Pictures via ESPN
30 for 30 is one of the best and longest-running sports documentaries from ESPN. Several years ago, there was a mass removal of these great sports documentaries from the Netflix library, but in 2024, we’re now seeing the return of the 30 for 30 documentaries in the US as part of a new Disney deal.
Since 2009, 30 for 30 from ESPN Films has been one of the premiere sporting shows. From underdog stories, incredible athletes, shocking defeats, and dominant dynasties, 30 for 30 has chronicled some of the best moments in American sports history.
Once one of the 30 for 30 documentaries is added to Netflix, it will remain on the platform for two years before departing the library according to our intel. It remains to be seen if Netflix will renew those licenses or if they wind up on a separate platform altogether.
These are returning to Netflix via a new Disney licensing deal announced late last year. It’ll see 24 30 for 30 documentaries added to Netflix beginning in February 2024 and continuing through to December 2024. We’ll also see 13 other Disney-owned series like Prison Break, White Collar, and The Wonder Years join the service, too.
We’ll continue to inform and update fans as and when we learn of the new 30 for 30 documentaries coming to Netflix.
Current 30 for 30 Documentaries Available on Netflix
30 for 30: Four Falls of Buffalo
Director: Ken Rodgers
Sport: American Football | Runtime: 102 Minutes
First Added to Netflix: February 5th, 2024 | Leaving Netflix: February 2026
In the early 90s, The Bills once had a legendary team that reached an astonishing four Super Bowls in a row. However, fate was cruel, with Jim Kelly’s team falling at the final hurdle with four straight Superbowl losses.
30 for 30: Nature Boy
Director: Rory Karpf
Sport: Professional Wrestling | Runtime: 77 Minutes
First Added to Netflix: February 5th, 2024
One of the most beloved and controversial wrestlers of all time, ‘Nature Boy’ Ric Flair is a sixteen-time world champion with a career spanning several decades. The documentary explores the life and career of Ric Flair, whose charismatic persona changed wrestling forever.
30 for 30 Documentaries Coming to Netflix Soon
30 for 30: I Hate Christian Laettner
Director: Rory Karpf
Sport: Basketball | Runtime: 90 Minutes
Coming to Netflix: March 17th, 2024
Christian Laettner spent 13 years in the NBA, but the controversial basketballer made a name for himself in college during the NCAA basketball tournaments, where he would score one of the most dramatic shots in the history of the college game. One of the most disliked stars of the sport, despite being instrumental in Duke winning two national championships Laettner’s clashes on the court with opponents and even teammates made him one of the polarizing figures of the sport. The documentary provides unprecedented access to Laettner, who tells his side of the story alongside side those who played with him and against him.
30 for 30: Survive and Advance
Director: Jonathan Hock
Sport: Basketball | Runtime:
Coming to Netflix: March 17th, 2024
One of the greatest underdog stories in the history of college basketball, the NC State Wolfpack, which coach Jim Valvano led, was able to overcome nine postseason games that resulted in overtime and one-point finishes to reach the national championship game against the number one team, Houston aka Phi Slamma Jamma. The championship game would feature one of the greatest plays in history.
30 for 30: The Fab Five
Director: Jason Hehir
Sport: Basketball | Runtime: 95 Minutes
Coming to Netflix: March 17th, 2024
One of the most electric college basketball teams, the 1991 freshman class of the University of Michigan featured Chris Webber, Jalen Rose, Juwan Howard, Jimmy King, and Ray Jackson. Considered one of the greatest recruiting classes of all time, the Fab Five were the first team to make it to the NCAA Championship game with all freshman starters. Four of the five would go on to join the NBA.
Previous 30 for 30 Documentaries on Netflix
Before its mass exodus from the Netflix library in 2017, there were dozens of 30 for 30 documentaries in the library.
The table below shows all of the 30 for 30 documentaries that were previously on Netflix.
| Episode Title | Year Released | Sport |
|---|---|---|
| 30 for 30: Kings Ransom | 2009 | Ice Hockey |
| 30 for 30: Muhammed and Larry | 2009 | Boxing |
| 30 for 30: Small Potatoes: Who Killed the USFL? | 2009 | Football |
| 30 for 30: The Band That Wouldn’t Die | 2009 | Football |
| 30 for 30: The Legend of Jimmy The Greek | 2009 | Football |
| 30 for 30: The U | 2009 | Football |
| 30 for 30: Without Bias | 2009 | Basketball |
| 30 for 30: Fernando Nation | 2010 | Baseball |
| 30 for 30: Four Days in October | 2010 | Baseball |
| 30 for 30: Guru of Go | 2010 | Basketball |
| 30 for 30: Into the Wind | 2010 | Other |
| 30 for 30: Jordan Rides the Bus | 2010 | Baseball |
| 30 for 30: June 17th, 1994 | 2010 | Football |
| 30 for 30: Little Big Men | 2010 | Baseball |
| 30 for 30: Marion Jones: Press Pause | 2010 | Olympics |
| 30 for 30: No Crossover: The Trial of Allen Iverson | 2010 | Basketball |
| 30 for 30: Once Brothers | 2010 | Basketball |
| 30 for 30: Pony Excess | 2010 | Football |
| 30 for 30: Run Ricky Run | 2010 | Football |
| 30 for 30: Silly Little Game | 2010 | Other |
| 30 for 30: The 16th Man | 2010 | Other |
| 30 for 30: The Best That Never Was | 2010 | Football |
| 30 for 30: The Birth of Big Air | 2010 | Other |
| 30 for 30: The House of Steinbrenner | 2010 | Baseball |
| 30 for 30: The Two Escobars | 2010 | Other |
| 30 for 30: Tim Richmond: To The Limit | 2010 | Racing |
| 30 for 30: Unmatched | 2010 | Tennis |
| 30 for 30: Winning Time: Reggie Miller vs. the New York Knicks | 2010 | Basketball |
| 30 for 30: 9.79* | 2012 | Athletics |
| 30 for 30: Benji | 2012 | Basketball |
| 30 for 30: Broke | 2012 | Other |
| 30 for 30: Ghosts of Ole Miss | 2012 | Football |
| 30 for 30: There’s No Place Like Home | 2012 | Basketball |
| 30 for 30: You Don’t Know Bo | 2012 | Football |
| 30 for 30: Bernie and Ernie | 2013 | Basketball |
| 30 for 30: Big Shot | 2013 | Ice Hockey |
| 30 for 30: Elway to Marino | 2013 | Football |
| 30 for 30: Free Spirits | 2013 | Basketball |
| 30 for 30: Hawaiian: The Legend of Eddie Aikau | 2013 | Other |
| 30 for 30: No Mas | 2013 | Boxing |
| 30 for 30: Survive and Advance | 2013 | Basketball |
| 30 for 30: This Is What They Want | 2013 | Tennis |
| 30 for 30: Youngstown Boys | 2013 | Football |
| 30 for 30: Bad Boys | 2014 | Basketball |
| 30 for 30: Brian and the Boz | 2014 | Football |
| 30 for 30: Brothers in Exile | 2014 | Baseball |
| 30 for 30: Playing for the Mob | 2014 | Basketball |
| 30 for 30: Rand University | 2014 | Football |
| 30 for 30: Requiem for the Big East | 2014 | Basketball |
| 30 for 30: Slaying the Badger | 2014 | Other |
| 30 for 30: Soccer Stories: Hillsborough | 2014 | Soccer |
| 30 for 30: Soccer Stories: White , Blue and White | 2014 | Soccer |
| 30 for 30: The Day the Series Stopped | 2014 | Baseball |
| 30 for 30: The Price of Gold | 2014 | Olympics |
| 30 for 30: The U Part 2 | 2014 | Football |
| 30 for 30: When the Garden Was Eden | 2014 | Basketball |
| 30 for 30: Angry Sky | 2015 | Other |
| 30 for 30: Chasing Tyson | 2015 | Boxing |
| 30 for 30: Four Falls of Buffalo | 2015 | Football |
| 30 for 30: I Hate Christian Laettner | 2015 | Basketball |
| 30 for 30: Of Miracles and Men | 2015 | Ice Hockey |
| 30 for 30: Sole Man | 2015 | Basketball |
| 30 for 30: The Gospel According to Mac | 2015 | Football |
| 30 for 30: Trojan War | 2015 | Football |
| The Prince of Pennsylvania | 2015 | Olympics |
| 30 for 30: Believeland | 2016 | Basketball |
| 30 for 30: Fantastic Lies | 2016 | Lacrosse |
| 30 for 30: The ’85 Bears | 2016 | Football |
| 30 for 30: The Magic Moment | 2016 | Baseball |
What 30 for 30 documentaries are you looking forward to watching on Netflix? Let us know in the comments below!