Best Faceless YouTube Documentary Channels to Start in 2026
đ Market Intelligence Dashboard
| Metrics | Insights |
|---|---|
| Channels Audited | 31 |
| Opportunity Score | 6.8/10 |
| Average RPM | $12.6 |
| Market Saturation | Medium |
Our data audit identified the most efficient performers in the documentary niche. We focus on âAlphaâ channelsâthose generating views significantly higher than their subscriber count, representing the highest growth potential for new creators in 2026.
đ Top Performer Leaderboard
DreamMelts (@DreamMelts_ASMR)
| Subscribers | Efficiency | Avg Views | RPM Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5.7k | 120.4x | 681.4k | $25 |
âDetailed analysis of air accidents using flight simulator footage, animations, and pilot interviews/discussions.â
- Winning Strategy: Authority of the host (actual pilot) builds immense trust.
- Growth Gap: Established niche with high barriers to entry (technical knowledge).
Top Benchmark Videos
- All Glass Foods ASMR (143.9k views)
- Glass Korean Street Food ASMR | Tteokbokki, Gimbap, Hotdog (130.4k views)
- Glass Izakaya Feast ASMR | Karaage, Yakitori, Sashimi (77.3k views)
Ffamily Adven (@FfamilyAdven)
| Subscribers | Efficiency | Avg Views | RPM Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 43.4k | 28.8x | 1.3M | $20 |
âNarrative-driven videos about extreme survival in cold climates (Yakutia/Afghanistan), using stock footage and AI narration.â
- Winning Strategy: Unique focus on specific extreme geography (Yakutia) creates a strong brand identity.
- Growth Gap: The channel is performing excellently, indicating a tapped and successful niche.
Top Benchmark Videos
- Surviving Shepherd Life in One of the Coldest Regions of Afghanistan | Winter Extreme Survival (4.5M views)
- 90-Year-Old Woman vs 1000 Wolves to Save Her Snow Sheep at 71 C | Yakutia Survival (4.1M views)
- 5000kg Buffalo and Sheep Hunt in 71 C Yakutia | Feeding an Entire Frozen Village | Extreme Survival (1.2M views)
New Nature (@newnaturechannel)
| Subscribers | Efficiency | Avg Views | RPM Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 190.0k | 15.1x | 2.9M | $15 |
âHigh-production, long-form documentaries (15-20 mins) focusing on recent scientific discoveries, using high-quality stock footage and cinematic editing.â
- Winning Strategy: Viral topic selection and cinematic quality.
- Growth Gap: Focus is usually on current nature. âSpeculative Scienceâ (what the earth will look like in 100 years) is underserved.
Top Benchmark Videos
- This Discovery in the Mariana Trench Will Transform Geopolitics (4K) (11.8M views)
- This Moon Discovery Is the Most Important in Decades (4K) (3.5M views)
- Whatâs Underneath Sand And Desert Sand? (3.2M views)
Beginning To Now (@BeginningToNoww)
| Subscribers | Efficiency | Avg Views | RPM Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 288.0k | 9.2x | 2.7M | $15 |
âVery long (45-90 min) history documentaries covering entire civilizations. Uses stock footage, maps, and narration.â
- Winning Strategy: Monetization potential is huge due to length.
- Growth Gap: AI tools (notebookLM, video gen) make creating long-form history docs easier now. Few channels are doing this successfully faceless.
Top Benchmark Videos
- The ENTIRE History of Human Civilizations | Ancient to Modern (4K Documentary) [Full Movie] (8.6M views)
- The ENTIRE History of Egypt | Ancient Civilizations Documentary (4.1M views)
- The ENTIRE History of The British Monarchy | 4K Royal Family Documentary (3.7M views)
Kamdev (@kamdevofficial)
| Subscribers | Efficiency | Avg Views | RPM Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 249.0k | 6.7x | 1.7M | $4 |
âDeep-dive documentaries on controversial or historical figures, often using news clips and imagery.â
- Winning Strategy: Massive viral potential due to controversial topics.
- Growth Gap: Specific Western true crime/documentary style applied to South Asian history/politics is largely dominated by personality-led channels rather than polished, faceless productions.
Top Benchmark Videos
- Sadhguru: Journey of a Fake Spiritual Guru | Full Documentary (5.0M views)
- How India Stole and Killed Cricket | Full Documentary (4.8M views)
- Mahatma Gandhi and his Bizarre S*x Experiments | Full Documentary (2.4M views)
BritMonkey (@BritMonkey)
| Subscribers | Efficiency | Avg Views | RPM Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 466.0k | 4.1x | 1.9M | $45 |
âLong-form, highly researched video essays using a mix of stock footage, news clips, and narration.â
- Winning Strategy: Exceptional storytelling and production value.
- Growth Gap: This is a successful channel doing everything right. It represents the âgold standardâ for faceless essay channels.
Top Benchmark Videos
- How America got so Stupid (9.3M views)
- A List of Everything Banned in China (4.7M views)
- Botswana: How to Make a Country Rich (From Scratch) (3.0M views)
Fredrik Knudsen (@FredrikKnudsen)
| Subscribers | Efficiency | Avg Views | RPM Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.3M | 3.6x | 4.8M | $8 |
âLong-form investigative video essays exploring internet phenomena, obscure history, and niche topics.â
- Winning Strategy: Unmatched storytelling depth and research.
- Growth Gap: Top-tier channel; saturation is high in YouTube automation circles for âdocumentaryâ style.
Top Benchmark Videos
- The Mouse Utopia Experiments | Down the Rabbit Hole (10.4M views)
- WingsOfRedemption | Down the Rabbit Hole (9.6M views)
- Deep Blue | Down the Rabbit Hole (8.9M views)
Canadiana (@Canadiana)
| Subscribers | Efficiency | Avg Views | RPM Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 123.0k | 2.7x | 330.0k | $8 |
âHigh-quality documentary series featuring a host on-location, discussing forgotten stories of Canadian history using B-roll and narration.â
- Winning Strategy: Premium production value and storytelling build authority.
- Growth Gap: There is a massive opportunity to create âfacelessâ versions of this for other countries (e.g., âThe Unknown History of Polandâ or âBrazilian History Explainedâ).
Top Benchmark Videos
- The Engineering Marvel Built to Defend Against Americans The Grisly History of the Rideau Canal (1.3M views)
- How The American Civil War Made Canada (1.2M views)
- When Americans Built a Road Across Canada (643.1k views)
Barely Sociable (@BarelySociable)
| Subscribers | Efficiency | Avg Views | RPM Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.4M | 2.2x | 3.0M | $8 |
âIn-depth, multi-part documentary-style videos covering unsolved mysteries and internet phenomena. Uses historical footage, stock footage, and text overlays.â
- Winning Strategy: Exceptional storytelling and research quality
- Growth Gap: Mystery/unsolved crimes niche is very saturated with top channels dominating.
Top Benchmark Videos
- The Dark Side Of The Silk Road (13.1M views)
- Dream - The Infiltration Of The Dark Net (4.7M views)
- The Book Tied To 75,000 Disappearances (4.1M views)
James Jani (@JamesJani)
| Subscribers | Efficiency | Avg Views | RPM Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.2M | 1.8x | 4.1M | $20 |
âHigh-production documentary style videos investigating complex scams, cults, and financial frauds with cinematic editing.â
- Winning Strategy: Exceptional storytelling and editing quality.
- Growth Gap: Saturated market. Competes with major production houses.
Top Benchmark Videos
- The Untold Truth About Money: How to Build Wealth From Nothing. (18.7M views)
- The Dark World of Megachurches (14.7M views)
- The Fake Genius: a $30 BILLION Fraud. (9.6M views)
Uncovering (@uncovering_yt)
| Subscribers | Efficiency | Avg Views | RPM Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 279.0k | 1.7x | 477.4k | $10 |
âDocumentary-style videos uncovering dark history and mysteries, often using map animations to visualize data.â
- Winning Strategy: Excellent use of visual aids (maps).
- Growth Gap: Competitive, but the map visualization style provides a moat.
Top Benchmark Videos
- How the United States Just Attacked Iran.. (7.8M views)
- Why Planes Disappear in the Bermuda Triangle (4.2M views)
- How to Escape North Korea in 2024 (2.9M views)
Bedtime Survivalist (@BedtimeSurvivalist)
| Subscribers | Efficiency | Avg Views | RPM Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.9k | 1.4x | 4.1k | $5 |
âExtremely long-form (1-2 hour) videos focusing on survival techniques in cold history, designed for sleep/background listening.â
- Winning Strategy: Unique angle combining history with relaxation.
- Growth Gap: Sleep niche has high demand but few high-quality history-focused channels.
Top Benchmark Videos
- How Medieval People Slept In Castles Without Heating In Brutal Winters | Documentary For Sleep (110.8k views)
- How Did Vikings Sleep in Winter Without Freezing to Death | Documentary For Sleep (86.7k views)
- How Antarctic Researchers Sleep at 70 C Outside Their Bases | Documentary for Sleep (79.0k views)
EmpLemon (@EmperorLemon)
| Subscribers | Efficiency | Avg Views | RPM Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.4M | 1.2x | 1.7M | $12 |
âCinematic video essays analyzing pop culture, sports history, and film. Uses stock footage, movie clips, and heavy editing with dramatic narration.â
- Winning Strategy: High production value and narrative structure command high retention.
- Growth Gap: Saturated market with established giants.
Top Benchmark Videos
- there will Never Ever be another Melee player like Hungrybox (10.4M views)
- Sympathy for the Villain. (8.0M views)
- there will Never Ever be another Simpsons episode like Homerâs Enemy (7.9M views)
Yarnhub (@Yarnhub)
| Subscribers | Efficiency | Avg Views | RPM Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.8M | 1.1x | 3.1M | $5 |
âHigh-quality 2D animated films narrating dramatic historical events, often with cinematic sound design.â
- Winning Strategy: Cinematic storytelling and animation quality.
- Growth Gap: High production barriers keep competition lower, but viewership is high.
Top Benchmark Videos
- How a Nighthawk Was Shot Down (30.6M views)
- When F-16 Falcons Ate Hawks for Breakfast (26.5M views)
- When a B-17 Tail Fell With a Gunner Inside (19.2M views)
Everything Explained (@EverythingExplainedd)
| Subscribers | Efficiency | Avg Views | RPM Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 96.3k | 1.0x | 94.9k | $7 |
âHigh-quality documentary-style videos explaining how things are built, historical events, or natural phenomena using stock footage and animations.â
- Winning Strategy: High-quality visuals and engaging topics.
- Growth Gap: While general docs are common, deep dives into specific engineering projects (bridges, dams, specific car models) are underserved.
Top Benchmark Videos
- Drake Passage: Worldâs DEADLIEST Stretch of Water (3.1M views)
- K2: The World s Most DEADLY Mountain to Climb (2.1M views)
- Why Orcas are ATTACKING Human Boats (1.6M views)
Zoufry (@Zoufryymedia)
| Subscribers | Efficiency | Avg Views | RPM Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 93.1k | 0.8x | 71.4k | $10 |
âHigh-quality documentary-style videos about crime, history, and geopolitical events.â
- Winning Strategy: Strong storytelling; covers a wide range of topics.
- Growth Gap: Focus on international crime (non-US) is underserved in the English market. âFinancial Crimeâ specifically (scams, heists) is high demand.
Top Benchmark Videos
- The Louvre | The Wildest Robbery of the 21st Century (3.4M views)
- The Mystery of the Greatest Heist in American History (1.7M views)
- The Evil Design of Grocery Stores (708.7k views)
OS Documentaries (@DiscoverWithOS)
| Subscribers | Efficiency | Avg Views | RPM Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 213.0k | 0.7x | 158.7k | $15 |
âCinematic 4K footage with minimal editing, focusing on location showcasing (food, women, scenery) with energetic narration.â
- Winning Strategy: High-quality, original 4K footage creates authenticity.
- Growth Gap: Hard to automate without original travel footage. Requires physical presence or expensive stock.
Top Benchmark Videos
- ROMA MARKETS IN BULGARIA SELLING BRIDES ! -THE UNUSUAL TRADITION OF THE ROMANIS - TRAVEL DOCUMENTARY (3.7M views)
- Life in RUSSIA ! - The Country Where EXTREMELY BEAUTIFUL WOMEN LIVE - RUSSIA TRAVEL DOCUMENTARY VLOG (2.9M views)
- The Country of the MOST BEAUTIFUL BLONDE WOMEN in CENTRAL EUROPE - SO MANY PRETTY SEXY LADIES THERE (1.6M views)
Cursed Notes (@CursedNotes)
| Subscribers | Efficiency | Avg Views | RPM Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 59.7k | 0.7x | 40.0k | $6 |
âLong-form compilation videos featuring disturbing or scary encounters, often focusing on abandoned buildings or hunting incidents.â
- Winning Strategy: Consistent upload schedule and taps into the enduring popularity of horror.
- Growth Gap: Many channels use the same stock footage. An AI-generated âhorror documentaryâ channel using consistent, unique visuals would stand out.
Top Benchmark Videos
- 1 Hour of Most DISTURBING Camping Encounters Caught on Camera (1.5M views)
- Most Disturbing Abandoned Building Encounters Caught pn Camera (678.9k views)
- Most DISTURBING Abandoned Building Encounters Caught On Camera (461.6k views)
Disturbed World (@disturbed_world)
| Subscribers | Efficiency | Avg Views | RPM Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 39.4k | 0.6x | 22.3k | $6 |
âInvestigative true crime documentaries covering UK and Irish gangsters, using public domain footage and images.â
- Winning Strategy: Deep dive into specific regional crimes, offering unique content.
- Growth Gap: Focus on specific regional organized crime (The IRA, Kinahan cartel) appeals to history buffs and locals, a dedicated audience.
Top Benchmark Videos
- The Brutal Life and Crimes of Loyalist Terror Chief Johnny âMad Dogâ Adair (195.9k views)
- The UK Crime Boss Who Canât Be Caught | UK True Crime (166.5k views)
- The Brutal Lives And Crimes Of Real IRA Bosses Alan and Vinnie Ryan (137.5k views)
Dreams of Disclosure (@DreamsofDisclosure)
| Subscribers | Efficiency | Avg Views | RPM Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 17.3k | 0.5x | 8.1k | $5 |
âVery long videos about UFOs and aliens, designed to be calming and help viewers sleep or relax.â
- Winning Strategy: Unique angle on a popular topic (UFOs) by focusing on utility (sleep).
- Growth Gap: Most conspiracy channels are energetic and anxiety-inducing. A calming âbedtime storyâ approach to dark topics is unique.
Top Benchmark Videos
- Alien Bedtime Story: Fall Asleep to Bob Lazar & the UFO Secrets of Area 51 (308.6k views)
- Alien Bedtime Story: What Alien Secrets Are Hidden Inside Area 51? (156.3k views)
- Fall Asleep to the Roswell UFO Cover-Up: What Really Crashed in 1947? | Alien Bedtime Story (93.7k views)
Visual Venture (@VisualVenture)
| Subscribers | Efficiency | Avg Views | RPM Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.5M | 0.4x | 644.7k | $8 |
âLong-form documentary-style videos exploring dark and unsettling aspects of internet culture and true crime.â
- Winning Strategy: Strong branding and consistent high-quality production
- Growth Gap: This is a saturated niche with many successful faceless channels.
Top Benchmark Videos
- How the Internet Destroyed Generation Alpha (4.9M views)
- The Most Unsettling Banned YouTube Channels (4.5M views)
- How One Hack Exposed 37 Million Cheating Husbands (4.4M views)
Ancient History (@ancienthistory2025)
| Subscribers | Efficiency | Avg Views | RPM Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15.6k | 0.4x | 6.5k | $15 |
âShort to medium documentaries using a mix of stock footage and visual effects to tell stories of ancient civilizations.â
- Winning Strategy: Covers classic, evergreen educational topics.
- Growth Gap: Highly saturated. Requires unique angle or superior production to gain traction.
Top Benchmark Videos
- How Indo European Languages SPREAD? | Short DOCUMENTARY (19.4k views)
- How was France FORMED? | Clovis DOCUMENTARY (14.7k views)
- How Cleopatra CAUSED Roman Civil War? (3.0k views)
Zack D. Films (@zackdfilms)
| Subscribers | Efficiency | Avg Views | RPM Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25.3M | 0.2x | 5.8M | $10 |
âHigh-production video essays covering historical disasters, corporate failures, and true crime stories using a mix of stock footage and dynamic editing.â
- Winning Strategy: Massive viral potential and high production value.
- Growth Gap: While video essays exist, there are infinite obscure historical/corporate events to cover.
Top Benchmark Videos
- Ohioâs 1986 Balloon Disaster (13.1M views)
- The Pepsi Contest That Killed 5 People (11.1M views)
- Toyotaâs $2,300,000,000 Mistake (10.0M views)
Epic History (@EpichistoryTv)
| Subscribers | Efficiency | Avg Views | RPM Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.0M | 0.1x | 354.1k | $10 |
âHigh-production historical documentaries focusing on wars and empires, likely using a mix of stock footage, animations, and 3D visualizations.â
- Winning Strategy: High production value and narrative expertise.
- Growth Gap: This channel IS the standard for quality in this niche. Itâs hard to compete directly without a unique angle.
Top Benchmark Videos
- The Greatest General in History? Alexander the Great (All Parts) (27.0M views)
- World War 1 (All Parts) (20.7M views)
- History of Russia - Rurik to Revolution (16.9M views)
Jake Tran (@jaketran)
| Subscribers | Efficiency | Avg Views | RPM Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.9M | 0.1x | 173.6k | $15 |
âDeep-dive documentaries exposing corporate malpractice, government conspiracies, and economic issues. High-production stock footage and stock music.â
- Winning Strategy: Excellent storytelling and pacing.
- Growth Gap: Highly saturated market with established leaders.
Top Benchmark Videos
- The CIA s Plot to Assassinate Julian Assange (8.9M views)
- Nestl : The Most Evil Business in the World (7.0M views)
- BlackRock: The Company that Owns the World (4.1M views)
TheFlightChannel (@theflightchannel)
| Subscribers | Efficiency | Avg Views | RPM Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.5M | 0.1x | 134.1k | $6 |
âCinematic reenactments of flight disasters. Uses flight simulator footage, stock footage, and dramatic narration. High production value.â
- Winning Strategy: High retention content (danger and suspense).
- Growth Gap: High-quality cinematic crash reenactments are hard to produce, limiting competition. AI tools can now simulate these visuals cheaper.
Top Benchmark Videos
- Two Boeing 747s Collide on the Same Runway | Worst Air Crash in History (2.1M views)
- Worst Air Crash in 17 Years | Crashing Moments Before Landing (With Real Video) (2.0M views)
- All Engines Fail on Final Approach to London | Falling Fast (With Real Audio) (1.0M views)
Newsthink (@Newsthink)
| Subscribers | Efficiency | Avg Views | RPM Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.2M | 0.1x | 86.9k | $8 |
âDocumentary-style videos focusing on espionage, historical events, and scientific breakthroughs. Uses stock footage, archival clips, and narration.â
- Winning Strategy: Professional narration and strong storytelling.
- Growth Gap: Documentary format is popular and competitive.
Top Benchmark Videos
- One Mistake Took Down a 29-Yr-Old Dark Web Drug Lord (8.7M views)
- The Simple Question that Stumped Everyone Except Marilyn vos Savant (7.2M views)
- The Tragic Story of Nikola Tesla (6.2M views)
Historian Sleepy (@HistorianSleepy)
| Subscribers | Efficiency | Avg Views | RPM Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 189.0k | 0.1x | 13.5k | $8 |
âVery long-form (1.5-3 hours) deep dives into specific historical topics, often focusing on daily life and survival.â
- Winning Strategy: High upload consistency and dedication to a specific format.
- Growth Gap: While general history is saturated, the âextreme long-form background noiseâ sub-niche (for work/study/sleep) is growing and has less competition in specific topics like obscure diseases or ancient infrastructure.
Top Benchmark Videos
- Boring History For Sleep | Why You Wouldnât Survive a Day in the Wild West (620.2k views)
- How OPIUM Destroyed Chinaâs Greatest Empire (424.5k views)
- What It Was Like to Live with Victorian Social Rules | Boring History For Sleep (327.6k views)
Cold Survival (@ColdSurvival)
| Subscribers | Efficiency | Avg Views | RPM Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 42.1k | 0.1x | 2.6k | $20 |
âDocumentary-style videos narrating survival stories in extreme cold climates, using visuals of nature and dramatic reenactments.â
- Winning Strategy: Consistent theme and upload schedule.
- Growth Gap: Survival niche is well-covered, but specific geographic focus (Arctic) has room for more volume.
Top Benchmark Videos
- 5000kg Moose Hunt in 71 C Yakutia | Feeding an Entire Frozen Village (1.2M views)
- Widow on a 5 Meter Stilt Cabin Life in a Blizzard, Driving Off Wolves | Survival in Yakutia (1.1M views)
- 90-Year-Old Woman vs 1000 Wolves to Save Her Snow Sheep | Yakutia Survival (1.0M views)
Top Travel (@TopTravel_YT)
| Subscribers | Efficiency | Avg Views | RPM Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 367.0k | 0.0x | 15.2k | $3 |
âLong, cinematic travel documentaries with minimal speaking (mostly music and ambient sounds). Focus on scenic beauty and country overviews.â
- Winning Strategy: Visual appeal is high.
- Growth Gap: Heavily saturated with compilation channels.
Top Benchmark Videos
- WONDERS OF PLANET EARTH | Most Magnificent Places | Travel Documentary 4K (5.4M views)
- You Won t Believe This is The Netherlands | Unreal Beauty in 4K (5.3M views)
- Wonders of The Philippines | The Most Amazing Places in The Philippines | Travel Video 4K (3.6M views)
Green Dot Aviation (@GreenDotAviation)
| Subscribers | Efficiency | Avg Views | RPM Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 570.0k | 0.0x | 1.7k | $40 |
âMotivational and educational videos on trading psychology using generic stock footage (charts, money, people) and AI voiceover.â
- Winning Strategy: High RPM potential and evergreen topics.
- Growth Gap: Most trading channels focus on âhow toâ technical analysis. A channel focusing strictly on âpsychology and stoicism in tradingâ is underserved.
Top Benchmark Videos
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