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OMEGA isn’t treating this release as a routine update. This fourth-generation Seamaster Planet Ocean has undergone a drastic change: instead of keeping things simple, the new lineup introduces seven references that bring the collection’s signature orange accent back into the mix, along with crisp blue and black watches options for its 20th anniversary. The vintage designs are complemented by new updates through its cases, bracelets, and finishing touches, giving the watch a sharper, more refined look that still respects its deep-sea heritage.
Miami was the perfect place for OMEGA to introduce the new Planet Ocean, and that setting really showed where the brand’s direction. It felt perfectly suited for a collection focused on a brighter, more expressive personality. Although this is the fourth version, the design really feels like a fresh start, entirely different from previous models. It’s not just a small upgrade like before; this one boasts a much more contemporary appeal. The Planet Ocean really stands out with its ceramic bezels. The polished details give it a nice look, making it a more luxurious vibe. It’s a watch that looks great whether you’re on land or underwater. It’s already gotten a lot of watch lovers talking, so let’s get right into it.
What Twenty Years of Progress Looks Like for the OMEGA Planet Ocean Collection
When you check out the new Planet Ocean models, you’ll notice how well they blend the old with the new. They still give you that modern look, but with the backbone structure of the past, which, in my opinion, looks amazing. It offered collectors that perfect balance when it first appeared in 2005, inspired by the Seamaster 300 dive watches of the 1960s, taking what worked from the past and modernizing it, which makes you wonder about the original design and its intention.
I mean, it’s a nice way to show respect for history while also progressing. Twenty years and still going, OMEGA has moved things around, taking small hints from the sportier dive watches that were popular in the 80s and 90s. So, when you think about it, the design feels familiar and not stuck in the past. The new Planet Ocean now features a 42 mm case that looks sharper and slightly more angular than previous models, which feels much slimmer and flatter when you wear it. They significantly reduced the thickness to just under 14 mm. The sapphire crystal now provides a very clean appearance, and the ceramic bezel and high-quality case finishing really make this watch stand out.
This watch was clearly a step up from the Seamaster Diver 300M. It could go deeper underwater, looked more modern, and was an early example of OMEGA’s Co-Axial tech. All of this happened at a time when high-end dive watches were just starting to figure out what they wanted to be. Many watch fans remember seeing the Planet Ocean for the first time when James Bond wore it in the opening chase scene of Casino Royale, which really helped establish it as a reliable watch that became memorable.
All of the New Planet Ocean models feature black dials across the entire collection, but that doesn’t mean OMEGA went easy on the design. The brand allowed itself some room to play around, especially with the colour bezels. Those bold choices definitely added a fresh energy to the collection, especially with the orange making a return, and I have to say, no one can pull off that vibrant orange colour like OMEGA, along with the deep blue and black options. They add a bit of personality to the watch while still maintaining that heritage feel.
The more you look at the dial, the more you discover its details that make it stand out. Every matte black watch face features the Planet Ocean’s distinctive arrowhead hands and raised numerals, with Super-LumiNova and Arabic numerals that are now squarer and more spaced out, making them pop out. Small details like the rhodium-plated OMEGA logo and the very clear white dial text, just make everything look so neat and put together. It allows the colourful ceramic bezels do their thing and show off the shades, while also underlines that the Planet Ocean is a proper dive watch.
Going deeper with the Planet Ocean really shows how much of this fourth generation’s progress is just below the surface. It’s pretty impressive how they brought back elements from older models in the new one, which you can see in the inner ring—a detail still recognisable from the Seamaster 300 from the ’60s. This time, OMEGA has re-engineered its titanium to maintain water resistance all the way down to 600 metres—a technology carried over from OMEGA’s 2019 development of the Planet Ocean Ultra Deep.
Flip the watch over, and that same philosophy continues. You’ll notice the Grade 5 titanium screw-in caseback for the new design, which shaves off some weight, which is always a plus. The difference is noticeable on the wrist: the steel bracelet models feel sturdy yet balanced, while the rubber strap versions are considerably lighter and more agile. The changes highlight what this new Planet Oceans is truly about, through its dive-watch engineering, which continues to be refined in modern collections.
Speaking about bracelets, OMEGA had to go back to the drawing board to better complement the new Planet Ocean case shape by creating a design that feels slimmer, integrated, and more balanced on the wrist. The bracelets now feature two brushed outer links with a polished centre row, along with a clasp offering six positions of adjustment and a diver extension to improve everyday wearability. The rubber straps with the foldover clasps offer a lighter alternative, helping to enhance strength and reduce weight at just 124 grams, while the steel option, weighing 177 grams, provides both comfort and capability in this latest generation.
Every reference in the new Planet Ocean lineup is powered by OMEGA’s Co-Axial Master Chronometer Calibre 8912, a movement already proven in the brand’s extreme Ultra Deep models. This self-winding calibre offers a 60-hour power reserve and is built to perform well beyond everyday conditions, strengthening the Planet Ocean’s role as a serious dive watch rather than just a design-focused release. Its use throughout the collection ensures clarity and consistency, so that each model shares the same solid mechanical foundation.
According to OMEGA, the movement achieves “the highest standard of precision, performance, and magnetic-resistance, as approved by the Swiss Federal Institute of Metrology (METAS).” In practical terms, that means exceptional accuracy, resistance to modern magnetic interference, and reliable long-term performance — qualities that perfectly match the Planet Ocean’s combination of professional capability and everyday wearability.
The new Planet Ocean lineup includes seven models, with prices varying based on colour and configuration. The blue and black models with steel bracelets are priced at USD $9,200, while the rubber strap versions are at USD $8,600. The premium orange model with a steel bracelet costs USD $9,500, whereas the rubber strap edition is priced at USD $8,900. For more details and availability, visit OMEGA’s boutique or browse online at omegawatches.com.
Elias Albay is the Founder and Director of Many Men Magazine, a Toronto-based digital publication dedicated to promoting modern masculinity through style, culture, and self-improvement. What started as a personal turning point became a purposeful platform. — born from Elias’ desire to create something meaningful after completing his studies and finding no career path that truly matched his ambitions. With a background in Civil Engineering from York University and experience in Commercial Flight Operations at CAE, he applied skills, and resilience from both fields to forge a new path.
Our team of editors and experts thoughtfully chooses each product. If you decide to buy through one of our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more. Want to know how we test products? Click here for more details.
Documentaries have quietly become some of the best things to watch right now. While blockbuster movies and big-budget series continue fighting for attention, documentaries have been delivering some of the most gripping stories on screen — from shocking true-crime cases and behind-the-scenes sports access to music legends, global scandals, and survival stories that sound almost too unbelievable to be real. The best documentaries do more than just inform; they pull you directly into worlds, people, and moments you probably would have never experienced otherwise.
2026 has already delivered a strong lineup, with streaming platforms and major studios continuing to push documentaries into the spotlight. Whether you are looking for something intense, emotional, inspiring, or simply impossible to stop watching once it starts, this year’s lineup already has plenty worth adding to your watchlist.
Artificial intelligence documentaries are everywhere right now, but The ‘AI Doc: Or How I Became an Apocaloptimist’ looks at the topic in a very different way. Instead of focusing solely on fear or blindly praising the future of AI, the documentary stays in an uneasy middle ground, showing both excitement and worry as technology outpaces most people’s ability to fully understand it. The result is a documentary that feels surprisingly human, even though it is about machines, algorithms, and automation.
Instead of seeing AI as a distant science fiction idea, the documentary focuses on the people who are creating it, questioning it, and trying to understand what kind of future it might bring. Sometimes the film feels hopeful, and other times it’s disturbing, but that mix is what makes it so interesting. Found out whether you’re interested in artificial intelligence or worried about where it’s headed? This AI Doc is a documentary that stays with you.
2. American Factory
Genre: Documentary
Director: Steven Bognar, Julia Reichert
Starring: Chinese and American factory workers at Fuyao Glass America
A former General Motors factory in Ohio is brought back to life when a Chinese billionaire reopens it, creating new jobs for the community. As production ramps up, the documentary shows rising tensions between American workers and Chinese managers, who have different views on work ethics, expectations, and daily routines. Some workers struggle with the fast pace and strict rules, while others gradually build strong relationships with their new colleagues, despite cultural differences. The documentary does not offer simple solutions, which adds to its impact. Instead, it quietly reveals how complicated modern work culture can be when business, identity, and globalization intersect.
3. Hunting Bundy: Chase for the Devil
Genre: True Crime Documentary
Director: Brad Bernstein, Zak Bagans, & David Karabinas.
Starring: Investigators, journalists, former law enforcement officers, & archival footage
Few serial killer cases still haunt people like Ted Bundy, and ‘Hunting Bundy: Chase for the Devil’ focuses a lot on the huge investigation that followed him. Instead of making Bundy seem larger than life, the documentary shows how investigators in many states struggled to keep up as he moved from place to place during one of the most terrifying killing sprees in American history. Using archival footage, interviews, and firsthand accounts, the series shows how messy, frustrating, and scary the investigation was before modern forensic tools were available.
One of the most disturbing parts of the documentary is seeing how easily Bundy fit into everyday life while hiding who he really was. The more investigators learned, the darker the case grew, especially when patterns began linking across different states. Instead of using cheap shock tactics, Hunting Bundy focuses on the people trying to catch him, which makes the story feel even more unsettling when you realize how close he came to avoiding justice completely.
Few directors have left a mark on cinema quite like Martin Scorsese, and Mr. Scorsese spends time looking at the man behind films like Taxi Driver, Goodfellas, Casino, and The Wolf of Wall Street. The documentary follows Scorsese from his early years growing up in New York through his becoming one of the most respected filmmakers in movie history, while also exploring the themes and filmmaking style that have become part of his work over the decades.
Using archival footage, interviews, and stories from longtime collaborators, the documentary gives a much closer look at how Scorsese approaches filmmaking and why his movies have stayed influential for so long. Instead of feeling like a standard Hollywood tribute, the film spends more time showing the obsession, discipline, and endless curiosity that pushed him to keep making movies year after year.
One of the strongest parts of the documentary is simply listening to Scorsese talk about cinema itself. Whether he is discussing classic films, editing, music, or storytelling, there is a genuine excitement in his voice that reminds you of how deeply he still loves filmmaking, even after all these years. For anyone who grew up watching his movies, Mr. Scorsese feels less like a history lesson and more like spending time inside the mind of someone who never stopped being fascinated by film.
5. Louis Theroux: Men of the Manosphere
Genre: Documentary
Director: Adrian Choa
Starring: Louis Theroux, online creators, commentators, researchers, and figures connected to the manosphere community
The internet has completely changed how many young men search for advice, confidence, relationships, and identity, and ‘Louis Theroux: Men of the Manosphere examines the online communities built around these topics. The documentary explores the growth of male-focused podcasts, self-help creators, dating influencers, and controversial internet figures who have gained huge followings on YouTube, TikTok, streaming sites, and social media in recent years.
Instead of just showing this as internet drama, the documentary focuses more on why so many young men join these spaces in the first place. It looks at loneliness, social pressure, modern dating, insecurity, and the feeling many have that no one is really listening to them anymore. Some of the people featured seem confident and convincing, while others seem much less trustworthy when the cameras keep rolling.
‘Louis Theroux: Men of the Manosphere’ is not just about viral clips or controversial influencers shouting into microphones. It is really about a generation of men trying to figure out how to build confidence, identity, purpose, and a sense of belonging in a world that feels increasingly disconnected. At times uncomfortable and frustrating, the documentary still manages to feel honest enough to keep you thinking long after it ends.
6. Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story
Genre: Documentary
Director: Ian Bonhôte, Peter Ettedgui
Starring: Christopher Reeve, family members, friends, and archival footage
For many people, Christopher Reeve will always be Superman, but ‘Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve’ Story goes far beyond the cape and costume. The documentary follows Reeve’s rise to fame through the iconic Superman films before shifting toward the horseback riding accident that left him paralyzed and completely changed his life. Through archival footage, interviews, and personal stories from family and friends, the documentary shows how Reeve faced an entirely new reality while refusing to lose his sense of humour, determination, and optimism.
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What makes the documentary so emotional is how honest everything feels. Watching Reeve slowly go from Hollywood superstar to one of the most recognizable voices for spinal cord research and disability awareness gives the story a completely different kind of strength. Rather than focusing solely on tragedy, the documentary spends just as much time showing his resilience and his ability to keep pushing forward even during the hardest moments.
The film also highlights the people who stood beside him throughout that journey, especially his family, who remained his support system through recovery, activism, and public life. Some scenes are genuinely heartbreaking as the full weight of what happened begins to sink in, but the documentary never loses sight of the love, humour, and humanity surrounding Reeve’s story. Even people who did not grow up watching his Superman films will probably walk away understanding why Christopher Reeve still means so much to so many people today.
Even though the title sounds almost silly at first, ‘André Is an Idiot’ slowly becomes one of the most honest documentaries you will probably see this year. The film follows André Ricciardi after he gets a terminal cancer diagnosis linked to a mistake he openly says could have been avoided. But instead of letting the documentary be filled with sadness, André faces the situation with raw honesty, humour about himself, and an attitude that makes even the hardest moments feel real rather than too dramatic. Watching him talk openly about fear, regret, family, and death gives the documentary a deep emotional impact that stays with you long after it ends.
8. The Dinosaurs
Genre: Documentary
Director: Nick Shoolingin-Jordan
Starring: Morgan Freeman, scientists, paleontologists, & researchers
What better way to explore the prehistoric world than with Morgan Freeman guiding you through it all? ‘The Dinosaurs’ looks closely at the rise, survival, and extinction of Earth’s most amazing creatures through fossil finds, scientific studies, and big recreations that bring the ancient world back to life. From huge predators hunting across vast lands to giant plant-eaters roaming the planet millions of years before humans existed, the documentary keeps showing you how incredible these animals really were.
Freeman’s narration gives the documentary a strong sense of size from the very start, adding a presence that makes every discovery feel even more important. Instead of feeling boring or too educational, The Dinosaurs keeps things exciting while still exploring the science behind how these creatures lived, hunted, changed, and eventually vanished. Even if you grew up loving dinosaurs, this documentary still makes them feel fascinating all over again.
9. Sean Combs: The Reckoning
Genre: Documentary
Director: Dream Hampton
Starring: Journalists, former collaborators, industry insiders, & archival footage connected to Sean Combs
For decades, Sean Combs was one of the most powerful figures in music, fashion, and entertainment, creating a business that went far beyond hip-hop. ‘Sean Combs: The Reckoning’ shows both his rise to success and the growing problems around him, as lawsuits, investigations, accusations, and public attention mounted. Using old videos, interviews, and news reports, the documentary shows how fast public opinion about Combs changed when new information came out.
The documentary also looks at the culture around celebrity power and influence in the entertainment world. As more people involved in the story speak up, the film becomes more serious and harder to watch with each new detail. Even for viewers who saw the news online, ‘Sean Combs: The Reckoning’ feels different when all the information is shown together.
For decades, Eddie Murphy has been one of the biggest names in comedy and movies, shaping a whole generation with films like Beverly Hills Cop, Coming to America, and The Nutty Professor. Being Eddie looks back at Murphy’s journey from stand-up comedy to Hollywood superstardom, exploring the pressure, fame, criticism, and career highs and lows he faced over the years. Using old footage, interviews, and behind-the-scenes stories, the documentary shows viewers just how much Murphy changed comedy and entertainment long before streaming and social media changed the industry.
The documentary also steps away from the spotlight, focusing on Murphy as a person rather than just his biggest movie roles. Instead of being a nonstop celebration of past success, ‘Being Eddie’ reflects on lasting success, change, and what it takes to stay important across many generations. For longtime fans especially, it feels like finally getting a closer look at one of comedy’s most important figures beyond the characters everyone grew up watching.
11. Apollo 11
Genre: Documentary
Director: Todd Douglas Miller
Starring: Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, Michael Collins
Many documentaries have covered the Moon landing over the years, but ‘Apollo 11’ feels different from the start. Using cleaned-up old footage and original NASA recordings, the documentary puts viewers straight into the mission without modern interviews or dramatic reenactments getting in the way. From the large crowds outside the Kennedy Space Center to the tension inside mission control, every moment feels very real, even though it happened more than 50 years ago.
The documentary follows the historic ‘Apollo 11’ mission as Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, and Michael Collins get ready to be part of one of the most important moments in human history. Watching the launch, Moon landing, and return through beautifully restored footage makes the film feel almost unbelievable at times, especially when you realize how big NASA’s achievement really was. Even though you know how the story ends, ‘Apollo 11’ still feels tense, emotional, and truly unforgettable.
12. Elway
Genre: Sports Documentary
Director: Ken Rodgers
Starring: John Elway, former teammates, coaches, & NFL figures
Known to many fans as “The Duke,” John Elway became one of the biggest names in NFL history after spending years leading the Denver Broncos through crushing playoff losses, enormous pressure, and eventually Super Bowl glory. ‘Elway’ traces his journey from college football star to franchise legend, revisiting the moments that defined his career both on and off the field. Through interviews with former teammates, coaches, rivals, and Elway himself, the documentary also shows the competitiveness and stubborn mindset that kept him pushing forward year after year until he finally walked away from football as a two-time Super Bowl champion.
‘Born to Be Wild’ follows endangered young animals from around the world as they are rescued, cared for, and gradually prepared to return to the wild. The Apple TV+ series spends time with baby elephants, cheetahs, penguins, moon bears, lemurs, and lynx kittens while also showing the conservationists and caretakers working nonstop to protect species at risk of dying out and losing their homes. Narrated by Hugh Bonneville, the series blends beautiful wildlife scenes with deeply emotional moments, especially as you see the effort that goes into helping these animals survive long enough to return home.
14. Cult Massacre: One Day in Jonestown
Genre: True Crime Documentary
Director: Marina Zenovich
Starring: Survivors, former members of the Peoples Temple, journalists, and archival footage
Few real-life stories remain as disturbing as Jonestown, and ‘Cult Massacre: One Day in Jonestown’ revisits the tragedy with a level of detail that is truly hard to shake off. Using survivor interviews, archival recordings, and firsthand accounts from people who lived through the final hours inside the Peoples Temple settlement, the documentary carefully pieces together how Jim Jones transformed a religious movement into one of the deadliest cult disasters in modern history.
Rather than focusing solely on the shocking ending everyone already knows, the series spends time examining how vulnerable people became, becoming trapped inside the group in the first place. That approach makes the documentary feel far more unsettling because it shows how manipulation, isolation, and fear slowly took hold long before the massacre itself happened. Even decades later, the story of Jonestown still feels almost impossible to fully comprehend once the scale of what happened sinks in.
15. The Perfect Neighbor
Genre: Documentary
Director: Geeta Gandbhir
Starring: Residents, investigators, and real-life footage connected to the case
A neighbourhood disagreement turns into something far more disturbing in ‘The Perfect Neighbor’, a documentary built around real police bodycam footage, interviews, and firsthand accounts surrounding a deadly confrontation between neighbours in Florida. Rather than feeling like a typical true-crime documentary filled with dramatic reenactments, the film lets the footage and conversations unfold naturally, which makes everything hit even harder. As tensions slowly rise among the people involved, the documentary begins exploring broader issues of fear, race, stand-your-ground laws, and how quickly ordinary conflict can spiral into tragedy.
Why Trust Our List?
Every year brings many new documentaries, with streaming services investing in everything from true crime and sports to history, wildlife, technology, and celebrity stories. To make this list, we looked at audience opinions, critic reviews, IMDb and Rotten Tomatoes ratings, research, industry talks, and each film’s cultural influence. Instead, we chose documentaries that stood out for their storytelling, emotional impact, cinematography, topic, or the feeling they left after the credits. Whether it’s true crime, sports, wildlife, history, technology, or pop culture, each documentary here was chosen for its own special reason.
Elias Albay is the Founder and Director of Many Men Magazine, a Toronto-based digital publication dedicated to promoting modern masculinity through style, culture, and self-improvement. What started as a personal turning point became a purposeful platform. — born from Elias’ desire to create something meaningful after completing his studies and finding no career path that truly matched his ambitions. With a background in Civil Engineering from York University and experience in Commercial Flight Operations at CAE, he applied skills, and resilience from both fields to forge a new path.
