10 Best Architecture Videos on Netflix

Here's my list of the top ten movies related to architecture that I enjoyed on Netflix Streaming. The descriptions of the movies were copied over from the Netflix website.

My Architect: A Son's Journey — Documentarian Nathaniel Kahn examines the life and career of his father, architect Louis I. Kahn (1901–1974), whose work included the Salk Institute and the Parliament and Capitol Buildings in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Among other surprising facts, this Oscar-nominated film reveals that the elder Kahn died of a heart attack in a Penn Station bathroom, unidentified and broke despite having been one of the century's most influential visionaries.
Frank Lloyd Wright — Often touted as the most influential and important American architect of all time, Frank Lloyd Wright is the subject of this acclaimed documentary by award-winning filmmaker Ken Burns (Baseball, The Civil War). Rare footage and illuminating interviews, along with an in-depth look at Wright's body of work spanning his 92 years, come together to bring his unforgettable — and frequently turbulent — story to life.
The Homes of Frank Lloyd Wright — This edition of the series from the A&E Channel gives you an inside look at the homes created by renowned American architect Frank Lloyd Wright. Wright designed many structures throughout the country, but the homes he built for himself are widely considered to be his crowning glory and truly representative of his unique style and vision. This vision and creativity are on display as you tour these magnificent dwellings.
Eames: The Architect and the Painter — This documentary tells the story of the husband-and-wife team of Charles and Ray Eames, widely considered America's most important designers. Their creations include furniture, photography, interiors, multimedia exhibits, games, and much more.
Visual Acoustics: The Modernism of Julius Shulman — Filmmaker Eric Bricker directs this fascinating documentary about the life and times of architectural photographer Julius Shulman, whose work helped launch the careers of giants like Rudolf Schindler and Frank Lloyd Wright. With insight from fellow architects Frank Gehry, Ricardo Legorreta, and Shulman himself, Bricker's film illuminates the legendary artist's gift for capturing space, form, and design.
My Father the Genius — In this cheeky and entertaining documentary, filmmaker Lucia Small chronicles the rise and decline of her father, Glen Howard Small, a visionary architect whose uncompromising but uncertain career path consistently undermined his personal life. Is he a true genius? Or does his ego outstrip his talent? This film is a compelling look into the mind of obsessive creativity through the eyes of a daughter struggling to understand her father.
How Much Does Your Building Weigh, Mr. Foster? — The wide-ranging and inspiring career of English architect Norman Foster is profiled in this intriguing documentary. Despite his humble background, Foster studied at Yale and worked with Buckminster Fuller after establishing his own firm.
Manufactured Landscapes — More than a simple portrait of an artist, this documentary about celebrated photographer Edward Burtynsky is also an examination of industrialization and globalization. Known for finding strange beauty in large industrial vistas, Burtynsky searches for great shots on trips to China and Bangladesh. In contrast to his seemingly impersonal aesthetic, the film focuses on individuals, revealing the dreariness and dangers of industrial work.
Exit Through the Gift Shop — Filmmaker Thierry Guetta's project to chronicle the underground world of street art takes a fascinating twist when he meets elusive stencil artist Banksy, who turns the project around to film Guetta while he reinvents himself as a street artist.
Objectified — Discover how the manufactured objects that surround us — such as cars, phones, and chairs — influence our daily lives with this revealing documentary, which features top industrial designers discussing their creative processes and professional objectives.

2026 Update: New Additions Worth Watching

Streaming libraries change constantly, and many of the films above have rotated off Netflix over the years. Here are three excellent architecture and design documentaries that are confirmed available right now.

11. Abstract: The Art of Design (Netflix, 2017–2019) — This Emmy-nominated Netflix original series is the single best architecture and design documentary available on the platform today. Each episode goes deep inside the mind of one designer — two seasons cover fourteen episodes total, including architect Bjarke Ingels, bio-architect Neri Oxman, artist Olafur Eliasson, and Instagram's head of design Ian Spalter. The production quality is extraordinary; every episode is shot and edited to reflect the visual language of its subject. If you watch only one thing on this list, make it Abstract.

12. The Pruitt-Igoe Myth (Netflix DVD / Amazon / Apple TV) — Built in 1956 as the future of public housing, St. Louis's Pruitt-Igoe complex was demolished just two decades later — and its implosion became one of architecture's most infamous images. This sharp, human documentary uses archival footage and interviews with former residents to challenge the myth that modernist design caused its failure, arguing instead that broader urban economic forces were to blame. Essential viewing for anyone interested in the intersection of architecture, public policy, and social history. Rated 89% on Rotten Tomatoes.

13. Visual Acoustics: The Modernism of Julius Shulman (Free on Tubi / Amazon / Apple TV) — Originally on this list as a Netflix title, Visual Acoustics is now available for free on Tubi, making it more accessible than ever. Narrated by Dustin Hoffman, this documentary celebrates the man most responsible for how we picture mid-century modernism — Shulman's photographs of Case Study Houses, Neutra residences, and Lautner masterpieces defined a visual language that still shapes architectural photography today. An absolute must for readers of this blog.

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