While there are plenty of horror movies and TV shows to get into the Halloween spirit, sometimes truth is scarier that fiction. So, with spooky season in full swing, we’ve put together the best true crime movies and documentaries to watch right now.
Halloween is just around the corner, and as the chilly winds of October begin to blow and the leaves take on their amber hues, many of us find ourselves drawn to tales of the macabre. And there’s plenty of content to choose from, as revealed in our Terror-Tober schedule.
But there’s another realm of horror to tap into this season, one that’s arguably even more chilling: true crime. Within these real-life narratives, the monsters are not supernatural entities but rather humans whose actions are all too real.
So, get comfy, grab some popcorn, and settle in as we give to you the top 15 best documentaries to check out this Halloween, as well as where to watch them.
Beware the Slenderman (2016)
What it’s about: A deep dive into the infamous 2014 case in which two 12-year-old girls from Waukesha, Wisconsin, attempted to murder their friend, claiming they did it to appease Slenderman – a tall, faceless figure popularized online.
What we think: It’s a worthy Halloween watch, not just because it covers a haunting real-life event but because of the unsettling examination of how modern digital folklore can have genuine consequences. Beware the Slenderman delves into the blurred lines between fiction and reality in the internet age, highlighting the vulnerability of young minds.
Where to stream: Max
Monster Inside: America’s Most Extreme Haunted House (2023)
What it’s about: An exploration of the infamous McKamey Manor, a haunted house so extreme it’s become a cult obsession. However, when a number of participants come forward with claims of abuse, it raises questions about ethics and consent.
What we think: Monster Inside is a terrifying look at how far some will go for fear-fueled thrills. Using the unsettling visual and cinematic language of a horror movie, it’s the ultimate Halloween documentary for those craving real-life scares, pushing viewers to consider whether this attraction is a torture house in disguise.
Where to stream: Hulu
West of Memphis (2013)
What it’s about: This documentary examines the controversial and wrongful convictions of Damien Echols, Jessie Misskelley, and Jason Baldwin, aka the West Memphis Three, exploring evidence of their innocence and the flaws in the original trial linked to the era’s Satanic Panic.
What we think: I’d go as far as to say West of Memphis is one of the finest true crime documentaries ever made. It’s both a riveting and deeply disturbing watch, highlighting the terrifying consequences of prejudice, misinformation, and a flawed justice system. As for why it’s a Halloween recommendation, the “Hobbs family secret” still rattles me to my very core.
Where to stream: On-demand
Satan Wants You (2023)
What It’s About: Speaking of Satanic Panic, this chilling documentary dives into the origins of the phenomenon, sparked by the discredited memoir Michelle Remembers, while revealing how fear and mass hysteria spiraled into one of America’s darkest moral crises.
What we think: Satan Wants You is both chilling and enlightening, capturing how easily paranoia can infect a society. While it’s perfect for the spooky season, it also feels eerily relevant today, tracing how innocent lives can be upended by misplaced fears. We need only look at the news to figure out how damaging this trend can be.
Where to stream: Tubi
Don’t F**k with Cats: Hunting an Internet Killer (2019)
What it’s about: This gripping and deeply disturbing documentary series tracks the manhunt for Luka Magnotta, who first gained notoriety by sharing videos of himself killing kittens. As group of internet sleuths seeks to identify him, his crimes escalate to murder.
What we think: There’s no denying Don’t F**k With Cats is an uncomfortable watch from start to finish, but it’s a compelling one nonetheless. While there’s three episodes, each an hour long, not a moment feels wasted, with the cat-and-mouse chase that unfolds playing out like a horror thriller. This isn’t just a tale of a deranged killer; it’s a commentary on our modern era, where virtual actions can lead to very real and terrifying consequences.
Where to stream: Netflix
The Enfield Poltergeist (2023)
What it’s about: This Apple TV series examines one of Britain’s most famous hauntings, the Enfield case, where a London family experienced inexplicable supernatural events, sparking fascination – and skepticism – across the world.
What we think: With a blend of documentary footage and dramatization, The Enfield Poltergeist immerses viewers in the unsettling true story behind this famous case, which inspired The Conjuring 2. The eerie reenactments and first-hand accounts create an atmosphere of palpable dread, making it a perfect Halloween watch for those fascinated by the unknown.
Where to stream: Apple TV+
The Nightmare (2015)
What it’s about: Sleep paralysis occurs when a person is unable to move or speak upon waking or falling asleep, often experiencing hallucinations of menacing figures. The Nightmare explores this phenomenon through personal interviews and chilling reenactments of eight individuals’ experiences.
What we think: As someone who gets sleep paralysis on the regular, I can vouch for the authenticity of how the phenomenon is portrayed in Rodney Ascher’s 2015 documentary. But even those who are lucky enough to be inexperienced in this realm will find this film terrifying, with the horror-esque reenactments designed to evoke the raw fear and vulnerability one feels during an episode of sleep paralysis. It makes the boogeyman look like My Little Pony.
Where to stream: Shudder
Woman of the Hour (2024)
What it’s about: Based on true events, Woman of the Hour recounts a chilling story of how a young woman named Cheryl Bradshaw ended up on an episode of The Dating Game with serial killer Rodney Alcala.
Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest updates on Esports, Gaming and more.
What we think: Woman of the Hour blends true crime and psychological horror, delivering a chilling reminder of life’s darkest ‘what ifs’. The movie’s grounded horror feels deeply unsettling, as does its commentary on misogyny in society. So much so that one psychologist hailed it the scariest horror movie of 2024.
Where to stream: Netflix
Wrinkles The Clown (2019)
What it’s about: Step aside, Pennywise – Wrinkles the Clown explores the internet sensation that emerged in Florida around 2015, examining the man behind the creepy clown mask and the modern-day viral phenomenon surrounding this mysterious figure.
What we think: Before It: Chapter One, there was the killer clown craze, and at the center of all this was Wrinkles the Clown. This documentary features all of the creepiness you’d expect from a creepy clown case, while also masterfully interweaving elements of folklore and digital culture. While viewers are introduced to the reality behind the Wrinkles phenomenon, the film also prompts reflection on the larger, more pervasive fears that grip communities.
Where to stream: Prime Video
Can I Tell You A Secret? (2024)
What it’s about: Three women recount their encounters with Matthew Hardy, known as the UK’s worst cyberstalker. What started as mocking messages soon descended into a relentless campaign of harassment that left them living in constant fear, not knowing who to trust.
What we think: What makes this Netflix docu-series so chilling is the fact that these cases happen everyday. Internet safety remains a huge issue, with countless individuals targeted by cyberstalkers in cases that can be complex in the court of law. Coupled with the documentary’s eerie narration, this the ideal watch this spooky season, serving as a stark reminder of the dangers lurking online.
Where to stream: Netflix
The Imposter (2012)
What it’s about: The astonishing true story of Frédéric Bourdin, a French con artist who in the late 1990s convinced an American family that he was their 16-year-old son who had disappeared three years earlier.
What we think: Though not a horror documentary in the traditional sense, The Imposter elicits a sense of eeriness, not just from the audacity of Bourdin’s deception but also in the reactions and acceptance of the family – and the knowledge that they have a stranger in their home. This truly is a stranger-than-fiction tale, elevated by Layton’s atmospheric direction and compelling narrative style.
Where to stream it: Peacock
Room 237 (2012)
What it’s about: An intriguing exploration into the myriad interpretations and conspiracy theories surrounding Stanley Kubrick’s classic horror film, The Shining, suggesting hidden meanings and subtexts within the auteur’s adaptation of Stephen King’s novel.
What we think: The documentary’s strength lies in its ability to provoke thought – it’ll have you wondering about the mysteries of artistic intent and the lengths to which the human mind can go to find meaning, even in the most obscure details. As for why it’s ideal for spooky season? It’s centered on one of the best horror movies ever made, of course.
Where to stream it: AMC+ via Prime Video
Cropsey (2009)
What it’s about: According to local lore, Cropsey was an escaped patient from a nearby abandoned mental institution who would snatch children off the streets on Staten Island, New York. But what started as a childhood tale turned disturbingly real when children actually began to go missing in the 1980s.
What we think: Cropsey nails that spooky vibe with its haunting visuals of the decaying Willowbrook institution and the surrounding woods, with an eerie soundtrack setting a tone that rivals conventional horror films. But the true terror in Cropsey arises from the realization that beneath the layers of urban myth lies a disturbing reality, making it more than just a campfire tale.
Where to stream: Tubi
The Devil on Trial (2023)
What it’s about: An exploration of the “Devil Made Me Do It” case, the first and only instance of “demonic possession” used as a defense in a US murder trial. Featuring firsthand accounts of those involved, this documentary film is a terrifying trip into a case that needs to be seen to be believed.
What we think: Not only were Ed and Lorraine Warren involved in the “Devil Made Me Do It” case, but it went on to inspire The Conjuring 3. The Devil on Trial does the story justice, playing out like a horror movie, including chilling reenactments of what David Glatzel claims to have experienced as a child. Our one and only recommendation if you do decide to give it a watch this Halloween: maybe leave the lights on.
Where to stream it: Netflix
Smartschoolboy9: An Internet Rabbit Hole (2024)
What it’s about: An exploration of the disturbing rabbit hole first uncovered on Reddit, whereby an adult male has been posing as a school child and posting unsettling content related to minors on social media.
What we think: Undoubtedly one of the scariest YouTube docs on the circuit, SSB9 became an internet phenomenon when Nick Crowley shared his deep dive into the case. While the eerie backing music adds to the atmosphere, the content shared by the titular figure is disturbing enough on its own. What makes this even scarier is that despite the work of countless online detectives, the identity of smartschoolboy9 – and whether he’s a danger to society – remains a mystery.
Where to stream: YouTube
If you’re still not spooked, we’ve got plenty more where that came from this Halloween. Check out our ranking of the scariest horror movies ever, the most terrifying horror villains, and the creepiest horror anime.
You can also check out our list of the most shocking Netflix documentaries, and the new true crime coming to streaming this month.