7 New True Crime Documentaries to Watch in October
It is spooky season and that means a lot of new (and older, classic) horror content will be making their way to both cable and streaming. But the month of October also has quite a few new true crime documentaries (both films and series) debuting.
Here are 7 new true crime documentaries to watch throughout October 2025.
Wasp Woman: The Murder of a B-Movie Queen – October 2 (Sundance Now/AMC)
“A gripping true-crime documentary exploring the bizarre and tragic murder of cult film actress Susan Cabot, best known for her role in The Wasp Woman. In December 1986, Cabot was found dead in her Los Angeles mansion. The prime suspect: her son, Timothy Scott Roman, born with dwarfism and allegedly subjected to a controversial government experiment. The investigation unfolds revealing a haunting tale of Hollywood secrets, maternal trauma, and medical ethics, in a story stranger-than-fiction.”
My Father, the BTK Killer – October 10 (Netflix)
“Raised by a man leading a monstrous double life, the daughter of the BTK serial killer shares her chilling story in this true crime documentary.”
The Perfect Neighbor – October 17 (Netflix)
“One woman. Dozens of 911 calls. And a close-knit neighborhood caught in a nightmare. What begins as one woman’s relentless harassment of children spirals into a shocking act of violence. Captured through gripping police bodycam footage, The Perfect Neighbor – Winner of the Sundance Film Festival’s Directing Award – delivers a hauntingly powerful experience that keeps you on edge from start to finish.”
Mob War: Philadelphia vs. The Mafia – October 22 (Netflix)
“It may be the City of Brotherly Love but try telling that to the police and prosecutors who worked in Philly at the turn of the new millennium. Long in the shadow of New York, the story of the Philly mob is MORE violent and MORE compelling than anything ever witnessed in Gotham.”
The Boston Strangler: Unheard Confession – October 26 (Oxygen True Crime)
“From 1962 to 1964, at least 11 women were found murdered in and around the Boston area at the hands of the Boston Strangler. Soon after the final murder, Albert DeSalvo confessed to 11 crimes, but was murdered in prison just one night before he was reportedly planning to recant his confession. For decades, the case was considered closed, as DeSalvo’s original confession tapes were believed to be lost and never made public – until now.
In this gripping documentary, exclusive access to the unreleased tapes raises disturbing questions. As the recordings play, DeSalvo gets key details wrong and at times seems coached to give specific answers, casting doubt on his confession and reigniting debate over the real identity of the Boston Strangler”
Don’t Date Brandon – October 28 (Paramount+)
“Don’t Date Brandon is a gripping true crime docuseries that follows a modern romance that spiraled into a dangerous game of deception. When Amber starts dating Brandon after meeting him online, he seems like the perfect boyfriend. But when she connects with his ex-wife, Athena, everything is turned upside-down as they learn the truth together: Brandon is a manipulative liar with dark secrets. As the two women launch a podcast to expose Brandon and discuss the warning signs they missed, more victims come forward, and new details and stories emerge. This is a story about more than one man’s lies… it’s about survival, solidarity and the women who refused to stay silent.”
Aileen: Queen of the Serial Killers – October 30 (Netflix)
“Between 1989 and 1990, Aileen Wuornos murdered seven men across central Florida, a killing spree that ultimately landed her on death row. Her execution in 2002 marked the end of a tragic and complex life—one that demands reexamination through a modern lens. From BBC Studios Documentary Unit, NBC News Studios, and director Emily Turner, Aileen: Queen of the Serial Killers revisits Aileen’s story through powerful audio interviews with those who knew her best. Featuring remarkable archival footage of former Dateline correspondent Michele Gillen and never-before-seen death row interviews with Aileen herself, this documentary finally gives her a voice in her own story—offering new insight into what happened, and why.”
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