Eight Bone-Chilling True Crime Documentaries You Can Watch Online

True crime documentaries are all the rage, as the genre grows in popularity thanks to its widespread distribution on OTT platforms. It's no secret that we, as viewers, appreciate stories that elicit intrusive feelings or a sense of mystery in us. For many viewers, what distinguishes a true crime from a fictional crime is that we already have reference points in the form of news or other media. As a result, watching them in detail is even more fascinating and informative.

Crime has traditionally had a fascination for those who are not the targets, whether in the news or in fictional portrayals. The depiction of violence on camera is triggering for some and unusually fascinating for others. Not that the ones who enjoy watching murder mysteries are all psychopaths but they are just in for the authentic revelation of facts with a side of drama. Here we have compiled a list of true crime documentaries for you to add to your watchlist.

8 True Crime Documentaries:

The Tinder Swindler, 2022

The Tinder Swindler is a true crime documentary film from the United Kingdom. The film chronicles the story of Israeli conman Simon Leviev (born Shimon Hayut), who used the dating app Tinder to connect with people who he then emotionally persuaded into financially supporting his opulent lifestyle on the premise of escaping his "enemies."

Where to watch: Netflix

Crime Stories: India Detectives, 2021

The documentary, which is based on the Bengaluru crimes of the early 2020s, covers major criminal investigations from the time they are reported until the suspect is apprehended. Three of the four episodes deal with murders, one of which made national news. The fourth episode is based on the kidnapping of an infant. A team of cops examines the evidence at the crime scene, examines CCTV footage, interviews suspects, and finally identifies the perpetrator.

Where to watch: Netflix

House of Secrets: The Burari Deaths, 2021

The three-part documentary series delves into the hypotheses surrounding the deaths of 11 family members on June 30, 2018. Three generations of one family were discovered hanging in their own home. While the family's eldest member, the grandmother, was strangled, the other eight were reportedly chained, gagged, and hung in a circle pattern from a net that separated the ground floor from the upper floor. The media dubbed the case "the Burari deaths."

Where to watch: Netflix

Conversations with a Killer: The Ted Bundy Tapes, 2019

Conversations with a Killer: The Ted Bundy Tapes is a four-part American documentary based on over 100 hours of interviews and archive footage of serial killer Ted Bundy, as well as interviews with his family, friends, surviving victims, and law enforcement personnel involved in his case. Ted Bundy was a serial murderer in the United States who kidnapped, tortured, raped, and murdered a number of women and girls in the 1970s.

Where to watch: Netflix

Suggested Reading: 5 Indian True Crime Shows On OTT That Will Give You Chills

The Talwars: Behind Closed Doors, 2017

The documentary investigates the double murder of Aarushi Talwar, a 13-year-old girl, and her family's servant, Hemraj Banjade, in their Noida home. Beginning with the early-morning discovery of the murders, the film follows the initial police fumbles, the hasty transfer of the case to India's Central Bureau of Investigation, the use of dubious interrogation methods, the sensational jury case, and the several legal appeals.

Where to watch: Disney+ Hotstar

Operation Black Tornado, 2018

The documentary is based on the 26/11 Mumbai Terror Attack in 2008, when 12 members of Lashkar-e-Taiba, a Pakistani Islamist terrorist organisation, crossed the border and entered the city. They carried out 12 synchronised gunfire and bombing attacks over the course of four days, despite the tight protection. The film focuses on not only the attacks, but also the Mumbai Police's defence effort in securing hijacked locations.

Where to watch: YouTube

Muzaffarnagar Baaqi Hai, 2015

The documentary explores the communal riots that erupted in Uttar Pradesh's Shamli and Muzaffarnagar districts in August and September 2013. The riots, which occurred just before the BJP's landmark victory in 2014, left an estimated 100 people dead and 50,000 people displaced, primarily affecting Muslims in the area. The documentary also examines the human toll, bloodshed, and widespread violence that occurred.

Where to watch: Netflix

Lal Bahadur Shastri's Death

The unexpected death of India's second prime minister, Lal Bahadur Shashtri, while on a visit to Tashkent, is the subject of this documentary drama. Sunil Shastri, his grandson, Siddharth Nath Singh, and veteran journalist Kuldeep Nayar speak to the camera about conspiracy ideas.

Where to watch: Zee5