Life isn’t just about reality TV. Because you can never have too much general knowledge stored in your brain, January’s fresh start and good resolutions are the perfect excuse to set yourself a simple goal: watch (at least) one documentary a week. And you’re in luck — right now, TV schedules and streaming platforms are particularly generous. Society, culture, nature, scandal… Here are 5 must-watch documentaries to devour and seriously boost your culture.
The Most Mind-Blowing
Did you know that the origins of drug trafficking can be traced back to the Netherlands, whose expertise in botany and the strategic port of Rotterdam turned the country into a key distribution hub? Directed by Christophe Bouquet and Mathieu Verboud, Drug Trafficking: Europe’s Poison is a two-part documentary. The first episode explores the history of drugs across Europe, while the second paints an alarming picture of today’s situation. Mafia networks, 1970s youth culture, opium cultivation in former colonies, cannabis farming in Morocco’s Rif mountains… Drawing on insights from researchers, journalists, police officers, judges and customs officials, this investigation exposes the inner workings of a system that is both chaotic and uncontrollable. Absolutely dizzying.
Drug Trafficking: Europe’s Poison, available on arte.tv
The Most Girl Power
With Agnès Jaoui as writer and narrator, Mélissa Theuriau producing, and Karine Dusfour directing (also worth watching: her excellent Je vais te tuer, which follows trials for domestic violence), not to mention powerful testimonies from Florence Foresti, Lena Mahfouf and Virginie Efira, the name-dropping alone makes The Age of Women dream-worthy. But beyond that, it’s incredibly informative and genuinely enjoyable to watch. Designed as a snapshot of women’s lives today, the documentary tackles a wide range of issues: occupying public space from the playground onward, body image, abortion, stereotypes and, of course, mental load. Among the most memorable voices? Najia Zahaoui, juggling life between her two daughters and her ill mother, and the warm, relatable gynecologist-obstetrician Amina Yamgnane, founder of La Clinique des Femmes in Paris, delighted that her grown children have finally left home. You’re not alone.
The Age of Women, available on France.tv
The Most Shocking
Remember the scandal that rocked the food world? In 2014, self-proclaimed billionaire Cédric Naudon promised to turn Rue du Vertbois into the epicenter of Parisian gastronomy, announcing the opening of around thirty trendy venues. La Jeune Rue, this ambitious and extremely costly project, aimed to reconnect producers, chefs and consumers. Spoiler alert: a bit of smooth talk and a shiny Aston Martin were apparently enough to make banks fall for it. Directed by Aurore Aubin, this fast-paced and jaw-dropping documentary revisits the story of a con artist who managed to deceive everyone, leaving behind major disappointment. Partners, investors, chefs, employees and farmers recount an adventure that once seemed full of promise… before going up in smoke.
The Paris Con Artist, available on Canal+
The Most Educational
It’s often said that men and women aren’t cut from the same cloth, and that emotional attachment to children — as well as the mental load of parenting — naturally falls more on mothers. A matter of skills? Not at all. Fatherhood: A Metamorphosis Explained sets out to dismantle these stereotypes through scientific experiments that prove one key truth: when a baby arrives, men and women start from exactly the same level of knowledge and ability. From Darwin to leading contemporary anthropologists, as well as studies conducted with fathers and their infants, this documentary by Jacqueline Farmer is essential viewing to break down long-held prejudices.
Fatherhood: A Metamorphosis Explained, available on arte.tv
The Most Moving
In recent years, animals have increasingly been recognized as sentient beings capable of feeling fear, joy and, of course, pain. Even more surprising: the touching documentary Animal Grief reveals that scientists in comparative animal thanatology — top experts in the field — now attribute a genuine awareness of death to animals. Through their research, we learn that crows avoid places where one of their own has died, ants clean their habitats of corpses, and dolphins, like some monkeys, practice “post-mortem carrying,” holding onto the bodies of their deceased young as a sign of mourning. A word of warning: the fascinating images may bring tears to sensitive viewers.
Animal Grief, available on arte.tv
The Most Fashionable
Florentine elegance in the 70s. Tom Ford’s “porno chic” in 1995. Alessandro Michele’s floral explosion of colors. The boldest Met Gala looks. Gucci is all of this and more. Born in Florence in 1921, the legendary Italian fashion house has survived scandals, crises, and reinventions without ever losing its aura. For Arte, Olivier Nicklaus directs Gucci – Luxury, Drama & Decadence, a dazzling documentary packed with rare archive footage and insights from fashion icon Carine Roitfeld and historian Salomé Dudemaine. After watching, you might just want to splurge on a Jackie bag and a pair of loafers…
Watch Gucci – Luxury, Drama & Decadence on arte.tv
The Most Pop Culture
Big blonde hair, acrylic nails, flawless guitar chords, sharp wit, and socially engaged lyrics — Dolly Parton has long been more than just a country star. She’s become a pop culture icon able to bring together Americans across political divides, generations, and backgrounds. In Nicolas Maupied’s Dolly Parton: America’s Great Unifier, interviews and archives reveal the queen of country music in all her paradoxes — a joyful, inspiring portrait of a woman who managed to unite a nation through her music and charisma.
Watch Dolly Parton: America’s Great Unifier on arte.tv
The Most Eye-Opening
If you were moved by The Path of Excellence, the story of a farmer’s daughter striving for Polytechnique, don’t miss this powerful documentary. HEC: Admitted Without the Codes follows Isabelle, Tom, and Victor, three newly admitted students at France’s elite business school who face a crisis of legitimacy. Coming from working-class families, they lack the unspoken social, cultural, and fashion codes of their peers. Filmmakers Camille Poulain and Jules Giraudat shed light on these “social climbers” navigating an intimidating environment while chasing their dreams of upward mobility.
Watch HEC: Admitted Without the Codes on arte.tv
The Most Wanderlust-Inducing
Just two hours from Paris, Ireland ranks among the most breathtaking countries in the world. Its rolling green hills, rugged coastlines, and dramatic cliffs shaped by wind and ocean create landscapes unlike anywhere else. Combining stunning panoramas with fascinating scientific and historical insights, Ireland: Between Land and Sea feels like a journey straight from your couch. From Connemara to the Beara Peninsula, with a boat ride to meet marine wildlife, this documentary captures the untamed spirit of Ireland. Maybe your next travel destination?
Watch Ireland: Between Land and Sea on arte.tv
Also discover the most anticipated films of 2026 and our top picks from the new literary season.
