There’s no mistaking our obsession with true crime. We are fascinated by shocking stories that really happened. Some cases remain unsolved, desperate for a resolution. Others have long wrapped up, but still linger in our thoughts and minds. True crime shows come both in the form of docuseries, as well as biographical dramatizations based on real-life criminals. And Netflix has a great mix of both.
The best true crime shows on Netflix are always changing because the streaming service consistently adds new titles to its list, and they often seem to creep into the top 10 from week to week. It seems like just as you think you’ve watched the most gripping true crime show you have ever seen with the most unbelievable story, another one comes out that shakes you to your core. Don’t miss out on these options, all of which we’ve watched and can vouch for being among the most riveting.
American Murder: Laci Peterson (2024)
The disappearance of Laci Peterson back in 2002 made national headlines, especially when her body and that of her unborn son, Conner, washed up ashore. Throughout the investigation, her husband Scott Peterson was the prime suspect. On the 20th anniversary of his sentencing for the first-degree murder of Laci and second-degree murder of Conner, the Petersons have come up in conversation once again. American Murder: Laci Peterson dives back into the case with archival footage and interviews with police officers involved in the investigation, as well as family members on both sides. There’s even an appearance from Amber Frey, Scott’s mistress, whose testimony and recorded conversations were integralto his conviction, despite the entire case hinging on circumstantial evidence alone.
The reason the case is making headlines again is also because the Los Angeles Innocence Project (LAIP), a separate organization from the Innocence Project, has taken on Scott’s case. They, along with members of his family, are trying to get new evidence examined and DNA tests done to help exonerate him. Most people believe Scott is guilty, and American Murder: Laci Peterson does nothing to refute that. If anything, it helps reinforce it. But looking back at the case and the wild evidence surrounding it is just as shocking now as it was two decades ago. If you’re interested in diving deeper into the work currently underway by the Peterson family, private detectives, and LAIP, check out Face to Face with Scott Peterson on Peacock once you’re done watching this one.
Griselda (2024)
Sofia Vergara is known mostly for her comedic acting, particularly in the sitcom Modern Family. That’s why her casting as the real-life Columbian drug lord Griselda Blanco had fans unsure of how the biographical crime drama would turn out. But Vergara hit it out of the park in Griselda, impressing viewers and critics alike with her dramatic turn as a woman who rose within the ranks of the Miami drug scene to become a powerful, wealthy, and dangerous force.
The story doesn’t have a happy ending for Griselda, known in the ’80s as the “Godmother of Cocaine.” But her journey and its highs and lows are truly intense. This series chronicles everything that happened through her life, from her rise to power to her downfall. Vergara brings surprising grit and edge to the role, proving her acting abilities beyond just someone who provides comic relief.
American Manhunt: The Boston Marathon Bombing (2023)
In April 2013, two bombs erupted during the Boston Marathon, leading to deaths, injuries, and general panic. Most horrifying is the story behind the two young men behind the bombing. American Manhunt: The Boston Marathon Bombing uses archival footage and compelling reenactments to explain the story of the investigation that swiftly got underway to find the perpetrators. They were needles in a haystack crowd of thousands, so identifying them, much less capturing them, was a seemingly impossible feat.
Delivered as a love letter to the city of Boston, American Manhunt: The Boston Marathon Bombing is as much about rehashing this event as it is a story of the hope and resilience of Bostonians. It’s fascinating to hear from law enforcement, journalists, and the bombing’s victims about how the events played out. This absorbing docuseries reinforces the importance of strength and the human spirit in the aftermath of tragedy.
Dahmer - Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story (2022)
Evan Peters earned an Emmy nomination for his portrayal of the sadistic serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer in this first instalment of this biographical true crime anthology series. Created by Ryan Murphy, Dahmer – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story provides an intimate look into the life and crimes of Dahmer, who lured, murdered, and dismembered 17 males between 1978 and 1991. He engaged in necrophilia and even cannibalism, and the series attempts to dive into the psyche of the killer, exploring not only his twisted motivations, but the desperation of his parents to help their clearly troubled son.
Niecy Nash is a standout as Dahmer’s suspicious neighbor, Glenda (she won an Emmy for the gripping performance), as is Richard Jenkins as his father, Lionel. Dahmer – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story isn’t an easy watch. But beyond the gruesome and disturbing nature of many of the scenes, the series presents crucial commentary about law enforcement, missed opportunities, and the treatment of cases involving young and marginalized victims.
Unsolved Mysteries (2020)
One of the preeminent mystery documentary series, Unsolved Mysteries has been around since 1987, though it has gone off the air and been revived numerous times. The latest revival was in 2019, when Stranger Things executive producer Shawn Levy (Deadpool & Wolverine) rebooted the series for Netflix with a slightly new format. Even without a host (could anyone ever truly replace Robert Stack?), the episodes still draw you in with their terrifying tales of murder, mysterious vanishings, UFO sightings, and other creepy stories.
Each episode is compartmentalized and focused on recollections from those involved in each case, archived footage, theories, interviews with law enforcement, and reenactments. Some of the most compelling episodes from the three seasons to date include thoseabout the Berkshires UFO, the infamous Dupont de Ligonnès murders in France, and the mysterious disappearance of Rey Rivera. The best part about Unsolved Mysteries is you can watch each season or episode in any order you like, even selecting only the true crime stories you find most interesting.
Night Stalker: The Hunt for a Serial Killer (2021)
What sets Night Stalker: The Hunt for a Serial Killer apart from other true crime docuseries about serial killers is that it shifts the spotlight to two officers who become obsessed with taking down this vicious killer. As Richard Ramirez was ravaging Los Angeles and no one knew when or where he would strike next (nor who he was), these men worked tirelessly against the clock to try and catch him, at great expense to their personal lives. Every time they felt they were on his tail, Ramirez was able to thwart their attempts at capture.
It all culminates in an explosive ending where Ramirez is eventually identified and captured. He was then weirdly glorified as all the public could talk about was his chiseled good looks. It was difficult to reconcile the heinous things he had done with the seemingly normal, handsome-looking man he was revealed to be. What’s great about Night Stalker: The Hunt for a Serial Killer is that it sheds more light on how devastating this work can be for those who are desperately trying to stop a killer like Ramirez, and how much cases like this affect them not only during an investigation, but long after.
Mindhunter (2017)
Arguably one of Netflix’s best-ever original series, and certainly one of the best in the true crime space, David Fincher‘s Mindhunter is a psychological crime thriller based on the real-life story of two FBI agents and a psychologist who coined the term serial killer back in the late 1970s and early ’80s. Veteran agent Bill Tench (Holt McCallany), rookie agent Holden Ford (Jonathan Groff), and psychologist Wendy Carr (Anna Torv) devise a research project to try and understand the minds of repeat killers, who they eventually begin to refer to as serial killers. The goal is to understand their motivations and psyches, in hopes this will in turn help them solve future cases and prevent more killings.
The actors playing real-life killers like Edmund Kemper, Charles Manson, David Berkowitz, and Dennis Rader are incredible in their portrayals. They capture everything from the look to the vocal inflections, attitudes, and even subtle mannerisms of these individuals. With conversations taken right from actual transcripts, Mindhunter will leave you with goosebumps as you listen to these vicious killers recall why they did what they did and justify their heinous acts with no remorse. Sadly, Mindhunter ended in 2019 after two seasons. But that hasn’t stopped fans from continuing to beg for its return, even to this day.
Conversations with a Killer: The Ted Bundy Tapes (2019)
There are so many documentaries, dramatized series, and movies about Ted Bundy that true crime fans might feel like they already know everything there is to know about the serial killer. But Conversations With a Killer: The Ted Bundy Tapes, released on the 30th anniversary of his execution, provides a deeper look into his life from a different perspective.
A highlight of the series is audio from Stephen Michaud’s death row interview with the killer, where Bundy’s inflated sense of prominence shows just how deeply narcissistic he was. He speaks as though he’s in charge of investigating himself, and sharing his immense knowledge, not talking about awful things he did. Packed with archival footage, police evidence, personal photos, and interviews with many involved in the case, Conversations With a Killer: The Ted Bundy Tapes is just four episodes long, but it will keep you up at night after watching.
Don't F**k with Cats: Hunting an Internet Killer (2019)
One of the most disturbing true crime docuseries released in the last five years, Don’t F**k With Cats: Hunting an Internet Killer focuses on the story of convicted Canadian killer Luka Magnotta. But the approach is much different than a typical docuseries. It centers around a group of internet sleuths who discovered troubling videos a mysterious person had posted online and became determined to discover his identity. They were convinced his actions of killing two kittens on camera would eventually lead to murdering humans, and they were right. The group banded together to search for clues in his videos so they could find something, anything, to convince authorities to investigate these heinous acts.
A story of Facebook being used for good and the incredible talent and determination of a group of citizens who had no ties otherwise to the incidents will keep you at the edge of your seat through all three episodes. Just be prepared to feel intense emotions when watching: this one is only for true crime fans who aren’t easily put off.
Escaping Twin Flames (2023)
What’s so angering about Escaping Twin Flames is the fact that Jeff and Shaleia Divine are reportedly still running their Twin Flames Universe organization, which many have deemed a cult. The true crime docuseries tells the story of a married couple who begin to run an online business whereby they purport to help individuals seeking love find their “true flame,” the person they are destined to be with. But over time, it becomes apparent that coercive control, indoctrination, and abuse are rampant. As time goes on, the situation gets even more shocking and bizarre.
Told through the lens of several former members, along with video footage of the Divines themselves, the series is executive produced and directed by Cecilia Peck, the woman behind Seduced: Inside the NXIVM Cult. She reportedly began devising this show after receiving messages from people urging her to expose this cult. The series has earned a perfect 100% Rotten Tomatoes score, shocking viewers with the stories of survival and indoctrination, and the bizarre videos of the Divines conducting their “courses.” It’s worth watching the similarly named Escaping Twin Flames Universe on Amazon Prime Video when you’re done for even more perspective. You’ll hear more emotional stories, including harrowing accounts from families of those still struggling to get their loved ones back.
