The Top 10 Documentary TV Shows on Right Now

From mystery to history to crime and more, there’s no shortage of documentary shows exploring fascinating, unusual and sometimes downright disturbing areas of our lives and world. This list has the top 10 best documentary shows on TV right now for your viewing pleasure.

And make sure to keep coming back to this list to see the most up-to-date information on what real TV lovers are watching right now. From History’s Greatest Escapes with Morgan Freemanto The Food That Built America, this list will help documentary fans stay up to date on the most entertaining shows available to watch now.

Watch Guide Methodology: Using proprietary viewership data, DIRECTV Insider curates lists of the most popular TV shows and movies being watched by real people, in real time, to help you pick the best trending content to watch across networks. Our rolling data collection also allows readers to see how a trending show’s ranking has changed week over week.

Start catching up on all of your favorite documentary series on DIRECTV today.

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TOP 10 DOCUMENTARY TV SHOWS TO WATCH

Below is your go-to list of the best documentary TV shows to watch right now. Whether you’re looking for a single episode to pass the time or want to binge a whole documentary series, you can’t go wrong with the shows listed below.

1. ‘History’s Greatest Escapes with Morgan Freeman’

↑ 18 vs. Prior Week

Embark on a thrilling journey through the world’s most notorious prison breakouts in History’s Greatest Escapes with Morgan Freeman. From the intricate planning stages to the heart-stopping escapes, and the intense manhunts that follow, Freeman’s riveting narration brings these audacious stories spectacularly to life.

Featuring interviews and dramatic recreations, every episode delves deep into the minds of inmates, who in their desperation to escape captivity, demonstrated an astonishingly resourceful spirit. Equally captivating are the relentless pursuits launched to recapture them. For true-crime lovers and history buffs, this documentary show is sure to keep you on the edge of your seat!

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2. ‘The Mega-Brands That Built America’

↑ 36 vs. Prior Week

Dive into the fascinating world of business with The Mega-Brands That Built America. This compelling series takes viewers on a thrilling ride through the history of America’s most prominent brands, unveiling the masterminds and powerful strategies behind their astronomical successes. Each episode introduces a new major corporation, diving deep into its conception, progress and vast influence.

Welcome to a captivating journey into the world of massive influence and power, where the groundbreaking visionaries and creative geniuses constructed the building blocks of modern America. These aren’t just companies, they’re the mega-brands that built a nation.

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3. ‘Planet Earth III’

↑ 36 vs. Prior Week

Experience the wonders of the natural world like never before in Planet Earth III. This gripping documentary series transports viewers to the most breathtaking corners of the planet, from dense rainforests to icy polar caps. Watch as the Earth’s diverse array of ecosystems and creatures, both big and small, go about their lives in awe-inspiring detail.

With remarkable cinematography and ground-breaking technology, Planet Earth III takes wildlife filmmaking to a whole new level. Whether you’re a nature enthusiast or simply looking for some visual escapism, Planet Earth III promises an unparalleled and deeply immersive journey into the heart of our vibrant world.

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4. ‘Evil Lives Here’

↑ 9 vs. Prior Week

Evil Lives Here puts a spotlight on the horrifying experience of living with a killer. In each chilling episode, friends and family of people convicted of murder or other heinous crimes recount their personal experiences, offering an unsettling yet compelling exploration into the human condition.

This series is not for the faint of heart, but it’s a must-watch for those curious about the darkest corners of human behavior.

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5. ‘Nightmare Next Door’

↔ vs. Prior Week

Nightmare Next Door is not your typical small-town America TV show. It uncovers the chilling murder mysteries that disrupt the serenity behind the white-washed picket fences. The unnerving tales are narrated through the eyes of the investigators, firsthand witnesses and sometimes even the residents who lived to tell their story.

This captivating, true crime documentary will have you on the edge of your seat, proving that even the seemingly perfect towns can harbor some shocking secrets. Tune in to experience the flip side of small-town life on Nightmare Next Door.

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6. ‘The Rise and Fall of the Maya’

↑ 28 vs. Prior Week

Immerse yourself in history with The Rise and Fall of the Maya, a breath-taking delve into the enigmatic past of the great Mayan civilization. Explore the eminent lost monuments, decipher mysterious ancient inscriptions and scrutinize compelling new forensic evidence that tracks the evolution of the Maya from their primeval roots to the depths of their decline and their lingering influence in the present day. Dive into history’s obscurity by unlocking the profound secrets behind their ascension and downfall, while witnessing the pervasive impact of a civilization lost in time but never forgotten.

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7. ‘Expedition Unknown’

↑ 4 vs. Prior Week

Josh Gates is about as close as you can get to a real-life Indiana Jones. Join Gates as he journeys to some of the world’s most remote regions seeking answers to age-old mysteries or exploring the site of recently discovered archaeological treasures on Expedition Unknown.

Gates brings an infectious enthusiasm to each adventurous episode, intertwining suspense, science and exploration in a must-watch documentary show for adventure enthusiasts.

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8. ‘American Monster’

↔ vs. Prior Week

Immerse yourself in a blend of real-life horror and heartrending human stories with American Monster. This chilling show takes a unique glimpse into the seemingly perfect lives of American families, only to shockingly reveal that beneath their glossy exteriors hide inhuman monsters perpetuating unspeakable crimes.

The show masterfully uses home videos and interviews of families and friends, adding an eerily personal touch to every act of violence committed. Tune in to American Monster for a haunting denouement that will leave you questioning the true nature of humanity itself.

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9. ‘Snapped’

↔ vs. Prior Week

Immerse yourself in the dark world of true crime with Snapped. This chilling docuseries delves into the lives of seemingly ordinary women who shockingly turn into cold-blooded killers. Each episode unravels a new crime, gradually unveiling the killer’s motives, method and inevitable downfall in great detail.

From crimes of passion to premeditated murders, Snapped covers a variety of shocking cases that will leave you questioning what drives someone to kill. Witness the startling transformation from everyday woman to convicted murderer, only on Snapped.

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10. ‘The Food That Built America’

↑ 2 vs. Prior Week

The Food That Built America is an epic culinary journey through time and American gastrology. Learn about the visionary moguls and entrepreneurs who risked it all to bring their food inventions to the masses, including Coca-Cola, McDonalds and other iconic food brands.

From the invention of Hershey’s chocolate to the rise of fast food, this series tells the fascinating stories behind the foods and brands we love, offering a delicious blend of history, biography and food.

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And there you have it: the most popular documentary shows available to watch on TV right now. Stay tuned for updates, so you can keep up with the best TV content with DIRECTV.

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And for more information on the top shows and movies to watch right now, check out these other lists:

• Most Gripping Docudramas to Watch
• Documentary Movies to Enjoy
• Top 10 Biopics to Watch Right Now
• Top TV Shows Based on a True Story
• Top 10 Tastiest Cooking Shows to Enjoy
• The Most Interesting Scientific Shows to Watch
• Top Talk Shows to Watch Right Now
• 10 Reality TV Shows Anyone Can Enjoy

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