Cover These series offer a deep dive into some of the most intriguing and complex true crime stories, each providing a unique perspective on the events they depict (Photo: Pexels)
These series offer a deep dive into some of the most intriguing and complex true crime stories, each providing a unique perspective on the events they depict (Photo: Pexels)
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Dive into the real-life stories behind true crime shows, where detectives, lawyers and families search for answers—sometimes uncovering shocking twists along the way
True crime stories have a magnetic allure, often appealing to our fascination with human nature, morality and the pursuit of justice. But it’s not just about the crime itself—it’s about the stories that unfold as detectives, lawyers and families seek answers, sometimes uncovering unexpected twists along the way. If you love unravelling the mysteries behind real-life crimes, Netflix has become a go-to platform for gripping true crime documentaries and series.
Read more: 7 thought-provoking documentaries on Netflix
From chilling investigations into infamous serial killers to complex legal battles, the streaming giant offers an extensive collection that will keep you on the edge of your seat. The following list highlights 10 of the best true crime shows available on Netflix, each bringing something different to the table while offering in-depth investigations into some of the most notorious cases in history. Grab your popcorn and prepare for a rollercoaster of intrigue, suspense and mystery.
1. ‘The Staircase’ (2004)
Above The trailer for ‘The Staircase’
This documentary series explores the case of Michael Peterson, a novelist accused of murdering his wife, Kathleen, who was found dead at the bottom of their home’s staircase. He claims she perished after falling down the stairs but the medical examiner, however, determined that she had been beaten with a weapon, which led to Peterson becoming a suspect in a murder investigation. The Staircase provides a comprehensive look at the ensuing legal battle, raising questions about the justice system and the nature of truth.
2. ‘Making a Murderer’ (2015)
Above The trailer for ‘Making a Murderer’
This groundbreaking series chronicles the story of Steven Avery, a man from Wisconsin who was wrongfully convicted of sexual assault and attempted murder, only to be exonerated after 18 years. However, shortly after his release, Avery finds himself accused of another crime, the murder of 25-year-old photographer Teresa Halbach, leading to a complex legal battle. Making a Murderer provides an in-depth look at the American justice system and has sparked widespread discussions about legal ethics and wrongful convictions.
3. ‘Mindhunter’ (2017)
Above The trailer for ‘Mindhunter’
Catching a criminal often requires the authorities to get inside the villain’s mind to figure out how he thinks. That’s the job of FBI agents Holden Ford and Bill Tench. Set in the late 1970s, Mindhunter, based on the 1995 true-crime book Mindhunter: Inside the FBI’s Elite Serial Crime Unit by John E Douglas and Mark Olshaker, follows Ford and Tench as they delve into the psychology of serial killers. By interviewing notorious criminals, they aim to understand and anticipate future murderers’ actions. The show is based on real events and offers a chilling insight into the early days of criminal profiling. Mindhunter has a strong pedigree behind the camera, with Oscar-nominated director David Fincher and Oscar-winning actress Charlize Theron among the show’s executive producers.
4. ‘The Keepers’ (2017)
Above The trailer for ‘The Keepers’
This haunting series investigates the unsolved murder of Sister Catherine Cesnik, a beloved nun and Catholic high school teacher in Baltimore. After disappearing on November 7, 1969, Cesnik’s body was found nearly two months later—but to this day, the killer remains unnamed. As former students seek justice, they discover a web of abuse, corruption and possible cover-ups within the Catholic Church. Director Ryan White pieces together The Keepers through conversations with friends, relatives, journalists, government officials and Baltimore citizens, hoping to uncover the truth.
5. ‘Wild Wild Country’ (2018)
Above The trailer for ‘Wild Wild Country’
This series chronicles the controversial story of the Indian guru Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh, his one-time personal assistant Ma Anand Sheela and their community of followers in the Rajneeshpuram community located in Wasco County, Oregon. The documentary delves into the conflicts between the commune and local residents, leading to a series of criminal activities—the first bioterror attack in the United States and a massive case of illegal wiretapping—that captured national attention. Wild Wild Country received positive reviews from critics and won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Series.
6. ‘Evil Genius: The True Story of America’s Most Diabolical Bank Heist’ (2018)
Above The trailer for ‘Evil Genius: The True Story of America’s Most Diabolical Bank Heist’
This four-part series examines the bizarre 2003 bank robbery in Erie, Pennsylvania, where Brian Wells, a pizza delivery man, was forced to commit a crime with a bomb strapped around his neck. The investigation uncovers a complex web of conspiracies and deceit. The shocking nature of the crime, coupled with its deception, makes Evil Genius: The True Story of America’s Most Diabolical Bank Heist one of Netflix’s most memorable true crime documentaries. By the end of the series, viewers are left not only questioning the motives of the key players but also wondering just how far someone will go when they’re pushed to the edge.
7. ‘Conversations with a Killer: The Ted Bundy Tapes’ (2019)
Above The trailer for ‘Conversations with a Killer: The Ted Bundy Tapes’
Conversations with a Killer: The Ted Bundy Tapes is an unsettling yet fascinating look into the mind of one of the most infamous serial killers in American history. Bundy, who was responsible for the brutal murders of at least 30 young women across multiple states in the 1970s, is often remembered not just for the horrific nature of his crimes, but for his seemingly charming and intelligent persona. In fact, he used his good looks, charisma and perceived normalcy to manipulate both his victims and the people around him. Through archival footage and interviews, this series offers a chilling perspective on his crimes, his manipulative charm and the societal factors that allowed him to evade capture for so long.
8. ‘Don’t F**k with Cats: Hunting an Internet Killer’ (2019)
Above The trailer for ‘Don’t F**k with Cats: Hunting an Internet Killer’
When a video of animal cruelty surfaces online, a group of amateur sleuths embarks on a mission to find the perpetrator. Don’t F**k with Cats: Hunting an Internet Killer is a jaw-dropping documentary series that explores the intense and emotional hunt for Luka Magnotta, a man who gained infamy for his brutal crime spree, but also for the disturbing way in which he used the internet to taunt and manipulate his pursuers. As the investigation progresses, it becomes clear that Magnotta craved attention and seemed to revel in the chaos he created, often mocking the police, the media and those searching for him.
9. ‘Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem, and Madness’ (2020)
Above The trailer for ‘Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem, and Madness’
Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem, and Madness is one of the most wildly unpredictable and captivating true crime documentaries to hit Netflix in recent years. This seven-part series follows the bizarre and often absurd lives of big cat owners in the United States, focusing primarily on Joe Exotic, the flamboyant and controversial owner of the Greater Wynnewood Exotic Animal Park in Oklahoma. The documentary explores his eccentric personality, his rivalries and the strange world of private zoos, all while delving into a real-life murder-for-hire plot that would rock the world. It also addresses the broader issues surrounding the exotic animal trade, showing the exploitation and mistreatment of these animals for personal profit, raising questions about the ethics of keeping large, dangerous animals in captivity, and the impact it has on their well-being.
10. ‘The Ripper’ (2020)
Above The trailer for ‘The Ripper’
Set in 1970s England, this four-part series revisits the infamous “Yorkshire Ripper” murders and explores the investigation into one of the most chilling and notorious serial killer cases in British history. The Ripper, a must-watch for true crime enthusiasts, explores how Peter Sutcliffe, who was responsible for the murders, managed to evade capture for so long, despite being questioned by police on multiple occasions. Viewers are taken through archival footage, interviews with detectives and survivors and a detailed investigation into the case that exposes the numerous missteps, false leads and controversies that plagued the hunt for the Yorkshire Ripper.
