Documentaries

Editor's choice for documentaries

Eye-opening homegrown documentaries to stream

These unmissable South African shows and movies deliver surprising insights on the country we're living in today.

Wild Wild Space and 10 more titles to join your space race

We have liftoff! As new HBO documentary Wild Wild Space takes us into low orbit, mission control has 10 more titles ready for space junkies, from Apollo 13 to Interstellar.

Anatomy of Lies: Women who con

Grey’s Anatomy’s most shocking medical case took place behind the scenes. Find out how co-executive producer and writer Elisabeth Finch faked cancer and personal tragedy, and meet five more of the world’s most questionable con women.

First

A Very Royal Scandal: 5 downfall documentaries and drama series

What do Prince Andrew, King Juan Carlos I, Sean Combs, Alex Jones, and Markus Jooste have in common? In-depth documentaries more shocking than an Oscar-winning movie!

New this month

Love sport documentaries? Check these out.

Catch all five episodes of the first season of Giants on Showmax now!

Giants S1

A compelling docuseries that takes you deep inside the lives of players from one of South Africa's most iconic football clubs, Orlando Pirates.

Made in South Africa

Catch all five episodes of Giants on Showmax now!

Uncover the soul of South African football with the boxset of Giants

You can now binge-watch all five episodes of Giants, which takes an unprecedented look behind the scenes of a legendary football club: Orlando Pirates

Made in South Africa

Unleash the All Black magic on Showmax

Showmax debuts the All Blacks Greatness collection, an exclusive set of programmes featuring rugby’s most iconic team. All 18 episodes are now available to watch on Showmax and Showmax PL.

The Hitman: Ricky Hatton

This 90-minute film offers extraordinary access to boxing hero Ricky Hatton, exploring his life in and outside of the ring.

The Hitman is coming to knock out your streaming routine

The award-winning documentary The Hitman: Ricky Hatton, which throws jabs of raw emotion and uppercuts of truth, is now streaming on Showmax.

False Glory: The fate of Ivorian teens who aimed for football fame

This three-part true-crime documentary reveals shocking sports scandals, from Comrades Marathon cheating to match-fixing and illegal immigration. Now streaming on Showmax.

OriginalMade in South Africa

False Glory

A true-crime docuseries about stories that rocked the sports world, from cheating at the Comrades to rigging South Africa's 2010 FIFA World Cup warm-up games.

OriginalMade in South Africa

Through the storm in Ukuwela: The Crossing

Documentary Ukuwela: The Crossing goes inside how crew from Cape Town’s townships ruled the waves at the 2023 Cape2Rio yacht race. Now read more about skipper Sibusiso Sizatu and the Alexforbes ArchAngel crew.

Made in South Africa

Light entertainment to binge-watch

I Love LA S1

Toxic friendships are taken to a whole new level in this off-the-wall comedy, as a co-dependent friend group navigates life and love in Los Angeles.

First

The Mindy Project S1-6

Dr Mindy Lahiri (Mindy Kaling from 'The Office') juggles her personal dreams and professional duties in a quirky New York medical practice.

The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills S15 on Showmax

Where to watch The Real Housewives franchise online

Showmax is the home of The Real Housewives, giving an inside look at the lives of these glam women from Durban, Abuja, Lagos, Joburg, Nairobi and more. Plus, go on vacation with The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip!

Original

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds S3

Venture into the unknown with Captain Pike, Spock, Number One and the USS Enterprise crew a decade before Captain Kirk's legendary five-year mission.

First

Destination X S1

Ten contestants embark on a mysterious road trip, aboard a blacked-out bus, and must complete challenges, earn clues and try to locate Destination X.

Law and Order: Toronto Criminal Intent S2 on Showmax

Law & Order Toronto: Criminal Intent S1-2

This spin-off of the hit crime drama franchise follows an elite squad investigating corruption and high-level white-collar crime in Greater Toronto.

Happy’s Place S1

Bobbie inherits her father's restaurant and is shocked to discover that she has a new business partner in the half-sister she never knew she had.

Lockerbie: A Search for Truth is on Showmax

Lockerbie: A Search For Truth S1

After losing his daughter in the bombing of Pan Am Flight 103, Dr Jim Swire begins a quest for truth.

Made by Showmax, just for you

Must-watch trailer: Brakpan Chronicles: Die mense sê, kom in

Watch the hard-hitting trailer for the two-part documentary series Brakpan Chronicles, premiering on Showmax on Friday, 20 February 2026.

OriginalMade in South Africa

Schalk Bezuidenhout trades stand-up for 9-5 in Die Kantoor

Schalk Bezuidenhout talks about his role as Tjaart in Die Kantoor, the Afrikaans adaptation of The Office, now streaming on Showmax.

Original South Africa

A heartbreaking loss: Nolwandle Biyela’s final stand in Outlaws Season 2

Nosipho Pehlo talks about Nolwandle's final stand in Outlaws S2, now streaming on Showmax. New episodes land every Monday.

Original South Africa

Die Kantoor S1

A workplace mockumentary set at Deluxe Processed Meats, a polony distribution company in Klerksdorp, where outdated opinions, low ambition and misplaced leadership collide.

OriginalMade in South Africa