Nothing hooks you quite like a good true crime documentary. Sure, investigative crime shows like Law & Order: SVU, The Rookie, and Only Murders in the Building scratch that itch, but true crime? That’s a whole different beast.
There’s something deeply satisfying about watching women rise above their trauma, seeing justice catch up to those who thought they could outrun it, and diving into the twisted psychology of people who commit the unthinkable.
But with countless documentaries dropping every week, it’s easy to get lost in the shuffle—especially when stories about Black lives don’t always get the spotlight they deserve.
So, to help you cut through the noise, here are 10 absolutely gripping true crime documentaries that every Black woman needs to see before October wraps up. And once you’re done with this list, we’ve got a list of Black-led horror movies for your Halloween rooster. Thank us later and happy binge-watching!
When They See Us
- Length: 64-88 minutes
- Watch on: Netflix
Probably one of my favorite Ava DuVernay’s work, this true crime series tells the story of the 1989 Central Park Five – the jogger case where five teenage Black and Latino kids were falsely accused of brutally attacking a white woman in Central Park.
The Disappearance of the Millbrook Twins
- Length: 120 minutes
- Watch on: Apple TV, Prime Video
A deep dive into the haunting disappearance of twin sisters Dannette and Jeannette Milbrook –a case that remains largely overlooked depending on where you’re from.
The 15-year-olds were last seen visiting their godfather, cousin, and sister before stopping at a convenience store for snacks. After that? They vanished without a trace.
Now, former prosecutor Laura Coates and retired detective Page Reynolds are reexamining the case, determined to unearth the truth and finally bring justice to these forgotten girls.
How I Caught My Killer
- Length: 60 minutes
- Watch on: Hulu
Investigators follow a series of unlikely clues across state lines to a gruesome discovery and uncover a killer in this true crime docuseries. My favorite episodes? Season 1 (episode 2, 7, and 8) and season 2 (episodes 2,3 and 6).
The Worst Ex Ever!
- Length: 60 minutes
- Watch on: Netflix
What would you do if your boyfriend joked about cutting your throat? The answer might not be obvious as you’d think in this gripping Netflix true crime documentary by the ever-so-brilliant horror and thriller films mastermind Jason Blum.
And when you’re done you could head over to The Worst: Roommate Ever for more humanly shocking stories.
Ruby Franke: A Momfluencer’s Double Life?
She rose to fame as a Mormon mom and influencer popular for her strict parenting style. Now she and her partner are serving up to three decades in prison for child abuse crimes. Were there missed signs?
Fyre: The Greatest Party That Never Happened
If you’re of a certain age (I’m talking to you zillennials/Gen Zs) or are oblivious to pop culture, you probably have no idea about the disaster that was the Fyre Festival.
This true crime documentary gives you a deep dive into the antics of its founder and convicted con artist Billy Macfarland plus al the shenanigans attendees went through to attend “The Greatest Party That Never Happened.”
Fun Fact: Macfarland plans on running a second iteration of the disastrous music festival in April 2025…
American Trap Queens
- Length: 40 minutes
- Watch on: Apple TV, BET+, Prime Video
If Queen of the South was your jam, you’ll love this true crime docuseries about infamous Black female queenpins. The Godfather and Teresa Mendoza have nothing on some of these boss babes.
All American Murder
- Length: 80 minutes
- Watch on: ABC 20/20, Apple TV
When a former NFL player and his wife are murdered in Texas, authorities investigate whether the culprit is a masked intruder or someone closer to home. The evidence is truly shocking…
Tell Them You Love Me
- Length: 100 minutes
- Watch on: Netflix, Sky Documentaries
A relationship between a married white professor and a Black man with cerebral palsy sparks outrage when the man’s mom alleges her son is incapable of consent – leading to one of the biggest controversies in the U.S.
It brings to attention the issues of power dynamics, disability and race making it a 2024 true crime documentary must-watch.
Scout’s Honor: The Secret Files of the Boy Scouts of America
Survivors, whistleblowers and experts recount the Boy Scouts of America’s decade long cover up of sexual assault cases and its devastating impact.
And if this true crime documentary doesn’t cover it all, you can head over to Hulu’s Leave No Trace that tells the stories of the 82,000+ men who stepped forward against the ae-old organization.
Fatal Attraction
- Length: 48 minutes
- Watch on: Netflix
What do you do when romance turns dangerous? Investigators, survivors and victim families tell stories about the day love went awry. It’s the next best thing after dateline.
Say Her Name: The Life and Death of Sandra Bland
- Length: 105 minutes
- Watch on: Apple TV, HBO, Max, Prime Video
When will it stop?
This gripping true crime documentary unravels the tragic story of Sandra Bland, a politically active Black woman from Chicago who was arrested for a minor traffic violation in Texas—only to be found dead in her jail cell three days later.
Though authorities ruled it a suicide, her death ignited a firestorm of outrage and allegations of racially motivated murder and made her case a rallying point for activists across the country.
You Belong To Me: Sex, Race & Murder In The South
- Length: 88 minutes
- Watch on: Apple TV, Prime Video
The true crime documentary tells the tale of Ruby McCollum, a prominent Black woman in 1952, who killed a white doctor in Florida after suffering years of sexual abuse tied to practices in the Jim Crow South.
Today, the ghosts still remain.
I Am Vanessa Guillen
- Length: 95 minutes
- Watch on: Netflix
This Netflix true crime documentary investigates the U.S army’s response to 20-year-old Vanessa Gullen’s murder at Fort Hood Texas. And rather than remain silenced, Gullen’s family fought so hard to get justice, a journey that took them to the Oval Office.
