by: Annabelle Pan

Graphics Editor

In the past five years, Netflix has more than doubled its revenue, thanks to its popular documentaries. Outperforming other genres, true crime documentaries attract various types of viewers as they combine suspense, mystery, and truth.

Involving a dramatic account of robbery and theft, The Diamond Heist, a 2025 docuseries, offers the perspectives of both the robbers and policemen. The first episode follows Leonardo Notarbartolo and his team as he describes the daring plan to steal a 203.04 carat diamond displayed in London’s Millennium Dome. The docuseries establishes the robbers’ confidence and evasion of the law before switching to the police, who had been tracking Notarbartolo’s actions from the outset. The Diamond Heist mixes suspense and surprise, with a plot as daring as that of Ocean’s Eleven. 

For viewers who prefer researching mysteries and piecing together clues, Netflix also houses a wide variety of cold case documentaries. Cold Case: Who Killed JonBenét Ramsey reexamines the 1996 murder of six-year-old JonBenét Ramsey. Ramsey was strangled and hidden in her home’s basement, implicating her family as the prime suspects. The documentary scrutinizes the results of multiple forensic tests and the eventual absolution of her parents. Although the case is still open, the police have yet to find other suspects. Produced by the same director as a sequel, Cold Case: The Tylenol Murders delineates the 1980s deaths from cyanide-laced Tylenol pills and examines the victims, possible causes, and the multiple suspects. Although police found incriminating evidence for each suspect, none of them could be convicted of the crime. These two docuseries accurately summarize the evidence in both cases and identify key suspects, but ultimately provide little satisfaction for viewers seeking clear answers, as cold cases often do. 

If two cold case documentaries isn’t enough, mystery enthusiasts can watch Files of the Unexplained, an ongoing series reporting on bewildering phenomena. Its seventh episode describes a mystery in Oakville, Washington, when gelatinous chunks fell from the sky, triggering flu-like symptoms. The narrator covers the complaints of locals in witness interviews and introduces several theories. Although the series gives possible explanations for each incident, there is no concrete answer for any, and the director invites viewers to come to their own conclusions.

The popularity of true crime documentaries reveals more than just intrigue; they combine the astonishing aspects of fantasy, the curiosity inspired by tales of adventure, and the gripping fear from thrillers. Ultimately, Netflix’s recent true crime documentaries both captivate and educate viewers on famous cases.