52 True Crime Documentary Films

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.

For nearly two decades, Mesrine captivated France as its most notorious criminal, skillfully cultivating a public image while pursuing his own ambitions for fame. However, increasing paranoia and isolation drive him to a final, dramatic clash with the authorities, solidifying…

Adrienne Shelly was a prominent figure in independent cinema, known for her work with Hal Hartley and the acclaimed film *Waitress*. A dedicated mother, her life appeared stable until her husband discovered her deceased. Ever since, filmmaker Andy Ostroy has…

Seven months after her daughter's murder, Mildred Hayes takes a drastic step, posting three signs around town with a pointed message for Bill Willoughby, the respected police chief. The situation escalates when Officer Jason Dixon, the chief's subordinate and a…

On July 1, 1981, Los Angeles police responded to a distress call on Wonderland Avenue and found four people murdered. The subsequent police investigation revealed two conflicting accounts of what happened before the brutal killings, both implicating the famous porn…

This is the story of Dorothy Stratten, the celebrated "Playboy" model and actress, and the devastating circumstances surrounding her untimely death.

This is the true story of Kara Robinson, a 15-year-old girl who was kidnapped, assaulted, and held captive for 18 hours. While imprisoned in a serial killer's apartment, Kara meticulously plans a daring escape.

Emilia Fox and Professor David Wilson, Britain’s leading criminologist, offer a fresh perspective on the Jack the Ripper murders. They use modern technology to reconstruct the crime scenes, aiming to understand the extreme risks the killer took. Analyzing police records…

The film chronicles Valerie Solanas, a controversial figure of the 1960s who wrote the "SCUM" manifesto, advocating radical changes to societal gender roles. She also wrote a screenplay hoping to gain the attention of Andy Warhol, believing him to be…

In 2000, Illinois Governor George Ryan halted executions after students found evidence that 13 men on death row were innocent. This film documents the hearings held by a panel Ryan assembled to examine the issue. It includes interviews with activists,…

This is the true story of Aileen Wuornos, America's most infamous female serial killer. In 1989 and 1990, she embarked on a killing spree in Florida. But in 1976, a young and attractive Aileen arrived in Florida seeking a fresh…

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…

This is the story of Richard Wershe Jr., a teenager who worked as an undercover informant for the police in the 1980s. He was later arrested for drug trafficking and sentenced to life in prison.

Marion Crane, a real estate clerk who has stolen money and is trying to escape her past, arrives at the Bates Motel. The motel is run by Norman Bates, who is responsible for his mother's care while she is confined…

This is the true story of Jason Derek Brown, a charming con artist who finances his lavish life through a string of scams. FBI Special Agent Lance Leising is determined to bring Brown to justice. As Brown's money dwindles and…

After enduring years of abuse, a woman reaches a breaking point with her husband's violence. Finding no support from those around her, she takes a drastic action. One night, while he sleeps, she sets the bed on fire, trapping him…

This is the true story of Whitey Bulger, the brother of a state senator and South Boston's most notorious violent criminal. He secretly worked as an FBI informant to dismantle a Mafia family that was trying to take over his…

In the late 1980s, two detectives in rural South Korea struggle to solve a series of brutal rape and murders targeting young women, terrifying their community. Working with limited resources and old-fashioned techniques, they soon realize they are hunting the…

This documentary chronicles the discovery of a diary believed to have belonged to Jack the Ripper, the infamous serial killer.

After her daughter Shannan vanishes, Mari Gilbert becomes frustrated with the police response and begins her own search in the exclusive Long Island community where Shannan disappeared. Her investigation uncovers a disturbing pattern: over a dozen prostitutes have been murdered.

"Legends of the Unwired" is the first film to reveal the real people behind the characters in the HBO series "The Wire," which was inspired by the lives of Baltimore gangsters. In this DVD, Avon "Bodie" Barksdale, the real man…

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.

A U.S. Customs official discovers an extensive money laundering operation connected to Pablo Escobar.

In 1983, when her older brother Kenny is convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison, Betty Anne Waters, a Massachusetts wife and mother, begins an 18-year fight to prove his innocence. Certain Kenny is innocent, she pursues education,…

This film explores the true love story and unsolved murder of a highly publicized case in New York. Using newly discovered evidence, court documents, and theories, it delves into the details of this infamous crime.

In 1892 Massachusetts, Lizzie, a 32-year-old unmarried woman ostracized by society, is trapped by her father's harsh rule. The arrival of Bridget Sullivan, a young maid, offers Lizzie a connection and understanding. A hidden bond forms between them, leading to…

Based on true stories, a group of young people driven by a desire for fame uses the internet to locate celebrities and then breaks into their homes to steal.

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

A news crew travels to Burundi on assignment: to find and capture a legendary 25-foot crocodile. Their assignment becomes perilous when a warlord puts them in the crosshairs.

A young girl develops feelings for a married man who works at an auto body shop, and their relationship triggers significant and complicated events.

This film tells the story of Ted Bundy's crimes, as seen through the eyes of Elizabeth Kloepfer, his long-term girlfriend. For years, she struggled to accept the reality of his actions.

This true story follows John Wojtowicz and Salvatore Naturile, two men who attempt a bank robbery in Brooklyn as a rebellion against society. Their bold plan quickly turns into a tense hostage situation and standoff with police. As the film…

This is the true story of Richard Kuklinski, a notorious contract killer who lived a double life as a devoted family man.

An Alaska State Trooper teams up with a young woman who survived serial killer Robert Hansen to help find him. This story is based on true events.

This is the true story of Madalyn Murray O'Hair, a controversial figure who rose to prominence as a vocal atheist and activist. The film chronicles her journey, from her initial controversial rise to her unexpected death.

This is the true story of Gertrude Baniszewski, a suburban housewife in Indiana during the 1960s, who confined a teenage girl to the basement of her house.

Before stalking was widely recognized as a crime in North America, the story of Theresa Saldana captured the nation's attention. Arthur Jackson, a drifter from the U.K., travels to the U.S. Specifically to find Saldana. His disturbing plan is to…

The film tells the compelling story of Karen Silkwood, a committed worker in a plutonium processing plant. While uncovering serious safety violations and corporate cover-ups at her workplace, Karen becomes involved in a perilous situation with potentially devastating consequences. Karen's…

The brutal murders of three young children lead to a highly publicized trial for three teenagers on suspicion of committing the crimes as part of a satanic ritual.

This film examines the inner workings of Bernie Madoff's extensive Ponzi scheme, detailing its execution and the widespread devastation it caused. It follows the scheme's impact on those who invested and the consequences for Madoff's own family.

In 1972, a tight-knit group of thieves from Youngstown, Ohio plans to steal $30 million in illegally obtained money. Based on a true story of the largest bank heist in U.S. History.

Palermo, Sicily, 1980. Mafia boss Tommaso Buscetta plans a move to Brazil with his family to escape the escalating violence between rival factions within the criminal organization. However, after enduring a series of hardships upon his return to Italy, he…

This film is based on true events and tells the story of Paul Bernardo and Karla Homolka, Canada's most infamous serial killers. Together, they kidnap, sexually abuse, and murder three young girls.

Yolanda McClary, a leading forensic specialist and former Las Vegas crime investigator known for her DNA recovery expertise, dedicates herself to identifying unknown victims. Employing advanced forensic technology and DNA databases, Yolanda and her team of genealogists assist local authorities…

In early 1970s Hamburg, a serial killer terrorizes the city's population.

Tracy Thurman endured years of abuse from her husband, which continued even after she obtained a restraining order. Despite this, the police offered little protection. Following a brutal attack where he beat her severely and slashed her throat in front…

This is the story of Andre Stander, who went from being a police officer in South Africa to becoming a bank robber. It follows his life and the path he took to that criminal career.

As a child, Jeffrey Dahmer experiences challenges within his family. His adolescence marks a gradual shift, leading him increasingly toward the path of a serial killer.

This film explores the lives of two people haunted by difficult childhoods. Their unexpected romance deepens into a dangerous partnership. The story examines how society's interest in violence can elevate these troubled individuals to a strange kind of heroism. It…

H.H. Holmes constructed a terrifying castle filled with devices of death: torture chambers, acid vats, greased chutes, and gassing rooms. The film chronicles Holmes' life as a criminal mastermind, detailing his creation of this horrific place.

In 1989, prostitute Aileen Wuornos forms a relationship with a young woman named Selby. Hoping to improve her life, Aileen's lack of education leads her back to working on the streets. After being assaulted, she kills her attacker. This event…

This Lifetime Original Movie, Amanda Knox: Murder on Trial in Italy, draws from the real-life events surrounding the murder of British student Meredith Kercher. Hayden Panettiere and Marcia Gay Harden star in the film, based on the widely reported story…