10 True Crime Documentaries That Are Stranger Than Fiction

There’s certainly no shortage of mind-boggling stories in the world of true crime. But some crimes are so unusual that it’s hard to believe they’re real. From smooth-talking con artists to big cat mayhem, here are 10 true crime documentaries that prove truth isn’t just stranger than fiction, it can be downright mind-blowing.

The Tinder Swindler (Netflix)

The Tinder Swindler tells the story of a group of women who believed they swiped right on the perfect catch, only to find out they were royally duped. The docuseries follows the exploits of a smooth-talking con artist who seduced and swindled several victims all across Europe. Promising love and commitment, he managed to pull off a scheme so outrageous, that it’ll make you think twice about your next dating app match. 

Don’t F**k With Cats: Hunting an Internet Killer (Netflix)

If you thought the internet was just for cat videos and memes, boy, are you in for a shock. Don’t F**k With Cats starts with a group of web sleuths trying to track down a person who posted videos of himself harming kittens. But what begins as animal cruelty spirals into a twisted game of cat and mouse (pun intended) that ends in murder. 

Tiger King (Netflix)

Just when you think you’ve seen it all, Joe Exotic and his crew of big cat enthusiasts come along. Tiger King is like a wild fever dream, with crazy hairstyles, murder plots, and more tigers than you can imagine. And at the center of it all is the intense rivalry between Joe and his big cat nemesis, Carole Baskin. The whole thing is so wild, it’s hard to believe it’s actually real life.

The Jinx: The Life and Deaths of Robert Durst (Max)

The Jinx dives into the sordid world of Robert Durst, a wealthy real estate heir with a trail of suspicious deaths in his wake. The docuseries dives into Durst’s crimes, each one more bizarre than the last. But the real shocker comes at the end, with one of the wildest moments in true crime history. Without giving too much away, let’s just say the twist is something you’d expect from a scripted drama, proving that reality often tells the best stories.

Evil Genius (Netflix)

Evil Genius is about a bank heist involving a pizza delivery guy, a homemade bomb, and a scavenger hunt. It sounds like something out of a quirky crime film. But this story proves that real life can be even crazier. The four-part series digs deep into the “pizza bomber” case, a crime so convoluted, it might make your head spin.

Making a Murderer (Netflix)

If you think the justice system is cut and dry, Making a Murderer will turn that idea upside down. The series follows Steven Avery, a man who was wrongfully convicted of sexual assault, only to be entangled in another criminal case after his release. With plenty of twists and shoddy police work, this documentary will have you playing detective from your couch. And it may leave you questioning everything you thought you knew about the legal process.

Wild Wild Country (Netflix)

Wild Wild Country follows a spiritual guru in a small town in Oregon mixed up with bioterrorism. The series chronicles the rise and fall of Rajneeshpuram, a utopian community that went off the rails spectacularly. From true believers to government officials, this cast of characters proves that reality is often more bizarre than any cult fiction. 

The Imposter (Prime Video)

The Imposter is a mind-bending documentary that tells the stranger-than-fiction tale of a French con artist who convinced a Texas family he was their long-lost son. This outrageous story highlights his heinous crime. But it’s also a fascinating exploration of grief and hope, as well as the lengths we’ll go to believe what we want to be true. 

Chimp Crazy (Max)

Chimp Crazy follows Tonia Haddix, a former nurse who leaves behind her medical career to dive into the wild world of exotic animal dealing — and becomes completely obsessed with a Hollywood chimp named Tonka. Directed by Tiger King’s Eric Goode, this four-part series is packed with plenty of monkey business, from PETA lawsuits to intense courtroom battles, and enough twists to leave you stunned. By the end, you’ll be questioning everything you thought you knew about pet ownership, animal rights, and just how far some folks will go for their furry (or in this case, hairy) friends.