20 Haunting and Strange True Crime Documentaries
20 titles
- 1
Boy InterruptedMovie · 2009 · 92m · DocumentaryIn October 2005, fifteen-year-old Evan Perry tragically died after jumping from his bedroom window in New York City. This film, created by his parents, filmmakers Hart and Dana Perry, and those close to him, recounts Evan's life and his lifelong battle with bipolar disorder. It explores the complexities of his illness, documenting the family’s experience navigating the challenges of mental health. By portraying a family's journey through loss and grief, the film challenges stigmas surrounding mental illness and suicide, offering a deeply human story with universal resonance.IMDb 7.7TMDB 7.4 - 2
The BridgeMovie · 2006 · 93m · Documentary"The Bridge" is a challenging documentary film featuring footage of individuals choosing to end their lives by jumping from the Golden Gate Bridge, a location with a high rate of suicides. The film includes interviews with family members and friends of those who died, offering insights into their lives and struggles with mental health.IMDb 7.2TMDB 6.8 - 3
The Cannibal That Walked FreeMovie · 2007 · 47m"The Cannibal That Walked Free" (also known as "Cannibal Superstar") is a British documentary by Visual Voodoo for Channel Five. It offers direct access to explore the unusual psychology and notoriety of Japanese cannibal Issei Sagawa, who achieved a disturbing level of celebrity fame.IMDb 6.3TMDB 6.8 - 4
Paradise Lost 3: PurgatoryMovie · 2012 · 121m · Documentary, CrimeThis 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 the case.IMDb 8.0TMDB 7.4 - 5
Child of Rage: A Story of AbuseMovie · 1990 · 27mThis documentary follows six-year-old Beth Thomas, who has reactive attachment disorder stemming from childhood sexual abuse. The film features interviews with Beth, documenting her treatment and progress toward recovery at a specialized center for children.IMDb 7.2TMDB 7.2 - 6
Capturing the FriedmansMovie · 2003 · 107m · Documentary, CrimeThis 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 trials were just, given their claims of innocence and the lack of concrete evidence.IMDb 7.6TMDB 7.1 - 7
BlackfishMovie · 2013 · 83m · DocumentaryBlackfish examines the troubling effects of keeping highly intelligent and emotional animals like killer whales in captivity. The documentary focuses on Tilikum, a notorious orca who has been involved in the deaths of three people, including a trainer. It reveals the sometimes tragic consequences of this practice.IMDb 8.1TMDB 7.8 - 8
The CoveMovie · 2009 · 92m · Documentary"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.IMDb 8.4TMDB 7.9 - 9
In a Town This SizeMovie · 2011 · 71m"In A Town This Size" explores the hidden tragedy of childhood sexual abuse in an Oklahoma community. The film details how a respected former pediatrician, the perpetrator of these crimes, is finally held accountable. Through powerful first-person accounts from victims, their families, and professionals, the film reveals the enduring devastation caused by such abuse. Spanning the 1960s and 1970s to the present day, these personal stories are both heartbreaking and hopeful. "In A Town This Size" compels audiences to confront child sexual abuse as a critical social issue and advocates for changes to state statutes of limitations.IMDb 6.3TMDB 5.3 - 10
The Act of KillingMovie · 2012 · 117m · Documentary, HistoryThis 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 offering a glimpse into the minds of those who carried it out.IMDb 8.2TMDB 7.7 - 11
Dear Zachary: A Letter to a Son About His FatherMovie · 2008 · 94m · Documentary, CrimeIn 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.IMDb 8.5TMDB 8.1 - 12
CropseyMovie · 2009 · 84m · Crime, Documentary, MysteryTwo 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.IMDb 6.3TMDB 6.0 - 13
Albert Fish: In Sin He Found SalvationMovie · 2007 · 86mAlbert Fish is the chilling true story of an elderly man who preyed on children in 1930s New York City. He lured them to their deaths, enacting twisted fantasies inspired by distorted biblical stories. Fish viewed pain, torture, atonement, and suffering as literal concepts, using his victims for horrific acts of torture and sacrifice.IMDb 5.5TMDB 5.3 - 14
Jonestown: Paradise LostMovie · 2007 · 101m"Jonestown: Paradise Lost" documents the final days of the Peoples Temple and its leader, Jim Jones. Using firsthand accounts from witnesses and survivors, the film reconstructs the events of the week leading up to the mass murder-suicide on November 18, 1978.IMDb 7.1TMDB 6.8 - 15
The Cheshire MurdersMovie · 2013 · 115m · DocumentaryIn 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 and Hayley, holding them captive.
Over several hours, the invaders ransacked the house, brutally attacking the family. Jennifer and Hayley were murdered, and Michaela was raped and killed in a fire that engulfed the home.
The horrific events left the community reeling, forcing them to confront the fragility of safety and the depths of human cruelty. The story is a chilling reminder of the devastating impact of violence on a community and the enduring pain of unimaginable loss.IMDb 6.5TMDB 6.5 - 16
Grizzly ManMovie · 2005 · 103m · DocumentaryThis film chronicles the story of Timothy Treadwell, known as "Grizzly Man," and his thirteen summers spent living in a National Park in Alaska, dedicated to protecting grizzly bears. Through distinctive footage, the documentary offers an intimate look at a man who devoted his life to nature, ultimately sacrificing himself for it.IMDb 7.7TMDB 7.5 - 17
Paradise Lost 2: RevelationsMovie · 2000 · 130m · Documentary, CrimeThis 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 the original judge and police investigators involved in the case.IMDb 7.5TMDB 7.2 - 18
The Woman Who Wasn't ThereMovie · 2012 · 65m · DocumentaryTania Head was widely considered the quintessential 9/11 survivor, with a profoundly tragic story. However, the details of her experience were entirely fabricated.IMDb 6.8TMDB 6.7 - 19
There's Something Wrong with Aunt DianeMovie · 2011 · 97m · DocumentaryDirector Liz Garbus explores the perplexing story of Diane Schuler, seeking to uncover the circumstances behind a devastating event.IMDb 6.6TMDB 6.6 - 20
The ImposterMovie · 2012 · 99m · Documentary, Mystery, CrimeIn 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. However, everything isn't as it appears.IMDb 7.4TMDB 7.3
