71 Compelling Crime Documentaries

In Michoacán, Mexico, Dr. Jose Mireles, a respected local doctor known as "El Doctor," leads a popular movement against the Knights Templar, a brutal drug cartel that has plagued the area for years. Simultaneously, in Arizona's Altar Valley – a…

For years, a father relentlessly pursues the person responsible for his daughter's death, spanning both France and Germany. His quest for justice escalates as he considers increasingly drastic actions.

Aaron Swartz was a brilliant programmer and advocate for social change. He made significant contributions to online activism and open access to information. However, his efforts led to a complex legal battle, tragically culminating in his death at the age…

Alain Resnais's documentary offers a disturbing look at the worst of human history, detailing the shocking events within Adolf Hitler's concentration camps. The film highlights the strength and bravery of those who survived, while also exposing the brutal conditions and…

In 2010, Lonnie Franklin Jr. Was arrested in South Central Los Angeles, suspected of murdering several young black women. Police considered it a major breakthrough after two decades of investigation. Four years later, documentary filmmaker Nick Broomfield returned to the…

In 2005, 20-year-old Ryan Ferguson was wrongly convicted and sentenced to 40 years in prison. *Dream Killer* chronicles his father Bill's decade-long fight to prove Ryan's innocence. The film features a cast of memorable characters, including District Attorney Kevin Crane,…

After a 5-year-old girl falls from her father's apartment, her mother seeks justice and becomes the focus of national attention.

This film examines the interrogation methods employed by the United States in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Guantanamo Bay, with a central focus on the case of an Afghan taxi driver who was tortured and killed in 2002.

A close-knit community is shattered by the horrific murder of three children, leading to a desperate search for the killers. The investigation zeroes in on three young men known for their unconventional ways. Though no direct evidence connects them to…

We don't know when or how we will die. Death Row inmates do. Werner Herzog engages in conversations with people serving life sentences, exploring their perspectives on life, death, and the events that led them to prison. He delves into…

Documentary filmmaker Amy Berg examines the life of Father Oliver O'Grady, a 30-year-old pedophile. The film reveals the corruption within the Catholic Church that enabled his abuse of numerous children. Through victims' accounts and a revealing interview with O'Grady himself,…

In the summer of 2007, the Petit family's peaceful life in Cheshire, Connecticut, was shattered when two ex-convicts, Steven Hayes and Joshua Komisarjevsky, broke into their home. The intruders attacked Dr. William Petit, his wife Jennifer, and their daughters Michaela…

This film revisits the 1994 murders of three eight-year-old boys in Arkansas and the subsequent trial of three teenagers convicted of the crime. A follow-up to *Paradise Lost*, *Revelations* includes new interviews with the convicted men, as well as with…

In 1994, a 13-year-old boy vanished from his home in San Antonio, Texas. Three and a half years later, he's discovered alive in a Spanish village, recounting a harrowing tale of kidnapping and torture. His family rejoices at his return.…

This documentary is a powerful investigation into the widespread issue of sexual assault within the U.S. Military. It examines the systems that enable and conceal these crimes, and explores the devastating impact on individuals and society as a whole.

This documentary presents previously unseen footage offering a stark examination of the Peoples Temple, led by Jim Jones. In 1978, Jones guided over 900 followers to Guyana, where he commanded a mass suicide using poisoned drink.

Documentary filmmakers claim Anthony Porter, a man who avoided the death penalty due to a college journalism program's intervention, was in fact guilty. The film argues that an innocent person was wrongly imprisoned.

Following her daughter's death at the hands of her boyfriend, Marisela Escobedo launched a campaign for justice. Her fight extended not only to the man who killed her daughter, but also to expose the corruption within the Mexican legal system.

This is a biography of Manuel Buendía (1926-1984), a renowned Mexican journalist. It investigates the circumstances surrounding his murder and explores the connections between Mexican political power and the drug trade.

This film follows Noreen Gosch, a mother searching for answers thirty years after her son Johnny vanished. The story explores her journey through puzzling encounters and unsettling discoveries as she closes in on someone believed to be involved in his…

Known as "White Boy Rick," Richard Wershe Jr. Became a surprising figure in Detroit in 1987. At 17, he was arrested for a minor drug offense, but by then he was already a well-known local personality, frequently featured in the…

Tower uses archival footage and rotoscopic animation to tell the untold stories of those who witnessed, helped, or survived America's first mass school shooting. It shows how a terrible event sparked courage and compassion in many people.

This is a chilling contemporary story about an online monster and two 12-year-old girls willing to do anything for him. Their exploration of the internet plunges them into its darkest corners. The film questions how accountable children are for the…

This horror documentary explores the roots of our most frightening urban legends, examining the real-life events that may have sparked these stories.

Twenty-three years into a death sentence, a man convicted of murder requests execution. However, as his past is revealed, the truth about the case proves far more complicated than anyone imagined.

This film follows the powerful fight of several American mothers as they battle to rescue their middle-school daughters, who have been targeted by sex traffickers through Backpage.com, the former adult classifieds section of the Village Voice.

Michael Dowd was the most corrupt police officer in New York City's history. During the 1980s, while on duty in Brooklyn, he engaged in theft and drug dealing.

Confined to a prison cell, serial killer Dennis Nilsen recounts his life and gruesome crimes in a series of unsettling audio recordings he made while incarcerated.

Using previously unseen home video footage, this film details the increasingly paranoid decline of John E. Du Pont and the murder of Olympic wrestler Dave Schultz.

This documentary follows Alex as he struggles to piece together his life after losing his memory. He relies on his twin brother, Marcus, to reveal his history. However, Marcus is concealing a troubling family secret.

This documentary reveals the untold story of a desperate struggle for truth. Made by those who experienced it firsthand, the film offers unprecedented access to the defense's inner workings, showing the investigation, research, and appeals process in detail. It unveils…

A family becomes ensnared by the seemingly friendly neighbor, who ultimately kidnaps their teenage daughter. This terrifying ordeal happens not once, but twice.

This compelling documentary details the highly publicized trial, conviction, and later acquittal of Amanda Knox, a Seattle native, for the 2007 murder of a British student who was studying abroad in Italy.

This true story follows John McAfee, a former tech billionaire who experienced a series of extraordinary events. His life shifts from successful entrepreneur to secluded yogi in the jungle, echoing themes from Joseph Conrad's 'Heart of Darkness'. McAfee's story takes…

The sudden death of a young mother and the disappearance of her son reignite a long-hidden mystery surrounding the woman's past and the dangerous federal fugitive connected to her.

Wrongfully accused of murder, Juan Catalan fights to prove his innocence using compelling, previously unseen video footage he secretly recorded.

This film isn't about gun control. It explores the underlying anxieties of the United States and the 280 million Americans who can legally own a Uzi. Examining Columbine High School security footage, the home of NRA President Charlton Heston, a…

The 1995 bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City was the deadliest domestic terrorist attack in U.S. History. This film examines the events that led to the bombing, focusing on a series of violent confrontations between…

In 1989, five Black and Latino teenagers from Harlem were arrested and convicted of raping a white woman in New York City's Central Park. They served six to thirteen years in prison before a serial rapist confessed to the crime,…

This documentary examines three rape cases, focusing on the experiences of two American high school students, Audrie Pott and Daisy Coleman, who were 15 and 14 years old, respectively, when the assaults occurred. Following the attacks, both victims and their…

The conviction of 16-year-old Cyntoia Brown sparks debate about her history, her physical and psychological state, and the fairness of the justice system.

Robert May's film examines the story of a former judge who accepted bribes to sentence young people to prison, often for very minor offenses.

This film examines the response of the Newtown, Connecticut community following the devastating mass shooting at an elementary school – the deadliest school shooting in U.S. History. It details how the town rallied together in the wake of the tragedy.

This mystery explores the dark side of a seemingly perfect life. A mother and daughter's idyllic existence hides a disturbing reality, marked by child abuse, mental illness, and a forbidden love.

This film investigates the mysterious shooting death of soul legend Sam Cooke. A key figure in the Civil Rights Movement, Cooke's music powerfully inspired unity and change during a difficult time. The story carefully examines the events surrounding his death,…

This documentary uses real footage to explore the disappearance of Shanann Watts and her children, and the tragic events that unfolded afterward.

"The Death and Life of Marsha P. Johnson" is a documentary exploring the life of Marsha P. Johnson, a key activist in New York City's gay community since the Stonewall era. As a co-founder of S.T.A.R., she dedicated herself to…

Director Liz Garbus explores the perplexing story of Diane Schuler, seeking to uncover the circumstances behind a devastating event.

Filmmaker Marshall Curry examines the Earth Liberation Front, a radical group dedicated to disrupting facilities linked to deforestation. The film also profiles Daniel McGowan, an Oregon ELF member who faced terrorism charges due to his activism with the organization.

The murders of Tupac Shakur and Biggie Smalls, two of America's most infamous unsolved crimes, have fueled endless investigation, speculation, and conspiracy theories. "Murder Rap: Inside the Biggie and Tupac Murders" reveals the definitive story behind these sensational cases. Drawing…

This is the incredible true story of Kim Dotcom, the person the US government once labeled the "most wanted man online." His story is remarkable, but the legal fight he waged against the US government and the entertainment industry—all while…

Sandra Bland was an optimistic and engaged activist whose life ended tragically after a traffic stop led to her death in jail just three days later under unclear circumstances.

This film examines the aftermath of the release of three teenagers who spent nearly 20 years in prison for the murder of three young boys in Arkansas. New DNA evidence suggests they may be innocent, prompting a renewed look at…

Documentarian Errol Morris uses detailed re-enactments to explore the difficult events following the murder of a Dallas police officer. He reconstructs the crime scene and investigation to examine the complicated mix of truth, deception, and emotions involved in such a…

This Oscar-nominated documentary examines the devastating story of a middle-class American family fractured by accusations of child sexual abuse against the father, Arnold, and son, Jesse. Director Jarecki interviews individuals connected to the case, exploring the question of whether their…

This documentary chronicles the highly publicized trial of James 'Whitey' Bulger, a notorious gangster. The legal proceedings serve as a lens to examine claims of corruption within powerful law enforcement agencies. Academy Award-nominated director Joe Berlinger investigates Bulger's complex ties…

In 2001, medical resident Andrew Bagby is murdered shortly after ending his relationship with his girlfriend. Later, when she reveals she is pregnant, Andrew’s close friend Kurt Kuenne creates this film as a gift for the child.

This film explores a West Hollywood cult that emerged in the 1980s, led by a captivating teacher, and ultimately fell apart.

Documentarian Nick Broomfield returns to the story of Aileen Wuornos, the Florida woman convicted of murdering six men between 1989 and 1990. Broomfield interviews Wuornos as she becomes increasingly unstable, exploring the troubled mind of a woman the Florida authorities…

A look at allegations of sexual abuse against young people working in the film industry.

In September 2012, the quiet prairie town of Leith, North Dakota, is disrupted by the arrival of a solitary newcomer among its 24 residents. This new presence soon takes a threatening turn, unsettling the community. As tensions rise, the townspeople…

This film examines the 2017 USA gymnastics sexual abuse scandal, revealing a world where young women pursue athletic success on the global stage. It contrasts this ambition with a culture of abuse that has lasting, devastating consequences for those affected.

Two decades after a highly publicized child murder, the event's lasting effects and consequences are examined.

Two filmmakers discover that a childhood urban legend is actually true. They investigate the mystery of five missing children and the real person behind their disappearances.

A man investigates the true story behind Kitty Genovese's alleged murder. The event, where she was reportedly attacked in broad daylight with numerous witnesses present, cemented her image as a symbol of indifference in city life. He seeks to uncover…

A family reeling from the murder of their 24-year-old daughter, Crystal Theobald, crosses a dangerous line as they use social media to hunt down her killers. The pursuit of justice increasingly resembles revenge.

A con artist posing as a wealthy diamond mogul used online dating to trick women into sending him millions of dollars. Now, his victims are plotting to get their money back.

This documentary recounts the events of June 12th, 2000, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, when a young man hijacked bus 174, threatening to harm the passengers. The incident, broadcast live across Brazilian television, became a deeply disturbing portrayal of violence…

This film explores the numerous disappearances that have taken place in U.S. National Parks and Forests, as well as in other locations worldwide, spanning several decades. It's based on the book series by David Paulides.

This documentary explores the life of Lenny McLean, told through the perspective of his son, Jamie.

This documentary follows a carefree traveler as he unexpectedly gains widespread online fame, and the subsequent rapid decline that led to his incarceration.