Theres never any shortage of cult activity especially in Southern California but each presents a unique case study.
Though theyve become particularly popular in the streaming era, cult documentaries have been around for decades.
Read on forEntertainment Weeklys list of the 20 best cult documentaries and docuseries.
Courtesy of HBO
Where to watchAmerican Commune: Amazon Prime Video
18.
Where to watchJonestown: The Life and Death of Peoples Temple: Not available to stream
17.
Deprogrammed (2015)
Deprogrammedprofiles the efforts of anti-cult activist Ted Patrick.
Courtesy of HBO
Where to watchDeprogrammed: Tubi
16.
Its a risky endeavor, but one that offers much catharsis.D.G.
Where to watchChildren of God: Amazon Prime Video
15.
The Source Family (2012)
Ever heard of Father Yod and his Source Family?
Most people hadnt before 2012, but boy do they know him now.
The Source Familyis one of the most unbelievable and entertaining documentaries youll likely ever see.
Where to watchThe Source Family: Amazon Prime Video
14.
Where to watchLife After Manson: Vimeo
13.
This makes the heartsick and lonely particularly ripe fodder for their cult.
Where to watchEscaping Twin Flames: Netflix
12.
Where to watchMy Scientology Movie: Disney+
10.
Where to watchHoly Hell: Peacock
9.
Where to watchGoing Clear: Scientology and the Prison of Belief: Max
8.
For the next decade or so, Ray preyed upon an expanding number of her students.
What compels someone like Ray to take on such a cause?
How is this ordeal even possible, especially at an educational institution?
Where to watchStolen Youth: Inside the Cult at Sarah Lawrence: Hulu
7.
Kumare (2011)
Kumareis a thoughtful and gently absurd inversion of the documentary format.
Where to watchKumare: Tubi
6.
To say much more about the series would spoil its greatest shocks and surprises.
Where to watchWild Wild Country: Netflix
5.
Where to watchThe Deep End: Amazon Prime Video (to rent)
4.
Where to watchJonestown: The Women Behind the Massacre: Hulu
3.
Where to watchWaco: The Rules of Engagement: YouTube
2.
Courtesy of HBO
Jeffs is currently serving a life sentence in prison, where he has started another grass-roots religion.
This well-paced doc packs the emotional wallop of a sledgehammer with the pacing of a Hollywood thriller.
Its enraging and insightful, yet ultimately hopeful.D.G.
Where to watchProphets Prey: Paramount+
1.
In allowing the family to speak for themselves, the filmmakers let them dig their own grave.
Where to watchManson: YouTube
