There’s an obsession with true crime that has existed for decades, but seems to be ramping up of late. From the stories of Laci Peterson and the Menendez Brothers to strange cults and unsolved murders, audiences are fascinated with learning the ins and outs of these cases. That’s why the true crime genre has been exploding rceently. Chances are at least one true crime show was discussed at your last dinner party or gathering with friends.
Netflix is a great resource for the genre, with plenty of docuseries, as well as dramatic scripted shows that highlight crimes that occurred in real life. It’s tough to narrow it down to the 10 best true crime shows on Netflix, but we have curated this list of ones that won’t disappoint. They will, however, shock and leave you with questions and talking points for the next get-together.
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I Am a Killer (2018)
With five seasons under its belt, each case chronicled in this true crime docuseries is more compelling than the last. Hailing from the U.K., I Am A Killer tells the stories of convicted killers, but from a unique perspective: the killers themselves. Rather than only talk to police, family members, and victims who theorize about motives and psyches, this series gets the details right from the source. A large part of every episode is the convicted killer, seated in a chair in an empty room, retelling their story.
With many of these killers on death row, the stakes are high and the cases complex. One involves a teenager who committed murder, but says things happened very differently than what the prosecution argued. Another is about a man sentenced for a triple murder with connections to Satanism. There’s even a woman who unbelievably claims the murder of her boyfriend was consensual. The situations get even more complicated in season 5 with a robber who claims he didn’t realize his gun was loaded. For anyone who is intrigued by the thought of diving into the mind of a killer, I Am A Killer is deeply fascinating.
The Trials of Gabriel Fernandez (2020)
Brace yourself because The Trials of Gabriel Fernandez is not an easy watch. It will leave you feeling gutted, emotional, and incredibly angry at how so many people seemingly did the right things to save this little boy, yet a broken system resulted in the worst-case scenario outcome. The story covers the 2013 murder of Gabriel Fernandez, an eight-year-old boy tortured and abused by his mother and her boyfriend. Teachers and others reported troubling questions he would ask them about being harmed and the distressing visible injuries that were often physically noticeable on his body. But nothing was ever done to get Gabriel out of this awful situation before it was too late.
The Trials of Gabriel Fernandez is an eye-opening look at how many opportunities there were for this boy to be helped and removed from the household. Every call and report seemingly fell on deaf ears as he went home to incredibly brutal torture. It’s a scathing look at social services in Los Angeles, as the story includes accusations of neglect, the falsification of public records, and child abuse at the hands of those who failed Gabriel.
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 focuses on recollections from those involved in each case, and includes archived footage, theories, interviews with law enforcement, and reenactments. Some of the most compelling episode include those about the Berkshires UFO, the infamous Dupont de Ligonnès murders in France, the mysterious disappearance of Rey Rivera, and the chilling tale of Amanda Antoni, who was discovered dead on her basement floor. 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.
Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story (2024)
A gripping dramatization of one of the biggest murder cases of the 1990s, Ryan Murphy tackles the story of Lyle and Erik Menendez in his second installment of the biographical crime drama anthology series Monster, which began with his interpretation of the Jeffrey Dahmer case. In Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story, Nicholas Alexander Chavez and Cooper Koch brilliantly portray the two brothers at the center of the harrowing case. Claiming years of mental, physical, and sexual abuse, they plan to murder both their parents in cold blood. Their actions thereafter disturb everyone, going on a spending spree with their massive inheritance.
The case is far more complex, however, than two young men killing for money or to break free from a domineering dad, as the trial reveals. A riveting story about one of the most infamous murder cases in American history, Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story sets out to both humanize and vilify the brothers, as well as their parents. It’s the type of dramatization that will leave you curious to learn more and spark conversation. Chavez and Koch, both relative newcomers, lead the series with their heart-wrenching, nuanced performances.
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.
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.
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.
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.
