18 Fascinating True Crime Documentaries You Can Watch On Netflix Right Now
Prepare to be fascinated.
1. Wild Wild Country
SUMMARY: The film follows the story of a controversial cult leader building a utopian community in the Oregon desert, which descended into a national scandal.
WATCH ON: Netflix worldwide
It made me change my mind a million times about who was in the wrong! It kept me at the edge of my seat thinking about the next move.
2. Aileen Wuornos: The Selling of a Serial Killer
SUMMARY: The documentary explores the troubled life of Aileen Wuornos, who was dubbed the world’s first female serial killer and ended up on death row.
WATCH ON: Netflix US, UK, Australia, Canada and more
You go through Aileen’s horrific childhood and how this trauma manifested into her violent behaviour. The ending is truly shocking.
3. Time: The Kalief Browder Story.
SUMMARY: The documentary examines the case of Kalief Browder, a teenager from the Bronx who spent three years in jail despite not being convicted of a crime.
WATCH ON: Netflix worldwide
Truly eye-opening. It really gives you a good idea of the mistreatment of people in American prisons, and sheds light on how truly twisted the Justice system is.
4. The Confession Tapes
SUMMARY: This documentary series investigates six cases in which people convicted of murder claim their confessions were either false, coerced or given involuntarily.
WATCH ON: Netflix worldwide
The first one was so crazy because I'm still, like, 75% convinced that the convicted are guilty, but also convinced that they did not receive a fair trial. Mostly the episodes prove that the police are not investigating all leads thoroughly.
5. Shadow of Truth
SUMMARY: This follows the 2006 murder case of Tair Rada, a 13-year-old girl from Israel who was found dead in a school bathroom, and the subsequent arrest and trial of a Ukranian immigrant who worked at the school.
WATCH ON: Netflix worldwide
Shadow of Truth was a really horrific story that everyone needs to see. If you think the American Justice system is messed up, just wait till you see the injustice in this miniseries.
6. The Witness
SUMMARY: Bill Genovese attempts to search for the truth after his sister’s name became synonymous with "bystander apathy" in 1964, after 38 separate witnesses heard her being murdered – but did nothing to help.
WATCH ON: Netflix worldwide
7. Into the Abyss
SUMMARY: The film profiles Michael Perry — a man on death row for committing three murders — in the days before his execution. It also features interviews with the victims’ families and law enforcement officials.
WATCH ON: Netflix US and Canada
I don't even have words because it's truly an eye-opener.
8. The Fear of 13
SUMMARY: The film tells the twisting tale of Nick Yarris, a man who has spent over 20 years on death row for a murder he didn’t commit.
WATCH ON: Netflix US
It's beautifully made and an incredible story.
9. Casting JonBenet
SUMMARY: This documentary follows local actors from JonBenet Ramsey's hometown, who offer their perspectives and speculation on her 1996 murder as they audition to play roles in a dramatisation of the case.
WATCH ON: Netflix worldwide
It's such an interesting way to film a documentary. The case itself is so strange and confusing and there are so many layers to it, that even 20 years later, people still have so many questions and speculations about what happened.
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SUMMARY: The film follows the story of a controversial cult leader building a utopian community in the Oregon desert, which descended into a national scandal.
WATCH ON: Netflix worldwide
It made me change my mind a million times about who was in the wrong! It kept me at the edge of my seat thinking about the next move.
2. Aileen Wuornos: The Selling of a Serial Killer
SUMMARY: The documentary explores the troubled life of Aileen Wuornos, who was dubbed the world’s first female serial killer and ended up on death row.
WATCH ON: Netflix US, UK, Australia, Canada and more
You go through Aileen’s horrific childhood and how this trauma manifested into her violent behaviour. The ending is truly shocking.
3. Time: The Kalief Browder Story.
SUMMARY: The documentary examines the case of Kalief Browder, a teenager from the Bronx who spent three years in jail despite not being convicted of a crime.
WATCH ON: Netflix worldwide
Truly eye-opening. It really gives you a good idea of the mistreatment of people in American prisons, and sheds light on how truly twisted the Justice system is.
4. The Confession Tapes
SUMMARY: This documentary series investigates six cases in which people convicted of murder claim their confessions were either false, coerced or given involuntarily.
WATCH ON: Netflix worldwide
The first one was so crazy because I'm still, like, 75% convinced that the convicted are guilty, but also convinced that they did not receive a fair trial. Mostly the episodes prove that the police are not investigating all leads thoroughly.
5. Shadow of Truth
SUMMARY: This follows the 2006 murder case of Tair Rada, a 13-year-old girl from Israel who was found dead in a school bathroom, and the subsequent arrest and trial of a Ukranian immigrant who worked at the school.
WATCH ON: Netflix worldwide
Shadow of Truth was a really horrific story that everyone needs to see. If you think the American Justice system is messed up, just wait till you see the injustice in this miniseries.
6. The Witness
SUMMARY: Bill Genovese attempts to search for the truth after his sister’s name became synonymous with "bystander apathy" in 1964, after 38 separate witnesses heard her being murdered – but did nothing to help.
WATCH ON: Netflix worldwide
7. Into the Abyss
SUMMARY: The film profiles Michael Perry — a man on death row for committing three murders — in the days before his execution. It also features interviews with the victims’ families and law enforcement officials.
WATCH ON: Netflix US and Canada
I don't even have words because it's truly an eye-opener.
8. The Fear of 13
SUMMARY: The film tells the twisting tale of Nick Yarris, a man who has spent over 20 years on death row for a murder he didn’t commit.
WATCH ON: Netflix US
It's beautifully made and an incredible story.
9. Casting JonBenet
SUMMARY: This documentary follows local actors from JonBenet Ramsey's hometown, who offer their perspectives and speculation on her 1996 murder as they audition to play roles in a dramatisation of the case.
WATCH ON: Netflix worldwide
It's such an interesting way to film a documentary. The case itself is so strange and confusing and there are so many layers to it, that even 20 years later, people still have so many questions and speculations about what happened.
