4 fantastic Paramount+ documentaries to watch this weekend (November 13-15)

Published Nov 13, 2026, 8:30 AM EST Tyler is an journalist and content contributor at How-To Geek with over three years of experience covering the automotive and tech industries. His work focuses on delivering clear, well-researched, and engaging content that helps readers better understand the vehicles they drive and the technology that they use everyday. Before entering automotive media, he spent five years as an academic editor, developing a strong foundation in research methodology, factual accuracy, and structured analysis. This background informs his journalistic approach today, ensuring that every article balances technical insight with accessibility for a broad audience. Documentaries are back in a big way, with there being some incredibly impactful releases over the last couple of years. While the ones on Netflix are often thrust into the limelight, there is another platform that has some pretty interesting and engaging picks. Paramount+ delivers a wide array of films covering everything from the dark world of true crime to stories of survival and overcoming adversity. This week, my list of top picks starts with a deep dive into a tense disaster in Pakistan that gripped the world back in 2023. If you're looking for something short, the next pick is only 37 minutes long but still manages to paint an exceptionally emotional picture. The next documentary pulls the cover off of Japan's treatment of sexual assault victims through a devastating personal tale. Taking the top spot this week is a documentary about one of the most popular journalistic series of the 2000s and how it might have done more harm than good. 4 Hanging by a Wire Pure tension Many will remember the harrowing events that are detailed in Hanging by a Wire. The documentary details the events of August 22, 2023, where a makeshift steel cable car in the remote Alai Valley of Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province malfunctioned, leaving its passengers dangling in the air. It was worldwide news when it happened because six of the eight passengers were schoolboys. Director Mohammed Ali Naqvi captures the tension and the panic surrounding the day. The chaos of the rescue attempt is captured fantastically, with it involving a wide range of people, from the chief of police to local zipline specialists. It is a brilliantly put-together story of survival, and one that will have you on the edge of your seat. Hanging by a Wire Release Date January 22, 2026 3 I Am Ready, Warden Is everyone worthy of forgiveness? Short but still incredibly impactful, I Am Ready, Warden, follows the final days of a death row inmate at a Texas prison. John Henry Ramirez was convicted for the murder of Pablo Castro in 2004. Instead of focusing on the technical or legal aspects of the case, the documentary captures the thoughts and feelings of Ramirez in his final days. He expresses his desire for forgiveness and his complex relationship with his faith. Directed by Smriti Mundhra, this documentary covers some fairly rocky terrain. We hear a number of different viewpoints alongside Ramirez's, including that of his family, the family of the victim, Pablo Castro, and other key figures involved in the case. It forces you to evaluate your standards of redemption and forgiveness in a very raw way, which is especially impressive given it is only 37 minutes long. 2 Black Box Diaries Taking justice into her own hands Back in 2015, prominent Japanese journalist and filmmaker, Shiori Itō attended what she thought was a business-focused dinner. Black Box Diaries tells her story about being drugged and raped at said dinner. After mounting political pressure, her case was dropped. She chose to waive her anonymity and published her memoir, titled Black Box. The documentary follows her on a deeply personal and emotional eight-year-long quest for justice. This is such an important documentary, shining a light on the outdated sexual assault and consent laws in Japan. It explores how victims are shamed in sexual assault investigations in the country and the societal pressures that contribute to the protection of perpetrators. The first-person coverage and covert videos and recordings take you behind the scenes, giving you perspective on just how poorly victims are treated. 1 Predators Why don't you take a seat over there? There are few unscripted shows that have had the cultural impact of NBC's To Catch a Predator. Chris Hansen was undoubtedly one of the most recognizable figures of the 2000s. My top pick this week, Predators, critically examines the rise and the fall of the hit television series, exploring the impact of journalistic vigilantism and public shaming as entertainment. It includes raw and unedited footage from the original show, interviews with former decoys, and a critical conversation with Chris Hansen himself. Director David Osit is a survivor of childhood abuse and uses his film to discuss the ethical complexity of the show. The documentary questions the way in which the media sensationalizes abuse and how there are better ways to support victims and protect children. To Catch a Predator has been in the public eye lately thanks to Primetime, a dramaticization of the reality show starring Robert Pattinson as Chris Hansen. Released in September, the A24 movie has grossed over $61 million worldwide. It is really interesting how starkly the movie contrasts with Osit's documentary in key areas of the story. From gripping global events to harrowing true crime The collection of documentaries on Paramount+ is surprisingly strong, offering documentaries on a wide number of different topics. Netflix also has some solid alternatives if none of the above documentaries grab your fancy. If documentaries aren't your thing, you'll be even more impressed with the fantastic movies that the platform has to offer, with this week's picks including some fantastic classics alongside some modern titles. Subscription with ads Yes, $8/month Simultaneous streams 3