5 Feel-Good Documentaries To Watch To Instantly Life Your Spirits!

While we’re surrounded by arguments on all sides, there’s one thing we can agree on: everyone could use a bit of hope right now. The best way to bring some joy to your life is to watch uplifting real-life stories in documentaries. We’re in luck, because many recently released documentaries are right up that alley!

1. "Court of Gold" (Netflix)

In this 6-part Netflix docuseries, we follow the men’s basketball teams of Serbia, France, Canada, and the United States on their journey to win gold at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Like any good sports story, it’s a tale of triumphs and defeats and comebacks, and it’s an entertaining look at the culture of basketball that transcends nations.

2. "The Americas" (NBC/Peacock)

Narrated by Tom Hanks, "The Americas" takes a sweeping look at the wildlife of Earth’s supercontinent. With a score by Hans Zimmer, the ongoing 10-episode series packs an emotional punch in each segment.

3. Becoming Katharine Graham (Prime Video)

Becoming Katharine Graham tells a truly inspiring feminist story of when a “doormat housewife” became Richard Nixon’s nemesis during Watergate and won a Pulitzer Prize. In a world where it still feels like some things are just out of reach, it’s good to look back on the barrier-breakers before us.

4. Grand Theft Hamlet (Prime Video)

During the tumultuous time of the COVID-19 pandemic, more people than ever were turning to the internet for entertainment. So too did two out-of-work actors, Sam and Mark, who turned to the hit video game Grand Theft Auto. Still driven by a need to create, the pair decided to combine traditional stories with modern media and stage Shakespeare’s Hamlet entirely in-game. It’s an interesting look at the determination of human creativity and a look at what the future of art could be.

5. Life Interrupted: Isabella Strahan’s Fight Against Cancer (Hulu)

Follow Isabella Strahan, daughter of former NFL defensive and ESPN host Michael Strahan, as she battles cancer in a classic story of strength and resilience. Her recovery and return to college are endlessly emotional and uplifting – she reminds the audience that we really can get through anything.