219 Essential True Crime Documentaries
219 titles
- 201
Uncovered: The McMartin Family TrialsMovie · 2019 · 87mIn 1983, a child abuse case in a California beach town spiraled into a widespread frenzy, resembling a modern-day witch hunt.IMDb 5.9TMDB 5.0 - 202
Dead AsleepMovie · 2021 · 82m · DocumentaryWas Randy Herman Jr. truly responsible for a brutal murder that occurred while he was asleep, or is it a carefully constructed deception? This film offers an exclusive look at the shocking details of the controversial case. Through interviews with Herman and his family, the defense and prosecution teams, journalists, forensic psychiatrists, and sleep disorder experts, the film explores the many twists and turns surrounding the crime.IMDb 5.8TMDB 6.1 - 203
Oklahoma CityMovie · 2017 · 101m · DocumentaryThe 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 American citizens and federal law enforcement, such as the standoffs at Ruby Ridge and Waco.IMDb 7.4TMDB 6.9 - 204
Scottsboro: An American TragedyMovie · 2000 · 90mIn 1931 Alabama, nine young Black men known as the "Scottsboro Boys" were arrested, tried, and swiftly convicted of raping two white women. Despite substantial evidence suggesting the women had falsely accused the men, and one later admitting no rape took place (revealing both had been with their boyfriends the day before), the conviction became a landmark case. It exposed the South's practice of "legal lynching," where Black people accused of crimes, particularly against white individuals, faced unjust trials and convictions.IMDb 7.5TMDB 8.2 - 205
Monster PreacherMovie · 2021In 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.IMDb 6.1TMDB 5.0 - 206
Motown Mafia: The Story of Eddie Jackson and Courtney BrownMovie · 2011 · 74mIn Detroit, Eddie "The Fat Man" Jackson and Courtney "The Field Marshal" Brown were considered top criminals. They were known as "Kingpins" during their time, and made over a million dollars monthly from heroin sales.IMDb 6.8 - 207
The Death and Life of Marsha P. JohnsonMovie · 2017 · 105m · Documentary"The Death and Life of Marsha P. Johnson" is a documentary exploring the life of Marsha P. Johnson, a key activist in New York City's gay community since the Stonewall era. As a co-founder of S.T.A.R., she dedicated herself to fighting for LGBTQ+ rights until her death in 1992. The NYPD initially ruled it a suicide, a verdict disputed by those who knew her. The film follows activist Victoria Cruz as she investigates the circumstances of Johnson's death while honoring her lasting impact on the fight for equality. It’s a compelling blend of mystery and social history, offering a thoughtful look at an iconic figure in the LGBTQ+ rights movement.IMDb 7.2TMDB 7.1 - 208
I Am EvidenceMovie · 2017 · 89mThe U.S. criminal justice system struggles with a large number of untested rape kits stored in police facilities nationwide. Currently, only eight states have laws mandating that these kits be tested.IMDb 7.6TMDB 6.4 - 209
The Thin Blue LineMovie · 1988 · 103m · Crime, DocumentaryDocumentarian 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 tragedy. Combining cinematic storytelling with investigative journalism, Morris creates a compelling narrative that reveals the human side of the story behind the news. The film examines themes of justice, trust, and loyalty, while also highlighting the difficulties faced by law enforcement today.IMDb 7.9TMDB 7.6 - 210
Roll Red RollMovie · 2019 · 80m · DocumentaryIn 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, sports culture, and social media contributed to the tragedy and the roles each played.IMDb 7.1TMDB 6.9 - 211
The Green River Killer: Mind of a MonsterMovie · 2020 · 85mIn the early 1980s, Washington state lived in terror as the bodies of young women were found along the Green River. As the number of victims increased, authorities formed a task force and brought in the FBI, but it took nearly two decades to apprehend the perpetrator. Using shocking and unsettling recordings of Gary Ridgway's police interviews, *The Green River Killer: Mind of a Monster* reveals, in his own words, the disturbing origins of his evil – tracing how childhood issues developed into a desire to kill as many women as possible.IMDb 7.3 - 212
The Inventor: Out for Blood in Silicon ValleyMovie · 2019 · 119m · DocumentaryElizabeth Holmes gained global attention as a promising young entrepreneur, likened to Steve Jobs, with her company's revolutionary blood testing technology. Her company's value soared to $10 billion, but it quickly collapsed. The story of Theranos reveals the psychological factors behind a major case of fraud.IMDb 7.2TMDB 7.0 - 213
Whitey: United States of America v. James J. BulgerMovie · 2014 · 107m · Crime, DocumentaryThis documentary chronicles the highly publicized trial of James 'Whitey' Bulger, a notorious gangster. The legal proceedings serve as a lens to examine claims of corruption within powerful law enforcement agencies. Academy Award-nominated director Joe Berlinger investigates Bulger's complex ties with the FBI and Department of Justice, revealing how these relationships enabled him to control a criminal organization in Boston for many years.IMDb 6.7TMDB 6.4 - 214
The House of SuhMovie · 2010 · 90m"The House of Suh" recounts the story of Andrew and his sister Catherine, exploring how their Korean immigrant family's values, conflicts, and dysfunction resulted in the murder of Robert O’Dubaine. Narrated by Andrew, the documentary examines themes of assimilation and the tension between personal freedom and familial responsibility, prompting questions about guilt, innocence, and the complexities of moral ambiguity.IMDb 6.9TMDB 6.8 - 215
The Iceman Confesses: Secrets of a Mafia HitmanMovie · 2001 · 43mRichard Kuklinski presented himself as a devoted husband and loving father, but he was also a ruthless killer. Ten years after a previous look inside his life, the convicted murderer, who openly admits to killing over 100 people, allows viewers a further glimpse into his chillingly calculating mind. This sequel to the 1992 film *The Iceman Tapes: Conversations with a Killer* offers new details about his work as one of the Mafia's most infamous assassins and reveals confessions related to several unsolved murders.IMDb 7.5TMDB 7.3 - 216
The WitnessMovie · 2015 · 86m · DocumentaryA man investigates the true story behind Kitty Genovese's alleged murder. The event, where she was reportedly attacked in broad daylight with numerous witnesses present, cemented her image as a symbol of indifference in city life. He seeks to uncover details about her life, often overlooked, and the circumstances surrounding her death.IMDb 7.0TMDB 6.6 - 217
My Friend RockefellerMovie · 2015 · 87mChristian Karl Gerhartsreiter built a life on lies and criminal acts, culminating in his most ambitious deception: posing as a Rockefeller. How did he manage to fool so many people, from all walks of life? The story begins in a small Bavarian town, moves to the most exclusive clubs on the American East Coast, and concludes in a Los Angeles courtroom.IMDb 6.2TMDB 6.4 - 218
He Named Me MalalaMovie · 2015 · 87m · DocumentaryThis film examines the circumstances surrounding the Taliban's attack on Pakistani schoolgirl Malala Yousafzai, who became an advocate for girls' education. It follows the events leading up to the attack and details the immediate aftermath, culminating in her address to the United Nations.IMDb 7.0TMDB 6.7 - 219
Golden State Killer : Main SuspectMovie · 2018 · 86mThis two-hour special, hosted by NBC News investigative journalist Stephanie Gosk, provides an intimate look at Joe DeAngelo, the suspect in custody. It features new, exclusive interviews with those who knew him, offering a compelling portrait of the prime suspect in a decades-long manhunt. To his family, friends, and former colleagues, DeAngelo appeared to be an ordinary man – a father, grandfather, veteran, and former police officer. He is now accused of being the Golden State Killer, responsible for a brutal crime spree that included the rape of over 45 women and the murder of at least 12 people. He faces 12 counts of first-degree murder and has not yet pleaded. Detective Paul Holes, who spent nearly 25 years searching for the Golden State Killer and was instrumental in DeAngelo's arrest, joins Gosk for the special.IMDb 6.2TMDB 6.4
