Paramount Plus Documentaries to Watch: Best Picks

Paramount Plus has a strong documentary library covering true crime, music, sports, and history. This guide highlights the most acclaimed and popular documentaries currently available on the service, with tips on how to find them and what makes each one worth your time.

True Crime and Investigative Documentaries

True crime is one of Paramount Plus’s strongest genres. The service hosts several multi-part series that have generated significant discussion and critical praise.

• The Curse of Von Dutch: A Brand to Die For – A three-part docuseries exploring the rise and fall of the iconic 2000s fashion brand, focusing on the rivalry between its creators and the mysterious murder of one of them. It’s a gripping look at ambition, ego, and the dark side of hype.
• Murder in Big Horn – This series investigates the disappearances and murders of Indigenous women in Montana’s Big Horn County. It combines personal stories with a look at the systemic failures that have left cases unsolved. The series is notable for its respectful and thorough reporting.
• MILF: The True Story – A documentary that examines the life and crimes of a woman who ran a prostitution ring in Texas. It’s a cautionary tale about how ordinary lives can spiral into criminality, and it features interviews with the people closest to the case.

These are just a few examples. Paramount Plus also regularly adds true crime specials and series from its cable partners, so checking the “Documentaries” row under the “Shows” tab is a good way to discover new additions.

Music and Pop Culture Documentaries

For music fans, Paramount Plus offers a rich collection of artist profiles and concert films. These documentaries often go beyond the standard biography to include rare archival footage and interviews with collaborators.

• Pavarotti – Directed by Ron Howard, this documentary tells the story of opera legend Luciano Pavarotti. It’s a well-crafted portrait that balances his extraordinary voice with his personal struggles and his efforts to bring opera to a wider audience.
• Becoming Mike Nichols – While not strictly music, this documentary focuses on the legendary director’s early career in improv comedy with Elaine May. It’s a masterclass in creativity and is essential viewing for anyone interested in performance.
• Framing John DeLorean – This documentary blends archival footage with dramatized scenes to tell the story of the automotive visionary behind the DeLorean car. It’s a fascinating look at a man who was both a brilliant innovator and a figure of scandal.

Many of these titles are also available in 4K, so if you have a compatible device, look for the “4K Ultra HD” filter to get the best picture quality.

Sports Documentaries on Paramount Plus

Sports fans are well served by Paramount Plus, which has a dedicated section for sports documentaries. These often focus on iconic teams, athletes, and moments in sports history.

• Dope Man – A documentary about the life of former NBA player Michael Ray Richardson, who was banned from the league for drug use. It’s a candid and often heartbreaking look at addiction and redemption.
• Shut Up and Dribble – Produced by LeBron James, this three-part series examines the role of athletes in social and political commentary, using the NBA as a lens. It’s a thoughtful and timely documentary that goes beyond sports.
• All In: The Poker Movie – This documentary traces the rise of poker from underground card rooms to a global phenomenon. It features interviews with players like Chris Moneymaker and Phil Hellmuth, and it’s a great watch even if you’re not a poker player.

These documentaries are often paired with live sports coverage, so you can easily switch from watching a game to learning about its history.

History and Politics Documentaries

If you prefer documentaries that explore historical events and political movements, Paramount Plus has a solid selection that ranges from ancient civilizations to modern-day conflicts.

• 66 Days – This documentary recounts the 1960s sit-in at a Nashville lunch counter, a pivotal moment in the Civil Rights Movement. It uses archival footage and interviews to capture the tension and bravery of the protesters.
• Watergate: High Crimes in the White House – A comprehensive look at the Watergate scandal that led to President Nixon’s resignation. It’s a detailed and engaging account that remains relevant today.
• The Real History of Dracula – This special explores the historical figure Vlad the Impaler and how his story evolved into the vampire legend. It’s a great example of how Paramount Plus blends history with pop culture.

For history buffs, the service also includes a number of Smithsonian Channel documentaries, which are known for their high production values and expert commentary.

Nature and Science Documentaries

While not as extensive as some other genres, Paramount Plus does offer a handful of nature and science documentaries that are worth seeking out.

• Serengeti – This series, narrated by John Boyega, follows the lives of animals in the Serengeti. It’s filmed in a cinematic style that makes it feel like a drama, and it’s a great choice for families.
• Secrets of the Zoo – A behind-the-scenes look at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, showing the work of zookeepers and veterinarians. It’s a feel-good series that appeals to animal lovers of all ages.
• Mission to the Sun – This documentary follows NASA’s Parker Solar Probe mission, which aims to study the sun’s outer atmosphere. It’s a fascinating look at the challenges of space exploration.

These titles are often grouped under the “Nature” or “Science” categories, but they can be harder to find if you don’t know they exist. Using the search function with keywords like “nature” or “space” can help.

How to Choose What to Watch

With so many options, it can be overwhelming to decide what to watch. Here are a few practical tips:

• Check the release year: Newer documentaries often have higher production values and more up-to-date information. If you want the latest, look for titles released in the last two years.
• Read the synopsis: The description on the title’s page will give you a good sense of the subject and tone. If it mentions a topic you’re already interested in, it’s a safe bet.
• Use the “Trending” section: The “Trending” row on the home page shows what other subscribers are watching. It’s a good indicator of what’s popular and often includes documentaries.
• Look for award winners: Documentaries that have won awards like the Oscar or Emmy are usually of high quality. You can search for “Oscar-winning documentaries” to find them.

Common Problems and How to Fix Them

Sometimes you might have trouble finding or playing a documentary on Paramount Plus. Here are some common issues and their solutions:

• Documentary not showing up: If you can’t find a specific title, it might not be available in your region. Use a VPN to check if it’s available elsewhere, or contact support to confirm availability.
• Streaming quality is low: This is often due to a slow internet connection. Try closing other apps that use bandwidth, or lower the streaming quality in the settings menu.
• Subtitles not working: If subtitles aren’t displaying, check that they are enabled in the player settings. Also, make sure your device’s language settings are set to English if you want English subtitles.
• Audio is out of sync: This can happen on some devices. Restarting the app or the device usually fixes it. If not, try casting to a different screen.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are the documentaries on Paramount Plus free?

No, documentaries are included with your subscription. You need an active Paramount Plus plan (Essential or Showtime) to watch them. There is no separate fee for documentaries.

Can I download documentaries to watch offline?

Yes, you can download most documentaries for offline viewing on the mobile app. Look for the download icon next to the title. Downloads are available on both Essential and Showtime plans.

How often are new documentaries added?

New documentaries are added monthly. The service typically adds a few new titles at the beginning of each month, but specials and exclusives can be added at any time. Checking the “New” row is the best way to see recent additions.

Are there any documentaries about true crime that are exclusive to Paramount Plus?

Yes, several true crime documentaries are exclusive to Paramount Plus, such as MILF: The True Story and Murder in Big Horn. These are produced or co-produced by the service and are not available on other streaming platforms.

Do documentaries have parental controls?

Yes, you can set up parental controls in the settings menu. You can restrict content by rating, so you can block documentaries that are rated R or TV-MA. This is useful if you have children using the account.

Can I watch documentaries in 4K?

Some documentaries are available in 4K, but not all. To find them, search for “4K” in the search bar or look for the “4K Ultra HD” badge on the title’s page. You’ll need a compatible device and a fast internet connection to stream in 4K.

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