The Manhattan Alien Abduction: True Story and Plot Explained - Netflix Tudum

  • Deep Dive

    The Manhattan Alien Abduction: True Story and Plot Explained

    The series investigates one woman’s claims that she was taken by aliens from her Manhattan apartment in 1989.

    By Ingrid Ostby
    Nov. 5, 2024

In 1989, New York City resident Linda Napolitano said she was abducted by aliens outside her high-rise apartment. The occurrence, known as the Brooklyn Bridge Abduction, was reportedly witnessed by over 20 people and became highly publicized. But did it really happen, or was it all a hoax? From Vivienne Perry (Meet Me in the Bathroom) and series director Daniel Vernon (Nail Bomber: Manhunt), The Manhattan Alien Abduction investigates the case and features an interview with Napolitano.

Popular Now

  • The Gentlemen Season 2 Cast: Meet Eddie’s Growing Empire of Allies and Enemies
    Three stylish people stand on a grand stone balcony in front of an elegant building at dusk, with a tiger at the bottom of the image, creating a dramatic and luxurious atmosphere.

When will The Manhattan Alien Abduction be released?

Stream all three episodes now

Where can I find the trailer for The Manhattan Alien Abduction?

Check it out at the top of this page.

Carol Rainey stands on the Brooklyn Bridge in an image from the series ‘The Manhattan Alien Abduction.’

What happens in The Manhattan Alien Abduction?

The docuseries retraces the Brooklyn Bridge Abduction, which allegedly happened to a woman named Linda Napolitano in November 1989 who said she was taken from her apartment in Lower Manhattan. She reported the incident to UFO researcher Budd Hopkins, who later claimed to have found over two dozen witnesses who saw Napolitano that night floating above her building. Hopkins, who used hypnosis techniques to help Napolitano recover memories of the alleged abduction, was married at the time to filmmaker Carol Rainey, now a vocal doubter of the incident. The series chronicles Napolitano’s relationship with Rainey and Hopkins, the case’s journey into the mainstream press, and the widespread public skepticism surrounding it. 

A woman floats above her bed.

Is The Manhattan Alien Abduction based on a true story?

Yes. The series investigates the alleged 1989 alien abduction of Linda Napolitano.

Who was Budd Hopkins? 

Budd Hopkins was a ufologist who investigated alien abductions by those who reportedly witnessed them. As part of his research, he also organized support groups for those who identified as abductees and used hypnotic regression on them to trigger memories of what they experienced.

Where does The Manhattan Alien Abduction take place?

The events of the docuseries take place in New York City.

Award-Winning Documentaries to Stream NowReady to feel inspired?
Related Tags
  • Documentary
  • True Crime
  • Deep Dive
  • Article

Shop The Manhattan Alien Abduction

Go to Netflix Shop

Deep Dive

  • The Gentlemen Season 2 Ending Explained: Has Eddie ‘Gone Mad’?
    “How much of himself does Eddie lose whilst getting revenge?” Theo James asks.
  • From bespoke suits and Italian boats to the perfect hunting pants, the cast and creators reveal the rules of living dangerously well.
  • Cheers, babes! Love Is Blind has returned to the UK for more cheeky pod chats. 
  • Get ready to get real with the social media phenom and her family.
  • Are you ready to step back into a world of pure imagination this fall?
  • Director James Ashcroft and author Alex North discuss adapting the book.
  • Uncover the secrets of the new crime thriller based on Alex North’s novel. 

Documentary

  • Plus: The second seasons of The Gentlemen and Leanne make strong debuts.
  • Plus Crew Girl, Call My Agent! The Movie, DANG!, The Perfect Lie, and more.
  • The debut focuses on Alex Murdaugh’s overturned murder conviction.
  • The Decoy Plane shows how far the Secret Service went to protect the president.
  • These intimate conversations let icons shape their own legacy.
  • Plus: Death of the Pastor’s debuts at the top of the English TV list.
  • The three-part doc features some of the people who loved the Friends star.

Latest News