Top 8 Netflix True Crime Docs According to Rotten Tomatoes
Rotten Tomatoes scores these the highest
Top 8 True Crime Documentaries to Watch on Netflix According to Rotten Tomatoes🎬🔍
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True crime documentaries have a way of gripping us like no other genre. They dive deep into chilling real-life mysteries, shocking cases, and the darkest corners of human nature. Whether it's an unsolved murder, a jaw-dropping fraud, or an incredible case of survival, Netflix has some of the most intense and thought-provoking documentaries based on true stories.
If you're a fan of suspense, legal twists, and shocking revelations, here are the 10 best true crime documentaries on Netflix, ranked by their Rotten Tomatoes scores. 🍅💯
1. The Keepers (2017) – 97% Rotten Tomatoes 🎭🔎
👉 A nun’s mysterious murder leads to dark secrets uncovered…
What it’s about:
This seven-part documentary follows the decades-old unsolved murder of Sister Catherine Cesnik, a beloved teacher from Baltimore. As former students investigate, they uncover horrifying abuse and a massive cover-up involving the Catholic Church. The deeper they dig, the darker the secrets get…
Why you should watch:
✔️ True investigative journalism 🎥
✔️ Chilling mystery with real-life twists
✔️ Shocking revelations about power and corruption
🔥 If you loved HBO’s “Spotlight” or Netflix’s “Making a Murderer,” this one’s a must-watch!
2. Wild Wild Country (2018) – 98% Rotten Tomatoes 🌎🛐
👉 A cult takes over a small town—then things turn deadly…
What it’s about:
A mystical guru, an army of devoted followers, and a town torn apart. This mind-blowing docuseries tells the story of Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh, who built a utopian commune in Oregon in the 1980s—until it turned into one of the most dangerous cults in America.
Why you should watch:
✔️ Crazy, real-life drama 😱
✔️ Jaw-dropping crimes, power struggles, and conspiracies
✔️ Explores faith, manipulation, and mass control
🔥 You won’t believe this actually happened!
3. The Staircase (2018) – 94% Rotten Tomatoes 🏠⚖️
👉 Did he really do it? The trial that divided a nation…
What it’s about:
When novelist Michael Peterson’s wife is found dead at the bottom of their staircase, he insists it was an accident. The prosecution thinks otherwise. What follows is one of the most controversial murder trials in history—complete with twists, betrayals, and one truly bizarre theory involving an owl. 🦉😳
Why you should watch:
✔️ Gripping courtroom drama 🎭
✔️ Unbelievable real-life plot twists
✔️ You’ll keep changing your mind about who's guilty!
🔥 Warning: This one will have you yelling at your screen!
4. Making a Murderer (2015) – 84% Rotten Tomatoes 🚔⚖️
👉 A man is freed after 18 years—only to be accused of another crime…
What it’s about:
Steven Avery spent 18 years in prison for a crime he didn’t commit—then, two years after being exonerated, he was arrested again for murder. This mind-blowing series explores corruption, wrongful convictions, and the flaws of the justice system.
Why you should watch:
✔️ A real-life crime thriller 🔥
✔️ Uncovers police corruption
✔️ You’ll be left questioning everything…
🔥 One of Netflix’s most famous true crime series!
5. Night Stalker: The Hunt for a Serial Killer (2021) – 71% Rotten Tomatoes🌃🩸
👉 One of the scariest serial killers in history…
What it’s about:
This terrifying documentary recounts the hunt for Richard Ramirez, the sadistic serial killer who terrorized Los Angeles in the 1980s. With no pattern, no motive, and a chilling love for the devil, he was one of the most notorious and elusive killers in history.
Why you should watch:
✔️ Real police footage & interviews 🚓
✔️ Terrifying and suspenseful 😨
✔️ A heart-pounding manhunt!
🔥 Not for the faint of heart!
6. Girl in the Picture (2022) – 96% Rotten Tomatoes 👩👧💔
👉 Who was she? And why was her identity erased?
What it’s about:
A young woman is found dead by the roadside—but when authorities try to uncover her identity, they realize nothing about her life was real. This haunting documentary explores kidnapping, brainwashing, and a decades-long cover-up.
Why you should watch:
✔️ Unbelievable but true 🧐
✔️ A deep dive into human evil
✔️ Heartbreaking and powerful
🔥 One of Netflix’s most haunting true crime stories!
7. American Nightmare (2024) – 96% Rotten Tomatoes 🏠💥
👉 A real-life horror story that turned into a media scandal…
What it’s about:
In 2015, Denise Huskins was kidnapped in the middle of the night—only for police to accuse her and her boyfriend of faking the crime. But when the real kidnapper struck again, the shocking truth was finally revealed.
Why you should watch:
✔️ A real-life psychological thriller
✔️ Exposes shocking police negligence 🚨
✔️ Unbelievably frustrating and gripping
🔥 You’ll be on the edge of your seat!
8. Murder Among the Mormons (2021) – 88% Rotten Tomatoes 📜💣
👉 Rare documents, religion, and deadly deception…
What it’s about:
Three deadly bombings rock Salt Lake City in 1985. The shocking truth? A master forger was behind it all. This docuseries unravels a bizarre case of fraud, religion, and murder.
Why you should watch:
✔️ A true story stranger than fiction
✔️ Fascinating look into deception
✔️ Explores faith vs. greed
🔥 Perfect for fans of investigative mysteries!
Which of these true crime documentaries will you watch first? 👀 Let us know in the comments! ⬇️