There’s just something irresistibly compelling about mystery and true-crime shows. Perhaps it’s the excitement of trying to solve the puzzle ahead of the characters, or perhaps it’s just seeing jaw-dropping real-life events unravel with all the drama and suspense of a blockbuster film. Whatever the reason, these shows are some of the most engaging binge-watch material around. Whether you’re into chilling conspiracies, eerie unsolved crimes, or dramatic courtroom battles, this list has something to scratch that investigative itch. So, settle in, grab your favorite snack, and dive into these 15 must-watch series that blend suspense, drama, and downright unbelievable moments.
15. The Innocence Files
This thought-provoking docuseries centers on individuals who were falsely convicted and the teams of lawyers who work to clear their names. Each episode explores how a defective investigation, coerced confession, or faulty forensics resulted in innocent individuals being behind bars. It’s a hard but necessary watch that keeps us from forgetting just how much is at stake when justice becomes derailed.
14. Tiger King
At this juncture, who hasn’t heard of Tiger King? But in case you avoided the first round of publicity, this crazy journey through the world of exotic animal enthusiasts is still worth viewing. With all the feuds, accusations, and crazy characters, it’s more like a novel than reality, but it’s all true. Wild doesn’t even scratch the surface.
13. Wild Wild Country
This one features a cryptic guru and his devotees who attempted to build their utopia in rural Oregon. What began as a benign spiritual movement evolved into something sinister, including power struggles, political warfare, and even bio-attacks. It’s a true-crime story that reads like a thriller but really occurred.
12. The Jinx: The Life and Deaths of Robert Durst
Few docuseries land as well as this one does. What is initially an exploration of the life of bizarre millionaire Robert Durst turns into something far more startling. Through interviews, film, and some chilling scenes, the show culminates in a finale that sets the true-crime world abuzz.
11. The Keepers
This chilling series examines the decades-old killing of a much-loved nun and schoolteacher, Sister Cathy Cesnik. But when former pupils investigate, they discover an infinitely larger and more appalling tale of abuse, complicity, and a system that failed the vulnerable. It’s heart-rending, shocking, and unshakeable.
10. The Staircase
Based on the trial of writer Michael Peterson, who was charged with murder in the death of his wife, this docu-series is a slow burn at its finest. It doesn’t merely present you with the facts—it allows you to dwell on the uncertainty, questioning what occurred every step of the way. With fresh revelations and new theories, it’s a mystery that never really gets solved.
9. Making a Murderer
A flagship in the true-crime category, this series is about Steven Avery, who was released after 18 years behind bars for a crime he didn’t commit—just to be charged with another one shortly afterward. It is huge in its questioning of the justice system and has provoked more arguments than possibly any other docuseries out there.
8. The Woman in the House Across the Street from the Girl in the Window
Yes, the title is a mouthful—but that’s also the point. Kristen Bell headlines this spoof of suburban suspense movies, as a woman who might or might not have witnessed a murder across the street. It ridicules mystery cliches but still presents a pretty entertaining whodunit of its own.
7. Wednesday
Jenna Ortega shines in the role of perpetually morbid Wednesday Addams in this gothic and fashionable mystery show. Based at Nevermore Academy, Wednesday uses her detective skills to examine a series of murders while she also digs up secrets regarding her family’s history. Go for the gothic atmosphere with strong humor and a hint of magic.
6. The Sinner
Every season of this anthology tracks Detective Harry Ambrose, played by Bill Pullman, as he solves a new case that appears straightforward on the surface, but never is. The first season specifically is a masterclass in piecing together a puzzle that seems unexplainable until it all suddenly comes into focus.
5. The Haunting of Bly Manor
This supernatural novel combines traditional horror with a richly human narrative about love, regret, and tragedy. When a young woman accepts employment at a remote English estate, she finds more than dark hallways and strange children. With its tense, unfolding suspense and emotional resonance, it’s not just a haunted house novel.
4. Dark
If you enjoy a good brain-twister, this German series is a must-watch. Based on the bizarre vanishings of kids in a small town, Dark is a ride through time, destiny, and family secrets. It’s sophisticated, stunningly photographed, and one of the most rewarding sci-fi mysteries of all time.
3. Bodies
Envision a single dead body occurring in four different periods, each one of which is being investigated by a different detective. That’s the setup for Bodies, and it does an excellent job of combining crime, sci-fi, and suspense. As the timelines begin to intersect, the mystery expands into something greater than anyone could imagine.
2. Behind Her Eyes
Don’t be fooled by the slow beginning—this psychological thriller is a puncher. It begins with a mundane love triangle but soon descends into something more sinister and much stranger. With dream logic, copious twists, and a jaw-dropping final reveal, it’s one of those programs that haunts you.
1. A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder
Based on the bestselling YA novel, this series is about Pip, a teenager who chooses to revisit a murder everyone else thinks was solved. It begins as a school assignment that becomes a gripping and witty thriller that uncovers more secrets than anyone was prepared for. It’s quick-witted, contemporary, and full of twists.