Top Disney Plus Documentaries: Taylor Swift, Trapped Soccer Team & More

Non-fiction films often get a bad rap for being ‘boring.’ But “fact films” are essential for learning about new topics and recalling information about old events we haven’t thought about in a while — and sometimes they turn out to be just as entertaining as fiction. The following seven documentaries available on Disney Plus will take you back in time and all around the world; they are truly the best of the best.

Grammy-winning singer-songwriter Taylor Swift takes fans behind the scenes of her first album of 2020 — entitled folklore —in this documentary, which also stars music producers Aaron Dresser and Jack Antonoff. Set in the woods, Swift, Dresser, and Antonoff discuss how they came up with the ideas for each individual song. They also perform each song, guaranteeing to have you singing and dancing on your couch. Swift agrees, writing, “You haven’t seen this film before,” in reference to her hit song “Exile,” which she performs in the film. You can watch the Folklore: The Long Pond Studio Sessions here.

The mystery of pilot Amelia Earhart has fascinated people worldwide since her unexplained disappearance in 1937. In the 2019 documentary, Expedition Amelia, explorer Robert Ballard embarks on an expedition to find the late pilot. Diving into who Earhart was and why she fell in love with aviation, it even includes the official radio transmission sent from the plane right before it disappeared. Filled with thrilling finds and fascinating pieces of history, this documentary is a must-see. You can watch Expedition Amelia here.

Move over sharks, because it’s the whales’ time to shine! In the four-part mini-series, Secrets of the Whales, Disney takes viewers to 24 locales across the globe to give a close-up look at how whales really live. Narrated by Sigourney Weaver and nominated for multiple Emmys, don’t miss this incredible documentary. You can watch Secret of the Whales here.

A long time ago (20 years), in a galaxy far, far away (California), a groundbreaking documentary exploring what really happened on the Star Wars set was released. Empire of Dreams: The Story of the Star Wars Trilogy is almost as dramatic as the original trilogy itself. From the challenges of production on George Lucas to changes made to the scripts, this film leaves nothing out. But don’t let Darth Vader see it; he might use the top-secret information within to take over the galaxy. You can watch Empire of Dreams: The Story of the Star Wars Trilogy here.

Superhero creator Stan Lee comes to life in the documentary Stan Lee. Discover the truth behind his iconic characters like Spider-Man, Iron Man, Captain America, and The Hulk as revealed by Lee’s personal archives, notes, and old interviews. Released in 2023, six years after Lee’s death, this documentary explores his entire life and long-lasting legacy. You can watch Stan Lee here.

Everyone remembers when the 12 soccer players and their coach from Thailand got stuck in a flooded cave back in 2018. The 2021 documentary, The Rescue, takes viewers behind the scenes of how harrowing life was during those days and how the rescue team finally got them out. Winning an Emmy for its deeply intimate portrayal of the events, it even features some of the actual participants recreating what really happened in the cave. You can watch The Rescue here.

Travel to the happiest place on Earth — Disneyland or Disneyworld, the choice is yours — right from the comfort of your home with Behind the Attraction. Instead of eating all the yummy food and riding all the thrilling rides, this 2021 TV series shows how things came to be. Narrated by Criminal Minds star Paget Bewster, it reveals what iconic rides like the Pirates of the Caribbean, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Epcot, Haunted Mansion, and Space Mountain look like from the inside. So grab your Mouse ears and go behind the Disney scenes. You can watch Behind the Attraction here.

For more Disney content, keep scrolling!

The 7 Best Movies on Disney+ Right Now — Perfect for a Relaxing Night In!

The 14 Best Disney Films, Ranked — Sure to Have You Singing Along!

Celebrate the 25th Anniversary of ‘Aladdin’: We Talk to Both Aladdin and Princess Jasmine (Exclusive)

Source: Glamour, Rolling Stone, National Geographic, Disney Plus