24 Disturbing Documentaries You Have to Watch
Documentaries have the incredible power to shed some light on important issues, challenge societal norms, and give a deeper understanding of the world we live in.
But some documentaries dive deep into the darkest aspects of human behavior—often leaving the viewers feeling uneasy, and sometimes downright terrified.
If you have a love for true-crime stories, or often find yourself down the rabbit hole of investigating unexplainable events, add these terrifying documentaries to your must-watch list.
Dear Zachary: A Letter To A Son About His Father
Dear Zachary tells a shocking and truly disturbing story about the life of Andrew Bagdy, a 28-year-old man whose life was tragically taken by his pregnant ex-girlfriend.
The film assembles various home movies and interviews to immortalize the life of Andrew, whilst also taking the viewer down a surprising path of unexpected, and incredibly eerie details that will make you reconsider the intentions of complete strangers.
MSNBC Films, Dear Zachary: A Letter to a Son About His Father
Jesus Camp
Heidi Ewing and Rachel Grady’s documentary, Jesus Camp, tells the story of a religious summer camp where young children are taught the ways of Christianity.
As you may imagine where this is headed, this documentary depicts how organized religion can look more like a cult, bringing children to tears as their identities are stripped by the Catholic church and its questionable leaders.
A&E IndieFilms, Jesus Camp (2006)
Capturing the Friedmans
Capturing the Friedmans takes a closer look into the peculiar Friedman family, who hides a sickening, dark secret. The seemingly normal middle-class family takes a turn for the worst when the father and youngest son are apprehended and accused of heinous crimes related to young children.
This unbelievable story is one of the strangest and most curious true crime stories to explore small-town America.
HBO Documentary, Capturing the Friedmans (2003)
Earthlings
Earthlings is an intriguing documentary about humanity’s use of animals for pets, food, clothing, entertainment and scientific research.
Directed by Shaun Monson, it took six years to complete, and it includes extremely disturbing footage captured by hidden cameras inside puppy mills and meatpacking plants—exposing some of the largest animal industries in the world.
Nation Earth, Earthlings (2005)
Titicut Follies
Titicut Follies portrays the residents of Bridgewater State Hospital, a mental institution in Massachusetts. Director Frederick Wiseman films individuals locked up in empty cells, publicly stripped of their clothing, and force-fed disgusting meals—exposing the vile conditions of the institution.
It’s said to be a dark and disturbing watch—especially since it is all filmed in distinctive monochrome.
Bridgewater Film, Titicut Follies (1967)
Jonestown: The Life and Death of Peoples Temple
Ever heard the saying, “Don’t drink the Kool-aid?” This is where that originates from.
If you’re familiar with the Jonestown slayings, you may know that there are many documentaries about this particular cult. However, this one, is said to be the most definitive movie on the subject.
Depicting the horrific tale of the Peoples Temple—a disturbing cult that encouraged over 900 people to willingly take their own lives by drinking a beverage laced with chemicals.
This documentary is said to be a “harrowing viewing experience.”
Firelight Media, Jonestown: The Life and Death of Peoples Temple (2006)
The Bridge
The Bridge is a notorious documentary that gives a brutal insight into the act of taking ones own life, and mental health. In particular, the film discusses the many people who took their own life at the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, California.
With interviews from victims themselves, and family members, this film is said to be a “tough watch,” but if you’re able to make it through some of the disturbing scenes, there’s an important message underneath.
Easy There Tiger Productions, The Bridge (2006)
The Act of Killing
Joshua Oppenheimer’s The Act of Killing follows the modern life of a former Indonesian death-squad leader as he is dared to reenact his mass killings in a variety of cinematic genres.
This film brings upon surreal depictions of death led by the eccentric, psychologically disturbed minds of mass murderers.
Final Cut for Real, The Act of Killing (2012)
The Killing of America
The Killing of America focuses on the whole scope of modern American violence—including serial killers, war, and so much more.
This disturbing film features some truly violent images, and graphic interviews uncovering some horrifying American secrets.
Filmlink International, The Killing of America (1981)
Night and Fog
Night and Fog is an incredibly disturbing documentary about the evil atrocities carried out by the Nazis in WWII—including how they condemned six million Jews to death between 1941-1945.
This film explores the history of Nazi Germany’s death camps, Adolf Hitler’s ‘Final Solution’ and the barbaric treatment of human life in various concentration camps across Europe.
Argos Film, Night and Fog (1956)
Blackfish
This film is not necessary terrifying in a true-crime way, but if you care at all about the welfare of animals, this controversial documentary will surely fire you up.
Blackfish centers around the life of Tilikum, an orca at SeaWorld San Diego that has been involved in numerous injuries and deaths.
With comparisons of wild vs. captive orcas, testimonials from former trainers, and interviews with various professionals, this documentary exposes the terrifying truth about keeping animals in captivity—particularly at SeaWorld parks.
Killer Legends
Killer Legends is a film that tries to separate fact from fiction, investigating a series of urban legends—like killer clowns and Candyman. Their research takes them all over America to uncover the origins of legends, and whether there is any historical basis for them.
The Nightmare
The Nightmare is said to have “all the feelings of a horror movie,” as it takes a deep look at the phenomenon of sleep paralysis.
The film highlights interviews from people who suffer with the condition and re-creates their experiences with actors. It particularly focuses on visions of “shadow men” and other hallucination that are common in sleep paralysis.
This film is said to leave you feeling uneasy as you imagine what it might feel like being unable to move or speak as you’re terrified with a shadowy figure standing over you.
Zipper Bros Films, The Nightmare (2015)
Mommy Dead and Dearest
By now you’ve likely heard of Gypsy Rose Blanchard, the young girl who is said to be a Munchausen-by-proxy survivor.
If you haven’t, this documentary empathetically highlights the tragic and strange story of how Gypsy’s mother forced her to pretend she was disabled and terminally ill, how Gypsy executed her desperate revenge, and her subsequent time behind bars.
The film is said to make you “feel sick” as the story unfolds, and often leaves viewers questioning how a parent who is supposed to fiercely protect their child could harm them so badly.
HBO, Mommy Dead and Dearest (2017)
Method of a Serial Killer
Method of a Serial Killer is a particularly compelling true-crime documentary that focuses on the life and crimes of Israel Keyes, a serial killer known for at least three slayings throughout 2011 and 2012, and numerous other heinous crimes he committed.
The film includes various interviews, interrogations, and other harrowing scenes that explore how Keyes went so long without being caught, how he was finally apprehended, and the disturbing crimes he committed along the way.
CBS News Productions, 48 Hours
Dr. Death: The Undoctored Story
This documentary is a four-episode series that focuses on the horrific malpractices of Christopher Duntsch—a former neurosurgeon who killed two patients and severely maimed many others.
During the series, various staff, patients, and family members are interviewed to uncover the horrific details behind the doctor’s true intentions.
NBC Universal, Dr. Death: The Undoctored Story
Meltdown: Three Mile Island
Another four-part miniseries, Meltdown: Three Mile Island recounts the partial meltdown of the Three Mile Island nuclear reactor in Pennsylvania that occurred on March 28, 1979.
This incident is the worst nuclear incident in United States history, and this documentary effectively explains just how badly it has impacted the region, and continues to do so today.
It is said to leave viewers with a feeling of unease, as it uncovers just how disturbing it can be to “cut corners,” and how often it actually occurs.
Moxie Pictures, Meltdown: Three Mile Island (2022)
Monster Inside: America's Most Extreme Haunted House
Monster Inside follows real people who have attempted to complete a 10-hour experience inside McKamey Manor—a real-life haunted house created by Russ McKamey, a man who loves extreme scares.
This haunted house though isn’t your typical haunt; it’s a real-life torture chamber that has participants sign a 40-page waiver saying they may have their fingernails or teeth removed, heads shaved, and be given substances or unidentified food and drinks.
The film exposes McKamey Manor for what it is: an excuse to hurt and humiliate people looking for a thrill.
Hulu, Monster Inside: America's Most Extreme Haunted House (2023)
Holy Hell
Holy Hell is a documentary by Will Allen and his experiences as a member of the Buddhafield spiritual cult for 22 years.
The film uses real footage Allen shot during his time as the group’s videographer, along with new footage of interviews with other former members who expose various mistreatments and disturbing details about the cult’s leader, Michel.
Whitewater Films, Holy Hell (2016)
Three Identical Strangers
Three Identical Strangers is a documentary film about the lives of three men, Edward Galland, David Kellman, and Robert Shafran—a set of identical-triplet brothers who were adopted as infants by separate families.
The film combines archival footage, re-enacted scenes, and present-day interviews to uncover how the brothers discovered one another by chance.
The disturbing part though is when the brothers discovered their adoption had been part of an undisclosed scientific study—and the harrowing details it involved.
RAW, Three Identical Strangers (2018)
Our Father
Our Father is another documentary about hidden human identity. The film follows former Indianapolis based fertility doctor Donald Cline, who, in a case of fertility fraud, used his own sperm to impregnate dozens of unsuspecting patients.
The film was released on May 11, 2022 and was intrigued the public so much that it was watched for 42.60 million hours between May 8, 2022, and May 29, 2022, globally.
There's Something Wrong with Aunt Diane
There's Something Wrong with Aunt Diane profiles Diane Schuler, who caused the fatal car accident known as The 2009 Taconic State Parkway Crash, where eight people were killed—including Shuler herself, her daughter, her three nieces, and three occupants in another vehicle.
With various accounts from gas station clerks, fast-food clerks, and the campground warden all saying the woman was “clearly sober,” this documentary truly goes down the rabbit hole to find out exactly what went wrong, and when.
Moxie Firecracker, There's Something Wrong with Aunt Diane (2011)
Tell Me Who I Am
This documentary may seem like more of a heartbreaking story, but it has also been described as “harrowing” and “involving by upsetting.”
Tell Me Who I Am focuses on twin brothers Alex and Marcus Lewis. Alex lost his memory in a motorcycle accident at age 18, and his twin brother helped him recreate his lost memories of his childhood.
However, Marcus omits that they were severely mistreated during their childhood in a disgusting and disturbing child mistreatment network that included their mother and her friends.
The film uncovers how Alex learns the truth, and the devastating effects it has on their future together.
Lightbox, Tell Me Who I Am (2019)
The Devil We Know
The Devil We Know is an eye-opening documentary that investigates allegations of health hazards from perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA, also known as C8), a key ingredient used in manufacturing Teflon.
While this may sound boring to some, this film exposes the substantial poisons that are commonly found in various household items Americans use every day—and just how badly it is affecting the human race.
It includes footage of public hearings, news reports and corporate ads, along with input from scientists and activists.
