True crime has become one of the biggest genres in television in recent years with streaming apps adding more and more to the subsection each year. Some of the world's most infamous killers have been dissected and analyzed to try to understand how humans can reach the point of brutal murder. The best true-crime shows shine a light on the life of the innocent victims of these monsters, showing viewers that anyone can be the victim of one of these heinous crimes.
With demand rising for more shows streaming giants are happily obliging viewers pushing out new series all the time making it harder for viewers to find the perfect show for them. For those who want to see more in-depth psychological analysis to those who prefer a more comprehensive forensic examination, there's a show for all the different aspects of a criminal investigation. Some of the best true-crime shows are streaming right now on popular apps like Netflix, HBO Max, Hulu, and Amazon Prime and have often been some of the top series on the streaming platforms.
10 World's Most Evil Killers
The British true-crime show first aired in 2017 as Britain's Most Evil Killers which focused on analyzing the countries worst serial killers convicted in the past thirty years. Expanding to include some of the most depraved killers around the world including Germany, Belgium, and the United Sates, the show has featured some of the craziest killers in history. Different from other investigative shows, this series examines the killers through specialists who have determined these crimes to be some of the most heinous tragedies committed in recent years.
9 The Trials Of Gabriel Fernandez
One of the most heart-wrenching Netflix documentary miniseries viewers will ever watch shows the real life struggle of eight-year-old Gabriel Fernandez as the system of child protective services in America fails him. After being severely abused and tortured by his mother and her boyfriend for years the young child succumbed to his injuries and passed away in May 2013. The miniseries explores what the innocent Gabriel experienced at the hands of his guardians and how the system put in place to protect him ultimately neglected him too.
8 Making A Murderer
While most true-crime shows are black and white with an obvious killer and innocent victim, the case of Steven Avery and his nephew Brendan Dassey is not as clear-cut as it seems. Teresa Halbach was killed in 2005 not long after photographing cars on Avery's salvage yard, but the investigation into her murder seemed to be rushed and mishandled with a clear tunnel focus on Steven Avery and his nephew.
While the focus of the Netflix documentary series is to explore the murder and subsequent convictions of Avery and his nephew, Avery's previous wrongful conviction is shown in the first part with an examination of the tense relationship he has with the Manitowoc County Police Department.
7 The Murders At Starved Rock
The HBO Max three-part docuseries The Murders At Starved Rock has captivated audiences across the globe including regular viewers and celebrities alike. Chester Weger was released in February 2020 after serving time since 1961 for one of the three murders that occurred at Starved Rock State Park in 1960. After confessing to his crimes Weger recanted his confession and maintained his innocence until his release. The docuseries not only explores the possibility of Weger's innocence but the murders, investigation, and his eventual conviction.
6 I'll Be Gone In The Dark
Most true-crime watchers are familiar with the infamous Golden State Killer who targeted women from 1974 until 1986 sexually assaulting and killing them. The killer wasn't caught until recently in 2018 do to DNA evidence and was sentenced to life in prison. While there are numerous documentaries on the killer the HBO Max series explores the Golden State Killer's case from the perspective of the crime writer who named him, Michelle McNamara. Exploring the case based off of McNamara's dedicated investigative work through the lens of her personal life brings a different perspective on the infamous killer.
5 Night Stalker: The Hunt For A Serial Killer
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A frightening exploration of the carnage left behind in the wake of the Night Stalker attacks during the summer of 1985 which changed the way police viewed serial killers' methodology. One of the scariest killers in history who had no discernible victim pattern, Richard Ramirez terrified locals of Los Angeles during one of the most intense heatwaves of the summer.
The four-part Netflix documentary examines his crime spree through original photographs and interviews with survivors which is almost unheard of when discussing serial killers. Ramirez was one of the most terrifying killers in history because with him anyone could be a victim, making everyone vulnerable.
4 Murder In The Bayou
This five-part Showtime docuseries investigates the unsolved murders of eight women known as the Jeff Davis 8 around Jennings, Louisiana between 2005 and 2009. With the victims having so much in common including working for the police as informants on the local drug trade and having criminal records, it's astounding the cases have gone unsolved for decades. Unfortunately for viewers there won't be much closure in this series as the murders are still considered unsolved, but it leaves room for viewers to do some investigative work of their own to come to their own conclusions.
3 Tales Of The Grim Sleeper
Serial killer Lonnie David Franklin Jr. earned his nickname, Grim Sleeper, from an unlikely 14-year break between his brutal crimes in 1988 until 2002. Franklin was responsible for at least 10 murders until his arrest in 2010 and subsequent trial and conviction in 2016. Much like in one of Netflix's latest true-crime dramas, this serial killer was able to roam free killing at his leisure for many years before police finally caught on to him. The 2014 documentary film released on HBO investigates the 25-year case and examines why the infamous killer wasn't caught earlier.
2 Paradise Lost: The Child Murders
One of the most gruesome cases in American history happened in West Memphis, Arkansas during May 1993 in the height of the Satanic Panic. Three teenage boys were convicted of the brutal murder and mutilation of three young boys who were left in a ditch in the woods. The teens were accused of killing the boys as part of a satanic ritual and were convicted, the three maintained their innocence and after DNA evidence was uncovered in 2010 they entered a plea deal allowing them to assert their innocence and be released from prison for time served. The HBO documentary film follows the case from the beginning with the first of three films being released in 1996.
1 Memories Of A Murderer: The Nilsen Tapes
Netflix has created a new genre of true-crime with their latest releases where viewers explore the crimes as narrated by the perpetrators of the crime. Released in 2021, The Nilsen Tapes explore the crimes and slayings committed by Scottish serial killer Dennis Nilsen who murdered at least 12 young men and boys throughout 1978 and 1983 London. After being convicted for life imprisonment for the killings Nilsen was recorded discussing his gruesome crimes from his jail cell.
