The best documentary series, according to hackers
11 documentary series were recommended on Hacker News between November 2025 and November 2026. We rank them by how many separate people recommend each one, and 4 earn the Hacker Approved badge.
Top picks
The three most recommended documentary series with the badge. Each figure is 2 people. RecommendsCriticizes One comment
Beloved since childhood
Influential BBC documentary series tracing surprising links between historical discoveries; fans say it sparked lasting curiosity. Critics note later seasons' connections feel strained.
Watched repeatedly, still fun
Fans credit this PBS documentary series with an insider look at early personal computing and Silicon Valley, with interviews of the people who were there.
All Watched Over by Machines of Loving Grace by Adam Curtis
10 recommend, 1 criticize, 91% approval
Shares rank 3 of 11 by recommenders
Wide-ranging history of computing
A distinctive, wide-ranging documentary series on the history of computing, cybernetics and Silicon Valley, recommended for its engaging storytelling and fascinating look at ideas.
All 11 documentary series, ranked
Select a column heading to sort. Approval share is recommenders out of everyone who gave an opinion; the tick on each bar marks the 2 to 1 line the badge needs. Months counts the months, out of 13, in which someone recommended it.
| Rank | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Connections by James Burke | 33 | 1 | 97% | 8 | — | Approved |
| 2 | Triumph of the Nerds | 31 | 0 | 100% | 4 | — | Approved |
| Tied 3 | All Watched Over by Machines of Loving Grace by Adam Curtis | 10 | 1 | 91% | 7 | — | Approved |
| Tied 3 | The Century of Self by Adam Curtis | 10 | 1 | 91% | 5 | — | Approved |
| Tied 5 | The Secret Life of Machines | 8 | 0 | 100% | 5 | — | — |
| Tied 5 | Texico | 8 | 0 | 100% | 2 | — | — |
| Tied 7 | Adam Curtis documentaries | 5 | 1 | 83% | 5 | — | — |
| Tied 7 | Everything Is a Remix by Kirby Ferguson | 5 | 0 | 100% | 4 | — | — |
| Tied 7 | Anthony Bourdain's TV shows | 5 | 3 | 63% | 3 | — | — |
| Tied 7 | The Great War | 5 | 0 | 100% | 3 | — | — |
| Tied 7 | 7 Up (Up Series documentary) | 5 | 0 | 100% | 1 | — | — |
How we rank
Rank is the number of separate people who recommend a product in a Hacker News comment over the past year. Someone who praises the same documentary series in five threads counts once.
The badge goes to documentary series that at least 10 people recommend, with recommenders outnumbering critics at least 2 to 1, recommended in at least 4 of the 13 months.
Rankings are never for sale. We may earn a commission when you buy through our links. It never changes the order.