The true crime genre has never been more popular than it is today, with a plethora of films, documentaries, books, and podcasts all dedicated to uncovering interesting, real-life stories about criminal activities. Many times, documentaries can actually be more impactful and intriguing than their fictional counterparts, with curated elements making way for more accurate, true-to-life sequences. Documentaries have a way of gripping the audience, knowing that usual Hollywood tropes may not apply, as in the real world, fact is often stranger than any fiction could be.
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Some of the best documentaries ever made, such as Paradise Lost: The Child Murders at Robin Hood Hills and Dear Zachary: A Letter to a Son About His Father, show the harrowing and cruel nature of humanity while also aiming to present a hopeful, meaningful message. These films present the facts in such a unique and meticulous way that the story unfolds with as much surprise and impact as the best thrillers. Rather than a series, these feature-length documentaries are made to be watched in one viewing, another element that creates such an immersive and profound experience.
10 Deliver Us From Evil (2014)
Directed By Amy J. Berg
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Deliver Us from Evil Not RatedDocumentaryCrime
Deliver Us from Evil (2006) is a documentary directed by Amy Berg that investigates the case of Catholic priest Oliver O’Grady, who sexually abused children for decades in Northern California. The film explores the systemic cover-up by the Church and examines the lasting impact on the victims and their families. Through interviews and archival footage, the documentary provides a sobering look at the consequences of institutional failure.
Director Amy Berg Release Date February 22, 2007 Writers Amy Berg Runtime 101 Minutes Main Genre Documentary
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Deliver Us from Evil is a disturbing yet brilliantly produced documentary by acclaimed filmmaker Amy J. Berg, detailing the life of Catholic Priest Oliver O’Grady, who admitted to molesting and raping 25 children. Father O’Grady committed his crimes in Northern California in the late 1970s before being arrested and found guilty of sexual abuse; he served just seven years in prison before being sent back to his homeland of Ireland. The documentary interviews O’Grady, other members of his Archdiocese, and survivors of his sadistic abuse that exposes the system that allowed him to get away with it for so long.
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As well as intense and harrowing interviews, Berg makes use of trial documents and deposition tapes of O’Grady to create a complete picture of his sadistic abuse. The film obviously spotlights O’Grady as a monster who preyed on the most vulnerable children under his care, but also at the institutional failings of the Catholic Church as a whole that lets cases like this happen all too often, with respects paid to the victim’s testimonies. Witnessing a first-hand account from O’Grady is a chilling premise and one that true crime fans will appreciate as a window into a genuinely disturbed individual.
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9 American Murder: The Family Next Door (2020)
Directed By Jenny Popplewell
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American Murder: The Family Next Door TV-MADocumentaryCrime
American Murder: The Family Next Door is a documentary that utilizes raw, firsthand footage to explore the chilling case of Shanann Watts and her children’s disappearance, delving into the tragic events that ensued following their vanishing.
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*Availability in US Director Jenny Popplewell Release Date September 30, 2020 Cast Nickole Atkinson , Jim Benemann , Luke Epple , Mark Jamieson , Nichol Kessinger , Marcelo Kopcow , Karen Leigh , Theresa Marchetta , Tom Mustin , Michael Rourke , Frank Rzucek , Frankie Rzucek , Sandi Rzucek , Bella Watts , Celeste Watts , Chris Watts , Cindy Watts , Ronnie Watts , Shanann Watts Runtime 83 minutes Expand
In one of the most shocking crimes in recent United States history, American Murder: The Family Next Doordetails the horrific murder of Shanann Watts and her two daughters by the girls’ father and her husband, Chris Watts. The crime shocked the nation, with Chris initially appearing on the news asking for his family to return home safely before his web of deceit and guilt came crashing down. Jenny Popplewell’s documentary masterfully explores the case from Shanann’s point of view, slowly unraveling the story and touching on sensitive topics like trauma, infidelity, and betrayal.
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The documentary is innovative in its visual and storytelling techniques, with the harrowing narrative being almost entirely told with social media posts, phone messages, home videos, and the bodycam footage of police officers at the scene. The film’s structure plays out almost like a murder mystery, with Chris’ involvement in the crimes not made clear until well into the story, which makes for an impactful and brutal revelation. Though the use of digital media is repetitive, the meticulous pacing and editing of every element in a truly heartbreaking case make it worth the watch.
8 Team Foxcatcher (2016)
Directed By Jon Greenhalgh
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Team Foxcatcher TV-14Documentary
Team Foxcatcher is a documentary that explores the events leading to the murder of Olympic wrestler Dave Schultz by John E. du Pont. Featuring unreleased home video footage, the film delves into du Pont’s increasingly erratic behavior and the impact on the wrestling community.
Director Jon Greenhalgh Release Date April 18, 2016 Cast Dave Schultz , Nancy Schultz , John E. du Pont , Dan Chaid , Mark Schultz , Valentin Yordanov Runtime 91 minutes
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Team Foxcatcher recounts the story of Olympic gold medalist wrestler Dave Schultz being murdered by reclusive and eccentric billionaire John du Pont. Creating a world-class wrestling facility and wanting to help Team USA, du Pont ensnares Dave to come and train and coach on his property, with the environment slowly descending into paranoia and violence. Jon Greenhalgh’s documentary does a fantastic job explaining the backstory of du Pont and highlighting the exceptional career that Schultz had before his run-in with the deranged heir to the du Pont family fortune.
One significant difference between the film and the documentary is the film features Dave’s brother, Mark Schultz, heavily throughout the storylines, and the documentary doesn’t reference him at all.
Team Foxcatcher was released just two years after the big-budget Hollywood thriller Foxcatcher – one of Channing Tatum’s best-ever films – and it mirrors many of the best elements of the film while stripping back some of the dramatized elements to create a more intimate portrayal. The documentary focuses more on the human side of both Schultz and du Pont, showing them as real, three-dimensional people and not just as ‘the wrestler’ and ‘the billionaire’. The raw footage and interviews of those involved are incredibly heart-wrenching, and it’s a gripping tale of a seemingly preventable tragedy.
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7 Abducted In Plain Sight (2017)
Directed By Skye Borgman
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Abducted In Plain Sight NRDocumentaryCrime
Abducted In Plain Sight is a documentary that delves into the harrowing true story of the Broberg family, whose daughter Jan was kidnapped twice by a trusted neighbor and family friend in the 1970s. The film explores themes of manipulation, betrayal, and the complexities of human relationships in small-town America, providing a detailed account of the psychological and emotional toll on the victim and her family.
Director Skye Borgman Release Date May 10, 2018 Studio(s) Top Knot Films Cast Jan Broberg , Mary Ann Broberg , Bob Broberg , Susan Broberg , Pete Welsh Runtime 91 Minutes Main Genre Documentary Expand
In one of the most jaw-dropping and, quite frankly, frustrating documentaries ever conceived, Skye Borgman’s Abducted in Plain Sight is a tale that is hard even to comprehend. The documentary tells the twisted and tragic story of Jan Broberg, an Idaho child who was abducted and abused twice by her older neighbor, Robert Berchtold, who was a friend of the family before, during, and after the first abduction. If that’s not unbelievable enough, the documentary goes in-depth, showing that Robert was able to lie and manipulate his way into a position of power over Jan, even after kidnapping her previously.
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Abducted In Plain Sight is one of the rare films that can make the viewer feel every emotion in such a short period, from bewilderment and shock to anger and despair and everything in between. The film provoked much outrage and venom at the family, who seemingly let a predator – a predator who admitted his actions – kidnap and abuse their young daughter multiple times while allowing themselves to still be manipulated. The film delves into many complex and disturbing themes, such as religion, religious guilt, pedophilia, and Stockholm syndrome, crafting a film that’s facts are genuinely stranger than any fiction.
6 Girl In The Picture (2022)
Directed By Skye Borgman
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Girl In The Picture RDocumentary
Girl In The Picture is a true-crime documentary that explores the mysterious circumstances surrounding a young girl’s life and subsequent death. Directed by Skye Borgman, the film delves into the intricate web of deception spun by her abductor and the efforts of law enforcement and investigative reporters to uncover the truth. The documentary is based on real events and features interviews, archival footage, and expert commentary.
Director Skye Borgman Release Date July 6, 2022 Studio(s) All3Media America , Top Knot Films , Main Event Media Cast Natalie De Vincentiis , Mark Chinnery , Sarah French , Dana Mackin , Meg Schimelpfenig Runtime 101 Minutes Main Genre Documentary Expand
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After the incredible success and popularity of her documentary Abducted In Plain Sight, American filmmaker Skye Borgman worked on and released another stellar documentary, Girl in the Picture, five years later. This time, Borgman goes to great lengths to uncover the tragic life and death of a young girl called Sharon Marshall, who was abducted and abused by fugitive Franklin Delano Floyd before mysteriously dying in a hit-and-run accident. The film unravels multiple layers of abuse, kidnapping, and violence, and with the help of interviews and footage from the archive, it pieces together Sharon’s life in great detail.
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The 10 Best Feature Length True Crime Documentaries: |
IMDb Rating: |
|---|---|
|
Deliver Us from Evil (2014) |
6.27/10 |
|
American Murder: The Family Next Door (2020) |
7.2/10 |
|
Team Foxcatcher (2016) |
7.2/10 |
|
Abducted in Plain Sight (2017) |
6.8/10 |
|
The Girl in the Picture (2022) |
7.3/10 |
|
13th (2006) |
8.2/10 |
|
Man on Wire (2008) |
7.7/10 |
|
Bowling for Columbine (2002) |
8.0/10 |
|
Paradise Lost: The Child Murders At Robin Hood Hills (1996) |
8.2/10 |
|
Dear Zachary: A Letter To A Son About His Father (2008) |
8.5/10 |
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Borgman was on a roll at this time in her career, crafting brilliant films one after the other and gaining a new perspective and skills that helped elevate her later works – with Girl in the Picture being no exception. The film was universally praised for its intricate storytelling, with masterful direction and pacing that sees the plot play out as captivatingly as any fictional work, not bound by the constraints of reality. The documentary, using interviews and archival footage, sews together Sharon’s life, painting a picture of her that, though hard to watch at times, is able to give her the justice and peace she deserves.
5 13th (2006)
Directed By Ava DuVernay
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10/10 13th tv-14Documentary
Written and directed by Ava DuVernay, with writing help from Spencer Averick, 13th is a documentary released in 2016 that takes an introspective look at race and incarceration. The film was created for release on Netflix.
Director Ava DuVernay Release Date October 7, 2016 Studio(s) Netflix Distributor(s) Netflix Writers Ava DuVernay Cast Stephen Colbert , Bryan Stevenson Runtime 100minutes Expand
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Nominated for an Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature, 13th is a fascinating and eye-opening film that puts a spotlight on America’s ‘prison industrial complex’ and the practice of mass incarceration and punishment. 13th refers to the Thirteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, wherein slavery is abolished except as a punishment for convicted criminals, with the film presenting viewpoints that oppose this practice. While not a typical ‘true crime’ story about a murder or violent crime, every aspect of this documentary is focused on highlighting the injustices and violations in the prison system and the law as a whole.
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Ava DuVernay’s documentary is a deep and fascinating analysis of the justice system in America that breaks it down into its most basic forms, allowing everybody to see it laid bare. It covers a whole host of incredibly complex and important themes like modern slavery, the disenfranchisement of Black Americans, and the injustice of the war on drugs that disproportionally affected communities of color. Though it’s not the first documentary to come to mind when true crime is mentioned, the criminal system and the systemic issues that it exposes are truly as frightening and sobering as any violent film.
4 Man On Wire (2008)
Directed By James Marsh
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Man on Wire PG-13DocumentaryBiographyCrimeHistoryThriller
Man on Wire is a documentary film released in 2008 that chronicles French tightrope walker Philippe Petit’s daring 1974 high-wire walk between the World Trade Center’s Twin Towers in New York City, showcasing a blend of artistry and risk that led to his eventual arrest.
Director James Marsh Release Date July 25, 2008 Writers Philippe Petit Cast Philippe Petit , Jean François Heckel , Jean-Louis Blondeau , Annie Allix , David Forman , Alan Welner Runtime 94 minutes Main Genre Documentary Expand
In another documentary that pushes the boundaries of the true crime genre, James Marsh’s Man on Wire is such a riveting and beautiful watch that it’s easy to forget a crime is even being committed. The film recounts the incredible true-to-life stunt in 1974 that saw daredevil Philippe Petit illegally high-wire tightrope walk between the two Twin Towers. The documentary provides a stunning combination of interviews of those involved and realistic reenactments that create a film deserving of its Academy Award victory.
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Man on Wire
has a 100% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 159 reviews.
Man on Wire is widely regarded as one of the best documentaries of all time, sweeping the ‘Big Four’ critic’s awards and also winning the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature. Though the film highlights a beautiful performance piece from a talented athlete and artist, it is still a film that almost celebrates the crime, with the first half of the film playing out like the most intricate heist film ever conceived. The meticulous plan and flawless execution, combined with some of the best cinematography and visuals of all time, create a suspenseful and ambitious story that simply must be watched.
3 Bowling For Columbine (2002)
Directed By Michael Moore
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Bowling for Columbine RDocumentaryDrama
Bowling for Columbine is a 2002 documentary by Michael Moore examining the factors contributing to gun violence in the United States. The film explores various cultural, societal, and historical elements, including the infamous Columbine High School shooting, to understand the nation’s complex relationship with firearms.
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*Availability in US Director Michael Moore Release Date October 9, 2002 Cast George H. W. Bush , Michael Moore , George W. Bush , Charlton Heston , Jacobo Árbenz , Mike Bradley , Dick Clark , Arthur A. Busch , Michael Caldwell , Richard Castaldo , Bill Clinton , Steve Davis , Ngo Dinh Diem , Mike Epstein , Joe Farmer , Matt Stone , Brooks Brown , Dick Herlan , Marilyn Manson , Chris Rock , Salvador Allende , Prince Andrew, Duke of York , King Charles III of the United Kingdom , Keanu Reeves , Adolf Hitler Runtime 120 minutes Expand
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Michael Moore is known in the filmmaking world as an innovator and a provocateur, and nowhere in his work is this more evident than in his incredible 2002 documentary, Bowling for Columbine. The film peels back the layers of the tragic Columbine High School massacre – from which the film derives its name – looking into what caused the perpetrators to commit the senseless act, the education system, and America’s relationship with gun violence as a whole. The documentary drives its point home, providing many memorable moments that created real-world change that make it one of the most influential documentaries ever.
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Another winner of the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature, Michael Moore’s incredible Bowling for Columbine is a rare combination of comedy, critical analysis, and social action in the wake of America’s worst school shooting. Moore has a confrontational style as he interviews both sides of the gun violence debate, including government officials and classmates of the shooters, creating a film that is a landmark in what documentaries can achieve. The film takes a specific event to provide a base for its larger political and social points, creating a stunning work that every true crime enthusiast should view.
2 Paradise Lost: The Child Murders At Robin Hood Hills (1996)
Directed By Joe Berlinger And Bruce Sinofsky
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Paradise Lost: The Child Murders at Robin Hood Hills TV-GBiographyDocumentaryDrama
Paradise Lost: The Child Murders at Robin Hood Hills is a documentary directed by Joe Berlinger and Bruce Sinofsky. The film investigates the 1993 murder of three boys in West Memphis, Arkansas, focusing on the trial and conviction of three teenagers, known as the West Memphis Three. The documentary delves into the community’s response and the legal proceedings, raising questions about the justice system and the true perpetrator of the crimes.
Director Sean Fine , Andrea Nix Fine Release Date October 21, 2013 Studio(s) HBO Documentary Films , Fine Films Distributor(s) HBO Cast Sam Berns Runtime 94 Minutes Main Genre Documentary Expand
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Rarely does a criminal documentary produce such groundbreaking work that it inspires a movement to free the alleged murderers from prison, but that is precisely the extent of the brilliance of Paradise Lost. Filmmakers Joe Berlinger and Bruce Sinofsky combine to create a documentary that investigates three outcasted teenagers from West Memphis as they are convicted and sentenced to life in prison for the brutal slayings of three young boys. The documentary expertly weaves interviews with the teenagers – now men – the victim’s families, activists, and more, which raises awareness of the horrendous crime and potential miscarriage of justice.
Paradise Lost: The Child Murders at Robin Hood Hills
was so popular it spawned two sequels – directed by Berlinger and Sinofsky –
Paradise Lost 2: Revelations
(2000) and
Paradise Lost 3: Purgatory
(2011) that follows the continuation of the case.
Paradise Lost: The Child Murders at Robin Hood Hillsis one of the most incredible documentaries of all time, crafting a unique and unflinching view of America’s flawed justice system. The filmmakers receive an unbelievable level of access to all elements of the case and the people involved, from the ‘West Memphis Three’ to officers and parents of both the victims and the ‘perpetrators.’ The film’s coverage of the sadistic murders, the trial, interviews, and the aftermath are all exceptional, with the visuals, score, and gripping story that join to create the most culturally significant documentary in history.
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1 Dear Zachary: A Letter To A Son About His Father (2008)
Directed By Kurt Kuenne
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Dear Zachary: A Letter to a Son About His Father Not RatedDocumentaryCrimeBiography
Dear Zachary: A Letter to a Son About His Father is a documentary directed by Kurt Kuenne that centers on the life and death of Dr. Andrew Bagby. The film serves as a poignant tribute and a message to Bagby’s son, chronicling the emotional journey of family and friends grappling with loss. This documentary combines personal narrative with a broader exploration of justice and tragedy.
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*Availability in US Director Kurt Kuenne Release Date October 31, 2008 Writers Kurt Kuenne Runtime 95 minutes Main Genre Documentary
Without doubt, the most somber and heart-breaking documentary – and film – of all time, Dear Zachary: A Letter to a Son About His Father, is as spectacular as it is impossibly sad. Filmmaker Kurt Kuenne uses various footage and interviews to create a beautiful cinematic tribute for Zachary, the son of his best friend, Andrew Baby, who was murdered by his ex-partner. The film takes as many shocking and unexpected turns as the best fictional thriller, with a heart-wrenching twist that makes it one of the most poignant films to ever be created.
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In genuinely one of the saddest films of all time, Dear Zachary: A Letter to a Son About His Father is a masterpiece in virtually every aspect of the film. The production, editing, filming, and direction are all masterful, with Kurt Kuenne showing poise and control beyond his years. The film’s story hooks the viewer from the very first second and takes them on a ride that they will never forget. Dear Zachary‘s narrative is nothing short of devastating, with all elements beautifully crafted to create an iconic one-of-a-kind piece of true crime cinema.
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