Ready for a binge session that will have you questioning everyone you know and keeping your doors locked tighter than ever? You’re in the right place.
Netflix has a treasure trove of true-crime documentaries that will have you on the edge of your seat, and possibly side-eyeing your best friend, because let’s be real, who are these people, really?
But don’t worry—we’re here to guide you through some of the most jaw-dropping cases out there.
So grab your popcorn (and maybe an extra lock for your front door), because here are 7 documentaries that will keep you hooked and make you feel like a detective—without the whole actual crime-solving thing.
1. Amanda Knox
Oh, Amanda. We’ll never forget how her name became synonymous with “mystery” and “international drama.”
This documentary chronicles the infamous case of Amanda Knox, the American student accused of murdering her roommate in Italy.
It’s filled with plot twists, courtroom drama, and the kind of misdirection that would make any Hollywood screenwriter proud.
Watching it, you’ll be on the edge of your seat, half convinced that Amanda is innocent and half wondering if she’s secretly the mastermind of a Netflix original series.
By the end, you’ll be questioning everyone around you—especially your best friend who might also have access to your Netflix password. Just saying.
2. American Murder: Laci Peterson
It’s the kind of story you wish you’d never heard. This documentary follows the shocking case of Chris Watts, the man who murdered his pregnant wife and two daughters in Colorado.
But what makes this one even more chilling is the footage of the family’s seemingly perfect life—until everything unravels.
The footage will make you think twice about the people you see every day. If you thought your neighbor’s 9-to-5 job and Instagram life were just “perfect,” prepare for a gut punch.
And after watching it, you might start side-eyeing the next guy you see jogging past your house. No one is safe.
3. American Nightmare
Get ready to watch a truly terrifying story unfold in this documentary about the Menendez brothers.
In case you missed it, these two siblings were convicted of murdering their parents in Beverly Hills in the ’90s, and it’s one of those cases that keeps you guessing—Did they do it? Was it self-defense?
It’s the kind of crime that you’d expect to see in an over-the-top soap opera, but no, it’s real.
This documentary digs deep into the Menendez brothers’ past, exploring their motives and the complicated nature of family dynamics.
After watching it, you’ll start looking at your siblings differently. Can you really trust them when the chips are down? Just a thought.
4. Cold Case: Who Killed JonBenét Ramsey
The JonBenét Ramsey case is one that everyone has an opinion on, but no one has cracked—until now?
In this documentary, Netflix takes another crack at solving the 1996 murder of the six-year-old beauty queen.
There are theories galore, and the film will have you doubting every single person involved—from her parents to her brother to the potential intruder.
You’ll find yourself googling cold case files, looking for the tiniest shred of evidence that could crack this case wide open.
And once it’s over? You’ll likely give your own family a good, long look, wondering if anyone’s hiding anything. I mean, who really ate the last slice of pizza, Karen?
5. Girl in the Picture
If you’re looking for a case that will make your jaw drop so far it almost touches the floor, this is the one.
Girl in the Picture is about the mysterious death of a young woman named Sharon Marshall, whose life—and death—held a web of secrets, lies, and shocking revelations.
As the documentary unfolds, it takes you on an emotional rollercoaster that’s equal parts heartbreaking and infuriating.
The twists will have you questioning how well you really know anyone in your life, and by the end, you might start wondering what secrets your friends are keeping—are they secretly living double lives, too? Is it too late to get a background check on everyone you know?
6. The Keepers
In this jaw-dropping documentary, we dive into the mysterious murder of Sister Cathy Cesnik, a beloved nun and high school teacher in Baltimore, and the horrific revelations that follow.
This one is part investigation, part emotional journey, as it uncovers the shocking secrets hidden beneath the surface of a religious institution.
It’s equal parts terrifying and inspiring as the survivors speak out and demand justice. But honestly?
After watching this, you’ll be questioning every single person you know who’s ever been involved in any group that “seems too good to be true.” Trust no one.
7. The Menendez Brothers
We already mentioned them, but we’re bringing them back for their own entry because, let’s face it, they deserve it.
These two brothers became infamous in the 1990s for the brutal murder of their parents. The twist? Their motives were complicated, and their upbringing was… well, let’s just say convoluted.
As you watch this one, you’ll be thrown into the complex world of wealth, privilege, and family secrets.
And if you’re lucky, you’ll emerge from it with your understanding of family dynamics completely reshaped.
But be careful: After watching this, you might give your parents an extra long hug—or at least check if they’re secretly hoarding any inherited wealth. No judgment.