Harrowing Netflix documentaries about real-life American tragedies you can watch now

Daily Mirror

03-05-2025

Among the streamer's many powerful documentaries are three viewers say everyone should see
Netflix's documentaries are always a hit with viewers, but picking the cream of the crop can be a tough task.
A handful of fresh releases have already made their way into the streaming giant's library, including one show that's being touted as the 'best docu-series of 2025. '
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We've put together a brief list of must-see documentaries, focusing on events that unfolded in America and subsequently shook the world.
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From catastrophic weather events to the passing of an LGBTQ+ legend, these shows are available for streaming now on Netflix.
The Twister: Caught in the Storm
Launched back in March, The Twister: Caught in the Storm delves into the horrific tornado that hit Joplin, Missouri, in 2011. The storm descended upon Joplin on May 22 and claimed the lives of 158 people, making it one of the deadliest in American history, reports the Mirror US.
Helmed by Alexandra Lacey, the documentary revisits this natural disaster, featuring first-hand accounts from weather forecasters and a group of survivors who found themselves at the heart of the storm.
Even though the tragedy took place 14 years ago, this Netflix series provides viewers with a deeply immersive experience of the event. A Rotten Tomatoes reviewer described it as "immersive, thrilling and frightening," continuing: "This documentary very well shows the vulnerability of all us humans when confronted with the mighty force of nature."
The Twister: Caught in the Storm is available for streaming now on Netflix
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Gone Girls: The Long Island Serial Killer
This three-part series has been praised by viewers as the 'best docu-series of 2025' just two months after its release on Netflix. It explores the hunt for an alleged serial killer, following a string of murders that took place over several years without being detected by law enforcement.
In 2010 police began to suspect a killer was on the loose after 23-year-old escort Shannan Gilbert made a panicked 911 call claiming someone was pursuing her, only to vanish shortly after.
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An extensive search of the area led to the discovery of four victims, known as the Gilgo Beach Four, and sparked a thorough investigation. Shannan's remains were eventually found in December 2011.
Directed by Liz Garbus, the documentary delves into the events leading up to the 2023 arrest of an architect, who is set to stand trial later this year charged with the murders of seven women. He maintains he is not guilty.
Viewers have taken to Rotten Tomatoes, where the series boasts a rare 100% score, with one reviewer writing: "Netflix Delivers the Best Docu-Series of 2025. 'Gone Girls' does something unexpected with its empathetic approach to true crime as director Liz Garbus gives a voice to the voiceless [...]."
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Gone Girls: The Long Island Serial Killer is now available to stream on Netflix
The Death and Life of Marsha P Johnson
Marsha P. Johnson, a trailblazer in the LGBTQ+ rights movement, met a tragic end in July 1992. The transgender icon was part of the pioneering Gay Liberation Front, which started in New York during the tumultuous late '60s.
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Initially thought to have taken her own life, a new documentary delves into the persistent suspicions that she was actually murdered.
The film's blurb states: "Filmmakers re-examine the 1992 death of transgender legend Marsha P. Johnson, who was found floating in the Hudson River. Originally ruled a suicide, many in the community believe she was murdered."
Highlighting the significance of the documentary, an IMDb reviewer wrote: "I was originally going to say that this should be required viewing for young LGBTQ people, in order for them to have a better understanding of our history.
"But correct that to say that EVERYONE should watch this in order to better understand a segment of our society that has been brutally mistreated since...well, since forever."