Nigerian, you definitely know KSI. Even if you’re not, you’ve probably heard the name.
This documentary is genuinely inspiring. It charts the evolution of the Sidemen — from a group of friends messing around on YouTube to a global brand and business empire. It’s about friendship, vision, hustle, and what can happen when talent meets consistency.
Motivating. Eye-opening. Surprisingly emotional.
Beyoncé: Homecoming
Now, let me tell you… my husband is an intellectual. He doesn’t like fluff. He doesn’t like hype. And he definitely didn’t rate Beyoncé. Thought she didn’t have much of a voice.
We forced him to watch this.
By the end?
Mind changed. Respect earned.
Homecoming is simply… phenomenal. The discipline, the artistry, the intention, the cultural weight. It is excellence on display.
Truly. Freaking. Mind-blowing.
Earth 2
If you enjoy breathtaking visuals and a reminder of how extraordinary our planet is, Earth 2 is pure visual therapy. It’s one of those series that humbles you, the landscapes, the wildlife, the sheer power and fragility of nature. Narrated by David Attenborough (of course).
Beautiful. Powerful. Perspective-shifting.
Rotten
This one is not for the faint-hearted.
Rotten pulls back the curtain on the global food industry, exposing the politics, power struggles, and corruption that shape what ends up on our plates. It’s uncomfortable viewing at times, but incredibly eye-opening.
Once you watch it, you can’t unsee it.
Human Within
This series explores the extraordinary potential of the human body — from endurance to adaptability, from strength to survival. It’s a reminder that we are far more capable than we often give ourselves credit for.
Fascinating. Motivating. Quietly empowering.
The Principles of Pleasure
Sex, joy, and modern science converge in this eye-opening series that celebrates the complex world of women’s pleasure — while quietly dismantling outdated myths.
From body confidence to orgasms, desire to connection, this is an entertaining and empowering journey through female sexuality.
Educational without being awkward.
Bold without being vulgar.
And refreshingly honest.
Body myths: busted.
Orgasms: demystified.
Pleasure: unlocked.
Dave Chappelle (Comedian)
Dave Chappelle is the son of two professors and it shows. He is articulate, well-read, and incredibly intelligent — which is why he’s often described as a modern-day philosopher disguised as a comedian.
He uses humour to provoke thought, challenge social norms, and comment on complex issues such as race, politics, and human behaviour. His timing, delivery, and wordplay are masterful, giving him the ability to go where many comedians simply wouldn’t dare.
Now, fair warning…
If you don’t like swearing.
If you’re uncomfortable with blunt talk about male and female body parts.
If you prefer your comedy polite and pretty…
He may not be for you.
But if you can get past the language, he is brilliant.
He offers a raw, unfiltered perspective on human behaviour, attitudes, and mindsets — and he will absolutely make you think as much as he makes you laugh.
My advice?
Start with his older shows. They’re sharper, funnier, and more balanced.
As for his latest, The Unstoppable…
Let’s just say: something went wrong. 😅
Get Smart With Money
If you’ve ever thought, “I should really get better with money” — this is a great place to start.
This series follows everyday people as they work with financial experts to tackle debt, change habits, and build healthier relationships with money. It’s practical, relatable, and refreshingly free of judgement.
No fluff. No shaming. Just real people, real numbers, and real change.
Educational. Empowering. Surprisingly motivating.
Get your copies of Chasing Horizons, Through The Tides and Defying The Storm here.
