The Best Documentaries of 2026 (So Far)

If you've had your fill of binge-watching scripted shows, kick back with a documentary to tell you what's good (or wrong) with the world.

View in Browser  Wednesday, March 18, 2026 One of the best moments at the Oscars didn't feature a celebrity or a renowned auteur. It involved a schoolteacher. Mr. Nobody Against Putin, about one man's efforts to undermine the Russian invasion of Ukraine, won the Academy Award for Best Documentary. Director David Borenstein said in his speech that the movie "is about how you lose your country … through countless acts of complicity." That's the power of documentaries: They can reveal to us how even complete nobodies can make a difference. We're only halfway through March, but my colleague Josh Rosenberg and I have ranked the best documentaries of the year thus far. Add these to your watchlist.   – Eric Francisco, associate entertainment editor Plus: The Spider-Man: Brand New Day trailer makes Marvel look fun again Here's the real reason why The Madison is dedicated to Robert Redford How does Mike Johnson really feel about this awkward moment with the President? The Best Documentaries of 2026 (So Far) If you've had your fill of binge-watching scripted shows, kick back with a documentary to tell you what's good (or wrong) with the world. Many times, the truth is stranger than fiction. And while it's still early in the year, 2026 already has a solid output of documentaries worth checking out. The year started with I'm Chevy Chase and You're Not, released on New Year's Day. Marina Zenovich's latest celebrity portrait reveals the harsh upbringing and even harsher reputation of comedy star Chevy Chase.   Since then, there have been movies about underdogs—like Mr. Nobody Against Putin, about a Russian schoolteacher rebelling against Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine, and Queen of Chess and Miracle: The Boys of '80, both on Netflix—to harrowing tales of evil (Kidnapped: Elizabeth Smart) and disaster (Fukushima: A Nuclear Nightmare).   If you've had your fill of binge-watching scripted shows, kick back with a documentary to tell you what's good (or wrong) with the world. These are the best documentaries of 2026 so far. READ THE STORY These Polo Ralph Lauren deals have our style writers salivating.  Tatjana Freund shares the best polos, caps, and quarter-zips from Nordstrom's spring sale. >> Not all shampoos are made for all men. Will Garden shares eight choice shampoos to suit any type of hair—even yours. >> The Jacket I Reach for Five Days Out of the Week If you're at all interested in the history of men's fashion, you don't need an introduction to the Baracuta G9. If you're a bit newer to the game or can't rattle off the list of men who have made the Baracuta G9 their own—no worries, it's a loooong list—let me give you a quick primer.   First produced in Manchester in 1938 as a rain jacket for golfers—'G' means golf, '9' means the first nine holes—the jacket features practical touches like a water-resistant cloth, an umbrella back yoke, and flapped pockets. But to make the jacket stand out, and perhaps give it some on-links bona fides, Baracuta's founders, the Miller brothers, reached out to Scottich Lord Lovat, clan chief of Clan Fraser to use its family tartan on the lining. Permission was given, and the jacket has since lived through almost 90 years of reinventions by Hollywood stars (Steve McQueen), jazz masters (Miles Davis), preps, punks, mods, and modern menswear cool guys.  By Luke Guillory Searching for the Sun in the World's Northernmost Town As the northernmost town in the world, Svalbard, Norway, dwells in 24 hours of darkness for months—a time that's known as Polar Night. In March, as the first ray of sunlight beams through the clouds, the town throws a two-week Sun Festival to celebrate.   Canada Goose's latest collection is inspired by this very idea—the Arctic emerging from darkness. Which is why I found myself stepping onto the frost-covered tarmac at 78 degrees North, clad in head-to-toe Canada Goose gear and armed with the knowledge that this was polar bear country. We had landed in the evening, but the sky wasn't black. It was a captivating midnight blue, and upon inquiring about this later, I found out that this was considered Blue Hour.   The connection clicked into place in my brain. The blue hue at the core of Canada Goose's Spring line—dubbed Azurite Blue, and a key part of Creative Director Haider Ackermann's vision for collection—looks just like Blue Hour. While Canada Goose hasn't recently focused on bold colors, Ackermann is taking the brand out of its comfort zone. It's a welcome shift in my book. By Gaby Kelderling Follow Us Unsubscribe | Manage Preferences | Privacy Notice | CA Notice at Collection Esquire is a publication of Hearst Magazines. ©2026 Hearst Magazine Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved. This email was sent by Hearst Magazines, 300 West 57th Street, New York, NY 10019-3779