There’s something about watching talented actors play real-life criminals that can be endlessly entertaining.
True crime series combine the best of reality with movie magic to create engrossing, disturbing stories that will keep you on the edge of your seat.
And Netflix has some of the best true crime series in the business.
If you’re perusing Netflix for your next “based on a true story” binge, Watch With Us recommends these seven shows on Netflix that will shock and entertain you.
Need more recommendations? Then check out Great Movies on Amazon Prime Video Right Now, Best Shows on Netflix Right Now, Best Shows on HBO and Max Right Now and the Must-See Netflix True Crime Documentaries to Watch Right Now.
Ben Stiller directs every episode of this acclaimed miniseries, which tells the disturbing tale of a real-life prison break. The series revolves around the true story of two convicted murderers, Richard Matt (Benicio del Toro) and David Sweat (Paul Dano), who managed to break out of the facility with the assistance of a prison employee named Joyce “Tilly” Mitchell (Patricia Arquette). Their daring escape led to a massive and intense manhunt that captivated the nation.
The series was lauded for its meticulous exploration of the events leading up to the escape. It delves into the psychological and interpersonal dynamics between the characters, including the sexual relationships that both Matt and Sweat had with Mitchell. Escape at Dannemora also highlights the flaws and vulnerabilities within the penal system that facilitated this elaborate breakout.
Arquette won a well-deserved Golden Globe for this role, which she portrays with considerable nuance. The thrilling and thought-provoking storytelling makes Escape at Dannemora a standout series for fans of true crime.
Each Dirty John‘s two seasons dives deep into a different deceptive relationship, creating fascinating portrayals of two fascinatingly manipulative individuals. The first season is based on the life of John Meehan (Eric Bana), a charismatic con artist who engaged in a perilous entanglement with businesswoman Debra Newell (Connie Britton). This tale of deception and coercion is based on the Los Angeles Times podcast of the same name by Christopher Goffard, which delves into the dangers of hidden truths in intimate relationships.
The second season recounts the infamous case of Betty Broderick (Amanda Peet), whose turbulent marriage to Dan Broderick (Christian Slater) and subsequent actions drew significant media attention. The show’s portrayal of these chilling true stories highlights the psychological thriller aspects that are particularly appealing to true crime fans. The emotional volatility and unsettling dynamics between the featured couples make for an engrossing — albeit disturbing — viewing experience.
This dark comedy-drama won six Emmy Awards in 2024. It is a fictionalized take on the true story of Donny, an aspiring comedian who is stalked and assaulted by a woman he waits on at a bar.
Starring relative unknowns Richard Gadd and Jessica Gunning, this story sheds light on sexual assault, stalking, and the complicated relationships between abuser and abused. Shockingly, it even manages to sneak some laughs in along the way.
This story isn’t just captivating, it’s heartbreaking, and it’s an example of how a “get the bad guys at any cost” attitude can have devastating consequences. When They See Us tells the true story of the Central Park Five, a group of Black teenage boys who were forced to falsely confess to the murder of a white female jogger in Central Park in 1989. All five boys went to prison, serving sentences ranging from seven to thirteen years, but were later exonerated.
The ensemble cast showcases some incredible performances, particularly by Michael K. Williams, Aunjanue Ellis and Niecy Nash. Directed by Ava DuVernay, this tragic story has moments of hope and inspiration.
What do we know about the minds of killers? And how do we know it? Mindhunter, based on the 1995 book Mindhunter: Inside the FBI’s Elite Serial Crime Unit, takes viewers back to the early days of criminal profiling. The series, which stars Glee’s Jonathan Groff and The Iron Claw’s Holt McCallany, explores how the FBI began to interview serial killers, what they learned from their findings, and how that knowledge informs crime-solving today.
Mindhunter’s detectives interview fictionalized versions of many real-life serial killers, including Edmund Kemper, Montie Rissell, Dennis Berkowitz (also known as the Son of Sam), and Charles Manson. This fascinating psychological thriller series is produced by David Fincher, who directed The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo and The Social Network.
If you’re interested in a less bloody take on true crime, check out this series about Anna Delvey, aka Anna Sorokin. Sorokin made headlines when she appeared on Dancing with the Stars in 2024, but before that, she was found guilty of scamming New York City’s elite out of millions of dollars.
This Netflix series, which stars Ozark’s Julia Garner and Veep’s Anna Chlumsky, dramatizes the rise and fall of an incredible con artist. (And, at least according to DWTS viewers, a mediocre dancer.)
Ryan Murphy has been on the cutting edge of the true crime genre for years, and his Netflix series is no exception. Monster has so far delved deep into the stories of three well-known murderers for two seasons. Season one tells the story of Jeffrey Dahmer, portrayed by Murphy’s frequent collaborator Evan Peters.
The second season is focused on Erik and Lyle Menendez, played by Cooper Koch and Nicholas Alexander Chavez, respectively. The upcoming third season will star Sons of Anarchy actor Charlie Hunnam as serial killer Ed Gein.
Season three of Monster is reportedly scheduled for release in 2025. If you want to catch up on the Dahmer and Menendez stories, now is the perfect time.
