The 10 Best True-Crime Documentaries of 2023

Whether it’s because people are fascinated by the macabre or because something about watching a real mystery unfold right in front of your eyes is exciting, true crime is a popular genre and is here to stay. In this blog, we’ll explore the most gripping and mysterious true crime documentaries of 2023. These 10 documentaries have captivated audiences worldwide, from shocking revelations to chilling mysteries.

1. ‘American Manhunt: The Boston Marathon Bombing’

April 15, 2023, marked 10 years since the Boston Marathon bombing, which killed three people and injured hundreds. “American Manhunt” examines the harrowing details of the event, including the chaos after the explosions, the extensive manhunt for the radicalized brothers responsible, and the deadly shootout that ensued.

2. ‘Death in the Dorms’

This six-part anthology series follows the true stories of college students who were murdered on campus. From a rideshare that never reached home to an apartment on fire full of sorority sisters, each episode is named after one of the victims and features testimony from the family, friends, and law enforcement.

3. ‘Jared From Subway: Catching a Monster’

This three-part docuseries follows the rise and fall of Jared Fogle, the Subway^® spokesperson who lost more than 200 pounds eating the chain’s sandwiches and was later convicted of sex crimes against children.

4. ‘Madoff: The Monster of Wall Street’

“Madoff: the Monster of Wall Street” examines the crimes of Bernie Madoff, the Wall Street financier who cheated thousands of clients out of nearly $65 billion in what would become known as the biggest Ponzi scheme to date.

5. ‘MH370: The Plane That Disappeared’

The world was baffled when Malaysian Airlines Flight 370 vanished into thin air shortly after takeoff in 2014. Almost 10 years later, none of the 239 crew and passengers have been found. This three-part docuseries examines three of the strongest theories surrounding this mystery.

6. ‘Murdaugh Murders: A Southern Scandal’

This popular docuseries explores the dark secrets of the wealthy and influential Murdaugh family of Hampton, South Carolina, which begin to slowly unravel after a drunken boating accident claimed the life of a teenage girl.

7. ‘Stolen Youth: Inside the Cult at Sarah Lawrence’

Centering around the crimes of Larry Ray, convicted sex trafficker and extortionist who preyed on a group of female college students, this three-part docuseries details the story of the infamous Sarah Lawrence College sex cult.

8. ‘The Curious Case of Natalia Grace’

Natalia Grace was adopted from Ukraine at the age of six, but her adoptive parents would soon come to suspect that the young girl was actually an adult with a rare bone growth disorder, leading the couple to abandon Natalia. This six-part series details allegations on both sides of this incredibly complex case, which has already secured a second season.

9. ‘The Hatchet Wielding Hitchhiker’

This documentary follows homeless surfer Kai Lawrence, who hitched a ride with a stranger in 2013. During their adventure, the stranger intentionally hit a pedestrian with his car and then attacked another person who had come over to help. Kai defended the victims by hitting the stranger in the head with a hatchet multiple times, but the police were suspicious of his story.

10. ‘Waco: American Apocalypse’

In 1993, the U.S. government led a 51-day siege against the Branch Davidian religious sect outside of Waco, Texas that claimed 86 lives. 30 years later, new footage and exclusive interviews offer a deeper understanding of how cult leader David Koresh rose to power and how the events inspired the Oklahoma City bombing.

References: The 15 Best True-Crime Documentaries of 2023 | The 26 Best True Crime Documentaries and Series of 2023 | 16 Most Shocking True Crime Docs of 2023: ‘The Devil on Trial,’ ‘Shiny Happy People’ & More