8 Feminist Documentaries on Netflix *EVERYBODY* Should Watch
Mar 8, 2021 • Bianca Katipunan
Today’s International Women’s Day, and what better way to celebrate women than to watch stories that encapsulate just how amazing they are? As these feminist documentaries on Netflix show, women are powerful — even when the world hasn’t been kind to them.
Hot Girls Wanted
Produced by actress Rashida Jones, this documentary follows 18- to 19-year-old female pornography performers as they go about their daily lives. It explores why they choose to work for the porn industry and how they feel about their jobs. The documentary was followed up by Hot Girls Wanted: Turned On, a six-part documentary series that takes an in-depth look at the intersection of sex and technology.
Watch this documentary here.
Audrie & Daisy
This 2016 documentary follows the rape cases of Audrie Pott, who was 15 years old at the time of the assault, and Daisy Coleman, who was 14. The heartbreaking series shows how both girls were harassed online by the same people who assaulted them, as well as the impact of this harassment on their mental health. Tragically, Audrie died by suicide nine days after her assault. Daisy also died by suicide in 2020.
Watch this documentary here.
Becoming
This documentary follows former US first lady Michelle Obama on a 34-city book tour after her memoir Becoming was published. Here, Obama talks about her life and hopes. It’s an uplifting documentary that will open your eyes to possibility.
Watch this documentary here.
Miss Representation
“You can’t be what you see.” This is the motto of this documentary that explores just how much young women need more positive role models in mass media, instead of being sold the idea that they are only as good as their beauty, sexuality, and youth.
Watch this documentary here.
Period. End of Sentence.
Periods are normal, but in many parts of the world, they are still considered taboo, and so many women still don’t have access to basic sanitary products. This short film shows how a group of local women in India learn how to make low-cost sanitary pads to provide access to these essentials.
Watch this documentary here.
Homecoming
Not just a concert film, Homecoming is a documentary that follows the one and only queen Beyonce as she prepares for her now-iconic 2018 Coachella performance. The documentary provides an in-depth look at her creative process and shows just how hardworking and dedicated she is — none of this success happened by accident.
Watch this documentary here.
Feminists: What Were They Thinking?
In 1977, photographer Cynthia MacAdams released a book of portraits called Emergence. The book showed women who were embracing feminism. This documentary revisits the photos and those women, discussing important feminist artworks and films with the likes of Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin, and Judy Chicago.
Watch this documentary here.
Miss Americana
This documentary follows the ups and downs of Taylor Swift’s career, showing a side to the famous singer that had previously never been shown to the public. It explores just how much she’s had to struggle against misogyny — and how she learned how to use her voice to be an advocate for positive change.
Watch this documentary here.
Which of these documentaries will you watch first? Tell us below!
