Let’s get real—there’s little that gets the blood pumping quite like a good true crime binge that’s been well-watched. Are you a full-on armchair detective or just a lover of a mind-blowing whodunit? Netflix is on it. The platform is now a treasure trove of real-life scandals, shocking investigations, and stories that make you roll your eyes at your neighbors that little bit harder than usual. In for a treat? Here are the 10 most addictive true crime series you can now stream on Netflix, from sleeper hits to must-see standouts.
10. The Hatchet-Wielding Hitchhiker
You can’t make this stuff up. This insane documentary covers the bizarre rise and downfall of Kai, a hitchhiker who overnight became an internet folk hero after a heroic but brutal act caught the eye of media outlets. But the early feel-good viral story then quickly turned into something much darker. This is a fascinating rollercoaster ride through fame, identity, and the unstable ways media frenzy can turn on its head.
9. How to Become a Cult Leader
Always wondering what it’s like to be a cult leader? This dark humor series gets it down to the basics, with animation, interviews, and a very winsome narrator. From mind control devices to public manipulation, it gets into the creepy tactics used by some of the most infamous leaders of our times. Part education, part complicity, it’s a foray into human psychology you won’t soon forget.
8. Get Gotti
Crime drama fans, rejoice. In the 1980s, New York, this series delves into the rise and over-the-top fall of John Gotti, the flashy crime lord who was a household name. Full of actual footage and behind-the-scenes stories, it’s got all the swagger of a gangster flick with the added adrenaline that it did happen.
7. Murdaugh Murders: A Southern Scandal
A fatal boat collision. An influential family. And a series of events nobody could ever have foreseen. This docuseries draws you deep inside the unspooling secrets of the Murdaugh family, where wealth and power meet tragedy and corruption. It’s heart-stopping, scandalous, and a true-crime rabbit hole hard to escape.
6. Worst Roommate Ever
Terrible roommates are almost a rite of passage—these stories just take that horror to new, terrifying heights. Every episode on this anthology series features a new story about seemingly ordinary housemates who were swindlers, criminals, or something worse. It’s the type of show that makes you thank goodness for quiet next-door neighbors and good background checks.
5. Homicide: Los Angeles
From the mind behind a particular long-running crime procedural franchise, this show approaches some of L.A.’s most sensational murder cases with a documentary-style format. Combining reenactments and actual interviews, it provides a raw, behind-the-scenes glimpse into the investigative process—and the individuals caught in the middle. It’s gripping, thought-provoking, and superbly made.
4. American Murder: Laci Peterson
Nineteen years on, Laci Peterson’s disappearance continues to sear itself into the public mind. This series revisits the notorious case with new depth, offering emotional perspective from central participants and illumination of the media spectacle surrounding it. Not just a retelling, it’s a thoughtful picture of tragedy, justice, and public scrutiny.
3. Cold Case: Who Killed JonBenét Ramsey?
Few homicides have bred as much speculation as that of JonBenét Ramsey. This two-part miniseries revisits the haunting case with primary interviews and never-before-heard footage, analyzing the remaining questions and incendiary rumors that shroud the case even years later. It’s a sobering reminder of how complicated and heartbreaking unsolved homicides can be.
2. American Murder: Gabby Petito
This tragic sequence tells of the disappearance of Gabby Petito—a tale that rocked the world. Using social media, police bodycam footage, and interviews, it vividly brings to life the lives of the young couple and the horrific reality that ensued. It’s a tough sit, but it highlights critically the signs of domestic abuse.
1. The Diamond Heist
At number one is a fast-paced true crime series that feels like a blockbusting film. This glamorous series tells the story of the foiled £350 million diamond heist at London’s Millennium Dome—a robbery so daring it might have been a work of fiction. With slick production, dashing narrative, and enough tension to hold you hooked to the screen, it’s the ultimate combination of crime and entertainment.
Whether you’re intrigued by cults, interested in courtroom drama, or attracted to tales of justice (or injustice), Netflix’s true crime offerings have something to keep you watching late into the night. Just be sure to lock the door when you press play.