20 nail-biting documentaries that'll keep you on the edge of your seat

Nothing, and we mean nothing, could've prepared us for the shocking story of a Southern preacher accused of trying to murder his wife in 1991 with poisonous rattlesnakes. It's a perplexing tale that'll surely leave you with questions about fear, love, and religion.

Netflix outdid itself with the six-part docuseries on the Cocaine Cowboys. It tells the story of Sal Magluta and Willy Falcon, two Miami drug lords indicted on "smuggling 75 tons of cocaine" into the United States. 

HBO's documentary on the Murdaughs — an affluent family who has resided in the Lowcountry region of South Carolina for years — has captured the attention of many since its release in 2022. 

Not only do the filmmakers do an excellent job of telling the stories surrounding the unfortunate murders of Maggie and Paul, but they also dive deep into the Murdaughs' background — giving viewers a closeup look into their now ruined legacy and the many scandals that have surrounded their family for years. 

The endings of some documentaries are highly predictable; however, Netflix's latest release, American Nightmare, caught us by surprise. This compelling three-part docuseries features Aaron Quinn and his now-wife, Denise Huskins, recounting their traumatic home invasion, which led to her kidnapping in 2015. There are 911 audio recordings, interrogation videos, and much more that'll leave you speechless. 

Netflix's 2022 miniseries Keep Sweet tells the heartbreaking story of former members of the FLDS church — a branch of Mormonism — and their now-incarcerated leader, Warren Jeffs. This project is moving, with devastating revelations that may cause deep sorrow.

Each episode in this six-part series focuses on a different crime caused by digital misinformation. The filmmakers explored cases such as the 2017 Wichita swatting in Kansas, the murder of Seth Rich, a political staffer in D.C., and the massive FBI investigation of two hackers defrauding the government of more than $3 million.

We weren't ready for the intense showing of Waco: American Apocalypse. The three-parter explores the events surrounding the Waco siege — a massacre occurring on a compound occupied by a religious cult in Texas. By the end of the 51-day standoff between the Branch Davidians and the FBI and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, 86 deaths were reported.

Most of us likely remember what we were doing when we heard the news the Subway Guy, Jared Fogle, was arrested in 2015 for child sex crimes. Max's documentary, Catching a Monster, does an excellent job recounting the story with the key players, including the FBI, former classmates, and the case's point person, former radio host Rochelle Herman-Walrond.

Gypsy Rose has gotten much attention since her release from federal prison in December 2023 for second-degree murder. However, if you're unfamiliar with her story, you can get the run-down with Max's 2017 film Mommy Dead and Dearest. 

Escaping Twin Flames is a compelling watch produced by Netflix about Twin Flames Universe, an American cult run by Shaleia and Jeff Divine. The episodes feature former members recounting their experiences, including stories of control, abuse, and manipulation.

In this film, watchers will see how local law enforcement in Cleveland, Ohio, responded to the backlash from America following the wrongful deaths of two Black lives in 2012. It's emotional, at times painful, and immensely eye-opening.

Most people know the story of Chris Watts — the Colorado father who murdered his wife and two children, Bella and CeCe, to pursue a relationship with his then-mistress. You can stream this gripping tale on Netflix. 

Nobody expected Lori Vallow, a "seemingly normal woman," to stand trial for the murders of her fourth husband, fifth husband's wife, and her two youngest children, but here we are. The film features commentary from Lori's living son, Colby, as he tells the story of his upbringing while shedding light on who his mother is.

American Manhunt does a great job of recounting the tragic story of the Boston Marathon bombing in 2013. It's an incredibly riveting film featuring tons of first-hand accounts, and one you may have to watch a few times to absorb all the information. 

Watching the crimes of people who genuinely believe they won't get caught is always intriguing, and Netflix's Madoff: The Monster of Wall Street is no different. It's about the mastermind, Bernie Madoff, and his $64 billion global Ponzi scheme. Like others on this list, the movie features never-before-seen footage and interviews from employees, victims, and informants.

Have you ever heard wild stories about people escaping cults? There are a few on this list, and this documentary, How to Become a Cult Leader, explores leaders from the past and how they formed a committed pack of followers.

Victim/Suspect uncovers the startling truth of law enforcement agents gaslighting women who report sexual assault allegations, ultimately flipping the table and charging them with the crime of making a false report. Although the story is compelling, and the lead, Rae de Leon, does a fantastic job narrating, the specifics of this case are highly infuriating and may leave you scratching your head when thinking about the American justice system.

There was so much confusion surrounding this 1985 murder mystery. Did Jens Soering kill his girlfriend's (Elizabeth Haysom) parents, or did she? This Netflix doc provides watchers with all of the answers surrounding the Lynchburg, Virginia, killings. 

In 2019, Netflix focused on scammer Billy McFarland and his music festival that never saw the light of day. Fyre features exclusive scenes from victims and investors who were scammed out of more than $26 million.

3½ Minutes, 10 Bullets is another heart-wrenching account about a Black high-school student murdered in Jacksonville, Florida, by a white man over the volume of his car's music. Following the events, the case sparked outrage and protests, and director Marc Silver hoped to capture as many perspectives as possible for his docu-film. In 2015, the project won the Special Jury Prize in the Social Impact category at the Sundance Film Festival.