A photo of ‘African Queens: Njinga’ star Adesuwa Oni dressed in traditional African royal attire, being carried on a throne.
In ‘African Queens: Njinga,’ viewers are presented a spectacular narrative of the rise and reign of Njinga amid numerous family betrayal and political rivalries.
Screenshot from ‘African Queens: Njinga’ trailer, YouTube.

11 African Documentaries to Watch on Netflix Right Now

These documentaries tell stories of the diverse history and culture, and untold perspectives from across the continent.

Damola Durosomo
and
Shalom Esene
September 06, 2024

It might feel like there’s an overwhelming amount of documentaries across the globe, from narratives about the most mundane to the most enthralling, but real-life stories told with an Afro-centric lens, fixed on African culture and history often remain underrepresented. To help fill that gap, here are 11 documentaries on Netflix worth watching right now. This list ranges from a South African true crime film that investigates the death of a soccer legend, to an archaeological journey through Egypt in search of millennia-old treasures.

‘Elephant’s Dream’ (2014)

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- YouTube


Elephant’s Dream is a varied examination of life in the Democratic Republic of the Congo that offers a glimpse into the stories of the workers in some of the country's state-owned institutions. In it, we hear multiple accounts of life in Kinshasa, through the lens of people working at the post office, rail station and fire headquarters. The film, directed by British Belgian filmmaker Kristoff Bilsen, is a departure from the turmoil and physical violence that are often the subject of documentaries about the DRC.

‘Queen Cleopatra’ (2023)

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Produced by Jada Pinkett Smith, this finely crafted four-episode series portrays the life and reign of Cleopatra VII, the last active ruler of the Ptolemaic Kingdom of Egypt. Combining dramatized reenactments with expert historical commentary, the documentary walks us through Cleopatra’s political maneuvers, her complex relationship with Julius Caesar, and her influence on ancient Egyptian and Roman history.

‘(Un)credited: the Story of Afro dance’ (2022)

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- YouTube


A 46-minute Red Bull documentary, streaming on Netflix, The Story of Afro Dance tells us of Nigeria’s unsung dance heroes and notable figures behind the country’s Afrobeats and viral TikTok dance sensations. It traces the rise and impact of Afro-dance on both Afro-culture and global culture, spotlighting the dancers and choreographers who have been instrumental in popularizing Nigeria’s dance form, and exploring how Afro-dance has evolved from traditional African movements into a contemporary phenomenon, influencing music videos, social media and pop culture worldwide.

‘Water Get No Enemy’ (2020)

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- YouTube


This short documentary explores the healing power of the ocean for former child soldiers of Liberia’s civil war of 1989-1997 and 1999-2003. Water Get No Enemy takes us into the journey of these ex-combatants who have found solace and redemption through surfing. It’s set against the backdrop of Liberia’s impressive coastline, and captures the personal stories, conflicted pasts and triumphs of the young boys and men who have now become excellent surfers. The title is inspired by Nigerian legend Fela Kuti’s song and echoes the idea that water, like the ocean, is impartial and cannot be an enemy, but can in fact offer us peace and transformative healing.

‘African Queens: Njinga’ (2023)

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You’ve probably heard of Queen Njinga (or Nzinga), a powerful ruler of the Ndongo and Matamba kingdoms – what is now present-day Angola – who is recognized for her brave efforts against colonialism. In this documentary, another installation in the African Queens series also produced by Jada Pinkett Smith, and written by Kenyan writer Peres Owino, we’re presented a spectacular narrative of the rise and reign of Njinga amid numerous family betrayal and political rivalries. The film received 12 Daytime Emmy nominations this year, and film writer Owino said she wants to bring back nobility in African storytelling. “It’s about taking responsibility for our stories.”

‘Sembene!’ (2015)

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Ousmane Sembène, "The Father of African Cinema," is the subject of this captivating film, which explores the self-taught, Senegalese filmmaker and writer's one-of-a-kind creative process. Directed by his long-time friend and biographer, Samba Gadjigo in collaboration with Jason Silverman, the film chronicles Sembène's rise from dock worker and fifth-grade dropout to world-renowned auteur.

‘Senzo: Murder of a Soccer Star’ (2022)

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- YouTube


10 years ago, Senzo Meyiwa, a beloved captain of the South African national team and Orlando Pirates was shot and killed in what was initially reported as a botched robbery at his girlfriend’s home. His death led to national outrage, and sparked discussions about the high crime rates in South Africa. Murder of a Soccer Starexamines Meyiwa’s life, career and uncovers the investigation into his death which was marred by inconsistencies and mismanagement, and led to years of unanswered questions.

‘UNKNOWN: The Lost Pyramid’ (2023)

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Egyptian archaeologist Dr. Zahi Hawass and former secretary-general of Egypt’s Supreme Council of Antiquities Dr. Mostafa Waziri lead this captivating documentary. It follows a team of archaeologists on an ambitious excavation, uncovering ancient tombs and artifacts over 4,000 years old as they search for a buried pyramid. With each discovery, the documentary offers a deeper glimpse into Egypt’s rich and storied past.

‘My Octopus Teacher’ (2020)

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This beautiful, Oscar-winning documentary follows filmmaker Craig Foster as he forms an unusual and intimate bond with a wild octopus while diving off the coast of South Africa. A truly compelling story, My Octopus Teacher explores the connection between humans and the natural world, and the healing and life-changing impact of connecting with nature.

‘The Pearl Of Africa’ (2016)

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This film, directed by Jonny von Wallström, follows Cleopatra Kambugu, a transgender woman in Uganda, as she explores perceptions of gender identity in her home country and deals with the many challenges that arise from doing so. On the film's website, it's described as "an intimate story of resilience, courage, acceptance and self-determination told in an intimate, poetic way with a hope to make people more aware of the commonalities behind our humanity rather than the peculiarities of our multiple identities."

‘Journey of an African Colony’ (2020)

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Released globally by Netflix to coincide with Nigeria’s 60th Independence anniversary, this docuseries shares Nigeria’s precolonial and post-colonial history, untold stories and the people who played monumental roles in the journey towards independence. It’s narrated and produced by former Lagos state commissioner for justice Olasupo Shasore, whose books Possessed: A History of Law & Justice in the Crown Colony of Lagos 1861–1906 and A Platter of Gold: Making Nigeria the film is also based on.

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