8 Best Crime Documentaries To Watch Right Now

You won't want to miss these crime documentaries. What's better is that they're all available to watch on Netflix right now too!

Crime documentaries are great to watch because unlike films with fictional plots and characters these biopics will teach you great lessons. While some aren’t fans of the graphic content that can be hard to process at times, it’s important that we educate ourselves on real-life happenings in this world we live in. These documentaries are important to allow the victim’s friends and family to gain some sort of justice by putting their story out there. Today, we’re listing off eight of the best ones to watch right now which are also all available on Netflix – your welcome.

1) The Confession Tapes

First up on the list of crime documentaries is this one which offers a super alternative and unique perspective. Instead of your typical watch that follows the story of the bad deed and the ‘whodunit’, this one looks at somewhat crooked cops who go to extremes (some of which are illegal) to force confessions out of suspects. The first case in this series will leave you absolutely flabbergasted.

2) Time: The Kalief Browder Story

The second of these crime documentaries will make you cry – I guarantee it. It’s a case of the American criminal justice system failing a Bronx teen, Kalief Browder, who spent three years in Rikers Island jail awaiting a trial for a crime he didn’t even commit. He tells the story of his solitary confinement after being arrested for allegedly stealing a backpack. With Rapper, Jay-Z’s support, the documentary was made to tell his story.

3) Interview with A Serial Killer

If you’re a fan of crime documentaries that tell the whole story start-to-finish in just one episode, this is the one for you. This one cuts straight to the point, showing a 1 to 1 interview with a convicted criminal, Arthur Shawcross, also known as the Genesee River Killer. To all viewers’ surprise, he shares extremely candid details of his crimes along with an interesting story of surprising family bonds.

4) The Disappearance of Madeleine McCann

If you haven’t already heard of this case, you’ve clearly been living under a rock. This global case has been ongoing for over a decade. This all-revealing series features day-to-day footage of interviews, appeals, press releases and updates over the years of the little English girl who disappeared from her bed on the evening of 3 May 2007 in a holiday apartment in Praia da Luz.

5) Dirty John

Now, depending on whether you’re a fan of remakes or factual documentaries, you’ll need to make a choice on which one to watch first. We recommend the actual documentary first rather than the new TV series because the story is told from the victims who suffered the crimes. This one is all about a doctor, John Meehan, and the complex life he lived before being imprisoned. Learn how his lies and psychological manipulation has consequences for an entire family.

6) The Ted Bundy Tapes

The news is already out that Zac Efron is to play Ted Bundy in the remake of this documentary which has caused all kinds of controversy but the good-looking actor is taking on the role to show that Ted Bundy was just that. His good looks lured in over 30 unfortunate women who were kidnapped, raped and killed by necrophile, Ted Bundy.

7) Abducted in Plain Sight

Here lies one of the craziest crime documentaries. While it might not contain a story of murder, it’s a story of deceit. Full of interviews with the victim, Jan Broberg, and her family, ‘Abducted in Plain Sight’ tells the story of a young child being abducted in the ’70s from a small church-going community in Idaho by a trusted neighbour and extremely close family friend. This is a must-watch for parents with young children especially!

8) Real Crime: Hannah’s Killer

Finally, last on this list of must-watch crime documentaries is a case all young people who enjoy socialising and going to events in the evening whether it’s a trip to the pub or a night out, should watch as a lesson to always be cautious of your surroundings and to never travel alone late in the dark. Following the story of Hannah Foster, told by investigators, journalists and her parents, this cruel abduction is a lesson to many.