18 Celebrity Documentaries

After Hulu released the controversial series Pam & Tommy without her consent, Pamela Anderson decided to tell her side of the story. In her new Netflix documentary, Anderson shares never-seen-before footage, which recounts her rise to fame and several public relationships, including her infamous marriage with drummer Tommy Lee. 

In her documentary Selena Gomez: My Mind & Me, Selena Gomez navigates life over a period of six years. The film sheds light on the singer's personal struggles, especially when it comes to mental health. Being in the limelight from such an early age, Gomez pulls back the curtain on the dark times she has had to endure leading up to her eventual bipolar disorder diagnosis.

Now streaming on Netlfix, dive into the world of Jennifer Lopez as she takes us behind the scenes of her 2020 Super Bowl Halftime Show performance. After early screenings, the legendary pop star received backlash for her comments about having to co-headline the performance with Shakira.

Beloved jazz singer Amy Winehouse's life from childhood to her death is captured in this 2015 documentary by Asif Kapadia. Using footage from before and during her explosive career, as well as interviews from her closest peers, Amy brings her story back to life. Watch Amy on a variety of streaming services, including Hulu and Showtime Anytime. 

Emmett Malloy's 2021 documentary about the life of rapper The Notorious B.I.G. showcases the journey from his humble background to hip-hop superstardom. Biggie: I Got A Story To Tell brings behind-the-scenes footage and interviews with loved ones to an audience of Biggie fans and music lovers alike. Stream Biggie: I Got A Story To Tell exclusively on Netflix.

Billie Eilish: The World's a Little Blurry is an AppleTV+ film featuring the rise of Billie Eilish as a teenage musician, from her debut album to now. Follow Eilish on the road, among friends, and with herself in this documentary by R.J. Cutler.

The story of Britney Spears' conservatorship is arguably one of the most important moments of pop culture in the 21st century, and it is still ongoing. Erin Lee Carr's 2021 documentary Britney Vs. Spears follows the pop star's career trajectory and the details of her conservatorship. To learn more about Spears' story of struggle and triumph, stream Britney Vs. Spears on Netflix. 

From Sam Feder, Disclosure is a 2020 Netflix documentary that explores the complex stories of transgender people in the film industry on and off-screen. Disclosure features testimonials from influential actresses like Orange is the New Black's Laverne Cox and Pose's Mj Rodriguez, as well as other industry figures who discuss the impact of transgender stories in Hollywood.

Gaga: Five Foot Two is an intimate Netflix documentary that shows pop star Lady Gaga's personal experiences with mental health and fame. Directed by Chris Moukarbel, the documentary was released in 2017 and coincides with the development of Lady Gaga's album Joanne, as well as the performer's preparations for her 2017 Super Bowl Halftime Show. 

Beyoncé's Netflix documentary Homecoming is a deep dive into the rigorous preparations and iconic performance of the singer's set from the 2018 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival. The documentary, directed by Beyoncé herself, gives a glimpse into the perfectionism and creativity that goes into each of her projects

I Am Divine tells the story of Harris Glenn Milstead; an actor, singer, drag performer, and LGBTQ+ icon who is more commonly known as Divine. The 2013 documentary from director Jeffrey Schwarz unpacks the cultural significance of Divine in the art space, from iconic appearances in John Waters films to Divine's signature makeup look. Stream I Am Divine on Netflix and The Roku Channel.

In Janet Jackson, a recently released Lifetime docuseries, singer, dancer, and music icon Janet Jackson tells untold stories of her life—even divulging details on her infamous wardrobe malfunction during her 2004 Super Bowl performance with Justin Timberlake. The four-part docuseries promises four hours of binging on the Lifetime website.  

Coodie and Chike's Jeen-Yuhs: A Kanye Trilogy is a highly anticipated docuseries on the life and career of rapper, producer, and designer Kanye West. 

Joan Didion: The Center Will Not Hold is a Netflix documentary that chronicles the career of writer and journalist Joan Didion who passed away last January. Through the use of archival footage from her early years to now, Didion's nephew and director Griffin Dunne illustrates Didion as a successful career woman, influential voice, and authentic person all in one.

Miss Americana is a 2020 documentary directed by Lana Wilson that features footage from country-turned-pop singer Taylor Swift's career over the past decade. Miss Americana is available to stream now on Netflix.

Famed author, journalist, chef, and TV host Anthony Bourdain tragically passed away in 2018, leaving behind a void in both the culinary industry and travel journalism. Morgan Neville's 2021 documentary Roadrunner: A Film About Anthony Bourdain is a remembrance of his electrifying life and eccentric persona, recounted through tales from his closest friends, lovers, and family members. Roadrunner: A Film About Anthony Bourdain is available to rent on many online film services, including Youtube and Apple TV. 

The Gospel According to André is a must-watch for fashion enthusiasts. With hot takes on the industry and interviews with fashion's most prolific professionals, the late André Leon Talley's perspective as a celebrated fashion journalist will always be relevant. This 2018 documentary from Kate Novack is a way for fans to remember Talley after his recent passing last month. Watch the documentary on HBO Max or Hulu with a premium subscription.

Alexandra Dean's This is Paris is a 2020 Youtube documentary that humanizes hotel heiress and Y2K icon Paris Hilton. Hilton gets personal about her childhood, teenage years, and life as it stands now.