5 New True Crime Documentaries to Watch in August 2026
August 2026 will be delivering a diverse slate of new true crime documentaries exploring everything from infamous serial killers and financial fraud to wildlife trafficking and high-profile missing persons cases.
From an international perspective, next month, viewers can check out Netflix Thailand’s first-ever true crime documentary and a gripping Swedish investigation into one of the country’s biggest corporate scandals.
Here are 5 new true crime documentaries to watch in August 2026.
Betrayal: Dirty Secrets – Season 4 – August 4 (Hulu)
Karoline’s story is at the center of Season 4 of the docuseries, which will delve into her husband’s, a respected Colorado Springs Police officer, betrayal, the resilience of family, and the ways in which she has rebuilt her life in the aftermath of his yearslong extreme misconduct. Her daughter, Nicole Kern, was instrumental in convincing her mom to share their story and made a surprise appearance at Crime Con, joining her mother on the panel.
Inside the Trustor Scandal – August 5 (Netflix)
Joachim Posener, alongside key insiders, revisits the snowballing financial scandal that followed the illegal purchase of a Swedish investment firm in the ‘90s — and who exposed it.
Monsters of God – August 6 (HBO Max)
Filmmaker Eric Goode follows his first love – reptiles – into the dark and gonzo underworld of exotic animal smuggling. In this global network, everyone is chasing the ultimate prize, whether it be owning the rarest of species, claiming the biggest fortunes, or taking down the most elusive criminals. As he digs deeper into the billion-dollar criminal enterprise fueled by obsession for these creatures, Goode uncovers a labyrinth of outlaw traffickers, bombastic collectors, and the dogged law enforcement agents on their tails.
Conversations with a Killer: The Charles Manson Tapes – August 12 (Netflix)
Drawing on previously unreleased prison recordings, firsthand accounts, and archival footage, this documentary series traces Charles Manson’s rise as a cult leader, the 1969 murders that followed, and the media spectacle of his trial. The series features interviews with former Manson Family members and law enforcement alongside recorded phone calls with Manson himself.
Chompoo: Lost & Forgotten – August 20 (Netflix)
When a young girl vanishes from a remote village, the frantic police hunt becomes a media frenzy. But who turned a suspected criminal into a celebrity?
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