Best True Crime

Mindhunter explores the early days of criminal profiling within the FBI. It centers on two agents who utilize interviews with incarcerated serial killers to develop psychological techniques for understanding violent offenders. The show’s detailed examination of forensic psychology and its applicatio...

This six-part HBO documentary series chronicles the bizarre life and suspected crimes of Robert Durst, a real estate heir implicated in multiple disappearances and murders. The series' brilliance lies in its access to Durst himself, allowing filmmakers to capture his own unraveling and ultimately,...

The Harvey Weinstein scandal involved allegations of widespread sexual misconduct by the Hollywood producer spanning several decades. These accusations ignited the #MeToo movement, bringing to light systemic issues of power dynamics and abuse within the film industry and beyond. The case prompted si...

'The Act of Killing' is a deeply unsettling and innovative documentary that confronts perpetrators of the Indonesian mass killings of 1965-68. By asking them to recreate their crimes as if they were making a movie, director Joshua Oppenheimer forces them to confront their actions in a surreal and di...

'Spotlight' chronicles the Boston Globes investigation into allegations of sexual abuse within the Catholic Church. The film is a gripping portrayal of investigative journalism, highlighting the importance of perseverance and accountability. While technically a narrative feature, its documentary-lik...

Serial is a podcast examining complex criminal investigations through meticulous journalistic exploration. The first season focused on the 1999 disappearance of Hae Min Lee and the subsequent conviction of Adnan Syed. It’s notable for its innovative use of audio storytelling and investigative techni...

The Innocence Project works to exonerate wrongfully convicted individuals through DNA testing and legal representation. They advocate for systemic reforms to prevent future wrongful convictions, including improving eyewitness identification procedures and addressing prosecutorial misconduct. Their w...

This miniseries recounts the sensational 1995 trial of O. J. Simpson for the murders of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Goldman. Based on Jeffrey Toobin’s book, it meticulously portrays the legal proceedings, forensic evidence, and media frenzy surrounding the case. The series provides a detailed ex...

In the Dark stands out for its meticulous investigative reporting and commitment to exploring systemic flaws within the criminal justice system. Each season focuses on a single case, often involving wrongful convictions or police misconduct. Host Madeleine Barans in-depth research and thoughtful na...

JCS – Criminal Psychology offers detailed examinations of true crime cases through a psychological lens. The channel explores offender motivations, behavioral patterns, and the complex effects of criminal acts on individuals involved. It utilizes research and investigative reporting to provide insig...

This Netflix docuseries follows the case of Steven Avery, a Wisconsin man convicted of murder after previously being exonerated for a sexual assault. 'Making a Murderer' sparked widespread debate about police misconduct, prosecutorial overreach, and the fairness of the American justice system. While...

Mr Bates vs The Post Office is a drama series detailing the British Post Office scandal. Hundreds of subpostmasters faced wrongful prosecution related to errors within the Horizon computer system, resulting in accusations of theft and fraud. The ITV production aired over four days beginning January...

David Grann's 'Killers of the Flower Moon' meticulously unravels the shocking story of the Osage Nation murders in 1920s Oklahoma. When oil was discovered on Osage land, the tribe became incredibly wealthy, making them targets for greedy outsiders. Grann's investigative reporting exposes a conspirac...

The Night Of is a crime drama miniseries created by Richard Price and Steven Zaillian, directed in part by James Marsh. It premiered on HBO in July 2016, based on the British series Criminal Justice, and garnered critical recognition. The show received numerous Emmy nominations, ultimately winning f...

Erik Larson's 'The Devil in the White City' masterfully intertwines the story of the 1893 Chicago World's Fair with the chilling tale of H.H. Holmes, America's first documented serial killer. Larsons meticulous research and vivid prose create a captivating narrative that transports readers to a pivo...

Mayday is a Canadian documentary series that investigates aviation disasters including crashes, hijackings, and bombings. The program employs re-enactments and CGI alongside interviews with experts and survivors to analyze these events. Investigations focus on the circumstances surrounding each inci...

Michelle McNamara's posthumously published 'I'll Be Gone in the Dark' is a masterful blend of investigative journalism and personal memoir. McNamara's relentless pursuit of the Golden State Killer, combined with her poignant reflections on obsession and loss, creates a deeply affecting and immersive...

Jai Bhim recounts the true story of a tribal family’s fight for justice in Tamil Nadu. The film portrays a harrowing experience involving police brutality and systemic discrimination against marginalized communities. Based on the real-life case overseen by Justice K. Chandru, it highlights critical...

“Bad Blood” meticulously chronicles the rise and fall of Theranos, a Silicon Valley biotechnology company. Journalist John Carreyrou’s book reveals how founder Elizabeth Holmes misled investors and the public regarding her company's revolutionary blood-testing technology. The narrative exposes syste...

Patrick Radden Keefe’s *Empire of Pain* meticulously details the Sackler family’s decades-long involvement with Purdue Pharma and the subsequent proliferation of OxyContin. The book exposes how this pharmaceutical dynasty aggressively marketed the opioid painkiller while largely ignoring evidence of...

Killers of the Flower Moon depicts a series of murders occurring in 1920s Oklahoma involving Osage Nation members and their relatives. The story centers on exploitation of tribal wealth following oil discoveries, driven by a corrupt local figure seeking to steal mineral rights. This Scorsese-directe...

The Executioner’s Song is a biographical account by Norman Mailer detailing the final days of Gary Gilmore, a man who executed himself after being convicted of murder. Published in 1979 and awarded the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction, the book offers a detailed examination of capital punishment and its i...

American Crime Story is an anthology crime drama series created by Scott Alexander and Larry Karaszewski, part of the American Story franchise. Each season explores a distinct criminal case as a self-contained miniseries, with FX serving as its broadcast home. A fourth season was announced in Januar...

Chanel Miller's 'Know My Name' is a searing and profoundly moving memoir recounting her experience as the victim of sexual assault at Stanford University and the subsequent legal proceedings. Miller's powerful voice and unflinching honesty offer a vital perspective on trauma, justice, and the import...

Serial is a groundbreaking true crime podcast that revolutionized the genre. Created by Sarah Koenig and investigative reporter Julie Snyder, each season investigates a single case in depth, often revisiting evidence and interviewing witnesses to uncover new details. Its meticulous research and comp...

The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story is a compelling web-and-limited series exploring the infamous 1990s trial. It meticulously reconstructs the events surrounding the murders of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Goldman, examining the complex interplay of race, media scrutiny, and celebri...

The Stanford Prison Experiment was a 1971 study examining group dynamics within a simulated prison environment. Researchers observed rapid shifts in roles, with participants adopting both guard and prisoner behaviors, often exhibiting extreme aggression and distress. The experiment abruptly ended du...

The Jinx: The Life and Deaths of Robert Durst is a six-part documentary miniseries directed by Andrew Jarecki that premiered on HBO in 2015. The series investigates the history of New York real estate heir Robert Durst, focusing on his suspected involvement in the 1982 disappearance of his wife, the...

The television show follows three individuals who form a friendship while investigating murders within the Arconia apartment building in Manhattan. The group’s investigations are documented through their own true crime podcast, “Only Murders in the Building.” Five seasons of the series have aired on...