The 17 Best True-Crime Documentaries to Watch in 2022
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Dedicated true-crime fans know there’s nothing like unwinding after a long, stressful day with a refreshing libation, a bowl of popcorn, and an entire marathon of...equally stressful and often v disturbing true-crime docs. Not everyone understands how watching a decades-long unsolved mystery can be relaxing. And you know what? That’s fair. But hey, that’s why this list of the best true-crime documentaries to watch in 2022 is only for the people who truly get the appeal of watching Dateline instead of going on, um, an actual date.
True crime as a genre has been around for decades, but it really picked up popularity in the ‘90s with high-profile cases like the O.J. Simpson and Lorena Bobbitt trials. More people were watching TV more than ever, realizing that life is often, in fact, much stranger than fiction. Network news had a tendency to cover the most sensational stories, catering to viewers' appetite for compelling true-crime cases.
When the big era of podcasts began in the 2010s, true crime went from being a somewhat niche interest to a mainstream obsession. And while there’s definitely a time and place for a quality podcast, the experience of cozying up with a good ol’ fashioned true-crime documentary just can’t be replaced. Good news: there are plenty of brand new true-crime documentaries available to watch in 2022, keep scrolling for the best ones to start streaming right now.
The Tinder Swindler
The outrageous story of The Tinder Swindler (a scammer who conned women out of millions) has already made for some interesting social media commentary, with viewers wondering how the swindler in question got away with it for so long.
The Mystery of Marilyn Monroe: The Unheard Tapes
While Ana de Armas's Blonde is getting a lot of notable buzz as a fictionalized account of Marilyn Monroe's life, Netflix is also offering up an actual documentary featuring interviews with people who really knew Marilyn IRL...and questions they have after her tragic early death.
Aftershock
Hulu delivered the story of a group of Black mothers who were entirely failed by the U.S. healthcare system, and it'll have you crying real tears.
The Most Hated Man on the Internet
This one's a doozy: It's about the story of Hunter Moore, a dude who started a site relying on stolen revenge porn photos. "Gross" is an understatement here.
Undercurrent
The murder of Swedish journalist Kim Wall dominated headlines back in 2017 after she boarded Peter Madsen's submarine for a story and was later killed, but even after Madsen was convicted and sentenced to life in prison for murdering Wall, there are still questions about the details of what happened.
Scream: The True Story
Fans of the Scream franchise will appreciate this documentary that explores the history of the real-life killer whose crimes influenced the 1996 movie.
We Need To Talk About Cosby
Many people are familiar with the downfall of Bill Cosby, but this four-part docuseries probes even further with insight from survivors.
Our Father
Here's another highly disturbing true-crime documentary from Netflix, this one about a '70s fertility doctor who used his own sperm on patients without their consent. The focus is on the adult children who have begun connecting the dots and finding each other years later, and it's quite a story.
Perfect World: A Deadly Game
In this two-part documentary, a group of gamers receives a series of disturbing messages from a friend who threatens to murder each of their family members one by one, and the gamers quickly realize this isn't a joke.
The Puppet Master: Hunting The Ultimate Conman
This three-part docuseries has it all: a fake British spy, a criminal conviction, and a decades-long saga.
BTK: Confessions of a Serial Killer
This four-part docuseries takes a closer look at the crimes of a notorious serial killer who is currently serving 10 consecutive life sentences.
Trust No One: The Hunt for the Crypto King
Even if your crypto knowledge is limited, you'll become engrossed with this true-crime doc that examines what happened when the young founder of a growing crypto company suddenly died.
Bad Vegan
Like The Tinder Swindler, another true-crime breakout hit for Netflix is Bad Vegan. This doc takes you on an epic journey involving a raw food empire, international jet-setting, and lots of unanswered questions.
The Photographer: Murder in Pinamar
The murder of photojournalist José Luis Cabezas in the summer of 1997 shocked Argentina. After a massive investigation and civilian protests, it was ultimately revealed that an organized crime network that involved the country's political and financial elite was behind it. If you're into untangling government secrets and shady dealings, this one's for you.
Worst Roommate Ever
If you're more into mini stories/literally just get bored easily, this series is for you. Worst Roommate Ever covers several stories of, well, truly awful roomies, with stories ranging from murder to fraud and squatting without paying for months on end.
Cheer
Yes, Cheer isn't exactly your typical true-crime doc, but the newest season reveals more information about the real-life sexual misconduct allegations against season 1 star Jerry Harris.
Inventing Anna
Inventing Anna is fictionalized account and *not* a documentary, but it dives into the real-life story of Anna Delvey, a NYC socialite who seemingly came out of nowhere and scammed her way into a life of luxury. The scripted series draws from The Cut's viral article *and* was created and produced by Shonda Rhimes, so you already know it's epic.
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