When I tell you I’d give anything to have a casual heart-to-heart with Taylor Swift or be a fly on the wall in Britney Spears’ tour bus, I’m genuinely not joking. But alas, those days will probably never come (manifesting otherwise, though), so picking from the wide range of tell-all celebrity documentaries streaming services have to offer is the next best thing. These films give us an intimate inside look into the very public yet simultaneously hidden lives of some of the most well-known people in the world, touching on their upbringings, struggles, triumphs, and other moments that remind us—whether you’re famous or not—there’s always more to a person than meets the eye.
Luckily, countless amount of 10/10 celebrity documentaries have been made in recent years, so we gathered some favorites that give us a front-row seat to the stories of idols, icons, and legends we know and love. Get comfy, grab a snack, and read on through our top picks.
Selena Gomez: My Mind & Me (2022)
While she’s one of the most infamous celebrities of our time, there is so much more to her story than just that. Selena Gomez is giving the world a closer look at her life in the spotlight with this deeply personal and heartfelt documentary that follows the singer, actress, and producer on a seven-year journey navigating the pressures of life-long fame while struggling with depression, anxiety, and chronic disease.
Amy (2015)
Alexa, play “Back to Black” by Amy Winehouse. This deeply emotional film is a favorite celeb doc of mine, being made up of archival footage and personal testimonials that piece together the entire life story of the iconic and indescribably talented British singer/songwriter who lost her life to a drug overdose.
Although heartbreaking and hard to watch at times, Amy is powerfully executed and well-presented, offering audiences a tough but necessary outlook inside the life of one of the most celebrated artists even today. Mark Ronson, a long-time friend, and producer who worked with Winehouse find the documentary to be “respectful” to the late singer.
(Fair warning: Self-harm and substance abuse make big appearances in this doc.)
HOMECOMING: A Film By Beyoncè (2019)
More than 50 years from now, I and the rest of the world will still be talking about the historical moment that was Beychella. This intimate, in-depth look at Beyoncé’s 2018 Coachella performance isn’t your average concert movie—it shows the deeply personal and emotional road that led up to this moment that represented both a show-stopping performance and a cultural movement.
Through a combination of backstage chit-chat, honest AF dialogue from Beyoncé herself, and rehearsal footage, Homecoming chronicles what went into Beyoncé’s iconic 2018 Coachella performance— the first time a Black woman headlined the music festival.
This Grammy-winning documentary has been written, directed, and produced by R&B sensation Beyoncé herself. A Grammy-nominated music film, Homecoming pays homage to and celebrates all the Black creatives and women that came before Queen Bey. Packed with performance, pride, and power, this Netflix documentary affirms what you already knew intuitively: For Beyoncé, the stage is home.
A Ballerina’s Tale (2015)
Legendary Misty Copeland became the first African-American woman to hold the position of principal dancer in the American Ballet Theatre, and this beautifully made documentary follows the remarkable journey to her groundbreaking achievement.
You don’t have to be a former dancer or current ballerina to enjoy this documentary on the greatest ballerina of all time: Misty Copeland. Through A Ballerina’s Tale, an IFC Film, Copeland proves that what people think ballerinas have to be (white, petite, rich, young) is racist, classist hogwash. Both inspirational and aspirational, this doc is for anyone looking for an ~against all odds~ heroine story.
Miss Americana (2020)
Even if you’re not a Swiftie, watching this is so worth it. This film offers a rare look at iconic pop artist Taylor Swift during a very transformational and isolating time in her life as she embraces her role as an artist while also learning to embrace the full power of her voice to stand up for herself and what she believes in.
Becoming (2020)
Based on Michelle Obama’s bestselling memoir by the same name, this documentary follows the former US First Lady on her 34-city book tour, where she discusses her life, time in the White House, connecting with people, and her plans. It includes footage and talks of the Obamas, personal anecdotes, and lessons that have shaped her life. Spoiler alert: she is the kindest and coolest woman ever.
Britney vs. Spears (2021)
Quick back story: Britney was involuntarily committed to a psychiatric ward in 2008 after what’s been deemed her infamous meltdown (you know, when she shaved her head?), shocking paparazzi and the public in the process. Soon after, Britney was put in a conservatorship under her family.
Framing Britney Spears, produced by FX and Hulu and investigated by The New York Times, explores the misogyny, cruelty, and ableism that led to the 39-year-old star being bound by this legal conservatorship, which many now believe should never have been implemented in the first place.
Even though the efforts to #FreeBritney finally paid off earlier last year (2022), this doc is still worth a watch. Through exclusive interviews and sharing of confidential evidence, the world gets a behind-the-scenes look at Britney Spears’ fight for autonomy through the release of her conservatorship.
Disclosure (2020)
This powerful documentary tackles a full history of transgender representation in Hollywood and serves as a wake-up call against stereotypes and images in the media that have harmed and misrepresented this community for so long. Trans actresses such as Laverne Cox, Rain Valdez, and more share their personal experiences to start this incredibly important but unfortunately neglected conversation.
Demi Lovato: Dancing With The Devil (2021)
In this heavy yet inspiring four-part YouTube docuseries, Demi Lovato, her loved ones, and her team recount her nearly fatal 2018 overdose. The incident left the superstar at a breaking point in her addiction and mental health that she had to tirelessly work and fight to overcome.
Whether you’ve been a Demi fan since their Barney and Friends days, or were late to the game only stanning her with the release of the Tell Me You Love Me 2017 album, you’ll be transfixed by this four-part documentary series. But ultimately, the series ends on a hopeful note with the finale, titled “rebirthing,” suggesting the pop star has finally found their footing.
Tina (2021)
A tell-all on the woman who gave us the gift that is “What’s Love Got To Do With It”? Sign me up. This is a revealing look at the life and career of pop icon Tina Turner, focusing on her improbable rise to early fame, personal and professional struggles, and her 1980s comeback of a lifetime.
Billie Eilish: The World’s A Little Blurry (2021)
The amount of milestones and accomplishments Billie Eilish achieved before she was even an adult is unreal, and this doc follows the intimate journey of how writing and recording her debut album with the help and support of her family changed her life forever.
Gaga: Five Foot Two (2017)
Lady Gaga is more than just a powerhouse singer decked in a meat dress—she’s a human with wants, anxiety, imposter syndrome, fibromyalgia, and talent. In this up-close-and-personal Netflix documentary, the A Star Is Born actress and the real-life pop star gets raw about the way society’s view on femininity, sexuality, success, access, and ability has caused her pain. It also explores how she’s redefined for herself what it means to be successful, to emerge from that pain more-self-assured.
This Is Paris (2020)
Paris Hilton is known as the OG influencer, but that doesn’t mean she’s immune to having her image warped, then guzzled by gossip columnists and bored house moms alike—in fact, just the opposite.
In This Is Paris, the hotel heiress takes back the mic to give viewers a real, unfiltered look at her not-so-happy life, including her time at a program in Utah where she was abused. What starts as a story about just another rich blonde girl, evolves into something much more nuanced. Ultimately, the film challenges the societal expectations put on stars like Paris.
‘Pamela, a Love Story’ (2023)
After decades of turmoil, the ever-charming pop culture icon Pamela Anderson reflects on the gigantic turn her life took when her voice was taken away from her. The documentary directed by Ryan White and produced by her son Brandon Thomas Lee also includes never-seen-before footage as well as personal journal entries dating several years back.
Pamela, a Love Story is undoubtedly a crucial watch for those who are keen on getting an inside look at the actress and model’s life. It is honest, sweet, and human — and more importantly, Anderson’s story is finally told by the only person that should be telling it: herself. The touching documentary, which inspires viewers with Anderson’s bravery and positivism and reclaims her narrative after enduring years of ridicule and disrespect, will undoubtedly change many people’s perspectives on the unforgettable Baywatch icon.
Bright Lights: Starring Carrie Fisher and Debbie Reynolds (2016)
Did you know that Singin’ In The Rain icon Debbie Reynolds and Star Wars actress Carrie Fisher was related? Yep! The mother-daughter duo lived next door to each other until late in their lives, teasing, bickering, and helping each other until they both passed unexpectedly, just days apart. Bright Lights offers a sneak peek into the life of and bond between these showbiz babes.
What’s My Name: Muhammad Ali (2019)
Directed by Antoine Fuqua (Training Day and The Magnificent Seven) with LeBron James and Maverick Carter serving as executive producers, What’s My Name: Muhammad Ali explores Ali’s challenges, confrontations, comebacks, and triumphs through recordings of his voice. The two-part documentary paints an intimate portrait of a man who was a beacon of hope for oppressed people around the world and, in his later years, was recognized as a global citizen and a symbol of humanity and understanding. Alongside using Ali himself to guide viewers through his journey, What’s My Name: Muhammad Ali features archival footage, some of it previously unseen.”
Quincy (2018)
Beyond his acclaim as a trumpeter, producer, conductor, composer, and arranger, Quincy Jones’ inimitable gift to discover the biggest talents of the past half of the century is unprecedented. He has shaped the pop culture landscape for 70 years, mentoring and cultivating the careers of young talents, from Lesley Gore to Oprah Winfrey and Will Smith. Directed by Rashida Jones (Angie Tribeca and Hot Girls Wanted) and Alan Hicks (Keep On Keepin’ On), Quincy seamlessly threads personal vérité moments with private archival footage to reveal a legendary life like no other.”
Toni Morrison: The Pieces I Am (2019)
Toni Morrison: The Pieces I Am offers an artful and intimate meditation on the life and works of the acclaimed novelist. From her childhood in the steel town of Lorain, Ohio to 1970s-era book tours with Muhammad Ali, from the front lines with Angela Davis to her riverfront writing room, Toni Morrison leads an assembly of her peers, critics, and colleagues on an exploration of race, the US, history, and the human condition as seen through the prism of her literature. Inspired to write because no one took a ‘little black girl’ seriously, Morrison reflects on her lifelong deconstruction of the master narrative. Woven together with a rich collection of art, history, literature, and personality, the film includes discussions about her many critically acclaimed works, including novels The Bluest Eye, Sula, and Song of Solomon, her role as an editor of iconic Black literature, and her time teaching at Princeton University.
Robin Williams: Come Inside My Mind (2018)
A funny, intimate, and heartbreaking portrait of one of the world’s most beloved and inventive comedians, Robin Williams: Come Inside My Mind is told largely through Williams’ own words, and celebrates what he brought to comedy and the culture at large, from the wild days of late-1970s L.A. to his death in 2014. The film explores his extraordinary life and career, revealing what drove him to give voice to the characters in his mind. With previously unheard and unseen glimpses into his creative process through interviews with Williams, as well as home movies and onstage footage, this insightful tribute features in-depth interviews with those who knew and loved him, including Billy Crystal, Whoopi Goldberg, and his son, Zak Williams.”
Diana, Our Mother: Her Life and Legacy (2017)
Diana, Our Mother features interviews with Prince William and Prince Harry, both of whom talk openly about their mother and pay tribute to the many ways her influence has shaped their lives. The film offers a fresh and revealing insight into Princess Diana through the personal and intimate reflections of her two sons and her friends and family, many of whom have never spoken publicly before, to bring together a unique portrait of an iconic person who touched the lives of millions. Prince William and Prince Harry share some of their earliest memories of their mother, recall the final conversation they had with her before her tragic death in August 1997, and discuss their feelings in the aftermath of losing her. The documentary also celebrates the achievements of Diana’s work and her sons’ determination to continue the campaigns that were closest to her heart.”
‘Bombshell: The Hedy Lamarr Story’ (2017)
Bombshell: The Hedy Lamarr Story, directed by Alexandra Dean, showcases the life of a Hollywood movie star who was hailed as the most glamorous and beautiful in the entire world. While Lamarr‘s beauty was undeniable, her outstanding true talents were often tragically obscured by her looks.
Very few people knew about the actress’ inherent scientific intellect; thanks to this documentary, Hedy Lamarr is seen through a different lens; a more accurate one. This captivating biography isn’t afraid to go into details. Bombshell incites audiences into realizing just how intelligent and underappreciated Lamarr was in electronics.
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