Charles Manson and the murders committed by his followers have been the topic of numerous movies, docuseries and TV shows over the years. In Touch takes a deep dive on the projects related to Manson and where to watch them, including a new Netflix docuseries.

‘CHAOS: The Manson Murders’ Is Available to Stream on Netflix

Netflix dropped the most recent project related to Charles Manson, a documentary titled CHAOS: The Manson Murders on March 7, 2025. It’s adapted from Tom O’Neill‘s 2019 book, CHAOS: Charles Manson, the CIA, and the Secret History of the Sixties.

Director Errol Morris explained to Netflix’s Tudum how the film dives into the CIA’s MK Ultra program that explored using drugs such as LSD for mind control and how Manson was able to convince his followers to kill seven people in August 1969.

“I’ve found myself trapped in a number of different true crime stories, and the Manson murders are peculiar,” he told Tudum. “You could encapsulate the mystery in just one question: How is it that Manson managed to convince the people around him that killing was OK?”

Manson was the alleged mastermind behind the murder of actress Sharon Tate and four others at her rental home in the Hollywood Hills on August 9, 1969. The following day, several of Manson’s followers killed Leno LaBianca and his wife, Rosemary LaBianca, at their home in Los Angeles’ Los Feliz area.

Morris continued, “There’s a truly great film, The Manchurian Candidate, that’s really about mind control, which was this cultural nightmare in the ‘50s and ‘60s. Could the government implant ideas in your head and force you to kill? The fictional example is in The Manchurian Candidate, but perhaps the real-world example is in Charles Manson.”

‘Making Manson’ Features Chilling Charles Manson Interviews on Peacock

The three-part Apple TV+ docuseries Making Manson dropped in November 2024 and is currently available for streaming on Peacock.

The docuseries uses interviews Manson made over the course of his life, discussing everything from how he was an aspiring musician to talking about his infamous crimes. Manson gives his motive on what led to the Tate-LaBianca murders, while also discussing his 1970 murder trial and maintaining his innocence.

Charles Manson’s Final Interviews Are the Focus of a Doc on Prime Video

Charles Manson: The Final Words is a 2017 documentary by director and author James Buddy Day. Currently available to rent or buy on Prime Video, it includes exclusive interviews Day conducted with Manson from prison during the final year of his life, prior to the convicted killer’s death in November 2017.

Charles Manson: The Final Words is narrated by musician/director Rob Zombie, and “focuses on the Manson family murders told from Manson’s perspective using never-before-seen case files,” according to the Prime Video description. “It presents a potential alternative theory as to why and how the horrific crimes were committed leading viewers to question the Manson mythos.”

The First Documentary About Charles Manson Is Not Available to Stream

The earliest documentary about Manson came out in 1973, two years after he was convicted of seven counts of first-degree murder and one count of conspiracy to commit murder in 1971. Manson was directed by Robert Hendrickson and Laurence Merrick, the film looked back on Manson’s personal family history as well as how he became the leader of so many followers up through and until, the Tate-LaBianca murders.

The documentary featured interviews with several members of the Manson family, including Lynette “Squeaky“ Fromme, who in 1975 tried to assassinate then-President Gerald Ford. Manson was nominated in 1973 for a Best Documentary, Feature Oscar.

‘Once Upon a Time … In Hollywood?’ on Prime Video and Apple TV+ Is Loosely Based on the Murders

Director Quentin Tarantino‘s 2019 blockbuster was loosely based around the Manson murders, but with an ending far different than the actual killings.

The story had Leonardo DiCaprio‘s actor Rick Dalton living next door to Sharon Tate and her director husband, Roman Polanski. Margot Robbie received an Oscar nomination for her portrayal of Sharon, in the alternate reality of what led up to and eventually occurred at her home on that fateful night.

‘House of Manson’ Is Available to Stream and Explores His Cult Following

Actor Ryan Kiser plays Charles Manson in this 2014 film, which chronicles the events leading up to the Tate-LaBianca murders. It also explores Manson’s relationships with his followers who committed the crimes, including Charles “Tex” Watson, Susan Atkins, Patricia Krenwinkel, Leslie Van Houten and Linda Kasabian.

House of Manson is currently available to stream on Freevee and Pluto TV.

‘Helter Skelter’ Was Adapted Into a TV Movie and Series Available to Watch

Lead prosecutor Vincent Bugliosi wrote about the investigation, arrest and trial of Manson and his followers in the 1974 book Helter Skelter.

In 1976, Helter Skelter was adapted into a TV miniseries starring George DiCenzo as Bugliosi and Steve Railsback as Charles Manson. It is currently available to rent or buy on Prime Video.

Bugliosi cowrote a 2004 TV movie also named Helter Skelter starring Jeremy Davies as Manson, with a closer focus at the convicted killer. The film is available to rent or buy on Prime Video.