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The 10 Best Places to Watch True Crime Documentaries
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If your idea of relaxing is sitting down and turning on a five-part docuseries about serial killers, you’re not alone. According to a YouGov survey, one in three Americans watches a true crime show at least once per week. And while fascination with true crime has always been prevalent, it has reached an all-time high in the past few years.
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“I think it’s human nature to be drawn to true crime stories,” Stephanie Pabis, a Patrol Officer with a New Hampshire Police Department, tells Rolling Stone. “People are naturally curious, but we often don’t realize that anyone’s neighbor, friend, or family member could be a criminal — and that’s what intrigues an individual. They want to know how someone can commit heinous crimes and hear the stories surrounding them. Ultimately, they want to get an adrenaline boost without having to be involved in it themselves.”
So, if you find yourself among the masses who can’t stop watching true crime documentaries or hitting refresh on your news app, we compiled a list of the top ten places to stream true crime shows.
Hulu
Hulu has hundreds of true crime documentaries available to watch, and right now, you can even get a 30-day free trial. After that, the entry-level membership goes up (but don’t worry, only a little) to $7.99 monthly — making it one of the most affordable streaming services around. Binge shows like Hunting JonBenét’s Killer: The Untold Story, The Menendez Murders: Erik Tells All, Mommy Dead and Dearest, and Perfect Wife: The Mysterious Disappearance of Sherri Papini, and you’ll get your fill of serial killers and sociopaths.
Top true crime shows on Hulu:
? Hunting JonBenét’s Killer: The Untold Story
? The Menendez Murders: Erik Tells All
? Web of Death
? Jeffrey Dahmer: Mind of a Monster
? Keeper of the Ashes: The Oklahoma Girl Scout Murders
DirecTV Stream
DirecTV Stream not only gives you the ability to watch live TV but it also gives you a library of on-demand content that can be accessed at any time. With memberships starting at $79.99 per month, you get more bang for your buck than you would with traditional cable companies. Access channels like True Crime Now at all hours of the night, but at least keep the lights on or something.
Top true crime shows on DirecTV Stream:
? 48 Hours
? Signs of a Psychopath
? Homicide Hunter: American Detective
? Dateline: Secrets Uncovered
? Homicide for the Holidays
Fubo
$79.99
From Making a Serial Killer to Meet, Marry, Murder, Fubo has an impressive lineup of true crime documentaries. Unlike traditional networks, Fubo allows you to stream live TV over the internet without the use of cable—it’s a great option for anyone who wants multiple different channel types. Fubo also offers a seven-day free trial for all new subscribers, after which prices range from $32.99 per month to $99.99 per month.
Top true crime shows on Fubo:
? World’s Most Evil Killers
? Killers: Caught on Camera
? Making a Serial Killer
? Women Behind Bars
? Meet, Marry, Murder
Sling TV
$40.00
Sling has so many different true crime shows to choose from it feels criminal. Binge all 155 episodes of The First 48, learn about Warren Jeffs through Keep Sweet: Pray and Obey, and follow Hilarie Burton Morgan as she investigates murder in small-town America; whatever your vice, Sling has it all. Memberships start at just $40 per month and include over 80,000 on-demand shows and over 40 channels. The best part? You can stream Sling on your phone, XBox, or smart television.
Top true crime shows on Sling TV:
? The First 48
? JonBenét: An American Murder Mystery
? True Crime Story: It Couldn’t Happen Here
? Cold Case Files
? Fatal Attraction
Max
$9.99
If you’re looking for one of the best services to stream true crime documentaries, Max kills the competition. With plans starting at just $9.99 per month, you can view shows like Who the (Bleep) Did I Marry?, The Crime of the Century, and Mommy Dead and Dearest (a Max original), just to name a few.
Top true crime shows on Max:
? Who the (Bleep) Did I Marry
? Mommy Dead and Dearest
? Stalked: Someone’s Watching
? Very Scary People
? Unmasking a Killer
Peacock
$7.99
Launched in 2020, Peacock is NBC’s exclusive streaming service. With everything from new-release movies to the daily news, it’s affordable, easy to navigate, and has some of the best original series out there. And when it comes to true crime, Peacock has a stacked library. With documentaries like John Wayne Gacy: Devil in Disguise, Dateline, and Unsolved Mysteries, it has every show you want to watch all in one place. Plus, Peacock even has a designated true crime section, so you’ll always be able to find what you’re looking for. Plans start at just $7.99 per month.
Top true crime shows on Peacock:
? John Wayne Gacy: Devil in Disguise
? Buried in the Backyard
? In Ice Cold Blood
? Epstein’s Shadow: Ghislaine Maxwell
? American Greed
Disney+
$10.99
True crime may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Disney+ (I’m guessing it’s more Cinderella than serial killers), but recently, the platform added a true crime collection to its offerings. With hundreds of documentaries and original series, it’s a great option for someone who wants a little magic and murder. A Disney+ subscription starts at just $10.99 per month, including custom recommendations, movies, shows, and other exclusives, and a compatible app.
Top true crime shows on Disney+:
? Wild Crime
? The Beauty Queen Killer: 9 Days of Terror
? Betrayal: The Perfect Husband
? Daughters of the Cult
? The Prison Confessions of Gypsy Rose Blanchard
Apple TV
For just $9.99 per month, you can get access to some of the most infamous true crime trials of the 21st century. Whether you consider yourself a “murderino” or find yourself in a constant Reddit rabbit hole reading about cold cases, Apple TV has plenty to choose from. Plus, Apple TV is compatible with Siri, so you can change the channel without ever having to leave the safety of your duvet cover.
Top true crime shows on Apple TV:
? Indefensible: Hosted by Jena Friedman
? Truth Be Told
? Look Into My Eyes
? The Disappearance of Susan Cox Powell
? Serial Killers
Prime Video
For me, Prime Video is one of the best services for streaming true crime documentaries. Not only is there a large selection available, but they frequently update their library with new additions and create their own in-house limited series. From the Duggar Family series that rocked the world to a five-part show that interviews the survivors of Ted Bundy, you can get all of this and more for $8.99 per month.
Top true crime shows on Prime Video:
? Murder Under the Friday Night Lights
? Fear Thy Neighbor
? The Vow
? Evil Lives Here
? The Real Murders on Elm Street
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