True crime continues its reign as one of Netflix’s most compelling genres, and February 2026 delivers both fresh investigative content and a treasure trove of existing documentaries that explore humanity’s darkest moments. Whether you’re drawn to unsolved mysteries, controversial convictions, or heart-wrenching family tragedies, this month’s lineup offers something for every armchair detective.
TL;DR
February 2026 brings a major new Lucy Letby documentary to Netflix alongside a robust catalog of existing true crime favorites including I AM A KILLER, The Menendez Brothers, and Gone Girls. No departures expected this month.
1. The Investigation of Lucy Letby
Netflix’s headline true crime release examines one of the UK’s most disturbing criminal cases. This feature-length documentary investigates the conviction of neonatal nurse Lucy Letby for murdering seven babies and attempting to kill seven others at the Countess of Chester Hospital. What makes this documentary particularly compelling is its inclusion of never-before-seen arrest footage alongside interviews with devastated victim families and the investigators who built the case against her. The film also explores emerging doubts about her convictions, adding layers of complexity to an already heartbreaking story.
2. Gone Girls: The Long Island Serial Killer
This recent documentary tackles the Gilgo Beach serial murders, a case that haunted Long Island for years before recent developments brought investigators closer to answers. The series examines the discovery of multiple victims and the painstaking detective work that eventually led to breakthroughs in this chilling case.
3. American Murder: Gabby Petito
Using social media posts, police bodycam footage, and text messages, this documentary reconstructs the disappearance and tragic murder of Gabby Petito during what should have been a dream cross-country road trip. The film captures how a case became a national obsession and sparked important conversations about domestic violence.
4. Homicide
This multi-part investigation series delivers exactly what its title promises: deep dives into homicide cases with the procedural detail that true crime enthusiasts crave. Each installment examines different cases with thorough investigative journalism.
5. Sean Combs: The Reckoning
A recent addition exploring the high-profile allegations and legal troubles surrounding the music mogul, this documentary examines accusations that have rocked the entertainment industry and sparked broader conversations about power and accountability.
6. I AM A KILLER
One of Netflix’s ongoing true crime series, this show features intimate interviews with death row inmates who speak directly to the camera about their crimes. The series raises uncomfortable questions about culpability, justice, and whether redemption is possible for those who’ve committed the ultimate crime.
7. Kidnapped: Elizabeth Smart
Still fresh on the platform, this documentary covers Elizabeth Smart’s 2002 abduction from her Salt Lake City bedroom and her harrowing nine-month captivity. Smart herself has become an advocate for missing persons, and her story remains one of the most well-known kidnapping cases in American history.
8. The Menendez Brothers
Decades after Lyle and Erik Menendez were convicted of murdering their parents in their Beverly Hills mansion in 1989, this documentary gives the brothers an opportunity to share their perspectives on the crime that shocked America. The case continues to generate debate about abuse, privilege, and justice.
9. Making a Murderer
This landmark Netflix original documentary series put the streaming platform on the true crime map. Following Steven Avery’s controversial murder conviction after he’d already been exonerated in a previous case, the series sparked national debate about criminal justice, wrongful convictions, and police conduct.
10. The Trials of Gabriel Fernandez
Perhaps one of the most difficult documentaries to watch, this series investigates the horrific abuse and murder of eight-year-old Gabriel Fernandez by his mother and her boyfriend. The documentary examines the systemic failures that allowed his suffering to continue despite multiple warning signs.
11. Tiger King
While it became a cultural phenomenon during early pandemic lockdowns, this wild documentary about Joe Exotic, Carole Baskin, and the bizarre world of big cat ownership in America remains endlessly watchable. Murder-for-hire plots, missing persons, and eccentric personalities collide in this stranger-than-fiction series.
12. The Staircase
One of true crime’s most famous documentaries, this series follows Michael Peterson’s trial for the murder of his wife Kathleen, who was found dead at the bottom of their staircase. The case features bizarre theories, family drama, and legal twists that kept audiences guessing for years.
13. Unsolved Mysteries
Netflix’s reboot of the classic series brings the iconic format to a new generation, exploring unsolved cases ranging from mysterious disappearances to unexplained deaths. Each standalone episode invites viewers to help crack cases that have stumped investigators.
14. The Keepers
This devastating seven-part series investigates the unsolved 1969 murder of Sister Cathy Cesnik, a beloved Baltimore nun and teacher, and the shocking allegations of sexual abuse at the Catholic school where she worked. What begins as a cold case murder mystery evolves into a deeply disturbing examination of institutional cover-ups, clergy abuse, and the courage of survivors who refused to stay silent decades later. It remains one of Netflix’s most emotionally powerful true crime series.
Final Take
For those looking to explore even deeper, Netflix’s Crime Documentaries genre code (9875) unlocks access to over fifty titles spanning decades of cases and investigative styles. From international crimes to domestic tragedies, from cold cases to recent convictions, the breadth of content ensures you’ll never run out of mysteries to explore.
The enduring appeal of true crime lies in our fundamental need to understand the incomprehensible. These documentaries don’t just entertain—they educate us about criminal psychology, reveal flaws in justice systems, honor victims’ memories, and sometimes even contribute to ongoing investigations or exonerations. As February unfolds, Netflix’s true crime library stands ready to satisfy our curiosity about the darkest corners of human behavior while reminding us of the resilience of survivors and the dedication of those who seek justice.
Check out It’s Netflix Nerd for our latest reviews, updates, release news, and information about Netflix movies and series.