The 10 Best Cult Documentaries
Cult classic TV series and movies about cults have always been a fascinating subject for people worldwide. The long list of cults intrigues us with their bizarre beliefs, individual claims, practices, and rituals. Good cult documentaries have been made on this subject since the early years of cinema.
But what makes these best cult docs so captivating is their in-depth investigative approach to how to expose a cult leader and uncover the darkest secrets of good cult names. The best cult docuseries are often based on true stories ranging from famous cult leaders to documentaries about churches and cult TV shows exposing religious malpractice reflect the vagaries of the human condition. And that’s why today, we present you with the top 10 cults to stream (or even the craziest cult documentaries) you must watch, which reflect some of the biggest cults in America.
1. Wild Wild Country (2018)
Wild Wild Country explores the rise and fall of a cult called Rajneeshpuram, led by an Indian mystic named Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh.
This cult movie documentary showcases the lengths to which the cult went to establish a utopian society in rural Oregon in the 1980s. Wild Wild Country demonstrates how cults can become dangerous and threatening to society, from poisoning local officials to building a city from scratch.
One of several crazy religious documentaries, this cult film deals with the followers’ arrival, the establishment of a 64,000-acre ranch, conflicts with the local residents, and the cult’s ultimate downfall. With interviews of former followers and never-before-seen footage, numerous twists and turns prove to be eye-opening and utterly gripping.
This documentary about religions offers a rich and multi-layered account of the events that unfolded over four years in the early 1980s.
2. Going Clear: Scientology and the Prison of Belief (2015)
This documentary exposes the controversial and secretive nature of Scientology as one of many cults that are still active. It offers a historical perspective on the origins and development of the religion and delves deep into the lives of its most prominent members.
Going Clear: Scientology and the Prison of Belief is an investigative documentary examining Scientology. It uncovers its litigious nature, delving into the stories of people who have managed to leave the organization after years of indoctrination.
The documentary also shines a light on the church's mistreatment of former members and its widespread abuse. It’s a popular film and a contender for best scientology documentary on Netflix.
👉 Watch Going Clear: Scientology and the Prison of Belief on Amazon Prime
👉 Buy Going Clear: Scientology and the Prison of Belief as DVD on Amazon
3. Keep Sweet: Pray and Obey (2022)
Stay Sweet: Pray and Obey is a series of documentaries about fundamentalist Christianity that explores the horrific story of Warren Jeffs and his ascent in the Fundamentalist Church of Christ of Latter-Day Saints (FLDS), an offshoot of the mainstream Mormon church.
FLDS followers practice polygamy and appoint women husbands to the prophet, in this case, Warren Jeffs, by divine revelation. Under Jeffs' leadership, the church devolved into a cult, and its actions raised worries among outsiders about underage marriage and statutory rape.
Yet no one was prepared for the horrible crimes committed by Warren Jeffs, who, despite being in prison, still remained the FLDS prophet.
One of the best evangelical documentaries about Jesus and Christianity, the documentary was filmed and produced by Emmy-winning director Rachel Dretzin.
Keep Sweet: Pray and Obey on IMDb
Listen to Keep Sweet: The Cult of Warren Jeffs and FLDS Podcast on Factual America.
4. Jonestown: The Life and Death of Peoples Temple (2006)
This documentary chronicles the life of Jim Jones, the founder of Peoples Temple, and his tragic end involving the mass murder-suicide of over 900 followers in Guyana, South America.
The documentary takes viewers on a visual and emotional journey, exploring the events and circumstances leading up to the tragedy.
It highlights the susceptibility of many individuals to cults, leaving viewers pondering how such a tragedy could occur.
Jonestown: The Life and Death of Peoples Temple on IMDb.
5. The Vow (2020)
The Vow is a 2020 HBO documentary series that explores the cult-like organization known as NXIVM. The group was led by Keith Raniere, a self-proclaimed guru who promised to help his followers achieve enlightenment.
The Vow delves into the organization’s inner workings, detailing the grooming techniques used by Raniere and his enablers. The series features former members who describe the emotional, physical, and sexual abuse they suffered while under Raniere’s control.
The documentary is a meticulous and compelling examination of a contemporary cult.
👉 Watch The Vow on Amazon Prime
6. Holy Hell (2016)
Holy Hell is a gripping tale of an unsuspecting group of people who joined a spiritual community in California that later turned out to be a cult led by a charismatic yet manipulative leader.
Holy Hell is a documentary that exposes "The Buddhafield," a spiritual group led by a charismatic yoga instructor, Michel Rostand, who went by the name of "The Teacher." The documentary follows his 22 year-long journey leading his followers and shows the emotional and mental abuse he inflicted on them.
The film unpacks cult mentality and showcases how individuals can be drawn into the group dynamic and be taken advantage of through the use of manipulation and deceit.
👉 Watch Holy Hell on Amazon Prime
👉 Buy Holy Hell as DVD on Amazon
7. Cults and Extreme Belief (2018)
This gripping series investigates the world of cults and takes viewers deep into the twisted minds of cult leaders and their followers.
Cults and Extreme Belief is an American documentary television series that examines different cults within North America. The series features first-hand accounts of individuals who have been involved with these cults discussing how they managed to break free from the group.
It explores the extreme beliefs of these groups as well as their practices and the hold they have over their followers.
👉 Watch Cults and Extreme Belief on Amazon Prime
8. Heaven's Gate: The Cult of Cults (2020)
Heaven's Gate: The Cult of Cults is a four part American documentary miniseries and it revolves around the religious group Heaven's Gate and its leader Marshall Applewhite.
Former members and their loved ones have been interviewed for the series. It includes never before seen footage of the cult.
The Heavens Gate doc takes an in-depth look at the infamous UFO cult from its imagining in 1975 to the largest suicide on US soil in 1997.
9. The Source Family (2012)
This film captures the arrival of the New Age revolution in the form of cult residents in Los Angeles who ran a popular health food restaurant and practiced sex, psychedelic drugs, and meditation. The time they spent active is recreated with archival material and the interviews with participants.
This feature documentary film is set in the Hollywood Hills, and is take a look into this radical experiment in '70s utopian living.
The Source Family were once considered the 'darlings of the Sunset Strip' however that was until they caused issues for the local authorities. They later fled to Hawaii and it resulted in their premature end.
👉 Watch The Source Family on Amazon Prime
👉 Buy The Source Family as DVD on Amazon
10. The Keepers (2017)
The Keepers is a heart-wrenching documentary that follows the story of Sister Cathy Cesnik, a beloved nun murdered in 1969. The production sheds light on the decades-old mystery that unravels the horrific crimes committed by the Keepers cult in Baltimore’s Catholic Archdiocese.
The documentary explores the story of the brave victims who come forward despite the deep-seated fear and trauma inflicted upon them. It delves into the devastating story of The Keepers cult and sheds light on the haunting secrets that prevailed for years.
Conclusion
In summary, these 10 best cult documentaries offer a compelling and thought-provoking glimpse into the world of cults, and the lists of cults get longer each year. In the same way, it seems the queue of followers searching for the best cults to join 2023, also lengthens each year. The documentaries shed light on the cult leaders' charismatic nature, twisted beliefs, and wrongful acts committed by them and their followers. As such, they also could be named true crime cult documentaries.
By watching these great 2023 cult documentaries and other cult favorite TV shows, we can learn a lot about the dangers of unthinkingly following charismatic leaders and the importance of being informed and cautious of the groups we associate with. So, let's explore this fascinating world and discover why cults have such a powerful appeal for many.
Cult Documentaries Streaming:
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