25 True Crime Documentaries on Netflix That Are Too Scary for Primetime
All of the most thrilling movies and shows you can watch right now.
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There's nothing quite like the thrill of attempting to crack the code of an unsolved crime. That's why popular shows like Law & Order and Unsolved Mysteries exist, after all. But when it comes to crime stories (and well, life), the truth is the best place to start, which is why crime shows and movies based on the cold hard facts are always the most fascinating to watch.
And while you can get your true crime fix with thrilling podcasts like Serial and Dr. Death, nothing compares to watching a murder mystery, wrongful conviction, or bank heist unfold before your very eyes along with commentary from psychologists, lawyers, and the criminal's loved ones. The true crime documentaries on Netflix, while a heartbreaking and harrowing reality for the victim's family and friends, lean into the unknown. If you're brave enough to handle the truth, take a look at the best true crime documentaries, movies, and documentaries to add to your Netflix queue.
American Murder: The Family Next Door
One day, they looked the perfect family of four. The next? Shanann Watts and her two children mysteriously disappeared, and her husband Chris confessed to the killings. The hour-and-a-half documentary takes a closer look at the case, answering the questions that have haunted many people for years.
RELATED: The True Story of Chris Watts and His Wife and Daughters' Murders
Trial By Media
Take a closer look at how six of the most dramatic trials in history — the subway vigilante, The Jenny Jones Show murderer, and more — were talked about in the press. The cases themselves are harrowing, but the way they were presented to the public may have added fuel to the fire.
Murder to Mercy: The Cyntoia Brown Story
In 2004, Cyntoia Brown killed Johnny Allen as an act of self-defense. The court didn't see it that way, though: She went on to serve 15 years of a life sentence for convictions of aggravated robbery and first-degree murder. The documentary follows her road to clemency, which was supported by celebrities like Kim Kardashian West and Rihanna.
Killer Inside: The Mind of Aaron Hernandez
Everything changed for the former New England Patriots player when he was investigated and charged for murder. This three-part documentary uses court room footage, phone calls, and interviews to show how Aaron Hernandez went from a star athlete to a convicted killer, who ultimately died in prison.
The Confession Killer
Henry Lee Lucas was sentenced to life in prison after being convicted of 11 homicides. The weird part? Leading up the conviction, he confessed to hundreds of murders that he didn't actually commit. Because of his cooperation, he was given preferential treatment by the authorities ... until he was caught red-handed.
Don't F**k With Cats: Hunting an Internet Killer
Meet Luka Magnotta, who shared videos of the ways he harmed and killed animals online for the world to see. After stumbling on the videos, a group of online sleuths launched a manhunt to find him and bring him to justice. Only once they started digging, they find he is responsible for one of Canada’s most infamous crimes, the murder of Lin Jun.
The Staircase
After Michael Peterson's wife died in 2001, the novelist claimed she simply took a spill down the stairs — but the court didn't buy it. In this harrowing story, Peterson is put into question by legal experts, friends, and even his own children.
Abducted In Plain Sight
Every parent's worst nightmare came true for the Broberg family: Their close family friend Robert Berchtold kidnapped and brainwashed their 12-year-old daughter Jan. The story is told from Jan and her parent's perspectives, ultimately raising the question: Who can you trust?
The Keepers
What starts as a story about a Baltimore nun's mysterious murder turns into a larger story about the corruption within the Catholic church and local justice system. "It's harrowing and upsetting, and it will haunt you for a long time, which is part of what makes it necessary viewing," Vice writes.
Captive
The best true crime documentaries don't always focus on murder. Here's proof: Captive recounts the stories of kidnapping victims involved in high-stake hostage negotiations. The worst part? The victims are everyday people just like us.
The Disappearance of Madeleine McCann
Here's what happens when a beach vacation turns into a nightmare. When 3-year-old Madeleine McCann vanishes from her parent's hotel room in Portugal, police wonder if her own parents are to blame or if she was abducted and sold into sex trafficking. Both theories are equally terrifying.
Long Shot
What happens when you're arrested for a murder that you didn't commit? You find an alibi. In Juan Catalan's case, that meant proving that he was one of the 56,000 people cheering on the Dodgers at a baseball game.
RELATED: The Golden State Killer Brutally Murdered My Mother
Remastered: The Two Killings of Sam Cooke
Sam Cooke, the man who gave us classics like "What a Wonderful World" and "A Change Is Gonna Come" tragically died at 33. Initially, the singer's death was merely considered an act of self-defense, but years later fans wonder if it was a result of his involvement in the civil rights movement.
The Confession Tapes
Just because you think you nailed down a killer, doesn't mean the case goes away for good. In this eight-episode series, convicted murderers confess reveal that their confessions — ya know, the ones that convicted them in the first place — were coerced, in one way or another.
Casting JonBenét
When JonBenét Ramsey, a six-year-old beauty queen, was murdered in her own house, everyone was quick to point fingers at her parents. Then police ruled them out, claiming they found new DNA evidence to prove otherwise. More than two decades later, there's still no conclusion.
Amanda Knox
Even a college study abroad trip isn't off-limits. For Amanda Knox, a semester in Italy led to four years in prison, questionable murder charges, and intense media scrutiny. While many of us are familiar with this case, this Netflix original sheds a new light on Amanda's story with exclusive interviews and footage.
Confessions with a Killer: The Ted Bundy Tapes
Before you watch Zac Efron play the famous serial killer in Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil, and Vile, catch up on all 30 murders by Ted Bundy — in his victim's own words. This four-part series features never-before-seen footage and testimonies by women who escaped Bundy's wrath.
RELATED: Ted Bundy: Looking Back at the Killing Spree That Landed Him on Death Row
Strong Island
This murder case runs deep: In this Oscar-nominated documentary, filmmaker Yance Ford explores why his brother's murder turned into a prime example of racial injustice. The story, which is riddled with pain and grief, offers a unique perspective about the inequalities that are still prevalent in the justice system.
Making a Murderer
It's believed that the truth will set you free ... unless your name is Steven Avery. First, he served 18 years in prison for a crime he didn't commit. Just two years after he was exonerated, he became the prime suspect in the murder of a 25-year-old photographer. So, where does he stand now?
The Innocent Man
Based on John Grisham's book by the same name, this documentary gives a small town murder case the national spotlight. First, two locals were convicted of the murder of Debra Sue Carter. Then their guilt was put into question, leading police to clear all charges — just five days before one of the men was set to be executed.
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