MerPeople, Cults & True Crime: 6 Netflix Documentaries to Watch in December 2023

Even during this festive time of year not everyone wants to watch holiday movies round the clock. Fortunately there are plenty of informative, highly-rated documentaries available on Netflix this December.

From artistic mermaids, to inspiring sports stars, to disturbed criminals, these six documentaries are sure to keep you entertained when you're in more of an educational mood.

1. MerPeople

100% | Rotten Tomatoes

If you're not already familiar with the practice of mermaiding then this is definitely a documentary where you'll learn all about this unusual but fascinating trend. This miniseries walks through the lives of individuals invested in the current craze of becoming and performing as an underwater mermaid/man, which has generated a surprising half-billion dollar industry. Many of these artists invest lots of their time and money to perform as these underwater beings, even at the cost of their own safety. This success of this series has many fans calling for a season 2 already.

2. Madoff: The Monster of Wall Street

90% | Rotten Tomatoes

A four-part true crime documentary follows the story of Bernie Madoff, named mastermind of the biggest known ponzi scheme in history of an estimated $65 billion. Using his ex-employees, as well as investigators, journalists, victims, whistleblowers, and Madoff's own video depositions, this factual series goes through the events of Madoff's crimes all the way through to his arrest, and pulling no punches in sharing exactly who else is to blame for these crimes.

Chitra Ramaswamy for The Guardian praised the series, saying '[the documentary] gives due voice to the victims, whose stories are so often overlooked in white collar crimes'.

3. Bill Russell: Legend

100% | Rotten Tomatoes

For sports fans this is a documentary you'll certainly enjoy. This two-part special details the life and achievements of one of basketball's most celebrated players, Bill Russell, who sadly passed away only last year. Looking back through his career successes, the series celebrates his contribution to the sport, and how he left a lasting impact on the future of the game, but also the social-political changes he helped inspire during his lifetime. The docuseries tells the genuine story of the great man, as well as the real life legend he became.

4. Waco: American Apocalypse

84% | Rotten Tomatoes

Although there are many true crime documentaries widely available, not many show as much of the raw footage as Waco: American Apocalypse; which showcases the events of the 1993 Waco massacre. The three-part series steps back through the infamous Waco siege, known as the largest gunfight on US soil since the Civil War.

Using cutting edge visual technology, as well as newly discovered news footage, the show creates an immersive experience that showcases the events of one of America's most deadly stand-offs.

5. Emergency NYC

100% | Rotten Tomatoes

Not for the squeamish or faint hearted, Emergency NYC looks at the day-to-day lives of emergency healthcare professionals in New York City. Including some startling and intense scenes, this documentary explores the responsibilities of medical personnel, nurses, surgeons, and paramedics, as they fight for the lives of the real people living in the US' most populated city.

The documentary refuses to present a watered-down perspective of genuine events. As critic Steve Greene says for IndieWire, 'Emergency: NYC shows how integral these hospitals are to [the] fabric of New York'.

6. American Manhunt: The Boston Marathon Bombing

89% | Rotten Tomatoes

A sombre but revealing insight into the devastating 2013 Boston marathon bombing. Focussing on the investigation after the events of the attack, the three-part series interviews a number of law enforcement officers involved in the investigation who detail exactly how modern surveillance and analysis techniques were used to identify, locate, and capture those responsible.

Becoming a national manhunt, unprecedented in US law enforcement, this must-watch documentary provides an emotional retelling of events important to our recent history.