92 True Crime Documentary Films

A neglected farm in rural Tennessee might be connected to several missing persons cases that have gone unsolved for more than four decades.

Norval Morrisseau was the first Indigenous Canadian artist to gain serious recognition in the art world, with his paintings fetching substantial prices. When Kevin Hearn of the Barenaked Ladies discovered his prized Morrisseau painting was a fake, he sued. However,…

This film chronicles the controversial 1978 police raid on the radical back-to-nature group MOVE in Philadelphia and the decades-long fight by a son to secure his parents' release. Using eyewitness accounts and archival footage, the film details the escalating tension…

"The Family I Had" tells the story of a mother who recounts how her gifted teenage son destroyed their perfect family with a single, shockingly violent act. The film follows the family as they struggle to rebuild their lives after…

Banksy is a world-famous graffiti artist whose art appears on walls worldwide, from New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina to the West Bank. He fiercely protects his anonymity to avoid legal trouble and has never been filmed. *Exit Through the Gift…

This disturbing documentary features former Indonesian death squad leaders performing dramatizations of their past mass killings, using different film styles. The reenactments create a confusing mix of reality and fiction, revealing the lasting effects of Indonesia's 1965-66 anti-communist violence and…

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 documentary examines the slow decline of American society throughout its history. Using a wealth of rare footage, it explores events that have contributed to this decline, including race riots and the rise of serial killers. The film presents a…

This documentary explores the 1999 London bombings that specifically targeted Black, Bangladeshi, and gay communities. It follows the search for the far-right individual responsible, who aimed to incite racial conflict within the city. The film details how those determined to…

Tulsa, Oklahoma was once known as the "oil capitol of the world" and home to "Black Wall Street," the most prosperous Black community in the U.S. In 1921, the KKK controlled the city, leading to the destruction of Black Wall…

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…

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,…

Three women reflect on their connections to Richard Ramirez, the convicted serial killer.

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.

He promised glamorous celebrities and luxury, but the reality was basic accommodations and simple food. This is the story of how one person's flawed planning led to a disastrous music festival.

Forty years ago, a brutal serial murder case gripped New York City, leaving a lasting scar. This film gathers the perspectives of those who lived through it: the survivors, the families of the victims, and the detectives who relentlessly pursued…

This film presents interviews with Josef Fritzl's family, including his daughter, medical professionals who treated her, and the seven children she bore during her 24-year captivity in a basement.

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…

Michael Moore returns to his signature focus: how powerful corporations negatively affect the daily lives of Americans – and, by extension, people everywhere.

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…

Out of Thin Air is a gripping crime drama set in the remote Icelandic landscape. The film investigates a real 1970s cold case: two men who vanished without explanation. Detectives struggle to piece together clues and navigate the complicated relationships…

Twenty-five years after the acquittal of officers involved in the Rodney King beating ignited widespread protests, violence, and looting in Los Angeles, *LA 92* uses powerful, previously unseen archival footage to transport audiences back to that turbulent time.

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 film explores the methods of Rick Singer, the central figure in the 2019 college admissions scandal, moving beyond the public attention to reveal how he convinced wealthy clients to illegally gain advantages in a system already favoring the elite.

The dangers of online openness are widely discussed, but this is the first experiment to truly illustrate the risks. A filmmaking couple hired actresses who appeared to be young girls to create fake online profiles. The actresses then interacted with…

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.

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.

Grief-stricken parents fight to clear their sons' names after the young men were killed in a drug war. The sons are wrongly accused of being armed assassins hired to kill.

"The Cove" recounts the remarkable true story of a dedicated team of filmmakers and freedivers who secretly entered a secluded cove in Japan to expose a disturbing and dangerous truth. Their startling findings revealed a much larger, more troubling reality.

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…

This is a disturbing story about Dr. Quincy Fortier, a fertility specialist in Las Vegas who helped countless couples start families. Years later, many of the children he assisted in conceiving discover through DNA and online genealogy that Dr. Fortier…

Dr. Dorothy Otnow Lewis, a psychiatrist deeply interested in the human brain's capacity for violence, has dedicated her career to understanding the minds of violent individuals. Her work brings her closer to developing a comprehensive theory of what drives people…

This film reveals the startling reality behind the 2008 economic crisis. The worldwide financial collapse, costing over $20 trillion, led to millions losing their homes and jobs. By thoroughly researching and interviewing key financial figures, politicians, and journalists, Inside Job…

In 2009, police found the bodies of eleven women in and around the house of a known sex offender. UNSEEN examines how this killing spree remained hidden for so long, with exclusive access to the few women who survived.

In the affluent districts of Mexico City, the Ochoa family operates a for-profit ambulance service, vying with other unregulated emergency medical teams for patients requiring immediate assistance. Within this fiercely competitive environment, they face the constant challenge of balancing their…

This is the unvarnished story of Christian Dawkins, who was convicted in a major criminal case involving college sports. It details a criminal operation that targeted college basketball programs, directing hundreds of thousands of dollars to influence student athletes' decisions…

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.

The discovery of a young, mentally challenged mother's body, brutally mutilated, sets off a chain of events leading to a shockingly unbelievable crime that remains unsolved. Filmmaker J. David Miles reveals, for the first time, the details of this case…

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.

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.

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.

Pug, a sharp-witted 13-year-old growing up on a tough Westside neighborhood, wants nothing more than to become part of The Twelve O'Clock Boys, Baltimore’s infamous urban dirt-bike gang. These riders, from across the city, take to the streets and challenge…

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…

In Casablanca, a group of filmmakers interview locals about their hopes for a new Moroccan film industry. When an accidental death occurs involving an employee and his boss, the filmmakers shift their attention to understanding the reasons behind the incident.

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…

This documentary film details the tragic Honour Killing of Banaz Mahmod, a young British Kurdish woman in London. She was murdered by her own family because she wanted to live her life on her own terms.

A woman arrives at a New York gallery carrying a collection of previously unseen masterpieces. This sets in motion a tale of ambition, deception, and a dangerous scheme within the art world.

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…

Thirty years after the racially charged murder of Yusuf Hawkins, a Black teenager by a group of young white men in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn, his family and friends look back on the devastating event and the ensuing struggle for justice. The…

This film follows the Indianapolis Star reporters who first exposed the abuse committed by USA Gymnastics doctor Larry Nassar, and features firsthand accounts from the gymnasts who survived his crimes.

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…

This documentary explores the stories of four individuals who have been widely believed to be DB Cooper. He hijacked a Boeing 727 from Seattle, jumped with a parachute carrying $200,000, and vanished into the forests of Washington State. His fate…

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 film explores the vibrant and unconventional nightlife scene in 1990s New York City. The former members of the notorious Club Kids share their personal stories from that time, leading up to Alig's release from prison.

During the 1980s, powerful Colombian drug lords brought a new level of violence to Miami, reminiscent of Chicago during Prohibition, and transformed the city. "Cocaine Cowboys" recounts the true story of Miami's rise to become the nation's center for drug…

Twenty years after Kurt Cobain's death, ruled a suicide by gunshot, the film explores alternative possibilities. While the official story suggests suicide, emerging evidence raises questions about the Seattle Police Department's swift conclusion and the role of misinformation spread by…

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

After entering the Saudi Arabian consulate in Istanbul, Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi vanishes. His fiancée and those who oppose the Saudi government then work to uncover the truth behind his brutal murder and expose a worldwide effort to conceal…

In 1999, the brutal murder of a teenage girl named Rocío Wanninkhof deeply affects her small Spanish town. Investigators struggle to solve the case, and suspicion focuses on Dolores Vázquez, Rocío's mother's former partner, a mysterious figure known locally. The…

Each year, roughly one thousand American police officers face arrest for misconduct or corruption, a problem deeply rooted in the history of policing in the United States. BLUE CODE OF SILENCE tells the true story of Detective Bob Leuci, a…

This film documents the dramatic ascent and subsequent downfall of Bikram Choudhury, the controversial figure who popularized hot yoga. It uses archival footage and detailed interviews with those close to him to tell his story.

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

This film investigates the truth surrounding the 1998 murder of Guatemalan Bishop Juan Gerardi. He was killed shortly after publishing a report holding the country's military responsible for wartime atrocities.

John Meehan built a dangerous pattern of manipulation, deceiving and betraying many people. This film reveals the events of his past that shaped him into someone capable of extreme cruelty. It explores John's troubled history, showing how it led to…

Journalists and fans are anticipating Ma Anand Sheela's return to India after many years, as the former spokesperson for the controversial Rajneesh commune embarks on an interview tour.

This film recounts the summer of 2003 at Baylor University, revealing the attempted cover-up and corruption at the heart of a highly unusual college sports scandal.

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…

The vaquita, the world’s smallest whale, is on the brink of extinction due to habitat destruction caused by Mexican cartels and the Chinese Mafia. These groups illegally harvest totoaba fish, known as the "cocaine of the sea," in a lucrative,…

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…

During a time of economic hardship in the 1980s, an inexpensive and potent drug appears, sparking widespread moral outrage and racial prejudice. This film examines the complicated story of crack cocaine's rise to prominence.

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,…

In 2013, Special Agent Tim Ballard left his job with Homeland Security after a decade of rescuing children from sex trafficking, both in the US and abroad. While proud that his country was actively addressing the issue, he grew frustrated…

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…

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.

In 1974, French high-wire artist Philippe Petit performed an illegal walk between the New York World Trade Center towers, then the tallest buildings in the world. He spent nearly an hour on a wire strung 1,350 feet above the city…

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

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.

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.

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.

In San Francisco, participants in an alternate reality game discover their involvement has unexpected and often disturbing repercussions. The film follows the players as they navigate this evolving art form, where reality and fiction blur, leading to unforeseen consequences. Exploring…

He is widely considered the most notorious serial killer of all time. He resided in a castle he transformed into a gruesome torture chamber, where he murdered approximately 200 people. Some believe he may even be Jack the Ripper.

This film examines the American prison system, revealing how it reflects the country's ongoing history of racial inequality.