True crime documentaries [1] can be gripping, fascinating, and downright chilling – but they aren't for everyone. Some people enjoy a good murder [2] or kidnapping, but if you live alone or do most of your TV-watching at night, traditional true crime can be the stuff of nightmares (literally).
Fortunately, there are so many true crime docs and docuseries out now that there really is something for everyone. So if you're still obsessed with getting your true crime fix, but don't want to constantly be checking over your shoulder, then these are the titles for you. Ahead, we rounded up the 13 best true crime documentaries on Netflix that are exciting, suspenseful, and thought-provoking – but not scary.
This Is a Robbery: The World's Biggest Art Heist
In 1990, two men dressed like police officers snuck into a Boston museum and stole $500 million worth of art. To this day, no one has found it – and there's a $10 million reward for whoever does. Watch this docuseries and see if you can crack the case.
Watch This Is a Robbery: The World's Biggest Art Heist [3] on Netflix.
Dirty Money
Dive into white-collar crimes with Dirty Money, a docuseries that focuses on exposing corruption and greed in the world today. There are two seasons filled with episodes about everything from the impacts of capitalism on small communities to Jared Kushner's suspicious fortune.
Watch Dirty Money [4] on Netflix.
The Pharmacist
The Pharmacist is a compelling docuseries about one father's journey to uncovering the massive corruption behind the opioid crisis in the U.S. Using his knowledge of the industry and all the paper trails he can find, Dan Schneider attempts to save his small community from opioids when no one else will.
Watch The Pharmacist [5] on Netflix.
Exhibit A
Discover the many loopholes in the justice system when you watch Exhibit A. This docuseries explains how innocent people are convicted of crimes with the help of questionable forensic technology, like cadaver dogs and touch DNA.
Watch Exhibit A [6] on Netflix.
FYRE: The Greatest Party That Never Happened
If you haven't already heard about the Fyre Festival, buckle up. A massive music festival was supposed to take place on a luxury private island. But when guests arrived, the island was almost deserted. This documentary explains exactly what went wrong with Fyre, from start to finish.
Watch FYRE: The Greatest Party That Never Happened [7] on Netflix.
How to Fix a Drug Scandal
Drug test results are used to lock up tens of thousands of Americans every year. But what happens when drug lab chemists use those drugs for their own purposes? How to Fix a Drug Scandal uncovers one of the biggest scandals in our justice system to date.
Watch How to Fix a Drug Scandal [8] on Netflix.
Long Shot
Juan Catalan was arrested for a murder he didn't commit. But his entire defence hinged on his ability to prove he was one of the 56,000 fans at a Dodgers Game the night of the crime. This documentary is filled with twists, turns, and – Larry David [9]? It'll keep you guessing from start to finish.
Watch Long Shot [10] on Netflix.
Icarus
One filmmaker sets out to investigate the use of performance enhancing drugs in America. Instead, he uncovers a massive scandal involving a Russian cyclist who also happens to be Putin's most-wanted whistleblower. This award-winning documentary will have you hooked from the opening scenes.
Watch Icarus [11] on Netflix.
Made You Look: A True Story About Fake Art
Learn about one of the largest cases of art fraud in U.S. history. When Knoedler & Company began selling famous works of art from an apparently secret collection, art collectors across the country were lined up to purchase them. But once the art was discovered to be fake, this massive con rocked the art world. This documentary gets to the heart of the scam and interviews the key players to explain exactly how it happened.
Watch Made You Look: A True Story About Fake Art [12] on Netflix.
The Death and Life of Marsha P. Johnson
In this documentary, activist Victoria Cruz investigates the death of Marsha P. Johnson, one of the original icons of the gay rights movement in the 1960s. Johnson's tragic death was originally ruled a suicide, but Victoria wonders if foul play could have been involved. If you're looking for something to watch that's loaded with history and less about the crime, you'll find this one fascinating.
Watch The Death and Life of Marsha P. Johnson [13] on Netflix.
The Family: It's Not About Faith, It's About Power
They're not just a family, they're The Family. This is the story of how one conservative Christian group slowly took over Washington, D.C. Learn about one of America's most influential families with some seriously strong political ties.
Watch The Family: It's Not About Faith, It's About Power [14] on Netflix.
Voyeur
Famous journalist Gay Talese thought he broke the story of a lifetime when he stumbled upon a hotel owner who enjoys spying on his guests. But when the story takes on a life of its own, Talese might be just as guilty. This documentary is equal parts an investigation of the crime itself and how the media covered it.
Watch Voyeur [15] on Netflix.
The Legend of Cocaine Island
Looking for something a little lighter? The Legend of Cocaine Island uses dark comedy as it follows a group of misfits who try to find a legendary $2 million stash of cocaine on an island in the Caribbean. You'll have to watch to find out if their crazy pipe-dream comes true.
Watch The Legend of Cocaine Island [16] on Netflix.