While documentary films and docuseries have had skyrocketing popularity within the last decade, so many different topics have been explored and covered by the film industry. Summer 2023 is already in full swing, here are five documentaries that should be on your summer watch list.
5: “Bama Rush” (2023)
On May 23, 2023, Max released “Bama Rush” which is an inside look at the sorority rush process in the south, more specifically at the University of Alabama. The film follows numerous girls preparing for the rush process and documents their feelings and worries throughout this period. The film also talks with active members on why they joined and their feelings as well. “Bama Rush” does a deep dive into the hierarchies of Greek life and the history behind it as well. “Bama Rush” is a great watch with recruitment season coming up this fall!
4: “LFG” (2021)
With the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in full swing this summer, audiences should turn their attention to Max’s “LFG”. The film follows the United States Women’s National Team through their equal pay lawsuit process that began before the 2019 Women’s World Cup. The film takes audiences through the intense realities and shortcomings that female athletes deal with today. The United States Women’s National Team gets paid only a fraction of what the United States Men’s National Team gets paid, but the USWNT has won 4 more World Cups than the USMNT. With the 2023 World Cup coming up, this documentary is a great way to look beyond the game at the big picture.
3: “Shiny Happy People” (2023)
In June of 2023, Amazon Prime released a docuseries surrounding the hit TV Show “19 Kids and Counting” which followed the Duggar family and their 19 children. The series was canceled in 2015 due to controversy with the family’s eldest son, Josh Duggar. “Shiny Happy People” gives an inside look at what went on within the family that viewers didn’t know about. The docuseries also does a deep dive into the Duggar’s Independent Fundamentalist Baptist religion. The series is hard-hitting and long-awaited by fans of the original series.
2: “Wham!” (2023)
In July of 2023, Netflix released an original documentary about the 1980s pop duo, Wham!. With Hits like “Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go” and “Last Christmas”, Wham! Has proven to have a great discography with a ton of timeless hits. The film follows Andrew Ridgeley’s mother’s scrapbooks that she created at the start of his fame and includes tons of media surrounding the duo during their career. Even if you have no idea who Wham! is, this film is fun, upbeat, and definitely worth the watch for music lovers!
1: “Betrayal: The Perfect Husband” (2023)
In July 2023 ABC Special Reports released a three-part docu-series on Hulu that follows the podcast “Betrayal”. The series follows Jen, who thought she got a second chance with her college sweetheart Spencer. In reality, he had years of skeletons in his closet. The series is well-produced and told in a manner that makes audiences connect with those involved.
While these picks may not pique everyone’s interest, there are a ton of documentaries of all genres and topics out there today. Streaming services such as Hulu and Netflix lead the way in the documentary genre and have some hidden gems to check out!
