See the best 15 true crime documentaries to watch on Netflix in 2022, including The Tinder Swindler, American Murder: The Family Next Door, and more.
There is a pull that many of us have toward true crime stories, be it via a podcast, vlog, book, or film. Several researchers have tried to understand what is behind the interest in this genre of media to no avail. If you find that this is your cup of tea, we have carefully curated 15 of the best true crime documentaries that you can watch on Netflix.
Best 15 true crime documentaries to watch on Netflix
#15 – Abducted in Plain Sight
Also known by the name Forever B, this is a true crime documentary film that tells the story of every parent’s worst nightmare. It is the story of how American singer, actress, and dancer Jan Broberg Felt was kidnapped on two occasions by her neighbor Robert Berchtold in the 1970s when she was 12 and 14. Although her mother wrote a book about her experience in 2003 titled Stolen Innocence: The Jan Broberg Story, the account was heavily redacted and hid several of the facts that the film later exposed.
#14 – My Lover My Killer
My Lover My Killer is a 2021 British true crime documentary series that tells the story of those who met their end at the hands of obsessive lovers. Its first season contains six episodes, and a second season is rumored to be on the way. Each episode is narrated by Will Hanrahan, a producer and director, as well as Tony Kent, a barrister and author. There are also inputs from detectives, psychologists, criminologists, lawyers, and people close to the victims.
#13 – Unsolved Mysteries
This Netflix series has two volumes of six episodes each and details mysteries that have stumped the authorities for many years. The selection of stories is random and does not follow a timeline. For example, there is an episode on the residents of Berkshires County, who claim to have encountered a UFO in 1969, and another one about 2011 Japan Tsunami survivors who claimed to have come across something supernatural. Also, there are several other episodes about unsolved crimes that have little or no leads after decades.
#12 – The Tinder Swindler
The Tinder Swindler <span data-preserver-spaces=”true”>had true crime fans by the jugular when it aired in February 2022. If you missed it, you could still catch it on Netflix. It is the story of the Israeli conman Simon Leviev who used the dating app to connect with women, emotionally manipulate them into taking loans to support his lavish lifestyle, and then move on to his next victim with the proceeds from the previous scam and the same format.
#11 – Our Father
Our Father is another popular Netflix true crime documentary series. It explores a former Indianapolis-based fertility doctor and felon known as Donald Cline. His crime was impregnating dozens of patients who came to him for help without disclosing that he was donating his own sperm. He was convicted in 2017 but committed the crime between 1974 and 1987. As of 2022, he was alleged to be the biological father of 94 children!
#10 – World’s Most Wanted
Ever wondered who the world’s most wanted people are and what they have done? There is a docuseries on Netflix about them. In its first season, it explores five of these wanted people, namely: Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada Garcia: The Head of the Sinaloa Cartel, Félicien Kabuga: The Financer of the Genocide in Rwanda, Samantha Lewthwaite: The White Widow, Semion Mogilevich: The Russian Mafia Boss, and Matteo Messina Denaro: Cosa Nostra’s Last Godfather.
#9 – Surviving R. Kelly
A two-part documentary on the abuse allegations against convicted American singer R. Kelly is on Netflix. It has a total of 11 episodes and musicians Chance the Rapper, John Legend, and Stephanie “Sparkle” Edwards appeared in the documentary. The documentary motivated several musicians who previously worked with him on projects, including Lady Gaga and Ciara, to openly condemn and remove their works with him from streaming services. Two years after the second part aired, the singer was sentenced to 30 years.
#8 – When Missing Turns to Murder
When Missing Turns to Murder is a series that explores true stories in a documentary style featuring testimonies from family, friends, and loved ones of missing persons who find out that the case has turned into a murder investigation. The cases are all based in the UK, and each of the ten episodes bears the name of the victims and includes narration by actor Shaun Dooley.
