Criminals, murderers, arsonists, cult leaders, kidnappers, and every kind of vile human have been around for ages. The infamy of some of them will live on for generations. Though most of their names will vanish in time, their deeds will not be forgotten. Thanks to true crime documentaries and pop-culture references.

In fact, several directors and filmmakers have managed to create a number of fascinating documentaries. The subject of these projects varies from serial killers, mass murders, terrorist attacks, kidnappers, etc. Many true crime documentaries released in the year 2023 itself, which have successfully shocked and intrigued their viewers.

Below is a list of some of the best true crime documentaries of 2023.

Jared from Subway: Catching a Monster

Jared Fogle is a former spokesman for the popular restaurant chain, Subway. He was one of the main faces of the chain’s advertising campaigns, from the year 2000 to 2015. However, his world came crashing down after the FBI found him involved in child sex tourism. Furthermore, Fogle was also caught possessing child pornography.

Jared from Subway: Catching a Monster showcases his entire story and most importantly, how he fell from grace.

According to Rotten Tomatoes, the synopsis of the episodes reads, “Jared Fogle weighs a life-threatening 425lbs, then invents a unique diet and loses 200lbs eating only Subway sandwiches; the company makes him their spokesperson catapulting him to stardom, but behind his lovable facade lurks a dangerous secret. Radio journalist Rochelle Herman undertakes a covert mission to expose Subway spokesperson Jared Fogle as a child sex predator, but her investigation takes a dark turn; the lives of two young girls change when they encounter the Subway Guy.”

Directed by Sam Miller, watch Jared from Subway: Catching a Monster on Vudu, Prime Video, Max, and Apple TV+.

Waco: American Apocalypse

Netflix’s Waco: American Apocalypse narrates the story of the infamous Waco siege of 1993. According to Britannica, the Waco Siege was a 51-day standoff that took place between the religious group Branch Davidians and United States federal agents. This three-part documentary released on the streamer on March 22, 2023.

The synopsis of Waco: American Apocalypse on Netflix’s official YouTube channel reads, “This immersive three-part Netflix documentary series is the definitive account of what happened in Waco, Texas in 1993 when cult leader David Koresh faced off against the federal government in a bloody 51-day siege. Released to coincide with the 30th anniversary of this national tragedy, it features exclusive access to recently unearthed videotapes filmed inside the FBI’s Hostage Negotiation Command Post, as well as raw news footage never released to the American public and FBI wiretap recordings.”

Tiller Russell directed Waco: American Apocalypse.

Shiny Happy People: Duggar Family Secrets

Released on June 2, 2023, this documentary series showcases the life of the Duggar family and their relationship with The Institute in Basic Life Principles. However, this Christian fundamentalist organization is infamous for various reasons. It has also been called a cult.

According to Prime Video’s YouTube channel, the synopsis of the documentary series reads, “Shiny Happy People: Duggar Family Secrets is a limited docuseries exposing the truth beneath the wholesome Americana surface of reality tv’s favorite mega-family, The Duggars, and the radical organization behind them: The Institute in Basic Life Principles.”

It furthermore reads, “As details of the family and their scandals unfold, we realize they’re part of an insidious, much-larger threat already in motion, with democracy itself in peril.”

Olivia Crist and Julia Willoughby Nason directed this documentary. This docuseries is available on Amazon Prime Video.