This year, Netflix will be focusing on the White House, where the stories of four American presidents are going to be presented in ways unlike anything seen before. Stories about political scandals, warfare, assassination, and personal dramas await those who would watch these new productions. Some of them are based on real-life incidents, while others recreate critical moments in America’s history. 

Power, war, betrayal, and political pressure are set to take center stage as Netflix revisits some of the most defining moments in American presidential history. 

Netflix is seeking to explore the politics of America through its history. For that, the production company is working on a total of four captivating stories about presidents who are among the most significant people in America’s political history. These stories are all set to drop on May 18, making it one of Netflix's most unusual and ambitious historical releases of the year.

FDR, the documentary releasing in May explores the rise of Franklin D. Roosevelt to the presidency and how he guided the United States through the Great Depression and World War II. It will be expected to focus on his political fights, his secret health issues, and the hard choices that created modern America during one of the darkest times in history.   

Meanwhile, The Great War examines America’s early role in World War I, including General John J. Pershing’s campaign and the experiences of African American soldiers. The Woodrow Wilson story could be about WWI and his grand idea of establishing world peace. The project could also touch on Wilson’s declining health and the growing tensions inside the White House during his presidency. 

The Best of Netflix: 10 Original Documentaries That Are Too Good to Skip

Power struggles, national division, and larger-than-life leadership continue to shape the next two presidential stories in Netflix’s ambitious historical lineup. 

Theodore Roosevelt’s documentary series follows the president from a sickly child to a Rough Rider and finally, the US presidency, where he decisively reforms US policies. The project on Roosevelt may dwell on his bold character, adventurous life, and forceful leadership style. Fighting corruption and extending America's reach across the globe, the story may show how Roosevelt built himself into one of the country's most unforgettable presidents. 

On the other hand, Netflix's Abraham Lincoln will probably be about the Civil War, slavery debates, and the emotional toll of trying to keep the nation together. The film could also delve into Lincoln’s personal grief and the political enemies that surrounded him in America’s most divided age. With the Civil War raging, President Abraham Lincoln must navigate a divided nation and a fractured cabinet to preserve the Union and end slavery. 

Four presidential stories are coming at once, and Netflix seems intent on turning American political history into compelling modern entertainment. The platform is revisiting some of the nation’s most defining moments through the eyes of the leaders who shaped them, combining documentary storytelling with dramatic recreations. These projects promise to take viewers on an emotional and intense ride inside the White House from war and economic collapse to reform and national division, giving them much more than a traditional history lesson.  

The Best Netflix Documentaries of 2026: True Crime, Music, and More

Which of these four presidential stories are you most excited to watch on Netflix this May? Let us know in the comments.