Since 2020，network documentaries have developed by leaps and bounds，with a surge in quantity and steady improvement in quality. In general，network documentaries with realism as their main features have shown vigorous vitality and good development prospects. In terms of creation，network documentaries are abundant and diverse in themes and genres，and a large number of excellent works reflect life and record the times with diverse expressions and vivid audio-visual language；in terms of artistic dissemination，the trend of independence and mainstreaming is obvious，and audience interest and mainstream guidance develop side by side，and a great number of works have entered into the vision of international mainstream media. In terms of industry development，big video websites have become the main platform for the production and dissemination of network documentaries，and there are various ways of cooperation in the creation and production. Under the comprehensive effect of technology，media，arts，policy，market，users and other factors，the creation and production of network documentaries have shown new development trends：first of all，the production of works with high-quality development as the theme. Moreover，the aesthetic with youthfulness to guide the style and value trend. Last but not least，brand promotion to accelerate the realization of the value of the platform and promote industrial development.