75 Gripping True Crime Movies

This documentary film explores a unique experiment in communal living in 1970s Hollywood. The Source Family, initially admired for their unconventional lifestyle and spiritual leader Father Yod's 13 wives, eventually clashed with local authorities over their outsider ideals. This led…

This documentary examines the lingering questions surrounding the trial of Jessica Wongso, years after the death of her close friend, Mirna Salihin.

This is the true story of British backpacker Grace Millane and the investigation into her murder. It details the events surrounding her death and the subsequent pursuit of her killer. The film follows the process of how the perpetrator was…

In 2010, David Crowley, an Iraq veteran, filmmaker, and rising figure in fringe politics, started making his film *Gray State*. The movie is set in a near-future dystopia where the government abuses civil liberties. Its online trailer gained a strong…

This is the story of Glenn Summerford, a Pentecostal minister in the quiet town of Scottsboro, Alabama, who was accused of trying to kill his wife with a rattlesnake. The investigation and trial that followed deeply affected the people of…

This film examines the circumstances surrounding the devastating 2016 massacre in Piketon, Ohio, a tragedy that deeply affected the close-knit community.

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,…

This documentary investigates the unexplained deaths of three young Indigenous women in south-central Montana. It includes perspectives from their families, tribal leaders, law enforcement, and community advocates.

"The Turpin 13: Family Secrets Exposed," hosted and executive produced by Emmy and Peabody Award-winning journalist Soledad O'Brien, examines the story of the Turpin family. David and Louise Turpin, the parents, are accused of confining and neglecting their children within…

"The Toolbox Killer," Lawrence Bittaker, and his partner Roy Norris carried out horrific crimes. Bittaker kept silent about his offenses for four decades until he connected with criminologist Laura Brand. For five years, Brand documented their extensive conversations with Bittaker…

In July 2000, 21-year-old British woman Lucie Blackman disappears in Tokyo, triggering a major international investigation focused on finding answers. The search becomes a persistent pursuit of justice.

Five young women recount their experiences of being groomed by a gang over two decades, after surviving severe abuse and rape. The ongoing failures of law enforcement and social services are a central theme.

For over 15 years, a powerful man secretly filmed dozens of women bathing, undressing, and engaging in sexual activity for his own gratification. The victims' stories emerge as police notify them of the existence of these videos.

Following the shocking murder of Joanna Yeates on Christmas Day in 2010 in Bristol, an innocent man, Christopher Jefferies, becomes the focus of intense public attention. As police investigate, media frenzy erupts and Jefferies faces relentless scrutiny and unfounded accusations,…

In 2013, three women were found living in a flat in Brixton. They had been held there for decades by Aravindan Balakrishnan, a Maoist revolutionary who controlled them through psychological manipulation and stories about a malevolent, world-controlling machine he called…

"The Keddie Murders" is a 1981 unsolved case in which four people were murdered in Keddie, a former resort town in the Sierra Nevada mountains of Northern California.

Renowned journalist Gay Talese exposes a motel owner's decades-long habit of spying on his customers. However, Talese's revealing article quickly ignites controversy and becomes a major public scandal.

In South Carolina, Pastor Raimund Melz leads a small Christian group, using the Bible to defend harmful acts like child abuse. Documentarian Ondi Timoner follows one family who left the church intending to report Melz, and who later seek help…

This documentary follows the pursuit of serial killer Guy Georges, focusing on the efforts of two women: a police chief and the mother of one of his victims.

Journalist David Farrier discovers an odd online competition centered around tickling. His investigation uncovers strong opposition, but he persists in uncovering a story more unbelievable than reality itself.

This film follows people connected to the controversial 2008 trial of Wayne Bent, a man who claimed to be a messiah and was accused of abusing young girls. The story explores how both current and former members of his cult…

'Women's Night Out' is a student documentary directed and edited by Naomi Long that examines the safety precautions women take when going out at night, in a world where drink spiking is a serious problem. The film shares the unsettling…

Jerry, a typical immigrant father who retired in Orlando, is asked to work undercover for the Chinese police. His family films his experiences, but his three sons uncover a more troubling reality. This film blends true crime and spy thriller…

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 documentary examines the case of a former Miss Wyoming accused of kidnapping and holding a young Mormon missionary captive.

Nearly thirty years ago, fifteen-year-old African American twins, Dannette and Jeannette Millbrook, disappeared from the street. The case received little media coverage, and many have questioned whether it was thoroughly investigated.

"Seduced by Evil" explores the world of Derek Alldred, a highly intelligent and dangerous criminal. He targets vulnerable women, forming relationships with them only to deceive them with lies and drain their finances to fund his elaborate false life.

Journalist Rae de Leon journeys across the country to expose a disturbing trend: Young women reporting sexual assault to police are often met not with support, but with accusations of false reporting. This leads to arrests and imprisonment, leaving them…

This documentary examines the continuing investigation into Madeleine McCann's disappearance, as pursued by British newspaper The Sun. Using detailed research and interviews, the film reveals new evidence potentially linking the prime suspect to the case. It examines police procedures, witness…

William Watkins, CEO of Watkins Tech, introduces his latest invention to the public, but it comes with a dangerous price. After a disastrous debut, the Mitish Moardcasting Corporation creates a true crime documentary to investigate Watkins and his creation, The…

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.

At 22, Gail gave birth alone and left her newborn in the woods. Decades later, she is arrested for murder, despite insisting the baby was stillborn. This documentary examines the consequences when young women struggle to accept the reality of…

Dave Paulides, a former police detective, handles unusual missing persons cases in and around national parks. These aren't typical disappearances; the people who vanish seem to have simply ceased to exist, defying normal explanations.

Sean "Diddy" Combs, a prominent figure in hip-hop, faced serious legal trouble in September 2024 when a grand jury indicted him on a racketeering conspiracy. The charges included sex trafficking, forced labor, and bribery. With no bail offered, Combs now…

NCR: Not Criminally Responsible follows a young man who, suffering from psychosis, stabbed a stranger six times in a crowded shopping mall. Twelve years later, the victim, who survived, is deeply disturbed to discover the perpetrator is being released back…

This documentary follows a mechanic navigating the world of online dating. He connects with a woman whose romantic feelings quickly escalate into dangerous obsession.

This true-crime documentary follows a captivating figure who, during the 1990s in Seattle, orchestrates a remarkable series of bank robberies reminiscent of Hollywood films.

Ricky Kasso, an American teenager, killed his friend Gary Lauwers during the summer of 1984. The crime was allegedly committed as part of a "Satanic sacrifice."

Polk: The Trial of Philip Polkinghorne examines the trial of a well-known New Zealand eye surgeon who stands accused of murdering his wife, Pauline Hanna.

Serial killer Stephen Port used dating apps to find and select his victims. He then drugged, raped, and murdered them, disposing of their bodies on the streets of East London. This documentary includes exclusive interviews with people close to the…

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.

A person known online as the "Creeper Hunter" targets individuals suspected of sexual predation. They film confrontations with these people and share the videos publicly. This leads to a legal fight over whether their actions are justified.

This film examines the perplexing death of Gareth Williams, a GCHQ employee working with MI6. In August 2010, Williams was discovered deceased inside a locked duffel bag in the bathtub of his London apartment.

An 11-year-old boy in Connecticut exhibits signs of demonic possession, prompting renowned demonologists Ed and Lorraine Warren to determine an exorcism is necessary. The demons unleashed during the ritual become central to a particularly disturbing series of murders across the…

Five years after being groomed and abducted by her high school teacher, Elizabeth Thomas discusses her experience with fellow kidnapping survivor Elizabeth Smart.

The unexpected death of the young founder of a failing cryptocurrency exchange sparks suspicion among angry investors who believe his demise was not accidental.

This intense story centers on a woman in Alabama who must navigate the legal system after shooting a man. She claims he violently attacked her and intends to use the Stand Your Ground law to defend herself. The film examines…

In 1983, a child abuse case in a California beach town spiraled into a widespread frenzy, resembling a modern-day witch hunt.

This film tells two harrowing stories of young Black women who disappear, and the families fighting against a system that often fails them. Can they find their daughters with the support of the Black and Missing Foundation?

In 1986, Gary Heidnik, posing as a pastor, kidnapped, tortured, and raped six women in Philadelphia, murdering two of them. The film recounts the experiences of two of the survivors detailing their ordeal at the hands of Heidnik.

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

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

The Dozier School for Boys in Florida was intended as a rehabilitation center for troubled youth. Instead, it became a place of lasting trauma and numerous unexplained deaths. Deadly Secrets follows forensic anthropologist Dr. Erin Kimmerle as she investigates these…

This film recounts the harrowing experiences of Michelle Knight and Gina DeJesus as they share their stories of captivity following their kidnapping.

This documentary offers an intimate look at Sean Combs' life before he became Puff Daddy and Diddy. Using previously unseen footage and accounts from those closest to him, it explores his upbringing, journey to fame, and recent legal troubles. The…

This documentary examines the devastating impact of a man's sexual abuse of multiple generations of his children and stepchildren.

Zeteo is a documentary film investigating the death of Shireen Abu Akleh, a Palestinian-American journalist killed in 2022 while reporting on Israeli forces in the West Bank. The film examines the investigation into her killing, highlighting the difficult relationship between…

In the Florida wilderness, the body of an unknown hiker is found, launching a search for answers. Authorities release a sketch seeking identification, but several hikers claim to have seen him, suggesting he deliberately hid his identity. His name remains…

THE MISSION chronicles the story of John Chau, an American Christian missionary who was killed while attempting to contact and convert a remote tribe of uncontacted indigenous people. Using exclusive interviews and archival footage, the film examines the complex issues…

In 2012, during a pre-season party in Steubenville, Ohio, a high school student was raped by members of the popular football team. The event revealed a wider culture of silence and acceptance. *Roll Red Roll* examines how peer pressure, denial,…

Two Finnish backpackers, needing money after arriving in Australia, take jobs as barmaids at the local pub in a remote mining town. They are the newest workers sent to serve customers.

Gerald Blanchard, a shrewd and successful criminal, reveals his methods in a shocking, firsthand account. An unlikely pair of detectives pursues him across the globe as he orchestrates increasingly complex heists, driven by a desire for recognition.

This documentary meticulously examines a chilling murder spree targeting young women in two Michigan university towns – Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti – during the late 1960s. As law enforcement struggles to find the perpetrator(s), the crimes deeply impact the communities…

In 1990s Arizona, a surprising rivalry emerges at the heart of the ecstasy trade. A British stockbroker clashes with the son of a powerful New York mobster. Illegal raves become the backdrop for a dangerous struggle to dominate the ecstasy…

Following a highly publicized football game where nationally ranked IMG Academy decisively defeated the lesser-known Bishop Sycamore, it is revealed that Bishop Sycamore's true nature is far different from what was presented.

This documentary chronicles the legal proceedings against Jennifer and James Crumbley, the parents of Ethan Crumbley, who committed the 2021 mass shooting at Oxford High School. It details their prosecution and their role in the tragic event.

This short documentary offers a concise look at the ministries of Bill Gothard and examines the impact his teachings have had on his followers.

Paul Denham, wrongly convicted of first-degree murder, battles the American justice system to prove his innocence.

Ruby Franke gained millions of followers as a popular "momfluencer," but behind the public image was a hidden crisis. After her son escaped and told a neighbor about abuse, police searched her home and rescued her children.

In July 2002, Johnny Johnson was arrested and charged with the abduction and murder of 6-year-old Cassandra Williamson in Valley Park, Missouri. The crime's impact continues to affect the community. During his capital murder trial, where questions of mental illness…

Driven by jealousy, heartbreak, and lies, the disappearance of 7-year-old Kyron Horman sparks suspicion against his stepmother. This hour-long special follows Kyron’s mother as she desperately seeks answers amidst a family story filled with unexpected twists.

This documentary examines the unraveling of a wealthy Connecticut family when their mother of five, Jennifer Dulos, vanishes. As the investigation unfolds, police focus on her husband, Fotis Dulos. Through the perspectives of those closest to Jennifer and Fotis, the…

This is the true story of Abby Hernandez, a 14-year-old freshman who disappeared while walking home from school in North Conway, New Hampshire. Her disappearance sparked the state's largest search effort, leaving her family, particularly her mother Zenya, investigators, and…

In Florida, a controversial service exists where parents can hire someone dressed as Wrinkles the Clown to frighten their children who are acting out.

Worldwide, violent incidents involving young people are on the rise. This documentary explores this troubling trend, looking at its causes and possible solutions. Interviews with experts, parents, teachers, and those affected offer a detailed view of societal pressures, personal challenges,…