Sharks, ‘Sweethearts’ and Subs: 19 Docs and Real-Life Series to Watch This Summer

It’s the dog days of summer, and breezy beach reads and beach-based series abound.

Perhaps you prefer true-to-life narratives. In that case, here’s a collection of recently released documentary series and films that could be great for your viewing this summer!

America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders

In the second installment of this documentary series, we delve once more into the tryout phase for the DCC team, under the watchful eyes of long-standing director Kelli Finglass and seasoned choreographer Judy Trammell. The narrative unfolds as the 2024-25 NFL season commences, with an unexpectedly high number of veterans opting to retire, thereby creating 12 vacancies for fresh applicants. Among these hopefuls are a staff member’s daughter and returning contestants who were previously eliminated in Season 1 and the precursor series, CMT’s Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders: Making the Team (available on Netflix).

Amy Bradley Is Missing

Approximately a quarter of a century ago, when Amy Bradley was 23 years old, she embarked on a cruise bound for the Caribbean island of Curaçao together with her parents and younger sibling. Two nights into their journey, Amy spent her evening dancing at the ship’s nightclub before retiring to her cabin balcony. The following morning, her father found that she was missing, leaving only a polo shirt and a pair of sandals as potential evidence. To this day, she remains untraced. This three-episode documentary series delves into the investigation, leads, and reported sightings in the years since her disappearance (airs on Netflix starting July 16).

Barbara Walters: Tell Me Everything

In this rephrased version, let’s call it “Barbara Walters: Reveal All,” delves deeper into the life of the renowned broadcaster, exploring aspects such as her childhood, personal relationships, and professional journey. As Jackie Jesko, the director, recently shared with The Hollywood Reporter, “We aimed to thoroughly grasp every aspect of her.” This program not only highlights her extraordinary television career where she interviewed a diverse range of individuals, from dictators to celebrities, but also aims to uncover the person behind the public figure – understanding what drove her and her impact on the industry. (Currently streaming on Hulu)

Billy Joel: And So It Goes

In this two-part documentary, set to air in just under two months following Joel’s announcement of his brain disorder diagnosis – normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH), which forced him to cancel upcoming performances and spark worry among fans – The Piano Man is the focus. Regrettably, health issues prevented him from attending the premiere at the 2025 Tribeca Festival. This nearly five-hour documentary delves deep into Joel’s life and career, featuring unique interviews with the artist himself as well as friend and collaborator Jon Small; ex-wives Elizabeth Weber (who also managed Joel), Christie Brinkley, and Katie Lee; daughter Alexa Ray Joel; current wife Alexis Roderick Joel; band members and fellow musicians such as Bruce Springsteen, Sting, John Mellencamp, Nas, Pink, Garth Brooks, and Paul McCartney. Additionally, it showcases never-before-seen performances, home movies, and personal photographs. The premiere is scheduled for July 18 and July 25 on HBO/HBO Max.

Bono: Stories of Surrender

In this documentary, titled “U2’s Lead Singer Gives a Peek into His Life and Career,” Bono provides an intimate look at his personal life and musical journey. The documentary is known as a “daring and poetic visual exploration” of Bono’s one-man show with the same name. It delves into his experiences as a son, father, spouse, activist, and rockstar, drawing from his memoir “Surrender: 40 Songs, One Story” and the accompanying book/theater tour. The documentary also includes unprecedented, exclusive footage from his performances at the Beacon Theatre (available for streaming on Apple TV+).

The Gilgo Beach Killer: House of Secrets

This three-part docuseries, produced by Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson, delves into the Gilgo Beach murders and their aftermath. It includes exclusive insights from the family of suspect Rex Heuermann, who stands accused in seven Long Island area murders. The series also offers a glimpse inside his home. Notably, Heuermann, who maintains his innocence, made headlines recently when his ex-wife attempted to sell a Jeep and trailer associated with him on eBay. However, eBay later removed the listing, citing violations of their rules against items that glorify violence or violent acts, as reported by Newsweek. (Currently streaming on Peacock)

The Idaho Student Murders

This documentary titled “The Idaho Student Murders” delves into the chilling murders of four students – Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Xana Kernodle, and Ethan Chapin – in Moscow, Idaho. Their lifeless bodies were discovered on November 13, 2022, in an off-campus residence. The primary suspect, Bryan Kohberger, a criminology student, had long proclaimed his innocence for nearly three years. However, on July 2, he made a surprising confession by pleading guilty to all charges. This captivating documentary premiered a day later, on July 3. Peacock describes it as offering “unfiltered, previously unseen interviews” with the families and friends of the victims, while scrutinizing the evidence against Kohberger, examining his background, problematic relationships with women, and potential motives that may have driven him to carry out such heinous acts. (Now streaming on Peacock)

Long Way Home

Ewan McGregor and his close companion, Charley Boorman, carry on their documented global adventures, focusing this time on Europe‘s diverse landscapes. Embarking on classic motorcycles, they journey through 17 countries over a span of nine weeks. “Exploring the world connects you so deeply with its people and culture,” McGregor notes in the preview (now available for streaming on Apple TV+).

My Mom Jayne

Mariska Hargitay, known for her role in Law & Order: SVU, is delving into the life story of her late mother, Jayne Mansfield, who tragically passed away in a car accident when Hargitay was just 3. However, she’s not only focusing on Mansfield but also examining her own identity and revealing a hidden truth about her biological father. This documentary, eligible for Oscar contention, will soon launch a campaign. As Hargitay shared with THR, the lockdown period provided ample time to reflect, leading her to read letters from people who knew Mansfield. These touching messages, filled with kindness and insight, sparked her curiosity about Mansfield’s personal life: “Who was this person beyond the icon we knew?” This newfound interest propelled her to uncover Mansfield’s true identity (Now streaming on HBO Max).

The Mortician

Joshua Rofé’s documentary series uncovers the shocking story of a funeral home operated by a family, who under a guise of respectability and good manners, exploited people at their most fragile moments. The series, titled The Mortician, delves into the scandal that unfolded, which included mass cremations, theft and resale of body parts and dental gold from the deceased. The documentary includes an interview with David Sconce, who recently got out of prison and took over the family business in the 1980s, as well as victims’ families and former employees. The series concluded in a manner similar to HBO’s other successful docuseries, The Jinx. “I never imagined such a moment would happen,” Rofé said to THR. (Streaming on HBO Max)

Sharks, sharks and more sharks

This year marks the 50th anniversary of Steven Spielberg’s iconic film, “Jaws”, but the fascination with sharks remains as strong as ever. Alongside Discovery Channel and National Geographic, Netflix is now offering content centered around sharks. National Geographic’s lineup includes “Jaws @ 50: The Definitive Inside Story”, an authorized production by Spielberg’s Amblin Entertainment, featuring unseen footage and interviews with renowned film directors, shark experts, and conservationists. Netflix offers “Shark Whisperer”, a series following marine conservationist and social media influencer Ocean Ramsey, who swims alongside sharks as part of her mission to protect them. Discovery Channel’s upcoming special is titled “Dancing With Sharks”, hosted by former “Dancing With the Stars” host Tom Bergeron. The show promises an extraordinary underwater dance competition between expert divers and their shark partners. If you’re eager to see a giant shark on the big screen, “Jaws” will have a one-week theatrical release starting August 29. (Netflix launched its shark-themed programming on June 30; National Geographic’s “Sharkfest” started July 5; Discovery’s “Shark Week” begins on July 20)

Sherri Papini: Caught in the Lie

Sherri Papini, a mother of two, made headlines in 2016 when she went missing and caused more headlines in 2022 for falsely claiming to have been kidnapped. In this new documentary series, she shares her perspective on the events. In the show, she seeks filmmaker Nicole Rittenmeyer’s opinion on whether it will help or hurt her. “I hope, if nothing else, this portrayal makes her more than just an object,” Rittenmeyer told THR. “A complex individual with motivations and significant flaws, as I informed her.” (Streaming on HBO Max)

Surviving Ohio State

George Clooney is one of the producers for this documentary that delves into a sexual abuse scandal within the Ohio State University athletic department, which has been under scrutiny since the 1970s. This film was inspired by a 2020 article in Sports Illustrated written by Jon Wertheim, and it focuses on allegations made against Dr. Richard Strauss, a doctor for Ohio State’s athletics department from 1978 to 1998. The movie includes testimonies from several of Strauss’ victims, such as former All-American wrestler and UFC champion Mark Coleman, Adam DiSabato, Michael DiSabato, Will Knight, Al Novakowski, Rockey Ratliff, Dan Ritchie, and Mike Schyck. These individuals not only recount their own experiences of abuse but also discuss their efforts to hold the university responsible for Strauss’ actions. (Available on HBO Max)

Titan sub disaster documentaries

As a game enthusiast, I couldn’t help but be drawn into the mystery that unfolded when OceanGate’s Titan submersible vanished during an exploration dive to the remnants of the Titanic in June 2023. Two gripping documentaries – Discovery’s ‘Implosion: The Titanic Sub Disaster’ on HBO Max and Netflix’s ‘Titan: The OceanGate Submersible Catastrophe’ – are currently streaming, offering insights from former OceanGate workers, Coast Guard investigators, family members of the victims, and experts. These documentaries help us understand the chain of events that led to this heart-wrenching tragedy. (You can watch them now on HBO Max and Netflix)

Trainwreck

Curious about the events behind the infamous “poop cruise” or why a parent would fabricate a tale about their 6-year-old being trapped inside a homemade hot air balloon? This Netflix series delves into the backstories of some of the most sensational headlines in recent times. Episodes cover topics like “Mayor of Mayhem” (exploring the scandal surrounding ex-Toronto Mayor Rob Ford), “The Astroworld Tragedy,” “The American Apparel Cult,” and “The True Story of Project X,” among others. (New episodes air Tuesdays on Netflix)

Underdogs

If you’d prefer animals that aren’t as intimidating, check out NatGeo’s show “Underdogs,” produced by Ryan Reynolds. This five-episode series showcases animals from the bottom of the food chain, featuring creatures with peculiar mating rituals, hidden powers, deceptive behaviors, questionable parenting skills, and some rather unappetizing habits. For instance, there’s a cave in New Zealand that glows brighter than a nightclub under UV light due to the luminescent rear ends of millions of slimy larvae! Reynolds shared with THR that he’s excited to bring these often overlooked natural world champions to the forefront of entertainment, and you can stream it now on Disney+ and Hulu.

2025-07-10 00:55