Top 10 Must-Watch Documentaries on Cults and Religious Scandals

DOCUMENTARIES

4 min read

In a time when truth is stranger than fiction, the rise and fall of cults and religious empires have captivated audiences across the world. These documentaries don’t just recount bizarre rituals or infamous mass tragedies—they dig into the psychology, manipulation, and power structures that allow such systems to flourish. They expose what happens when blind faith meets unchecked authority and how personal devotion can spiral into public devastation.

The ten documentaries below offer a chilling, gripping, and sometimes deeply emotional look into the darkest corners of modern spirituality. From high-profile megachurch implosions to tragic mass deaths, each one serves as a reminder that behind every charismatic leader or promise of salvation, there may be a darker agenda at play.

10. John of God: The Crimes of a Spiritual Healer (2021)

Once seen as a miracle worker in Brazil, João Teixeira de Faria—known as "John of God"—was even endorsed by Oprah. But beneath his image as a healer was a horrifying pattern of abuse, exploitation, and manipulation. This series methodically reveals how an entire community, and even world leaders, were seduced by spiritual promises, only to later uncover unimaginable crimes. Its lower placement on the list reflects its narrower focus, but it's an essential entry into the genre.

9. Bikram: Yogi, Guru, Predator (2019)

This Netflix documentary peels back the image of Bikram Choudhury, the man who brought hot yoga to the West, and exposes the toxic empire he built. With firsthand accounts from survivors, it’s a sobering look at how wellness culture can be weaponized for power and abuse. What makes it so effective is its focus on control masked as self-improvement, showing how easily charisma can override red flags.

8. The Secrets of Hillsong (2023)

An insider look at one of the most influential global churches, this docuseries explores Hillsong’s carefully polished brand—and the rot underneath. From celebrity pastors to systemic abuse and cover-ups, The Secrets of Hillsong reveals how image was prioritized over accountability. It’s less sensational than others on this list, but its cultural relevance and depth make it a must-watch.

7. Heaven’s Gate: The Cult of Cults (2020)

Few cults have left a more bizarre legacy than Heaven’s Gate. This docuseries offers a meticulous look into the group's formation, its apocalyptic beliefs, and the tragic 1997 mass suicide that shocked the world. With interviews, archival footage, and psychological insight, it paints a haunting portrait of how alienation and idealism can become fatal when exploited.

6. Hillsong: A Megachurch Exposed (2022)

This earlier Hillsong exposé leans heavier into the scandal surrounding Carl Lentz and the celebrity-fueled church's fall from grace. While The Secrets of Hillsong goes deeper into structure and patterns, this doc grabs attention with its immediacy and bold revelations. It’s a companion piece to #8, but punchier and more urgent in tone.

5. God Forbid: The Sex Scandal That Brought Down a Dynasty (2022)

A tale that blends religion, politics, and jaw-dropping scandal, God Forbid follows the explosive downfall of Jerry Falwell Jr. through the lens of a pool boy’s affair that exposed deeper corruption within the evangelical elite. It’s tabloid-level drama with documentary weight, exposing how power and hypocrisy are deeply entwined in modern megachurch culture.

4. Keep Sweet: Pray and Obey (2022)

Focused on the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (FLDS) and its prophet Warren Jeffs, this docuseries is disturbing, deeply emotional, and impossible to forget. Through heartbreaking survivor testimonies, it chronicles the systemic abuse and oppression of women and girls under the guise of divine authority. Its impact is devastating and vital.

3. Jonestown: The Life and Death of Peoples Temple (2006)

This PBS documentary remains one of the most thorough and respectful accounts of the Jonestown tragedy. Through survivor interviews and rare footage, it doesn’t just recount the horror of the 900-person mass suicide—it shows how idealism, community, and blind loyalty allowed Jim Jones to gain absolute control. Chilling, sobering, and historically essential.

2. Waco: American Apocalypse (2023)

Netflix’s docuseries on the Waco siege doesn’t just recount the 1993 standoff—it humanizes both the victims and those sent in to stop them. With immersive footage and firsthand accounts, it raises difficult questions about religious freedom, law enforcement, and how far a government should go to confront perceived threats. Gripping and hauntingly relevant even today.

1. Wild Wild Country (2018)

At the top of the list is this mesmerizing, six-part series chronicling the rise and fall of the Rajneesh movement in Oregon. With its incredible access to former members, law enforcement, and opponents, Wild Wild Country is a sprawling tale of faith, utopia, culture clash, and chaos. What begins as a hopeful vision devolves into bioterrorism, armed militias, and power plays worthy of fiction. It’s not just the best cult documentary of the decade—it’s one of the best documentaries, period.

Conclusion

The enduring fascination with cults and religious scandals isn’t about morbid curiosity—it’s about understanding how the human need for belonging, hope, and meaning can be twisted into something dangerous. These documentaries aren’t just exposés; they’re cautionary tales that reveal how power, belief, and manipulation can shape lives and entire communities. In an age of influencers and charismatic leaders with global platforms, their messages hit closer to home than ever. Watching these films doesn’t just inform—it equips us to question, to empathize, and to stay vigilant.