It’s safe to proclaim that Netflix is the unofficial king of true crime documentaries. The streaming giant seems to churn out true crime documentaries on a regular basis, and quite remarkably, the majority of them have remained cinematic and fun, with twists and turns at every angle, mostly avoiding the trap of formulaic and contrived subject matter. We love a solid binge watch and nothing can keep us edge-of-your-seat entertained like a truly compelling true crime documentary. So order some junk food, grab a bottle of wine (or two), maybe round up a couple of friends—here are our top 15 picks for best true crime documentary on Neflix, based on uniqueness of storyline, narrative structure and cohesiveness and cinematic qualities like editing and cinematography.
Don’t Fuck With Cats: Hunting An Internet Killer
Director: Mark Lewis
No. of Episodes: 3
In this well-paced, entertaining three-part series, a twisted sociopath’s gruesome YouTube uploads cause a group of amateur internet sleuths to band together and hunt him down, inevitably leading them into a dark underworld.
Madoff: The Monster of Wall Street
Director: Joe Berlinger
No. of Episodes: 4
The four-part documentary details the rise and fall of financier Bernie Madoff, who created one of the largest Ponzi schemes in the history of the United States. It's an intriguing documentary about greed and power in America with some really dramatic results.
Worst Roommate Ever
Director: Domini Hofman
No. of Episodes: 5
Roommates with sinister and even violent intentions change the lives of their unsuspecting roommate-slash-victim into real-life horror stories.
Bad Vegan: Fame. Fraud. Fugitives
Director: Chris Smith
No. of Episodes: 4
After marrying a mysterious conman who claimed he could make her dog immortal, a celebrity chef/vegan restaurateur finds her life in shambles after she is coerced into stealing money from her own restaurant and going on the run.
Untold: The Girlfriend Who Didn’t Exist
Directors: Ryan Duffy and Tony Vainuku
No. of Episodes: 2
The film is the sixth installment in the nine-part Untold documentary film series. Its bizarre story follows the life of All-American Notre Dame football player Manti Te'o, particularlu how he was catfished online for years, a move that ultimately threatened his career and legacy.
Evil Genius: The True Story of America's Most Diabolical Bank Heist
Directors: Barbara Schroeder and Trey Borzillieri
No. of Episodes: 4
Evil Genius is a 2018 true crime documentary series about the unorthodox death of Brian Wells, a high-profile 2003 incident often called the “collar bomb” or “pizza bomber” case. After his death, things become very weird.
The Keepers
Director: Ryan White
No. of Episodes: 7
An epic seven-part documentary series about the unsolved murder of Cathy Cesnik, a well-loved nun and Catholic high school teacher in Baltimore. After disappearing on November 7, 1969, Cesnik's body was found nearly two months later—but to this day, the killer remains unnamed. The Keepers is investigative, riveting and sheds light about abuses within the Catholic Church.
Wild, Wild Country
Directors: Maclain Way and Chapman Way
No. of Episodes: 6
When a radical guru constructs a “utopian” town in Oregon, it results in heated conflict with local ranchers. The well-researched docuseries documents the conflict, which led to the first bioterror attack in the United States and an enormous case of illegal wiretapping.
The Most Hated Man On The Internet
Director: Rob Miller
No. of Episodes: 3
The story of one woman's mission against the self-proclaimed “King of Revenge Porn” after lewd photos of her daughter appear online. We can attest: Hunter Moore is truly a hate-able villain.
Fyre Festival: The Greatest Party That Never Happened
Director: Chris Smith
No. of Episodes: 1
An outlandish tale of fraud, the docuseries chronicles The Fyre Festival, a so-called luxury music experience on a private Caribbean island. The festival failed epically in the hands of its arrogant and greedy founder.
This Is A Robbery
Director: Colin Barnicle
No. of Episodes: 4
In the early 80s, two thieves steal millions of dollars-worth of art from Boston's Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in an epic gallery heist.
American Murder: The Family Next Door
Director: Jenny Popplewell
No. of Episodes: 1
A married man goes to shockingly grim lengths to start a new life and pursue his affair with an attractive coworker.
Tell Me Who I Am
Director: Ed Perkins
No. of Episodes: 1
In this remarkable tale, Englishman Alex loses his memory after a life-threatening motorcycle accident. He then relies on his twin Marcus to inform him about his past, but later discovers that Marcus is withholding a malevolent family secret.
The Tinder Swindler
Director: Felicity Morris
No. of Episodes: 1
A group of women who were the victims of a dating app join forces in an attempt to chase a conman down and bring him to justice.
The Hatchet Wielding Hitchhiker
Director: Colette Camden
No. of Episodes: 1
The true story of Caleb “Kai ” McGillvary, a homeless but likable nomad who, after rescuing a woman from a violent attack, became an overnight viral sensation garnering media demand and fans across the US. But eventually, Caleb reveals a darker side.
