Let’s get real—there’s nothing better than the thrill of a true-crime or cult documentary. Whether you’re an old pro at the sleuthing thing or just along for the crazy ride, these shows and movies get their hooks in you, make you question everything, and leave you with a lot to discuss long after the credits are done rolling. From spiritual cults gone bad to art world heists, here are 11 of the best true-crime and cult docs currently streaming.
1. Wild Wild Country
Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh and his disciples weren’t content merely to create a peaceful commune in rural Oregon—they were going to construct an entire city. What ensued was one of the strangest episodes in American history, with wholesale poisonings, political scandals, and a ruthless battle for power. This six-part Netflix series dissects how a utopian dream became a nightmare, with Ma Anand Sheela stealing every scene.
2. The Keepers
This chilling series revisits the decades-past unsolved homicide of Sister Cathy Cesnik, a cherished Baltimore nun and teacher. As the search for answers unfolds, it reveals a horrific pattern of abuse and cover-up within a major institution. What makes The Keepers most unforgettable is its concentration on the survivors—women who won’t allow the truth to remain buried.
3. This Is a Robbery: The World’s Biggest Art Heist
In 1990, two men posing as police officers entered Boston’s Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum and pulled off the heist of the century—$500 million in art stolen and not recovered. The four-episode Netflix series investigates how it was done, who did it, and why the artwork has never been found. Art enthusiasts and mystery buffs must watch.
4. The Family
What happens when a secretive Christian organization holds influence at the highest levels of U.S. government? Based on Jeff Sharlet’s investigative reporting, this eye-opening series examines how a quiet, behind-the-scenes religious group has shaped political discourse through events like the National Prayer Breakfast. The Family is a fascinating—and at times unsettling—look at faith and power.
5. Bad Vegan: Fame. Fraud. Fugitives.
Sarma Melngailis was the queen of New York’s vegan scene. Then she met a guy who would give her dog immortality—and everything else changed. This stranger-than-fiction tale of manipulation, money laundering, and an across-country manhunt will leave you wondering how even the brightest individuals can be made to do the bidding of someone else.
6. Bikram: Yogi, Guru, Predator
Bikram Choudhury made hot yoga a global phenomenon. But behind the glamour, his empire was founded on fear, domination, and—according to numerous lawsuits—sexual abuse. This incendiary documentary looks at how power and charisma are used within wellness communities to leave a legacy of trauma in their wake.
7. The Tinder Swindler
Shimon Hayut employed dating sites to live life in style, on the back of the women he deceived. The Tinder Swindler dissects how a single man constructed a deceitful web on continents, swindling millions through charisma and emotional manipulation. It’s a warning for the age of the internet, and one of Netflix’s most-watched documentaries for a good reason.
8. Making a Murderer
This influential series rewrote the rulebook on true-crime storytelling. It chronicles the life of Steven Avery, a Wisconsin native who was cleared after serving 18 years behind bars, only to find himself accused of murder shortly thereafter. Featuring hours of courtroom hearings and interviews, Making a Murderer is an emotional and frequently infuriating examination of the American justice system.
9. Tiger King
Quirky zoo owners, large cats, and a murder-for-hire scheme you couldn’t invent if you tried—Tiger King was the docu-series that swept the planet. Under the meme-worthy scenes and frenetic energy lies a narrative of fixation, ego, and the spectrum between passion and exploitation.
10. Life of Crime 1984–2020
Shot over almost four decades, this intimate trilogy tracks three individuals in Newark, New Jersey, as they move through addiction, incarceration, and ephemeral hope. The last part is a stark, unglamorized photograph of cycles that are difficult to escape and lives that are easily ignored. It’s an emotionally powerful examination of the human side of crime and survival.
11. My Octopus Teacher
Though not a crime movie, this Oscar-winning movie belongs on the list based on its emotional resonance and storytelling genius. Director Craig Foster forms an incredible connection with a wild octopus along the coast of South Africa and learns surprising things about trust, connection, and the vulnerability of life. It’s a subdued, compelling reminder that some of the most profound tales originate in nature.
Therefore, if you’re in the mood for a psychological exploration, a suspenseful mystery, or a cult tale that sounds like it sounds too outrageous to be real, these documentaries provide an up-close and personal view of the most intriguing tales real life has to tell.