Where To Watch The Ruby Franke Documentary: Two Shocking Films About The '8 Passengers' Downfall

The shocking story of former 'momfluencer' Ruby Franke, who traded a massive YouTube following for a prison sentence, has become the subject of two major, recent productions. The public's morbid curiosity about the dark reality behind the seemingly perfect "8 Passengers" family vlog has driven massive interest in finding the definitive documentary about her downfall. As of today, December 12, 2025, there are two primary films detailing the case, and knowing where to watch them depends on whether you prefer a gritty, three-part docuseries or a dramatic made-for-TV movie.

The intense focus on Franke's case is fueled by the gravity of her crimes and the juxtaposition of her online persona with the reality of aggravated child abuse. With her sentencing alongside business partner Jodi Hildebrandt finalized in February 2024, the full timeline of events, from her rise on YouTube to her conviction, is now being explored in depth across multiple streaming platforms, offering viewers different perspectives on the tragic saga.

Ruby Franke: A Brief Biography and Case Timeline

Ruby Franke (née Ruby Spurlock) was an American family vlogger who gained prominence as the matriarch of the YouTube channel "8 Passengers." The channel documented the lives of her husband, Kevin Franke, and their six children, amassing over 2.5 million subscribers before its eventual demise. Franke's content, often focused on strict parenting and a devout Mormon lifestyle, frequently drew controversy from viewers who accused her of harsh or abusive behavior toward her children long before her arrest.

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• Full Name: Ruby Spurlock Franke
• Born: January 18, 1982
• Place of Birth: Utah, USA
• Spouse: Kevin Franke
• Children: Shari, Chad, Abby, Julie, Russell, and Eve Franke
• YouTube Channel: 8 Passengers (defunct)
• Business Partner: Jodi Hildebrandt (ConneXions)
• Arrest Date: August 30, 2023
• Charges: Six counts of felony aggravated child abuse (pleaded guilty to four counts)
• Sentencing Date: February 20, 2024
• Sentence: Four consecutive terms of one to 15 years in prison (up to 30 years)

The pivotal moment in the case occurred in August 2023, when Franke's 12-year-old son, Russell, escaped from Jodi Hildebrandt's house in Ivins, Utah, and ran to a neighbor asking for food and water. The child was severely malnourished, had open wounds, and was bound with ropes. This led directly to the arrest of both Ruby Franke and Jodi Hildebrandt, exposing the years of alleged abuse that had been hidden behind the "8 Passengers" facade and the controversial parenting advice offered by their joint business, ConneXions.

"Devil in the Family: The Fall of Ruby Franke" (Docuseries)

For viewers seeking a deep-dive, factual investigation into the Franke case, the three-part docuseries "Devil in the Family: The Fall of Ruby Franke" is the definitive watch. This series provides a comprehensive look at the rise of "8 Passengers," the concerning content that foreshadowed the abuse, and the final, shocking revelations that led to Franke's conviction.

Where to Stream "Devil in the Family"

The docuseries is readily available for streaming on a major platform, making it the most accessible production for many viewers.

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• Streaming Platform: Hulu (in the US)
• Format: Three-part docuseries
• Release Date: February 2024
• Key Features: The series features exclusive interviews with members of the Franke family, including Ruby's estranged husband, Kevin Franke, and their eldest daughter, Shari Franke, who had publicly distanced herself from her mother prior to the arrest. It also includes thousands of hours of previously unseen footage from the "8 Passengers" YouTube channel, offering a chilling new context to the family's vlogging history.
• Alternative Platforms: While Hulu is the primary streaming home, the series may also be available for purchase or rent on digital storefronts like Apple TV, depending on your region.

The docuseries is praised for its access to those closest to the case, particularly the perspective of Kevin Franke as he navigated the legal fallout and the custody of his children. It meticulously details the influence of Jodi Hildebrandt and her ConneXions counseling service, which prosecutors argued was a major catalyst in Franke's descent into extreme and abusive behavior.

"Mormon Mom Gone Wrong: The Ruby Franke Story" (Made-for-TV Movie)

For those who prefer a dramatized retelling of true crime events, the Lifetime movie "Mormon Mom Gone Wrong: The Ruby Franke Story" offers a narrative approach to the case. Though not a traditional documentary, this film captures the public's fascination with the "mother-gone-bad" trope, focusing on the psychological transformation of Ruby Franke.

Where to Watch "Mormon Mom Gone Wrong"

As a network-produced movie, its primary viewing home is with the channel that commissioned it.

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• Network/Platform: Lifetime (The movie is available on the Lifetime Movie Club and through the Lifetime website/app).
• Format: Made-for-TV Movie (Dramatization)
• Release Date: 2024
• Key Features: The film stars actress Emilie Ullerup as Ruby Franke and focuses on the timeline from her life as a popular vlogger to the moment of her arrest. It explores the increasing isolation of the Franke family and the toxic relationship between Ruby and her ConneXions partner, Jodi Hildebrandt.

This movie provides a compelling, if fictionalized, look at the events, serving as a dramatic cautionary tale about the dangers of extreme parenting ideologies and the dark side of family vlogging. It is a key piece of media in the overall coverage of the Franke scandal, reaching an audience that may not typically watch a docuseries on Hulu.

The Latest Case Updates: Sentencing and Legal Fallout

The documentaries and movie provide the backstory, but the most crucial, up-to-date information revolves around the legal conclusion of the case. On February 20, 2024, Ruby Franke and Jodi Hildebrandt were both sentenced to a minimum of four and a maximum of 60 years in prison, structured as four consecutive one-to-15-year terms for aggravated child abuse. The Utah Board of Pardons and Parole will ultimately determine the actual time served, which cannot exceed 30 years under Utah law.

During the sentencing hearing, harrowing details of the abuse were read aloud, including Franke's own admission that she had inflicted injuries and psychological torment on her children, believing the abuse was necessary to teach them to be "humble." This legal closure is what grounds the two major productions, moving the story from a sensational arrest to a concluded, documented criminal case.

The legal fallout also includes Kevin Franke, who filed for divorce from Ruby Franke shortly after her arrest, and their oldest daughter, Shari Franke, who has been a vocal advocate for her younger siblings and has used her platform to ensure her mother and Hildebrandt faced justice. The family's journey toward healing and recovery is an ongoing story that adds a layer of complexity and human drama to the documentaries exploring the case.