The Best True Crime Shows Of All Time

Key Takeaways

The majority of true-crime viewers are women, especially with female victims like in
Unbelievable
.
These viral true-crime series touch on actual historical events from the late 1800s to the early 2000s.
Viewer discretion is advised due to the depiction of violence, abuse, and human depravity in these shows.

As a true-crime enthusiast who has spent countless hours delving into the darkest corners of humanity, I find myself both captivated and disturbed by these series that bring to light some of the most disturbing and complex stories of our time.

It’s been found that a large proportion of true-crime show viewers are women, particularly when the victims are female, as seen in the series ‘Unbelievable’. According to IMDb ratings, some highly-rated true-crime series include ‘The Menendez Brothers’, ‘The Jeffrey Dahmer Story’, and the acclaimed documentary ‘O.J.: Made in America’.

These true-crime series in the lineup are all inspired by real-life events that transpired from the late 1800s to the early 2000s. They portray acts of violence, mistreatment, and the darkest aspects of human nature. It’s recommended for readers to exercise caution.

Spoilers ahead

This piece delves into actual scenarios involving racial disputes, as well as instances of physical crimes like sexual assault and homicide, emotional torment, and mental health problems.

8 Unbelievable

An 18-Year-Old Woman’s Report Is Dismissed By The Police

Streaming: Netflix
Duration: 8 episodes, 1 season
IMDb’s rating: 8.3/10
Release: September 13, 2019
Awards: Critics’ Choice Television Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Movie/Miniseries, Peabody Award – Entertainment

The primary subject matter of “Unbelievable” revolves around the instances of sexual assault carried out by serial offender Marc O’Leary across Washington and Colorado from 2008 to 2011. It starts with an astonishing claim made by Marie Adler, portrayed by Kaitlyn Dever in the Netflix series. Initially, her account is met with skepticism by U.S. law enforcement, leading to charges of false reporting that could have resulted in a year’s imprisonment.

Simultaneously, two dedicated female investigators are working on a case similar to that of a rapist they aim to apprehend. In due course, they unearth a crucial fact: The perpetrator had knowledge of the police’s rape forensics manual, which allowed him to carry out the ideal crime. Incidentally, they find recordings containing photos of all his victims, including the shocking story of Marie Adler.

7 O.J.: Made In America

OJ Simpson Is Wrongly Accused Of Murder

Streaming: Disney+, Prime Video, Apple TV, and Hulu
Duration: 7h 47m, 5 parts
IMDb’s rating: 8.9/10
Release: May 20, 2016
Awards: Academy Award for Best Documentary, Critics’ Choice Documentary Award for Best Director, and more

“O.J.: Made in America” is a documentary that chronicles the life story of former American football star, O.J. Simpson, who faced charges for the gruesome double homicide of his ex-wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, mother of their two kids, and Ron Goldman, a restaurant worker and friend of Nicole’s. The high-profile trial of O.J. Simpson, which took place in California from 1994 to 1995, lasted an astounding eight months.

Many people consider this documentary series as one of the greatest ever made, as it tackles delicate subjects such as racial tensions, civil rights, and the life of Black Americans. It further explores how law enforcement has historically fallen short in ensuring equal protection and civil rights for the African American community. Simpson was acquitted in court and passed away from prostate cancer in April 2024 at the age of 76.

6 Monsters: The Menendez Brothers

The Brutal Murder Of José And Kitty Menendez

Streaming: Netflix
Duration: 9 episodes, 1 season.
IMDb’s rating: 7.8/10
Release: September 19, 2024
Awards: 13 Emmy nominations

In the world of gaming, I’ve just binge-watched “Monsters: The Menendez Brothers” on Netflix – a chilling series that unfolds around an unanticipated double homicide that rocked one of California’s most secure locales, Beverly Hills, back in 1989.

The legal team for the Menendez Brothers argues that they killed their father, Jose Menendez, out of necessity due to severe sexual and psychological abuse they endured. Tragically, this act led to their conviction and imprisonment for life without the possibility of parole.

5 Ghosts Of Highway 20

The Disappearances Of Vulnerable Women On Highway 20

Streaming: YouTube
Duration: 5 parts
IMDb’s rating: 7.9/10
Release: September 19, 2024
Awards: 5 Regional Emmy Awards

The narrative titled “Ghosts of Highway 20” delves into the heinous crimes of a serial sexual offender, John Arthur Ackroyd. These crimes, which included rape and multiple murders, began in Central Oregon during the 1970s. Sadly, local law enforcement initially disregarded a victim’s report and deemed it untruthful. This unfortunate instance of American law enforcement failing to protect vulnerable individuals is a key theme in this story. Marlene Gabrielson was the first victim and survivor who endured lifelong trauma as a result of these events.

In “The Ghosts of Highway 20,” which can be found on YouTube, Marlene shares her personal account of the events and how they were managed by local authorities. After Marlene, Ackroyd went on to attack and murder other defenseless women such as Kay Turner and Rachanda Pickle, his 13-year-old stepdaughter. Subsequently, additional victims emerged before Ackroyd was incarcerated, eventually passing away behind bars. “The Lost Women of Highway 20,” available on Amazon Prime Video, is another portrayal of the incidents depicted in “Ghosts of Highway 20.

4 Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story

The Story Of The Milwaukee Cannibal

Streaming: Netflix
Duration: 10 episodes, 1 season
IMDb’s rating: 8.4/10
Release: September 21, 2022
Awards: Best Actor – Miniseries or Television Film, Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie

In American history, Jeffrey Dahmer stands among the most appalling serial killers; his chilling tale is portrayed in “Monster: The Story of Jeffrey Dahmer“. Over a span of thirteen years, from 1978 to 1991, in Wisconsin, this infamous figure known as the Milwaukee Cannibal brutally murdered seventeen men, dismembering their bodies for consumption. His heinous acts unfolded under the radar due to his exploitation of the system by preying on marginalized communities such as the BIPOL and LGBTQ individuals, which were often overlooked by American law enforcement.

Curtis Straughter, Matt Turner, and Jeremy Weinberger are among the lives that were tragically ended by Dahmer, a man known for his pedophilic tendencies and psychological instability. He displayed no regret for his actions, which garnered significant attention during his trial and caused immense sorrow to his family, particularly his father and grandmother, who had continually tried to comprehend him.

3 The Act

The Heartfelt Story Of Gypsy-Rose Blanchard

Streaming: Hulu
Duration: 8 episodes, 1 season
IMDb’s rating: 7.8/10
Release: March 20, 2019
Awards: Winner Golden Globe

The Act narrates a startling account of truth, where a mother named Dee Dee Blanchard deceitfully controlled and mistreated her daughter, Gypsy-Rose Blanchard. She misled everyone into believing that her daughter suffered various critical conditions such as cancer and muscular dystrophy to garner sympathy and monetary aid from the State government.

Consequently, Gypsy Rose was found guilty of second-degree murder following her admission of self-defense against her abusive mother. Despite this claim, she served eight years in prison. Now free, she is attempting to rebuild her life. The Hulu series titled “The Act“, featuring Joey King portraying Gypsy, delves into intense topics such as abuse and manipulation, providing a glimpse into one of the most unsettling true crime cases in recent memory.

2 Six Schizophrenic Brothers

12 Children, 6 Diagnosed With Schizophrenic Disorder

Streaming: Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV +
Duration: 4 episodes, 1 season
IMDb’s rating: 7.1/10
Release: June 10, 2024
Awards: N/A

The Amazon Prime Video documentary titled “Six Schizophrenic Brothers” narrates the heart-wrenching tale of the Irish Galvin family, who had a total of twelve children. Among them were ten boys and two girls. Remarkably, six of these brothers developed schizophrenia at a tender age: Donald, Jim, Brian, Joseph, Matthew, and Peter. This diagnosis left their parents grappling with guilt, bewilderment, and disorientation.

In this house, shocking incidents such as cruel animal-like behavior, household destruction, homicide, and self-harm occurred. Consequently, most siblings were placed in a nursing home. This real-life crime series sheds light on the heart-wrenching effects of mental illness within a family, offering a profound insight into schizophrenia.

1 Night Stalker

Americas Most-Wanted Serial Killer

Streaming: Netflix
Duration: 4 episodes, 1 season
IMDb’s rating: 7.5/10
Release: January 13, 2021
Awards: Nominated for the Best Real-Life Mystery or Crime Series

The show “Night Stalker” delves into the gripping tale of Richard Ramirez, Los Angeles’ most elusive serial killer, also known as Ricardo Leyva Muñoz Ramirez. The series underscores the relentless pursuit by detectives to apprehend this cold-blooded murderer who claimed the lives of 13 innocent victims. Unlike typical serial killers, Richard showed no discernible pattern in his crimes, mercilessly taking the lives of women, men, and children across different age groups.

Back in the heart of the ’80s, I was a resident of Los Angeles, living my gaming life by day and worrying about an unseen terror by night. The Night Stalker, as they called him, was on the loose, and he made his chilling appearances primarily within the homes of his victims. His crimes left the city gripped by fear, as we never knew when or where the next attack might happen.

2024-11-01 11:34