Listen, this is a no-judgment zone for true-crime fans. There’s simply an itch that fictional stories cannot scratch like true crime does, and that is the authenticity behind these unbelievable tales. For your next series or documentary on cults, devious roommates, political scandals, or fraudsters, there are five streaming platforms I recommend.
1Netflix
Of course, I have to start off by recommending the streaming service responsible for the surge in true-crime series in 2015, when it released Making a Murderer. While Shudder might have the edge on Netflix for horror content, Netflix is true-crime royalty, with an ever-growing number of films and series in the genre.
To help you sort through the vast catalog, Netflix offers themed categories like Dark True Crime Documentaries and Critically Acclaimed so you can find exactly what you’re looking for.
In addition to its flagship Making a Murderer series, Netflix is home to household names like The Staircase, Evil Genius, and Tiger King. Beyond its documentary content, Netflix hosts scripted, dramatic series like Dirty John based on actual events.
To get you started, Netflix’s digital publication has a stellar list of 15 “gripping” true-crime documentaries available to stream now. You can also peruse Netflix’s secret codes, which include a shortcut for Crime Documentaries.
In terms of pricing, Netflix subscriptions range from $6.99/month to $22.99/month in the US at the time of writing.
Download: Netflix for iOS | Android ($6.99+)
2Hulu
Another streaming heavyweight is Hulu, which reserves plenty of space for true-crime content on the platform. And Hulu isn’t afraid of standing up against its competitors; in 2019, the studio released a documentary called Fyre Fraud, portraying the story of a festival crippled by fraud—one week before Netflix’s documentary on the same topic.
For some advice on where to start, Hulu released a guide of 42 true-crime series available now, including a popular mini-series called Perfect Wife: The Mysterious Disappearance of Sherri Papini.
At the time of writing, Hulu subscriptions start at as little as $7.99/month and increase for ad-free and bundle offerings. While it is a US-only streaming service, there are workarounds to access Hulu if you live somewhere else in the world.
Download: Hulu for iOS | Android ($7.99+)
3Peacock
Another platform to mention with a history in true crime is Peacock, NBC’s streaming service. As the creator of the iconic Dateline series, NBC was doing true crime before it was “cool.” No longer just accessible to cable customers, you can now watch 16 of the 33 seasons of Dateline with a Peacock subscription.
Dateline isn’t the only true-crime title Peacock offers. Additional documentaries on the streaming service include Myth of the Zodiac Killer, Bloodline Detectives, and the scripted drama series Dr. Death, based on the podcast of the same name.
Like Hulu, Peacock plans start at $7.99, but for only $13.99, you can watch content ad-free.
Download: Peacock for iOS | Android ($7.99+)
4MAX
I’d be remiss not to include the home of one of the most prominent true-crime series of all time, The Jinx. Max, formerly HBO Max, is back in the spotlight for true-crime fans in 2024 with The Jinx’s long-awaited second season.
Of course, there are plenty of reasons to love Max, including its top-of-the-line dramatic series like Succession and Game of Thrones, and its true-crime stories are just as impressive in quality, from their research to their production value. Beyond The Jinx, Max has released the talked-about series Quiet On Set, The Way Down, and McMillions.
Regarding price, Max plans begin with an ad-inclusive option for $9.99/month, with more expensive, ad-free options and bundles also available.
Download: Max for iOS | Android ($9.99+)
5“Wherever You Get Your Favorite Podcasts”
Of course, in addition to watching true crime, you can also listen. Podcast platforms like Spotify and Apple Podcasts have true-crime series to keep you occupied for the rest of your life. Shows like Criminal, Morbid, and The Last Podcast on the Left are popular anthology series with vast episode catalogs covering many cases, from lesser-known crimes to notorious cases like Jack the Ripper. And you get all of that for free.
With podcasts, you might miss out on the visual storytelling, but you can kill two birds with one stone, to use an aptly gory metaphor. Personally, my housecleaning hours fly by when I have a true-crime story playing in my headphones. However, I’ll admit I can sometimes get lost without faces and lower-thirds to associate with the voices in the story. It’s a double-edged sword, so to speak.
Download: Spotify for iOS | Android (Free)
Download: Apple Podcasts for iOS (Free)
There are a lot of streaming services out there, and having them all can cost a pretty penny. The best platform for you will ultimately come down to what types of stories you’re into. For instance, Netflix and Max seem to have the edge on cult content, while only Peacock has the classic crime show format of Dateline. Take a few services out for a test drive (free trial) and see what type of true crime scratches the itch more for you.
