Even though conspiracy theories are usually considered "crazy," sometimes there's truth to them—you just have to pick apart each theory, uncover hard evidence, and decide which ones are truly true.
The following conspiracy documentaries on Netflix bring attention to both well-known and obscure conspiracy theories. View each with a skeptical lens as you decide which ones are worth believing in.
12. Bob Lazar: Area 51 & Flying Saucers (2018)
Are you fascinated by extraterrestrial beings? Many people are, despite the lack of hard evidence. Perhaps this air of mystery is part of the reason why this subject is still so fascinating to us.
In Bob Lazar: Area 51 & Flying Saucers, you'll learn more about the person who made Area 51 so famous. Bob Lazar, a former government physicist, shared his take on "flying saucers" and many other connected matters regarding extraterrestrial beings and the American government.
11. MH370: The Plane That Disappeared (2023)
Do you remember the MH370 incident? Back in 2014, Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 simply disappeared with 239 passengers on board. Nine years have passed since and people are still looking for answers.
In this fascinating documentary, we're made privy to the opinions of investigators, journalists, scientists, and family members who are trying to uncover the truth behind this absurd and traumatic event.
10. The Mystery of Marilyn Monroe: The Unheard Tapes (2022)
Marilyn Monroe's death has often been the subject of several conspiracy theories. Was it suicide? Or was it part of a bigger plan? In this documentary, the chronology of Monroe's life is explored.
Several "unheard tapes" (i.e. interviews and recordings of people who personally knew her or got to know more about the events surrounding her death) are released and made public through this groundbreaking piece of documentary filmmaking.
9. 27: Gone Too Soon (2018)
Are you familiar with the "27 Club"? It's an informal way of addressing all the famous people—mostly musicians—who famously died at the age of 27. Some of the more notable names include Amy Winehouse, Jimi Hendrix, Jim Morrison, Janis Joplin, and Kurt Cobain.
The 27: Gone Too Soon documentary looks at the circumstances behind their deaths and dives into several theories and unresolved mysteries about these celebrities who died way too soon.
8. Fugitive: The Curious Case of Carlos Ghosn (2022)
Carlos Ghosn is an important businessman who became famous due to his numerous high-profile roles—as CEO of Michelin North America, as chairman and CEO of Renault, AvtoVAZ, Nissan, and as chairman of Mitsubishi Motors.
Ghosn was arrested for several white-collar crimes: financial misconduct, misrepresenting his salary, and allegedly masterminding a long-term scheme to mislead financial authorities.
In Fugitive: The Curious Case of Carlos Ghosn, this documentary looks at his rise, fall, and current state of life from various points of view.
7. Web of Make Believe: Death, Lies and the Internet (2022)
Web of Make Believe: Death, Lies and the Internet is an anthology true crime docuseries that engages with digital misinformation and the consequences that arise from it.
Each episode portrays a different facet of the internet and how it can be used to harm people and commit several types of crimes.
Through interviews and montages, we get to know more about the dark side of the internet and its dangers, complete with a mixture of sci-fi undertones and social commentary.
6. The Sons of Sam: A Descent Into Darkness (2021)
The Sons of Sam: A Descent Into Darkness is a docuseries about the theories and investigations by journalist Maury Terry.
Maury Terry spent 40 years of his life—and allegedly ruined his health—investigating the case of the killer David Berkowitz, more commonly known as the Son of Sam or the .44 Caliber Killer.
His story is well-known, but Maury Terry believed there was more to it and that Berkowitz's murders were actually part of a bigger plan that involved several people who were linked through a cult.
5. The Family (2019)
America laid its foundation with the separation of church and state in mind. While Americans have long taken this right as a given, the two institutions might not be as separate as Americans think.
The Family exposes the prevalence of religion in the White House. A conservative Christian group, dubbed the Family or the Fellowship, has been involved with the American government for decades, influencing a number of presidents.
4. Dirty Money (2018–2020)
Dirty Money investigates the impact of corporate greed. Each hour-long episode highlights a different case of corruption, unveiling fraud and illegal accounting in some of the biggest companies in the world.
The docuseries rehashes controversies like the Volkswagen emissions scandal, the Great Canadian Maple Syrup Heist, and much more.
3. Cowspiracy: The Sustainability Secret (2014)
We've all been told that the main agents of climate change and pollution are those huge factories that pump plumes of smoke into the air—but what if that's not necessarily true?
Cowspiracy suggests that the agricultural industry has a negative impact on the environment, and activists are knowingly ignoring that fact.
The documentary sheds light on animal agriculture, and how it can wreak havoc on our forests, water sources, as well as our ozone.
2. Behind the Curve (2018)
By now, I think just about everyone has heard about the "flat Earth" conspiracy theory. In Behind the Curve, you'll get introduced to real flat-Earthers who firmly believe that the Earth isn't round.
This documentary primarily revolves around Mark Sargent, a flat Earth advocate. The film features interviews with Sargent, as well as other prominent flat-Earthers, and also documents various flat-Earther meetups.
It just makes you wonder: why and how can someone get roped into believing the flat Earth theory?
1. Wormwood (2017)
Wormwood is a Netflix original docudrama series that investigates Frank Olson, a scientist who possibly contributed to a government biological warfare project without even knowing it.
In 1953, Olson fell to his death from a hotel window. Although his death was first considered a suicide, later investigations suggest that he may have been murdered.
Olson's story is relayed through his son, Eric Olson, who seeks to uncover the truth behind his father's mysterious death.
