True crime isn’t just a genre—it’s a global phenomenon. Whether you’re a longtime fan who can’t resist unraveling a cold case or someone who’s just getting hooked on the mysteries behind real-world headlines, the draw of true crime is hard to ignore. From gripping documentaries to game-changing podcasts, this genre has exploded into a multi-billion-dollar industry. And at the center of it all are the tales—raw, unvarnished, and often stranger than fiction. Here are 10 of the most popular true crime documentaries and television shows that have dictated how we perceive crime, justice, and everything in between.
Unsolved Mysteries
Few programs have enjoyed the long-term longevity of Unsolved Mysteries. From its premiere in the late ’80s, it’s been pulling viewers in with its chilling reenactments, engaging narration, and interviews with real people. The new revival has brought a new generation of viewers into the fold of the show’s mix of cold cases and weird occurrences—evidence that our interest in the unexplainable isn’t fading.
Making a Murderer
This Netflix show was a cultural lightning rod that raised serious questions about the American justice system. Focusing on Steven Avery’s contentious conviction, it provoked national conversation and took true crime beyond entertainment, demonstrating how these types of stories can propel real discussions of guilt, innocence, and institutional failure.
Dahmer — Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story
Ryan Murphy’s dramatization of Jeffrey Dahmer’s atrocities attracted huge viewership and equal amounts of controversy. It reminded us that public fascination with serial killers is strong, but ethical boundaries should not be crossed when dramatizing actual trauma. Nevertheless, its popularity demonstrated how strongly such stories could connect—polarize—and affect audiences.
The Keepers
This unflinching Netflix docu-series uncovers more than the killing of Sister Cathy Cesnik, with its investigation into abuse and cover-ups in the Catholic Church. What sets The Keepers apart is its tactful approach. It does not recount a crime—it respects the women who are now fighting for truth, decades later, with the victims and survivors receiving the attention they are owed.
Serial (Podcast and Adaptations)
When Serial debuted in 2014, it revolutionized everything. Overnight, millions of people were fascinated by the Hae Min Lee murder and the Adnan Syed conviction. The podcast format introduced a new type of closeness and depth to true crime and demonstrated that audio storytelling could be as engaging—and impactful—as anything on TV.
The Real Bling Ring: Hollywood Heist
This docu-series plunges into the strange real-life tale of teenagers who burglarized Hollywood stars’ homes in Los Angeles. A crazy, open-mouthed rollercoaster ride through a world driven by social media, celebrity worship, and a sense of entitlement. Part cautionary tale, part cultural commentary. It’s a pop culture observation with a dash of true crime.
Tiger King: The Doc Antle Story
This offshoot of the popular Tiger King series centers on Doc Antle and the seedy underbelly of the exotic animal trade. Cult-like practices and shady legal activity, the series unpeels layers of a strange subculture that’s equally horrifying and mesmerizing.
The Innocent Man
Based on John Grisham’s nonfiction book, this series delves into two murder investigations in small-town Oklahoma. It’s a grim examination of how flawed prosecutions and zealous prosecutions can destroy lives, and that the truth can be much more nuanced than guilt or innocence.
Murder Among the Mormons
This limited series brings audiences into the realm of rare document forgery and religious history, where a seemingly minor case results in fatal bombings. It’s a meticulously paced thriller that delves not only into who was responsible but the shocking mechanics as well.
The Alcàsser Murders
This Spanish docu-series revisits the terrible 1992 slaying of three teenage girls. It’s not only a true crime tale—it’s an indictment of media hype, public hysteria, and police incompetence. The show is raw, emotive, and a potent reminder of how a nation’s mourning can be mismanaged.
True crime continues to adapt, intermixing formats, tones, and perspectives. From podcasts that inspired new investigations to documentaries that defied institutions, the genre is much more than entertainment. But with popularity comes responsibility—how do storytellers tell these stories without exploiting trauma or re-traumatizing victims? It’s a question that warrants ongoing debate. What’s certain, however, is that true crime is staying around. And these 10 shows and documentaries are among the strongest evidence of why we just can’t look away.