Forgery, Theft, and Scandal: 8 True Crime Documentaries for Art Lovers
1. This is a Robbery: The World’s Biggest Art Heist
This Is a Robbery: The World’s Biggest Art Heist (2021) is a four-part Netflix documentary series that delves into the infamous 1990 Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum heist, one of the most significant unsolved art crimes in history. The documentary recounts how two men, disguised as police officers, tricked their way into the Boston museum and stole 13 priceless works of art—including paintings by Vermeer, Rembrandt, and Degas—valued at an estimated $500 million.
Through expert interviews, archival footage, and investigative journalism, the series explores the possible suspects, including ties to organized crime, the mysterious disappearance of the artwork, and the ongoing efforts to recover these masterpieces. This Is a Robbery offers a gripping look at the intersection of art, crime, and mystery, keeping viewers hooked as it unravels one of the art world’s greatest unsolved cases.
Watch on Netflix
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2. The Painter and the Thief
The Painter and the Thief (2020) is a gripping and unconventional documentary that explores the unexpected bond between an artist and the man who stole her work. When Czech painter Barbora Kysilkova has two of her large-scale paintings stolen from a gallery in Oslo, she tracks down one of the thieves, Karl-Bertil Nordland, a troubled man with a history of drug addiction and crime. Instead of seeking revenge, Barbora invites Karl-Bertil to sit for a portrait, leading to a profound and deeply emotional friendship.
As their relationship unfolds, the documentary shifts perspectives, offering insight into both their lives—her struggles as an artist and his efforts to overcome addiction and rebuild his life. With moments of raw vulnerability and unexpected tenderness, The Painter and the Thief challenges perceptions of crime, redemption, and human connection, revealing how art has the power to heal and transform.
3. There Are No Fakes
There Are No Fakes (2019) is a gripping documentary that uncovers a massive art fraud scandal involving the works of Norval Morrisseau, a celebrated Indigenous Canadian painter. The film follows musician Kevin Hearn of the Barenaked Ladies, who unknowingly purchases a supposed Morrisseau painting, only to discover it may be a forgery. His legal battle to authenticate the artwork leads to a shocking investigation into a criminal network producing and selling fraudulent paintings under Morrisseau’s name.
As the documentary peels back layers of deception, it exposes not only the dark underbelly of the art world but also exploitation within Indigenous communities. There Are No Fakes raises unsettling questions about authenticity, greed, and systemic abuse, making it both a compelling true-crime story and a powerful critique of the art industry’s blind spots.
4. The Thief Collector
The Thief Collector (2022) is a fascinating true-crime documentary that unravels the bizarre story of Jerry and Rita Alter, an unassuming couple who secretly harbored a stolen masterpiece for decades. The film investigates how Woman-Ochre, a painting by renowned artist Willem de Kooning, vanished from the University of Arizona Museum of Art in 1985—only to resurface 32 years later in the Alters’ home after their passing.
As the documentary digs deeper, it reveals a web of mysteries surrounding the couple, whose seemingly ordinary lives may have concealed a pattern of crime and deception. With interviews, dramatizations, and archival materials, The Thief Collector explores the psychology of art thieves, the allure of forbidden treasures, and the secrets people take to their graves.
Watch on Tubi & The Roku Channel
5. Beltracchi: The Art of Forgery
Beltracchi: The Art of Forgery (2014) is a captivating documentary that explores the life and crimes of Wolfgang Beltracchi, one of the most prolific art forgers of the 20th century. For decades, Beltracchi and his wife, Helene, created and sold expertly crafted forgeries of paintings by renowned artists such as Max Ernst, Heinrich Campendonk, and Fernand Léger, deceiving collectors, galleries, and auction houses worldwide. His fakes were so convincing that they even ended up in prestigious museums and private collections.
Through candid interviews with Beltracchi himself, the film offers a fascinating glimpse into his creative process, the techniques he used to mimic the styles of famous artists, and the audacity that fueled his long-running deception. Beltracchi: The Art of Forgery is both a thrilling true-crime tale and a thought-provoking examination of authenticity, value, and the art world's vulnerability to illusion.
Watch on Kanopy
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6. Art & Craft
Art and Craft (2014) is a compelling documentary that tells the story of Mark Landis, one of the most prolific art forgers in history—but with a surprising twist. Unlike typical forgers who seek financial gain, Landis donated his meticulously crafted imitations to museums across the U.S., posing as a philanthropic collector, Jesuit priest, and even an art dealer. Over three decades, he fooled curators and institutions into accepting counterfeit works by artists such as Picasso, Matisse, and Rockwell.
The film follows Landis as he continues his unusual deception while also profiling the museum registrar who ultimately uncovered his schemes. Art and Craft is a fascinating exploration of obsession, mental health, and the blurred lines between art, fraud, and performance. It raises intriguing questions about the value of authenticity and the motives that drive deception in the art world.
Watch on Kanopy
The last two films explore the Knoedler Gallery scandal from different perspectives…
7. Driven to Abstraction
Driven to Abstraction (2020) is a gripping documentary that unpacks the shocking Knoedler Gallery forgery scandal, one of the biggest art fraud cases in history. The film investigates how New York’s prestigious Knoedler Gallery, a cornerstone of the art world for over 165 years, was brought down after selling more than $80 million worth of forged paintings. These counterfeits—purportedly by modern masters like Mark Rothko and Jackson Pollock—were created by an unknown Chinese artist in Queens and funneled through an unsuspecting Long Island art dealer.
Through expert interviews, archival footage, and courtroom drama, Driven to Abstraction explores the gallery’s downfall, the art market’s blind spots, and the complicity of those who may have chosen profit over due diligence. It’s a fascinating exposé of greed, deception, and the fragile trust that holds the art world together.
Watch on Tubi
Made You Look: A True Story About Fake Art
8. Made You Look: A True Story About Fake Art (2020) is a riveting documentary that delves into one of the most notorious art fraud scandals in U.S. history. The film follows how New York’s prestigious Knoedler Gallery, one of the oldest art dealers in the country, was duped into selling over $80 million worth of forged masterpieces. The forgeries—purportedly by artists like Mark Rothko and Jackson Pollock—were created by a little-known Chinese painter in a Queens garage and sold through an unassuming Long Island art dealer.
With firsthand interviews from key players, including the gallery’s former director Ann Freedman, the documentary unpacks the tangled web of deception, greed, and willful ignorance that allowed the scheme to flourish for nearly two decades. Made You Look offers a compelling look at the high-stakes world of art dealing, where even the experts can fall for a perfectly crafted lie.
Side Note: When we started making this list, this film was available on Netflix, but it looks like it’s no longer there. We haven’t found it on any other streaming service either, so save it and keep an eye out for who picks up the rights next!