3 excellent Netflix documentaries to binge-watch this weekend (November 6-8)

Published Nov 6, 2026, 6:00 PM EST After graduating from Marist University with a degree in communications and journalism, Dan Girolamo has over 10 years of experience writing about entertainment and sports. Dan's work can be seen in various publications, including Digital Trends, SportsCasting, and Tom's Guide. Throughout his career, Dan has interviewed several high-profile filmmakers and creatives, including Brendan Fraser, Jamie Lee Curtis, Caitriona Balfe, Frank Grillo, Miranda Cosgrove, Jai Courtney, Chris Columbus and James Cameron. Dan joins How-To Geek as a Senior Editor. When he's not writing about entertainment, Dan is either watching a movie or praying for the New York Knicks to win a championship. Documentaries are one of Netflix's most consistent genres. Whether it's a two-hour movie about a cold case or a five-episode series about the downfall of a cartel leader, Netflix subscribers in the U.S. have shown that they love and appreciate documentaries. The November slate of Netflix documentaries looks promising, and I have a feeling you'll see a few of them in the streamer's weekly top 10. As for this weekend, these documentaries cover three very different subjects, so we love the variety. The first documentary thrusts viewers into the world of a prominent cartel founder and chronicles his eventual downfall. The second documentary is an in-depth look into a famous Canadian sketch comedy series that launched the careers of several comedic legends. Finally, my top pick chronicles a famous missing-persons case that is still debated to this day. 3 The Fall of El Mayo "The Ghost" is found Give me an intriguing story about the cartel, and I'm watching. Although it's a fictional movie, Sicario was one of my favorite movies of the 2010s. The action sequences will make you rise out of your chair, while the film's themes of morality and the war on drugs give viewers plenty to think about. Keep in mind that Sicario is a loud movie, but it portrays the cartel as a silent group who thrive in the shadows. I brought up Sicario because that idea of the "invisible enemy" is present in The Fall of El Mayo. The three-part documentary series examines the "ghost" of the Sinaloa Cartel, Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada García, also known as "El Mayo." Zambada co-founded the Sinaloa Cartel with Joaquín "El Chapo" Guzmán. While El Chapo became the public-facing figure of the cartel, El Mayo did his dirty work in the shadows. As one of the voices in the trailer says, "He is the drug trafficker who has corrupted the most officials at all levels in the history of Mexico." If that doesn't raise your eyebrows, I'm not sure what will. The Fall of El Mayo certainly chronicles the rise of this particular figure. The series does a great job of explaining who El Mayo was; most people know El Chapo, but those same folks probably don't know much about El Mayo. As teased in the title, there has to be a downfall, and I'm still baffled by how he ended up in American custody. The Fall of El Mayo Release Date 2026 - 2026-00-00 2 SCTV: The Greatest Show You've Never Heard Of A Canadian treasure If Jason Hehir is making a documentary, you should pay attention. If I could shake Mr. Hehir's hand, I would because he directed The Last Dance. Not only was it one of the best documentaries of the decade, but it gave me (and many Americans) a chance to consume sports while the professional leagues went on hiatus during COVID-19. Hehir has my lifelong respect for that documentary, so when I saw he was helming SCTV: The Greatest Show You've Never Heard Of, I knew the subject matter was in good hands. As an American, Saturday Night Live is the comedic sketch show that spawned so many legends, from Bill Murray and Eddie Murphy to Tina Fey and Amy Poehler. In Canada, a Canadian sketch comedy show called SCTV (Second City Television), which ran from 1976 to 1984, launched the careers of many comedic icons: John Candy, Eugene Levy, Catherine O'Hara, Harold Ramis, Dave Thomas, Robin Duke, Andrea Martin, Joe Flaherty, Rick Moranis, and Martin Short. That lineup might not be the 1927 New York Yankees, but it's pretty close. SCTV: The Greatest Show You've Never Heard Of goes behind the scenes with the living cast members, as they share hilarious tidbits and amazing stories about their time on the series that changed their lives. Fans can also stream every episode of SCTV on Netflix. SCTV: The Greatest Show You've Never Heard Of Release Date October 30, 2026 1 Taken: Natalee Holloway A mother's fight for justice Natalee Holloway is a name that Americans might remember from the early 2000s. In 2005, the 18-year-old Holloway and her group of friends embarked on a senior trip to Aruba. On the last night of the trip, Holloway was spotted leaving a club with multiple men, one of whom was Joran van der Sloot. It would be the last time anyone ever saw Holloway. The case drew national attention as Natalee's mother, Beth, flew to Aruba to search for her missing daughter. Taken: Natalee Holloway is the new three-part documentary series that explores Holloway's disappearance and Beth's search for answers. The show is more than just an investigative series. It's about a mother's quest to find out what happened to her daughter and hold the person responsible accountable. Beth never gave up the fight, and her perseverance paid off nearly 20 years later. While the series doesn't have a happy ending, it does provide closure while raising awareness of this heartbreaking situation. Taken: Natalee Holloway Release Date 2026 - 2026-00-00 Network Netflix Directors Matthew Galkin, Dani Sloane What else should you watch this weekend? If you need more recommendations, then I have some answers. The returns of Stick and Black Doves are the new shows to stream this weekend. As for more Netflix releases, Mike Tyson: Return of the Mike is a great option. Subscription with ads Yes, $8/month Simultaneous streams Two or four