True crime stories fascinate us because of the meld of mystery, drama, and raw human emotion, and Lifetime’s collection has honed the art of bringing those stories onto our screens. Refer to our selection of the top movies about true crimes streaming on Lifetime.

These movies are not just revisiting major crimes; they go into the psychological and emotional depths of those persons involved, painting a very interesting picture of real-life drama. From the most high-profile cases that transfixed the nation to lesser-known stories with equally captivating narratives, each movie offers another insight into the complexities of justice.

18. Menendez: Blood Brothers (2017)

‘Menendez: Blood Brothers’ is an engrossing true crime movie directed by Fenton Bailey and Randy Barbato. It explores the sensational case of Lyle and Erik Menendez, brothers who brutally killed their wealthy parents, José and Kitty Menendez, in Beverly Hills in 1989. The movie uncovers some of the complex family dynamics and allegations of parental abuse that came out at trial. The cast includes Benito Martinez as José Menéndez, Courtney Love as Kitty Menendez, Nico Tortorella as Lyle Menendez, and Myko Olivier as Erik Menendez. Watch the movie here.

17. Fab Five: The Texas Cheerleader Scandal (2008)

‘Fab Five: The Texas Cheerleader Scandal‘ is a dramatization of an incident/scandal regarding a clique of five mean senior girls/cheerleaders at North McKinney High School in Texas in 2006. Directed by Tom McLoughlin, the movie stars Tatum O’Neal as Principal Lorene Tippit, who clashes with a group of defiant cheerleaders led by Brooke Tippit. The film dramatizes the toxic culture and misbehavior shared by the girls, who were infamous among the school population for their rowdy attitude and their consistent tendencies to break the rules, exposing the challenge it sometimes poses when trying to maintain discipline and integrity amidst peer pressure and the influence of social networking websites. Watch the full film here.

16. Happy Face Killer (2014)

‘Happy Face Killer’ is a haunting true crime drama that explores the mind of one of America’s most notorious serial killers, Keith Jesperson, who killed at least eight women in the US during the 1990s. Directed by Rick Bota, the film stars David Arquette in a haunting portrayal of Jesperson, who earned his nickname by drawing smiley faces on his confession letters sent to authorities. The movie depicts Jesperson’s twisted journey from a long-haul truck driver to a cold-blooded murderer with gripping intensity. It also stars Gloria Reuben as FBI agent Melinda Gand, who is determined to stop his killing spree. Based on actual events, ‘Happy Face Killer’ delves into the darkness beneath the mask of an ordinary exterior. Watch here.

15. Oscar Pistorius: Blade Runner Killer (2017)

‘Oscar Pistorius: Blade Runner Killer’ is a trip into the life of the South African Paralympic champion who fell from grace with a jolting crime. The movie is directed by Norman Stone, starring Andreas Damm as Pistorius and Toni Garrn as Reeva Steenkamp, his ill-fated girlfriend. The events of the fateful night of February 14, 2013, where Pistorius fatally shoots Steenkamp, claiming he mistook her for an intruder, are shown. The movie follows the trial and media frenzy that result from this case, showing a definite look at the rise and fall of the sports icon in highlighting the controversies of this high-profile case. Watch ‘Oscar Pistorius: Blade Runner Killer’ here.

14. A Killer Among Us (2012)

Suspenseful and a family’s worst nightmare, ‘A Killer Among Us’ unravels a mystery surrounding the brutal murder of a mother, Helen. Her dead body was found in her home on March 6, 1992. The thriller, with Bradley Walsh at the helm, features Tess Atkins as Alex, a teenager who finds herself entangled in the investigation into her mother’s murder. With the help of detective Joseph Moran, who mistrusts her father Nick for the crime, Alex unravels dark secrets and hidden truths about her family. When suspicion mounts, tensions rise to a shocking revelation about the killer’s identity. Based on true events, ‘A Killer Among Us’ is a perfect mix of emotional depth and strong narration that will keep viewers on the edge until the very end. You can view the movie here.

13. Girl Fight (2011)

‘Girl Fight‘ explores the disturbing world of teen violence as the movie shows the real-life story of a high school girl who was brutally attacked by her peers in Florida in 2008. From director Stephen Gyllenhaal, Anne Heche plays the distraught mother Melissa Macklin, and Jodelle Ferland plays her daughter Haley Macklin, the victim of a heinous beating captured and shared on social media. The plot follows Melissa’s unrelenting quest for justice amidst a community in denial and a legal system that cannot keep pace with digital-age crimes. ‘Girl Fight’ is a powerful movie about bullying, the impact of social media, and a family’s fight for accountability, with an evocative yet thought-provoking storyline. You can watch ‘Girl Fight’ here.

12. Restless Virgins (2013)

‘Restless Virgins’ offers a salacious look into the lives of privileged prep school students whose secrets explode into a public scandal. Directed by Jason Lapeyre and starring Vanessa Marano and Charlie Carver, two students entangled in the web of a sex tape scandal that rocks an elite New England boarding school, the story revolves around the pressures and moral complexities faced by the students, exposing a dark underbelly of wealth and privilege. ‘Restless Virgins’ not only highlights the sensationalism of the scandal but also critically assesses the deeper issues of consent, privacy, and young indiscretions in the digital era. You can view the movie here.

11. Abducted: The Carlina White Story (2012)

‘Abducted: The Carlina White Story’ stands out for its poignancy in the face of misfortune, depicting resilience and identity. Vondie Curtis-Hall directs the film as it follows the true story of Carlina White, abducted as an infant in August 1987 and raised by her kidnapper Ann Pettway (Aunjanue Ellis), White’s realization and her subsequent search for her biological parents, Joy White (Sherri Shepherd) and Carl Tyson (Roger Cross), that came to fruition 23 years later in January 2011. The movie skillfully weaves the emotional complexities of the case, from heart-wrenching separation to a triumphant reunion. Through its storytelling and strong performances, ‘Abducted: The Carlina White Story’ manages to bring into light not just the horrors of child abduction but also the resilience and strength of the human spirit in the pursuit of truth and identity. You can watch the film here.

10. Britney Ever After (2017)

Although ‘Britney Ever After’ is not a quintessential true-crime story, it draws much from the turbulent life of pop icon Britney Spears, who came under much scrutiny and exploitation in the hands of the media. The movie deals with the dark side of being famous, which includes pressure to be a star, mental problems, and the paparazzi-filled chaos that finally led to Spears’ well-documented breakdown. Helmed by Leslie Libman, this biographical drama follows Natasha Bassett as the protagonist, Britney Spears, as she rises to superstardom, fights personal demons, and then bounces back. Despite its dramatized elements, ‘Britney Ever After’ gives us a sobering reflection of the perils of celebrity culture and the shocking consequences of relentless tabloid scrutiny. The most heinous crime here is harassment from the public, which drives a person insane. You can see the film here.

9. Drew Peterson: Untouchable (2012)

‘Drew Peterson: Untouchable’ is a riveting true crime drama about the haunting story of Drew Peterson, a former police officer convicted of murdering his third wife, Kathleen Savio (murdered in 2004; Cara Buono), and suspected in the disappearance of his fourth wife, Stacy Ann Cales (disappeared in 2009; Kaley Cuoco). Based on one real-life case that sent shock waves across the nation, this film will show how Peterson’s mask of a charming lawman was torn apart to reveal the dark secrets lurking beneath. Helmed by Mikael Salomon, the movie stars Rob Lowe as Peterson in a chilling portrayal, revealing the manipulative tactics and predator behaviors that finally brought him down. You can see ‘Drew Peterson: Untouchable’ here.

8. Taken From Me: The Tiffany Rubin Story (2011)

In ‘Taken From Me: The Tiffany Rubin Story,’ viewers are taken into the tale of a mother’s unrelenting quest to be reunited with her son, who has been kidnapped. The film is based on true events in 2008 where Taraji P. Henson plays the role of Tiffany Rubin; she goes on a perilous journey to save her six-year-old son, Kobe, from his father, Jeff (ex of Tifany; Sean Baek), who kidnapped him from his Queens home and took him to South Korea. Gary Harvey directs this movie that holds dear themes of a mother’s love, resilience, and the human spirit, which rises above all challenges. Filled with great storytelling and well-rendered performances, ‘Taken From Me’ delights audiences with its emotional depth and serves as one of those testaments to the power of a mother’s love. You can watch here.

7. I Am Elizabeth Smart (2017)

‘I Am Elizabeth Smart’ is raw and personal as it tells the story of the frightening experience of Elizabeth Smart, who was kidnapped on June 5, 2002, by a married couple, Mitchell (Skeet Ulrich) and Wanda (Deirdre Lovejoy), when she was only fourteen, and was found 9 months later, no more than 20 miles from her home in Utah. The film is intensely personal, showing Smart’s bravery and strength in the face of unimaginable trauma punctuated by regular rape and assault. Because of its well-written storyline and realistic acting, it brings into light the complexities of her experience and the difficulties she faced when trying to reclaim her life after captivity. The movie is directed by Sarah Walker and stars Alana Boden as young Elizabeth Smart. The story is narrated by the real Elizabeth Smart, who is currently a child safety activist and an ABC News commentator. This true story has been dramatized with emotional intensity and deeply effects its viewers. You can see ‘I Am Elizabeth Smart’ here.

6. Murdaugh Murders: The Movie (2023)

‘Murdaugh Murders: The Movie’ is a two-part movie event based on the true story of Alex Murdaugh, who was convicted of murdering his wife and son back in 2021. The Murdaugh family was basically a local dynasty in South Carolina Low Country. The plot revolves around Alex Murdaugh, who takes matters into his own hands to save his family’s legacy after a young girl’s death, in which his son Paul was found involved. Adding to this, Alex was going through opioid addiction, which further resulted in a series of events and such a heinous crime which sent shivers down the spines of the entire nation. Bill Pullman is starring as Alex Murdaugh in the movies that can be streamed right here.

5. Girl in the Bunker (2018)

‘Girl in the Bunker’ is a true, chilling tale of 14-year-old Elizabeth Shoaf, who on September 6, 2006, was abducted and held captive for ten days in an underground bunker, being raped by a guy named Vinson Filyaw. The film, directed by Stephen Kemp, presents an unpolished-and-raw screen adaptation of Elizabeth’s, played by Julia Lalonde, gutsy and resourceful fight for survival against her tormentor, Filyaw, played by Henry Thomas. Using a tension-riddled screenplay, it offers a harrowing peek at the darkness of captivity and the robust spirit of the human heart. With outstanding performances, ‘Girl in the Bunker’ captures the heart-wrenching reality of Elizabeth’s story and her remarkable odyssey toward freedom. You can watch the film here.

4. Cocaine Godmother: The Griselda Blanco Story (2017)

‘Cocaine Godmother: The Griselda Blanco Story’ tells the harsh and grimy narco-world from the perspective of one of its most infamous participants: Colombian drug lord Griselda Blanco, who ran her cocaine trade from Miami between the 1970s and early 2000s. The film, helmed by Guillermo Navarro, is a thrilling true story following Griselda Blanco’s rise from poverty to become one of the most powerful and feared drug lords in history. Starring the incomparable Catherine Zeta-Jones as Blanco, the audience navigates the unbelievable highs and incredible lows of her life, from the heights of her criminal empire to the depths of her personal struggles. Through its raw storytelling and deep character study, ‘Cocaine Godmother’ sheds light into the dark world of the drug trade and the evils of power and ambition. Co-stars: Raúl Méndez, Juan Pablo Espinosa, Warren Christie. You can stream it here.

3. Homeless to Harvard: The Liz Murray Story (2003)

‘Homeless to Harvard: The Liz Murray Story’ is an inspiring true-life story about overcoming adversity. By director Peter Levin, the film narrates Liz Murray’s astonishing journey from her homelessness in the Bronx, born of poor and drug-addict parents on September 23, 1980, into Harvard University. The film poignantly explores the determination and resilience that education can use to help a person change course from a life of crime and poverty. This film features the remarkable performance of Thora Birch as Liz Murray, perfectly capturing the spirit of her remarkable journey, quite poignantly and eloquently. You can see ‘Homeless to Harvard: The Liz Murray Story’ here.

2. Amanda Knox: Murder on Trial in Italy (2011)

In the TV movie ‘Amanda Knox: Murder on Trial in Italy,’ viewers are drawn into a true-crime legal drama based on the infamous case of Amanda Knox, an American exchange student accused of murdering her roommate/British student Meredith Kercher in Perugia, Italy. Kercher’s body was discovered on November 2, 2007. Directed by Robert Dornhelm, the film is set between 2007 and 2009 and offers a bird’s-eye view into the media frenzy, legal battles, and international scrutiny surrounding Knox’s (Hayden Panettiere) trial. Shockingly, Knox and her boyfriend, Raffaele Sollecito (Paolo Romio), were convicted without evidence to support such a conviction. With Panettiere effectively capturing Knox, the movie opens into the many layers of the case, further assessing aspects of justice, prejudice, and the thin line drawn between fact and yellow journalism. You can watch the film here.

1. Girl in the Box (2016)

Prepare for a truly chilling tale as told in true events with Girl in the Box. This Stephen Kemp-directed thriller tells the horrific true story of 22-year-old Stan, abducted on May 19, 1977, and kept in a tiny wooden coffin-like box and forced to be a sex slave by Cameron and Janice Hooker, a married couple, until her eventual escape in 1984. Zane Holtz gives a chilling performance as Cameron Hooker, the sadistic abductor, while Addison Timlin brings depth and nuance to Colleen Stan, conveying the young woman’s perseverance and bravery in the face of incomprehensible torment. Zelda Williams also stars as Janice Hooker. A psychological and emotional look at the damage captivity can cause, Girl in the Box serves as a stark reminder of the will to survive that lies within every human being and the indomitable human spirit that refuses to be extinguished when faced with even the most unimaginable of cruelties. Watch it here. Read More: Best Disturbing Movies on Netflix