Get ready, docu-fans! 2025 is bringing some fire documentaries, and whether you’re a fan of true crime, tech giants, or comedy legends, these are sure to dominate the streaming scene in the coming year. We’ve sifted through festival buzz, critical hype, and cultural relevance to bring you the top 10 most talked-about documentaries of the year.
Spoiler: You’re going to want to watch all of them.
- Musk
Elon Musk is like the internet’s favourite and most divisive figure rolled into one. Tech wizard, space explorer, and electric vehicle powerhouse, Musk's world has everything: fame, fortune, controversy, and a touch of chaos. Filmmaker Alex Gibney, known for his no-holds-barred approach to documenting the powerful, will dig into Musk’s rise, unravelling the complex layers of ambition, fame, and the inevitable scandals.
Elon Musk’s journey from tech mogul to controversial figure – the rise of a modern icon
Getty Images
- Eddie
For comedy fans, this is the ultimate trip down memory lane. Eddie Murphy’s iconic career, from his hilarious stint on Saturday Night Live to becoming one of Hollywood’s biggest stars, gets the documentary treatment it deserves. Expect interviews, laughs, and an honest look at Murphy’s legacy. It's not just about the characters he brought to life on screen, but the man who made them unforgettable.
Eddie Murphy’s legendary career on SNL and beyond – a comedic powerhouse's storyGetty Images
- SNL50: Beyond Saturday Night
Saturday Night Live isn’t just a TV show; it’s become a cultural institution. For its 50th birthday, NBC is serving up a juicy, four-part docuseries that unveils the untold stories behind the most iconic sketches, the legendary guest stars, and the hilarious chaos of live TV. If you’ve laughed, cringed, or had an SNL quote on repeat, this one’s for you.
- YouTubeyoutu.be
- Poly Styrene: I Am a Cliché
Poly Styrene was more than a punk rock legend, right? In fact, she was a cultural trailblazer. This intimate doc, co-directed by her daughter, takes a closer look at Styrene’s rise to fame with X-Ray Spex and the emotional complexity of their mother-daughter relationship. It's a moving portrayal of a woman who broke barriers in the male-dominated punk scene.
- YouTubeyoutu.be
- Becoming Katharine Graham
Katharine Graham didn’t just publish The Washington Post, she also made history. As the first female publisher of a major newspaper, she steered the ship through some of America’s most defining moments, from the Pentagon Papers to Watergate. This documentary takes us inside her world, showing us her quiet resilience and remarkable leadership.
The untold story of Katharine Graham – the first female publisher to navigate America's biggest crisesIMDB
- We Want the Funk!
Funk is a movement, and Stanley Nelson’s doc takes us through the genre’s roots in West Africa to its explosive impact on everything from soul and jazz to hip-hop. With legends like George Clinton and James Brown sharing their stories, this is an education in sound, culture, and the Black experience.
Independent Lens | Trailer | WE WANT THE FUNK! | Season 26 | Episode 15www.pbs.org
- Pangolin: Kulu’s Journey
From the creator of My Octopus Teacher comes this stunning wildlife documentary following a baby pangolin’s rescue and return to the wild. Through the eyes of wildlife photographer Kulu, it tells a touching story about conservation and the human-animal connection.
A heart-warming journey of conservation – following a baby pangolin’s rescue and return to the wild.
Netflix
- Titan
The Titan disaster sent shockwaves across the world. This documentary explores the tragic 2023 OceanGate expedition that ended in tragedy when five explorers perished during a deep-sea mission to the Titanic wreck. A cautionary tale of ambition gone wrong, it looks at the tech, the people, and the decisions that led to disaster.
The tragic Titan disaster – exploring the events that led to the 2023 deep-sea tragedyInstagram
- The Invisible Doctrine
A cerebral exploration of how neoliberalism has shaped modern capitalism, economic inequality, and the looming environmental crisis. Adapted from George Monbiot’s book, this documentary tackles some of the most pressing issues facing the world today, bringing to light the hidden forces that have shaped modern society.
- YouTubeyoutu.be
- Twiggy
Twiggy revolutionised the face of fashion. This documentary will give fans a behind-the-scenes look at her rise from a teenage model to an international icon who became synonymous with the ‘60s. Expect interviews, archival footage, and a whole lot of nostalgia.
Twiggy’s rise from model to cultural icon – reliving the 60s and the face of fashionGetty Images
2025 is shaping up to be a year of stories that don’t just entertain but ones that make you think, feel, and maybe even question the world around you. From tech moguls like Elon Musk to comedic legends like Eddie Murphy and the legendary Katharine Graham, this year’s documentaries give us a varied palette for every type of viewer.
Rahul’s casual dismissal of that controversy has added fuel to the fire
Rahul Bhatt sparks controversy over 'insensitive' remarks about sisters Alia and Pooja Bhatt
Rahul Bhatt, fitness trainer and son of veteran filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt, has found himself at the centre of a social media storm following controversial remarks about his half-sister, Alia Bhatt. In a recent interview, Rahul drew comparisons between Alia and their older sister Pooja Bhatt, calling the latter more talented, attractive, and principled.
The comments, which many have labelled inappropriate and insensitive, have sparked widespread criticism online. During the interview, Rahul stated, “In my opinion, she (Alia) is not even half of what my real sister Pooja is. Not in talent, not in looks, not in terms of being sexy. In front of my sister, she is ‘paani kam chai’ (watery tea). Amongst the siblings, the most talented and the most moralistic is Pooja.”
Social media users reacted strongly, questioning why Rahul would compare his sisters in such personal terms. Several users were particularly disturbed by his reference to their appearance and sex appeal, pointing out that such comparisons within a family cross boundaries of propriety. One comment read, “This is disturbing. Why talk about your sisters like that? It’s not just weird, it’s wrong.” Another post said, “There’s nothing respectful about comparing your siblings’ attractiveness in public.”
The backlash also reignited conversation around a decades-old controversy involving Mahesh Bhatt and Pooja Bhatt. Rahul was asked about the infamous 1990s magazine cover where the father-daughter duo shared a kiss, which had stirred public outrage at the time. Dismissing the criticism, Rahul said, “It doesn’t make any difference. It’s like water off a duck’s back. We know the truth, and we’ve seen everything since childhood.”
Rahul’s casual dismissal of that controversy has added fuel to the fire, with critics saying it reflects a broader issue of the Bhatt family being insensitive to public perception and boundaries. Many users questioned the need for bringing up old incidents in a bid to defend new and equally questionable statements.
As of now, neither Alia Bhatt nor Pooja Bhatt has issued any public response to Rahul’s remarks. Both actors, known for their significant contributions to Indian cinema, have typically kept family matters private despite living in the public eye.
This episode has also sparked debate over the role of public figures in maintaining respect when discussing family matters in the media. Observers say such comments, especially when involving women’s appearance and personal qualities, reinforce problematic attitudes and fuel unnecessary controversies.
While Rahul Bhatt is not as prominent in the entertainment industry as his father or sisters, his comments have made headlines and placed the Bhatt family in the spotlight for reasons beyond their creative work. For many, this serves as a reminder that public platforms come with responsibility, and that family ties should not be trivialised or dissected for attention or comparison.
The backlash is unlikely to subside soon, especially as fans and followers of Alia and Pooja continue to express disappointment over the way the situation has unfolded. Whether or not Rahul chooses to clarify or apologise remains to be seen.