There's a lot to be scared of in the world. People are raped, murdered, and assaulted every day. There have been atrocities committed on a global scale throughout history that can never be atoned for. There are war crimes being committed constantly, the environment is actively being destroyed, and police corruption leads to the imprisoning of innocent people far too often. So how can one cope with all there is to fear? By knowing what's out there, and one of the best way to do that is by watching the scariest documentaries on Netflix.
The streaming service has hundreds of documentaries, and not all of them will scare the pants off of you — but a good number of them will. Some of these docs deal with famous true crime cases, like those of Amanda Knox, JonBenet Ramsey, and Josef Fritzl. There are also accounts of horrific events from the past, such as the atomic bomb drop at Hiroshima and the Nazis' actions during the Holocaust. There are even documentaries that examine the rise of Naziism in modern times — both in Germany and in the United States. And of course, Netflix features lots of horrifying docs covering crimes committed against women. So know what to look out for, and take a look at the 52 scariest documentaries currently on Netflix.
1'Nazi Concentration Camps'
It's atrocious what humans are capable of doing to each other.
2'Amanda Knox'
Imagine being convicted of a crime you swear you didn't commit... twice.
3'13th'
This eye-opening doc explores race relations and the prison system.
4'Crips & Bloods: Made In America'
Gang violence remains a frightening problem in parts of Los Angeles.
5'Interview With A Serial Killer'
Hearing this man calmly discuss his murder victims is bone chilling.
6'Hiroshima'
One of only two times in history, along with Nagasaki, when people were vaporized by other humans.
7'Cartel Land'
Fighting drug cartels is dangerous business.
10'H.H. Holmes: America’s First Serial Killer'
This guy was truly a monster.
13'Team Foxcatcher'
I hate to say it, but be careful of a stranger looking to help you without asking anything in return.
14'The Fear Of 13'
The chance that you could be the victim of a wrongful conviction should keep you up at night.
15'Narco Cultura'
It's tough to fight drug gangs when they're lauded as heroes by their communities.
19'Aileen Wuornos: The Selling Of A Serial Killer'
Female serial killers are rare, but they get the spotlight in this doc.
21'Chasing Ice'
If you live in a coastal city, you might want to start thinking about moving inland.
24'Josef Fritzl: Story Of A Monster'
One of the scariest crimes committed this century.
29'The Confessions Of Thomas Quick'
More confessions from a serial killer, in case one wasn't enough.
30'Casting JonBenet'
One of the most chilling and notorious crimes of the '90s.
31'Mind Of A Rampage Killer'
What causes mass murderers to do what they do?
32'The Nightmare'
Sleep paralysis is a real medical condition and it's the scariest thing ever.
33'The Real Texas Chainsaw Massacre'
The title pretty much says it all.
36'Lost For Life'
Imagine spending your entire life in jail for something you did as a teenager.
37'Murder On The Social Network'
Be careful who you talk to online.
38'Matt Shepard Is A Friend Of Mine'
The horrific hate crime murder of Matthew Shepard is remembered here.
39'Sleepwalkers Who Kill'
Now that's a terrifying idea.
40'Hate Crimes In The Heartland'
Hate runs deep in American society.
41'After Innocence'
After innocent jailed people are released from prison following exoneration, life isn't so easy.
42'India’s Daughter'
The rape problem in India came to the world's attention after the horrific gang rape and murder of a woman on a public bus.
43'Dowry Law'
Another issue in India involving violence against women, where brides are murdered for their dowry gifts.
44'Death Beach'
Stay out of the water.
46'American Experience: The Blackout'
New York was not a fun place to be in 1977 during the blackout.
48'Code Black'
Our hospitals are in rough shape, and that's a scary thought.
51'The NSU Complex'
Naziism is illegal in Germany, so how was this underground group of neo-Nazis able to commit terroristic acts in the country for over a decade?
52'It Happened Here'
More harrowing accounts of campus rape.
Watch these docs, but be careful — nightmares will abound.
