The Definitive Guide To All Ruby Franke Documentaries: Episode Counts, Platforms, And Unseen Footage

Contents

The shocking downfall of Ruby Franke, the former 'momfluencer' behind the popular *8 Passengers* YouTube channel, has been chronicled in not one, but multiple, highly-anticipated true-crime docuseries. As of December 2025, the most prominent documentary, *Devil in the Family: The Fall of Ruby Franke* on Hulu, consists of three episodes that meticulously detail her descent from a seemingly perfect family vlogger to a convicted child abuser. This guide breaks down the episode counts for all major documentaries covering the Franke and Jodi Hildebrandt case.

The public fascination with Franke's case—which culminated in her and her business partner, Jodi Hildebrandt, pleading guilty to four counts of aggravated child abuse—has led to a surge of investigative content. Each documentary offers a different perspective, leveraging exclusive interviews, police evidence, and, in some cases, thousands of hours of never-before-seen footage from the now-deleted *8 Passengers* channel to reconstruct the horrifying reality behind the polished YouTube facade.

Ruby Franke: A Biography and Timeline of the Scandal

Ruby Franke’s journey from a successful family vlogger to a convicted criminal is a complex narrative of public life, private abuse, and the dark side of social media influence. Understanding her background is crucial to grasping the gravity of the documentaries.

  • Full Name: Ruby Franke (née Ruby Spurlock)
  • Date of Birth: January 18, 1982
  • Place of Birth: Utah, USA
  • Husband: Kevin Franke (separated/divorcing)
  • Children: Shari Franke, Chad Franke, Abby Franke, Julie Franke, Russell Franke, Eve Franke (six children)
  • YouTube Channel: *8 Passengers* (Active from 2015 to 2023, now deleted)
  • Business Partner/Associate: Jodi Hildebrandt (Counselor and founder of ConneXions Classroom)
  • Arrest Date: August 30, 2023
  • Charges: Six counts of aggravated child abuse (reduced to four counts in the plea deal)
  • Plea Deal: Pled guilty to four counts of second-degree felony aggravated child abuse on December 18, 2023.
  • Sentence: Sentenced on February 20, 2024, to four consecutive prison terms of one to 15 years, with the actual time to be determined by the Utah Board of Pardons and Parole.
  • Key Entities in the Case: Kevin Franke (husband), Shari Franke (eldest daughter, instrumental in exposing the abuse), Jodi Hildebrandt (accomplice/partner).

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

The most widely discussed and highly publicized documentary is the Hulu original, which provides the clearest answer to the question of episode count.

How Many Episodes is Devil in the Family: The Fall of Ruby Franke?

The Hulu docuseries, *Devil in the Family: The Fall of Ruby Franke*, is a three-part series. All three episodes were released simultaneously, allowing viewers to binge-watch the entire, chilling story in one sitting.

  • Streaming Platform: Hulu (also available via Hulu on Disney+ for bundle subscribers)
  • Episode Count: 3 Episodes
  • Release Date: February 27, 2024
  • Focus: The series provides a comprehensive look at the Franke family's life, from the early days of their success as a family vlogging powerhouse to the disturbing revelations of child abuse. It focuses heavily on the influence of Jodi Hildebrandt and the ConneXions 'self-help' group.

What makes this particular series a must-watch for those following the case is its unprecedented access to source material. The production team secured over a thousand hours of unseen rushes from the *8 Passengers* YouTube channel. This footage, originally intended for vlogs but never published, paints a chilling picture of the escalating emotional and physical abuse behind the scenes. It features exclusive interviews with the Frankes' friends, neighbors, and other individuals who witnessed the family's isolation and decline.

Other Major Documentaries and Specials on the Franke Scandal

The sheer velocity and shocking nature of the case led to multiple production companies creating their own deep dives. If you are looking for more episodes or a different angle on the story, there are two other key titles to explore.

Ruby & Jodi: A Cult of Sin and Influence (HBO Max / Discovery+)

This docuseries takes a deeper dive into the relationship between Ruby Franke and her controversial business partner, Jodi Hildebrandt. It specifically explores the cult-like control and psychological manipulation that defined their partnership and subsequently led to the abuse of the Franke children.

  • Streaming Platform: HBO Max (now Max) / Discovery+ / Investigation Discovery (ID)
  • Episode Count: 4 Episodes
  • Focus: The series frames the story as an exploration of how a 'momfluencer' and a 'rogue therapist' masked cult-like control as wellness advice. It focuses on the ConneXions Classroom and the psychological tactics used to isolate the family and justify the abuse. The four-part structure allows for a more detailed look at the rise of the ConneXions business and the community's growing concern.

The title itself, *A Cult of Sin and Influence*, highlights the documentary’s central theme: the dangerous intersection of social media fame, self-help culture, and extreme religious beliefs that enabled the abuse to thrive unchecked for so long. It is essential viewing for understanding the dynamics between Franke and Hildebrandt, the two central figures convicted in the case.

Abused By Mum: The Ruby Franke Scandal (Peacock / Channel 5)

A third production, acquired by Peacock in the US and aired on Channel 5 in the UK, offers a more concise, single-part special on the case.

  • Streaming Platform: Peacock (US) / Channel 5 (UK) / TVNZ (New Zealand)
  • Episode Count: 1 Episode / Single-Part Documentary (approx. 90 minutes)
  • Alternate Titles: *Our Evil Mother: The Ruby Franke Scandal*
  • Focus: This special focuses on the timeline of the scandal itself, from the moment the 12-year-old son escaped and alerted a neighbor to the police raid and the subsequent conviction. It serves as a powerful, condensed overview of the events, often featuring analysis from true-crime experts and social commentators.

While shorter than the multi-part series, this special is a good entry point for viewers who want a clear, chronological narrative of the crime and its immediate aftermath, including the response from the YouTube community and the efforts of eldest daughter Shari Franke to ensure her younger siblings' safety.

The Topical Authority: Why Are There So Many Ruby Franke Documentaries?

The existence of three major documentaries—a 3-part Hulu series, a 4-part HBO Max series, and a single-part special—underscores the profound impact and topical authority of the Ruby Franke case. The sheer volume of content is a direct result of several compelling, dark themes:

  • The Fall of the 'Momfluencer': Franke represented the dark side of the family vlogging industry, where children's lives are monetized and a perfect facade hides a nightmare. The contrast between her public image and private reality is a massive draw for viewers.
  • Cult Dynamics: The involvement of Jodi Hildebrandt and the ConneXions Classroom introduced a chilling element of cult-like control and psychological manipulation, which is a powerful true-crime subgenre.
  • Digital Footprint: The existence of thousands of hours of *8 Passengers* YouTube footage provided a massive, ready-made archive for documentarians to analyze, revealing subtle signs of abuse years before the arrest.
  • The Role of Shari Franke: The story of the eldest daughter, Shari Franke, who publicly distanced herself and worked to help her siblings, provides a crucial perspective on the family's internal struggle and the path to justice.

In summary, the answer to "How many episodes is the Ruby Franke documentary?" depends on which series you are watching. The Hulu series, *Devil in the Family*, is three episodes. The HBO Max/Discovery+ series, *Ruby & Jodi*, is four episodes. And the Peacock/Channel 5 special is a single, 90-minute film. Each offers a distinct, yet equally devastating, look at one of the most shocking true-crime stories of the digital age.

ruby franke documentary how many episodes
ruby franke documentary how many episodes

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