4 new Netflix documentaries to watch in August

Published Aug 12, 2026, 12:15 PM EDT T.M. Amrita is a writer and tech enthusiast with experience as a news reporter covering technology, artificial intelligence, and gadgets. A journalist at heart, she found a soft spot for technology reporting during her tenure as a reporter at The Hindu Businessline, where she covered topics like the economy, data, and personal finance. She has published more than 250 news stories, tech guides, and opinion articles. Outside of technology, she is a passionate poet and brings her interest in learning new things to her work as a writer. Amrita is also a student of design and interface development, and likes to take on passion projects in her free time. Every month, Netflix always has something new in store for every type of viewer. Whether you're a romantic, horror buff, or suspense lover, the streaming platform has a diverse pool of titles to pick from. And if you love documentaries, the collection of new titles is always solid. This month is no different, with Netflix adding a mix of documentaries that shine a light on fascinating people, untold stories, and events that shook the media. Here are four documentaries coming to Netflix this month, and when you can stream them. Freefall: A Reckoning for Boeing A deeper look at Boeing's turbulence Corporate scandals make for gripping documentaries, and Freefall: A Reckoning for Boeing looks set to continue that trend. The sequel documentary revisits Boeing's ongoing safety crisis following the events explored in Downfall: The Case Against Boeing. And this time, the film examines fresh allegations surrounding the aerospace manufacturer, including the death of whistleblower John Barnett and the questions it raised about Boeing's workplace culture and accountability. Through conversations with investigators, former Boeing employees, and industry experts, Freefall: A Reckoning for Boeing explores the company's troubled past, the impact on those who challenged its practices, and the wider consequences for overall aviation safety. Freefall: A Reckoning for Boeing begins streaming on Netflix on August 19. Freefall: A Reckoning for Boeing Release Date June 14, 2026 Runtime 93 minutes Director Rory Kennedy Writers Keven McAlester, Mark Bailey Producers Brian Grazer, Ron Howard, Sara Bernstein, Justin Wilkes, Viva Van Loock Main Genre Documentary Big Chicken: A Fast Food Conspiracy Things can get a little messy Food documentaries have a way of satisfying your curiosity as much as your appetite, and Big Chicken: A Fast Food Conspiracy looks like the next one worth digging into. Hosted by comedian Mo Gilligan (who you might have come across through his Netflix Original stand-up specials), the documentary explores the global fried chicken industry through a 28-day experiment in which Mo lives entirely on fast food. Through this experiment and research, it dives into factory farming, labor practices, health concerns, and the cultural impact surrounding one of the world's most popular fast food meals. Big Chicken: A Fast Food Conspiracy is a neat blend of humor and investigative reporting, carried by Mo's unique personality and narration. Big Chicken: A Fast Food Conspiracy is currently streaming worldwide. Chompoo: Lost & Forgotten The search for a story left behind Credit: Netflix The one foreign documentary that I've been eyeing from the Netflix August roster is Chompoo: Lost & Forgotten, which also happens to look like a promising true-crime feature. This Thai documentary looks back at the disappearance of a young girl from a remote Thai village that rocked the nation, where a desperate search quickly turned into a nationwide media frenzy. As investigators work to uncover what happened, the case takes unexpected turns, and the mysteries surrounding the incident are slowly brought into the spotlight. Chompoo: Lost & Forgotten marks Netflix Thailand's first local true-crime documentary feature, making it an intriguing and fresh watch if you want to explore more foreign titles and stories. Chompoo: Lost & Forgotten begins streaming on Netflix on August 20. Untold: The Testimony of Vince Young A story beyond the scoreboard Netflix's Untold series, which has built a reputation for uncovering some of the most compelling stories in sports, returns with another chapter this month. The latest installment puts the spotlight on Vince Young, one of football's most captivating quarterbacks. The documentary traces his journey from becoming a college football sensation to reaching the NFL, while exploring the expectations, struggles, and career-defining moments that shaped his rise and setbacks. Following the pattern of previous Untold stories, Untold: The Testimony of Vince Young, too, aims to look up from the headlines and concentrate the story from the athlete's perspective, both on and off the field. Untold: The Testimony of Vince Young begins streaming on Netflix on August 25. Find your picks this month There are more Netflix Original titles coming your way this month, but in the meantime, you can explore the licensed titles streaming exclusively on Netflix U.S. currently. You can find more new titles from your region's country charts, the New and Popular tab, and through Netflix Tudum if you want more personalized recommendations. Subscription with ads Yes, $8/month Simultaneous streams Two or four