10 True Crime Docs You Need To Get Your Eyes On

I’ll be the first to admit that I’m scared of almost everything—a loud noise, the creak of a floorboard, the plot twist in a kids' movie. But put on a true crime documentary, and suddenly, I’m riveted. There's something oddly comforting about diving into these intense mysteries from the safety of my couch. True crime is like an addictive puzzle you can’t stop working on, even if the answers make you think twice about getting up for a snack. So, for my fellow true crime lovers, here are some gripping documentaries from Netflix, Hulu, Amazon, and Peacock that will have you hooked while you stay safe under a cozy blanket.

A true crime staple, Making a Murderer follows the wild case of Steven Avery, a man who served 18 years in prison for a crime he didn’t commit, only to become a suspect in another murder after his release. This documentary dives deep into the judicial system, questioning justice, evidence, and everything you thought you knew about “guilty” and “innocent.”

Why You’ll Love It: It’s a layered, mind-bending saga that’ll leave you questioning every aspect of the justice system.

A dramatized take on the unbelievable true story of Gypsy Rose Blanchard and her manipulative mother, Dee Dee, The Act shows the twisted bond between mother and daughter that eventually leads to a horrific climax. This one will have you on the edge of your seat, wondering how much more sinister things can get.

Why You’ll Love It: It’s intense, unsettling, and reveals a disturbing look into extreme cases of control and manipulation.

Get ready for an emotional journey as The Keepers investigates the murder of Sister Cathy Cesnik, a beloved nun whose death exposed a cover-up of shocking abuse. With survivors bravely coming forward, this series is as heartbreaking as it is revealing.

Why You’ll Love It: It’s not just a murder mystery; it’s a call for justice that’s both gut-wrenching and powerful.

Lorena revisits the Lorena Bobbitt case with a fresh perspective, exposing the true story behind the media frenzy and the disturbing domestic abuse that fueled it. This series forces you to reconsider everything you thought you knew about this notorious case.

Why You’ll Love It: It’s a deep dive into the realities behind a tabloid sensation, reminding us that every story has more than one side.

This one is for those who like a dash of mystery with their true crime. Sasquatch follows an investigative journalist who looks into alleged Bigfoot-related murders in California’s marijuana-growing region. But what starts as a cryptid hunt takes a dark twist into the criminal underworld.

Why You’ll Love It: Part true crime, part conspiracy theory—it’s unique, fascinating, and perfect for something a little outside the box.

Dr. Death explores the horrors of Dr. Christopher Duntsch, a Texas neurosurgeon responsible for a slew of botched surgeries. It’s terrifying to realize how easily someone can abuse a position of trust, and this docuseries is a stark reminder of why accountability in healthcare is crucial.

Why You’ll Love It: It’s chilling because it’s real, and the stories of the victims are haunting and unforgettable.

The Confession Killer covers the twisted tale of Henry Lee Lucas, a man who confessed to hundreds of murders but may not have committed any of them. This documentary will make you question the truth behind every confession, exposing shocking inconsistencies in Lucas’s accounts.

Why You’ll Love It: It’s mind-boggling and forces you to question what “the truth” really means in the world of criminal investigations.

This documentary examines the rise and fall of NFL star Aaron Hernandez, whose shocking murder conviction revealed a dark side to his fame. Hernandez’s case brings to light complex issues surrounding mental health, fame, and crime.

Why You’ll Love It: It’s compelling, sad, and challenges you to look beyond the headlines to understand the human cost behind fame.

Arguably one of America’s most infamous unsolved mysteries, This is the Zodiac Speaking digs into the serial killer who taunted California in the late ’60s. This documentary delves into the frustrating and fascinating investigation that’s still unsolved, keeping viewers captivated by the puzzle.

Why You’ll Love It: The intrigue of an unsolved case and the Zodiac’s haunting messages make this a must-watch for true mystery fans.

This docudrama uses real footage, including social media posts and police bodycams, to tell the story of the Watts family tragedy. It’s raw, immediate, and intensely unsettling, immersing you right in the middle of a tragic, all-too-real case.

Why You’ll Love It: It’s a haunting look at social media, family secrets, and the reality behind a seemingly perfect life.

Even though I’m typically scared of just about everything, true crime documentaries have this strange way of making me feel at ease. There's something oddly comforting about following these mind-bending mysteries from the safety of my couch. So for my fellow true crime fans, here are ten must-watch documentaries and series that you can stream right now to keep you glued to the screen and safe under your cozy blanket.

*Spoiler alert* This post contains several spoilers. Read at your discretion.  

TV show finales are a big deal. They could either make the fans love the show even more long after it is finished, or it could make the fans hate it with so much passion even after spending countless hours invested in the characters’ plights. How many TV shows can you think of that disappointed you because of how quickly the writers wrapped up the show or how they forgot about a character’s development arc?   

Case in point, Penny (Kaley Cuoco) from The Big Bang Theory. The writers did an episode about her not wanting to have a child even if her husband, Leonard (Johnny Galecki) wanted to. But in the show’s finale, she’s pregnant. Then there's Haley Dunphy (Sarah Hyland) from Modern Family. Before the finale, she was in this wonderful relationship with Andy (Adam DeVine), and she had a career in fashion which she fought tooth and nail to have. But when we got to the show’s ending, she had none of those.

We’re not demeaning her character ending up as a mother, but it seemed the writers were building her character up to be this successful career woman and she ended up with her on-and-off first boyfriend, Dylan (Reid Ewing).  

Of course, the writers can’t please all the show’s viewers. Nevertheless, giving the characters that audiences welcomed to their homes a proper sendoff is a responsibility the director shouldn’t take lightly. Believe it or not, mental health professionals have said that grieving after a show ending is a feeling that’s all too real, as reported by NBC News.   

According to Brian Kong, a Chicago-based psychologist mentioned via HuffPost, “Even when it’s fantasy, there’s a genuine investment in the outcome of a story and the state of the various characters.” He added, “People feel so connected, and in some cases like they have ownership over something.”  

Here are some TV show finales that provided fans with an emotional experience that stayed with them long after the credits rolled.  

Friends has a massive following even 20 years after the finale. The show wrapped up the characters’ stories nicely, Monica and Chandler going home with their twins, Phoebe ending up with Mike, Joey’s acting career taking off and Ross and Rachel finally getting together again. The way they say goodbye to one another and the memorable moment when they each leave their keys to the apartment and go for a cup of coffee for the last time in their favorite coffee shop is bittersweet.

The ending of How I Met Your Mother is controversial, and it seems fans still haven’t forgiven the creators for the way it ended. In a way, it’s memorable because the fans disliked it so much. Why wouldn’t they? The premise of the show is Ted telling his kids how he met their father with several seasons building up to his and Tracy’s love story, only for the viewers to find out that Tracy passed away and Ted ended up with Robin (again). The finale sparked debates about fate, destiny, and love and a portion of the fanbase defended the creators' take on the ending. Whatever the impression it left, it’s a finale that’s memorable and will surely be talked about even in the years to come.

Game of Thrones has another controversial ending; well, it seems the whole final season is controversial. So, Jon Snow killed Daenerys because she was heading the same path as the Mad King, Arya was the one who killed the Night King instead of Jon, Bran Stark became King, Sansa Stark was crowned Queen of the North, Arya left, and Jon was again sent to Castle Black. What the f— right? However, fans still approved of the sheer scale of the storytelling and the visual effects, although the end of the characters’ story arcs are debatable.  

The ending of The Good Place is a rare one because it’s a series that, in some ways, you’re happy to end. You see the characters’ journeys from the beginning when they realized they were actually in the “bad place” until they eventually ended in the “good place.” It’s a series that ends with a lesson on how to live a meaningful life and that we all find fulfillment at our own pace.  

How do you end the story of immortals? This is perhaps the question in fans' minds before The Originals, a Vampire Diaries spin-off, aired its final episode. In its last season, Klaus made the ultimate sacrifice to save his daughter, Hope. He absorbed the entity, the Hollow, but by doing so, dark magic began to destroy him. Klaus intended to stake himself and die with the Hollow’s magic so as not to endanger his daughter again. Elijah, being loyal to his life’s purpose to redeem his brother, dies alongside him with both their ashes spreading across New Orleans, their home.  

We prefer the ending of The Originals to The Vampire Diaries because of Klaus’ redemption. Both series highlighted brotherly love, Stefan and Damon of TVD and Klaus and Elijah of The Originals. Even if Stefan died for Damon to have a happily ever after, seeing Elijah choose to be with his brother until the end feels more poignant. 

Another TV show ending that received negative comments from fans is the recently concluded The Umbrella Academy. In the finale, the Hargreeves siblings let the “Cleanse” absorb them, technically the marigold inside them that gave them their powers, to create only one singular timeline and prevent the Apocalypse from happening all over again. In this singular timeline, their families and friends exist, except for them and they have no memories of the siblings. The finale may not be what the fans liked but there seems to be no other way to end it except to erase the siblings that shouldn’t have been born in the first place. So, in a way, the ending just corrected the problem from the pilot episode.