Last Updated on Tuesday, April 8, 2025 by zapier

Best Documentary TV Shows on Paramount+ Right Now

Paramount+ is home to a wide variety of compelling documentary TV shows that delve into everything from real-life crime investigations and teen motherhood to epic historical events and aviation disasters. Whether you’re looking for heart-wrenching human stories or eye-opening behind-the-scenes footage, there’s something for everyone. Here’s our list of the best documentary TV shows to stream right now on Paramount+.

1. MTV Unplugged

IMDb Score: 8.2/10
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 89%

MTV Unplugged is a beloved documentary-style music series that strips down performances from today’s biggest stars and rising talent. The acoustic format gives a raw, intimate vibe to well-known hits, allowing you to hear your favorite songs in a whole new way. Whether it’s rock legends or pop newcomers, this series is pure gold for music lovers looking for authenticity, emotion, and stellar vocals.

2. 16 and Pregnant

IMDb Score: 3.7/10
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 64%

A reality-docuseries hybrid, 16 and Pregnant provides a gritty look at the lives of pregnant teens navigating high school, relationships, and the early days of motherhood. The stories are emotional, messy, and real—no sugarcoating here. It’s a raw and often tearful look at what it’s like to grow up way too soon. The series even gave rise to the Teen Mom franchise, making a lasting cultural impact.

3. Air Disasters

IMDb Score: 8.0/10
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 85%

Air Disasters takes you inside some of the most tragic aviation incidents in modern history. Through gripping recreations, expert interviews, and real data, the show explains what went wrong—and what got fixed. It’s sobering and fascinating, highlighting how every mishap led to vital safety improvements. If you’re even mildly obsessed with how planes work (or don’t), this one’s a must-watch.

4. Inside the Factory

IMDb Score: 8.3/10
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 90%

Ever wonder how your favorite snacks or gadgets get made? Inside the Factory gives viewers an all-access pass to Britain’s biggest production lines. With hosts Paddy McGuinness and Cherry Healey leading the charge, it’s part science, part history, and totally binge-worthy. You’ll come for the jaw-dropping machines and stay for the quirky facts you never knew you needed.

5. 48 Hours

IMDb Score: 7.5/10
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 80%

48 Hours digs deep into real-life crime stories with a journalistic flair that keeps you hooked. The show has helped solve cold cases and even exonerated the innocent—all while unraveling the human drama behind each case. It’s equal parts mystery and emotional rollercoaster, and the in-depth storytelling makes it stand out in the true crime genre.

6. Nathan for You

IMDb Score: 8.9/10
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 97%

Nathan for You is technically a documentary… but with a heavy twist of satire. Business consultant Nathan Fielder brings wild ideas to struggling companies—and somehow, it all works (sort of?). It’s hilarious, awkward, and uncannily insightful. You’ll laugh, you’ll cringe, and you’ll wonder how this show even exists. Either way, you won’t be able to stop watching.

7. Teen Mom: The Next Chapter

IMDb Score: 4.2/10
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 60%

Teen Mom: The Next Chapter brings together the original moms from Teen Mom OG and Teen Mom 2, showing how their lives have evolved. From toddlers to teens, the challenges of motherhood keep getting more complicated. You’ll see the highs, the lows, and everything in between—basically, it’s real parenting with zero filters. If you’ve followed their journeys, this is a heartfelt continuation.

8. The Naked Brothers Band

IMDb Score: 4.4/10
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 73%

This clever mockumentary follows two young brothers pretending to be international rock stars in a band, and it’s… surprisingly charming. The Naked Brothers Band might be geared toward younger audiences, but its behind-the-scenes format and genuine musical performances give it crossover appeal. Think of it as Spinal Tap for tweens—fun, chaotic, and full of catchy tunes.

9. Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders: Making the Team

IMDb Score: 6.7/10
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 71%

This docu-reality series peels back the glittery curtain to reveal the intense audition process behind America’s most iconic cheer team. Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders: Making the Team is all about grit, glam, and pushing limits—both physically and emotionally. The stakes are high, and not everyone makes the cut. If you love dance, drama, and discipline, this series brings it all.

10. Aerial America

IMDb Score: 8.6/10
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 88%

Aerial America offers a stunning bird’s-eye view of the U.S. like you’ve never seen before. From soaring over majestic national parks to gliding above bustling cities, every episode feels like a visual love letter to America. The show’s serene narration and jaw-dropping cinematography make it perfect for winding down or sparking your next travel dream.

11. Air Warriors

IMDb Score: 7.9/10
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 83%

Air Warriors profiles the U.S. military’s most legendary aircraft and the people who operate them. With access to archival footage and first-hand accounts, it’s a thrilling tribute to aviation engineering and military might. Fans of Top Gun and history buffs alike will find this series both informative and adrenaline-pumping.

12. Rest in Power: The Trayvon Martin Story

IMDb Score: 6.3/10
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 93%

This gripping six-part series chronicles the life and tragic death of Trayvon Martin and the social movement it inspired. Rest in Power explores themes of racial injustice, media bias, and activism in modern America. It’s a powerful, necessary documentary that offers both a memorial and a call to action—emotional and impactful from start to finish.

13. My True Crime Story

IMDb Score: 6.8/10
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 75%

Hosted by rapper Remy Ma, My True Crime Story gives everyday people a platform to share how they got tangled in serious crime—and how they found redemption. From heists to fraud, each tale is a rollercoaster of bad choices and surprising turnarounds. The series adds a unique voice to the true crime genre and feels refreshingly human.

14. FBI TRUE

IMDb Score: 7.4/10
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 78%

FBI TRUE pulls back the curtain on some of the Bureau’s most high-stakes cases. With real surveillance footage, agent interviews, and dramatic reconstructions, it’s like being in the middle of an operation. The show is intense, informative, and full of jaw-dropping moments you won’t believe are true—but they are, and that’s what makes it all the more chilling.