The Best Crime Documentaries on Netflix
When it comes to the best crime documentaries on Netflix, we at Chasing Pixies have a penchant for stories that grip you from the get-go, much like a thrilling page-turner you can’t put down. These documentaries dive deep into the human psyche, unraveling crime stories that are as intriguing as they are unsettling. Here’s the thing: if you’re on the hunt for the best crime documentaries on Netflix, we’ve got you covered with our top picks.
1. The Program: Cons, Cults, and Kidnapping
Directed by Katherine Kubler, the 2024 docuseries The Program investigates the dark underbelly of the troubled teen industry. Kubler, alongside her former classmates from the Academy at Ivy Ridge, recounts the abusive conditions they endured at a facility masquerading as a boarding school. It’s akin to peeling back layers of an onion; the more you uncover, the more unsettling it becomes. Filmed on site at the abandoned Ivy Ridge school, several survivors discuss harrowing instances of violence and abuse.
We appreciate this documentary for shedding light on such a harrowing topic. It’s a documentary you wont soon forget especially when the current residents refuse to even acknowledge or discuss the school at all.
2. Into the Fire: The Lost Daughter
This poignant documentary follows Cathy Terkanian’s relentless search for her biological daughter, Aundria Bowman, who disappeared from her adoptive home in 1989. The film uncovers the grim reality behind Aundria’s disappearance, revealing the tragic circumstances that led to her death. It’s like piecing together a jigsaw puzzle, where each revelation brings both clarity and heartbreak.
We included this on our best crime documentaries on Netflix list because we were deeply moved by this story of a mother’s unwavering quest for truth. It’s also shocking how some women can be absolutely blinded to the horrific acts of their spouses.
3. American Nightmare
This gripping documentary follows the harrowing case of Denise Huskins, who was kidnapped from her home in Alameda, California, only to have authorities dismiss her case as a hoax. The kidnapping itself sounded so unbelievable. Huskins boyfriend who was drugged and tied up was accused of the crime and while police were focused on him, Denise was being transported to the Lake Tahoe area.
What unfolded was a shocking tale of police missteps, media frenzy, and a fight to clear her name. It’s the kind of story that makes you question everything—truth, justice, and how quickly victims can be ignored. We were glued to the screen, outraged by how easily her nightmare was brushed off as a lie and touched by the police work of one woman who believed Denise.
4. Dirty Pop: The Boy Band Scam
This documentary exposes the scandalous story of Lou Pearlman, the mastermind behind some of the biggest boy bands of the ’90s, and his elaborate Ponzi scheme that defrauded investors out of millions. It’s a tale of greed and deception set against the backdrop of pop music fame. Pearlman didn’t even have to go look for victimes, at one point hundreds of potential pop stars and their parents were reaching out so Lou could make their son or daugher a star. What they didn’t know was that his entire lifestyle was built on a lie and stolen money from investors.
With archival fottage and interviews with some of Pearlman’s closest confidants, this documentary is one of the best on Netflix. We were fascinated by how easily the allure of success can mask the truth.
5. American Murder: Gabby Petito
This documentary provides an intimate look into the tragic disappearance and murder of Gabby Petito. Through real footage and interviews, it paints a poignant picture of the events leading up to her death. The interviews with Gabby’s parents make this documentary a must watch. They detail how happy and bubbly their daughter was to embark on a new adventure and the freustration and horror when they realize that her boyfriend was the cause of her death.
American Murder: Gabby Petito is like watching the piecing together a scrapbook, where each element adds another layer to the story. This documentary particularly moving, as it humanizes the victim beyond the media coverage.
6. Murdaugh Murders: A Southern Scandal
At first glance, the Murdaugh family seemed like the epitome of Southern success—wealthy, well-connected, and deeply ingrained in their small-town South Carolina community. With generations of powerful attorneys in the family, they held influence over the local justice system for decades. But beneath that polished exterior was something much darker.
The Murdaugh sons, Paul and Buster, had reputations for cruelty, with Paul especially known for reckless behavior and entitlement. His involvement in a fatal boating accident put a spotlight on the family’s ability to manipulate the legal system in their favor. And then there’s Alex Murdaugh—the head of the family, a respected attorney, and, as it turned out, a master conman. He spent years skimming millions from his own law clients, betraying those who trusted him the most.
The real shock came when Alex was accused of orchestrating the murders of his wife, Maggie, and son, Paul, in what prosecutors argued was a desperate attempt to cover up his financial crimes. As investigators dug deeper, they uncovered a web of fraud, corruption, and unanswered questions surrounding multiple suspicious deaths connected to the Murdaughs. Even now, authorities are still untangling the full extent of Alex’s crimes, proving just how deeply the family had embedded themselves into the town’s power structure.
We at Chasing Pixies were hooked on this documentary, not just for the crime itself, but for how it exposed the illusion of power and privilege—and how quickly it can all unravel.
7. The Pharmacist
At its heart, The Pharmacist is a story of grief, justice, and one man’s fight against a system designed to look the other way. On the surface, Dan Schneider was just a small-town Louisiana pharmacist, living a quiet, respectable life. But when his son was tragically murdered in a drug-related shooting, Dan refused to let the case go cold—even when the police showed little interest in solving it. His relentless search for the truth led him to uncover something even more sinister: the beginnings of the opioid crisis, fueled by corrupt doctors and an unchecked pharmaceutical industry.
Dan’s investigation took him from the dangerous streets of New Orleans to the heart of a nationwide epidemic. He exposed a local pill mill run by a doctor who was carelessly handing out prescriptions for opioids, turning everyday people into addicts. But here’s the thing—his fight didn’t stop at just finding his son’s killer. His obsession with justice turned into a battle against an entire system profiting from addiction, a system that didn’t want to be challenged.
You will be blown away by how personal and emotional this documentary feels. It’s not just another crime story—it’s about how one determined father took on the odds and made a difference. And even though Dan was just one man, his actions helped expose a crisis that was spiraling out of control. It’s the kind of documentary that sticks with you long after the credits roll.
