15 documentaries on Netflix right now that will make you smarter

One of the great things about Netflix is that it has brought thoughtful, compelling documentaries to a much wider audience that filmmakers could only dream of a decade ago.

And with binge-worthy titles like "Making a Murderer" and the vast ESPN "30 for 30" library being just a click away, you can get a lot of great nonfiction viewing any night of the week. You'll learn a lot more about the world, but don't worry, you'll also be entertained.

Here are 15 documentaries we think you should stream right away on Netflix.

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Still want more? Here are others to check out.

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"Actress" — Robert Green's portrayal of an actor who attempts to reclaim her glory after spending years raising a child is a powerful look at responsibility versus vanity.

"Biggie and Tupac" — A look back at the East Coast/West Coast hip-hop rivalry that resulted in the deaths of two icons.

"Happy Valley" — A look inside the crumbling of the Penn State football program and the legacy of its head coach Joe Paterno following the child sex abuse charges of an assistant coach.

"The Hunting Ground" — An emotionally powerful account of rape crimes on US campuses and the despicable cover-ups that take place so the schools can save face.

"Kumaré" — Before becoming a Vice correspondent, Vikram Gandhi made this documentary in which he impersonates an Indian Guru and builds a following in Arizona. The reveal at the end is something the best screenwriter couldn't come up with.

"Meet the Patels" — Actor Ravi Patel is through with the "American" way of finding a wife, so he turns to his family who put him through the traditional Indian way.

"The Wolfpack" — Confined to their apartment for most of their childhood, six brothers learn everything they know about the outside world through the movies they watch and then reenact with homemade costumes.