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Netflix has produced a range of original documentaries that dive deep into American history, filling gaps left by the educational system. The best American history documentaries on Netflix cover a diverse range of topics beyond just American history, including music, politics, feminism, and civil rights. These documentaries shed light on important events and figures in American history, offering new perspectives and uncovering untold stories.

Netflix is known for its extensive library of documentaries available, and the streaming service is home to some of the best American history documentaries. While known for its production of true crime and music-based documentaries, the streaming service deserves more credit for its efforts in detailing important events in American history. For those who want to learn about American history more in-depth than in the classroom, or learn about the country's fascinating formation for the first time, Netflix has produced many original documentaries to suit all viewers.

Having chronicled countless landmark moments in African-American history, acclaimed documentary filmmaker Stanley Nelson understands the stakes at a time when both the culture at large, as well as the documentary industry, are in the midst of a wholesale reckoning. “It’s clear that the voices of [Bipoc filmmakers] are what’s needed—like a shot in the arm to the industry,” he said.

Nelson appeared at Hot Docs on Tuesday in conversation with director Jacqueline Olive (“Always in Season”), who was named as one of Variety’s 10 Documentary Filmmakers to Watch in 2019. Nelson’s documentary on the ‘80s crack epidemic, “Crack: Cocaine, Corruption & Conspiracy” (pictured), screens this week in Special Presentations at the festival, where he’s receiving an Outstanding Achievement Award.

During the wide-ranging conversation, which is available on-demand to Hot Docs attendees, the Emmy and Peabody Award winner reflected on the arc of his career, beginning with his first...

"It changed everything about America." Netflix is releasing this new doc in a few weeks from now, and we have yet to share the trailer. Crack: Cocaine, Corruption & Conspiracy is made by filmmaker Stanley Nelson and will be streaming on Netflix soon. The film is a comprehensive and extensive look at the modern history of cocaine in America. It "examines not only the personal devastation caused by the drug, but also the shadowy origins of the crisis and the resultant, [and] ongoing marginalization of Black & Brown people trapped by the prison and healthcare systems." The film's "strongest opinion", as pointed out in this Daily Beast review, is "namely, that the extreme criminalization of narcotics has, during the past few decades, led to a mass incarceration catastrophe—predominantly punishing Black Americans, even though two-thirds of '80s-'90s crack users were reportedly white—that we’re still dealing with today." Looks...

The first month of a new year is a good time to make a new impression. And that’s just what Netflix seems set on doing with its list of new releases for January 2021.

The streamer is coming out strong with a third season of Cobra Kai, formerly of YouTube Premium. The next installment in Daniel Larusso and Johnny Lawrence’s story is set to arrive…eventually. Netflix has not unveiled a released date yet but it will be during this month. While Cobra Kai is the highlight among Netflix’ original series, it’s not the only one by a long shot. Last year’s fun Jurassic World: Camp Cretaceous returns for a second season on Jan. 22 and it will be accompanied by Fate: The Winx Saga. Also, if you’re a fan of things that will one day be .gif’ed to death, the Nicolas Cage-hosted History of Swear Words drops on Jan.