Happy birthday, America. Nearly 250 years ago, delegates representing the Thirteen Colonies gathered in Philadelphia to adopt the Declaration of Independence, severing America’s ties to Great Britain. It’s a monumental moment in U.S. history, which is why there will be many celebrations across the country this weekend. If you have some downtime during the holiday weekend, it’s the perfect time to stream a documentary centered on America’s 250th anniversary.
Our No. 1 pick on this list stems from Ken Burns, one of this nation’s greatest documentarians. Burns tackled the war that shaped the future of this country. Some of our other spotlight picks include a Netflix documentary about U.S. history and an informative series revolving around an American Founding Father.
The American Experiment
The history of American democracy
What is the American experiment? For starters, it’s the title of Netflix’s five-part documentary about the birth of the United States and its founding principles. It boils down to one question: Can people govern themselves? We’re still trying to answer that question nearly 250 years later.
The American Experiment covers the defining moments of this country’s early history, including the Revolutionary War, the signing of the Constitution, and the presidency of George Washington. Since we can’t speak to America’s Founding Fathers, the documentary interviews politicians, historians, and professors about democracy and its current state. With speakers on both sides of the aisle, things get interesting.
The American Experiment is now streaming on Netflix.
A Star-Spangled Banner: A Battle for America
The U.S. anthem takes center stage
How many of you know the words to “The Star-Spangled Banner?” This is a safe space, so be honest with yourself. According to A Star-Spangled Banner: A Battle For America, only about 40% of all U.S. citizens know all the words. Admittedly, it’s a tough song to sing. However, knowing how the song came to be might give you a better appreciation for the lyrics.
The documentary examines how lawyer Francis Scott Key wrote the words to what would become the United States’ National Anthem. Key found inspiration for the poem during the Battle of Baltimore in the War of 1812. Now you’ll learn why the bombs were bursting in the air, along with the remaining meaning behind the lyrics.
A Star-Spangled Banner: A Battle for America is available on Paramount+.
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The American Revolution
Ken Burns tackles this influential war
Honestly, all six spots on this list could have gone to Burns’ documentaries. The award-winning filmmaker has covered so many integral moments in American history. I opted to spread the wealth and highlight some other movies and shows, but I couldn’t leave Burns off of this list entirely.
In 2025, Burns created The American Revolution, a six-part PBS show about the time before, during, and after the Revolutionary War. From the American colonists’ initial conflicts with the British through the war that created the United States, Burns’ documentary is an intelligent, informative, and somewhat surprising account of our great revolution. You’re always going to learn something new in a Burns doc.
The American Revolution is now streaming on PBS.
Washington
The nation’s first president steps into the spotlight
I’m a fan of documentaries that combine interviews with historical reenactments. You have a historian speak about a certain topic, and then actors depict what was just said. It’s the best of both worlds. Washington, a three-part series, features Jeff Daniels’ narration, expert interviews, and dramatic recreations of moments involving American hero George Washington.
Each episode is broken into three sections of Washington’s life: a loyal subject to England, the commander in chief of the Continental Army, and the first President of the United States. Learning about Washington as a war hero and political champion, I understand why the Father of His Country is still considered a giant hero.
Watch Washington on Netflix.
Benjamin Franklin
An American icon revisited
Burns’ second inclusion on the list involves Benjamin Franklin, another Founding Father who played an influential role the birthplace of this country. “The First American” was an intellectual and visionary who had a major influence over the drafting of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. The voice cast includes Mandy Patinkin as Benjamin Franklin, Josh Lucas as William Franklin, Paul Giamatti as John Adams, and Liam Neeson as Alexander Wedderburn.
Franklin is a fascinating figure who lived many lives. This was a man that excelled as an author, scientist, and inventor. Move over, Dos Equis man. Franklin might have been the original “Most Interesting Man in the World.”
Benjamin Franklin is now streaming on PBS.
Thomas Jefferson
The scribe who changed the country
Not every American hero led troops into battle during the Revolutionary War. Some let their words do the talking and used a pen as a weapon. Thomas Jefferson, a six-part documentary, follows the life of the titular aristocrat, from his upbringing in Virginia to his time as the third President of the United States.
I appreciate how the documentary presents the entire story of Jefferson, both the good and bad. On one hand, Jefferson was the principal author of the Declaration of Independence. On the other hand, Jefferson was a slave owner. The series does an admirable job at examining the entirety of Jefferson’s historic and complex legacy.
Thomas Jefferson is now streaming on Netflix.
Looking for more TV shows and movies to watch?
You’ve come to the right place for more streaming recommendations. If you’re on a documentary kick, check out some of the best from the last month, including Elvis Presley in Concert on Paramount+ and Netflix’s Michael Jackson: The Verdict. Also, be sure to catch the final season of The Bear on Hulu.
Stephan is the sports journalist for the Maple Grove Report.
