A list of 25 true-crime television series and documentaries, ranging from cold-case investigations to cult exposés, that have shaped the genre.
Key facts
- •The 2015 series 'Making a Murderer' is credited with kickstarting the recent true-crime boom.
- •The 1984 Rajneesh cult attack in Oregon is cited as the first and largest bioterrorist attack in U.S. history.
- •Rex Heuermann pleaded guilty in June to seven murders and admitted to an eighth related to the Gilgo Beach killings.
- •The series 'The Keepers' investigates the 1969 unsolved murder of Sister Catherine Cesnik in Baltimore.
- •The documentary 'Capturing the Friedmans' explores the 1987 conviction of Arnold and Jesse Friedman for child sexual abuse.
True-crime programming has seen a surge in popularity over the last decade, driven by high-profile documentaries and series. This selection highlights 25 notable titles that explore various criminal cases, including murders, cult activities, and systemic failures in the justice system. These shows utilize diverse storytelling methods, from investigative journalism to the use of archival footage and survivor testimony.
High-Profile Murder and Legal Cases
Several featured documentaries examine famous criminal trials and investigations. These include 'O.J.: Made in America,' which chronicles the 1995 trial of O.J. Simpson, and 'The Jinx,' a series following Robert Durst, a billionaire heir suspected of three murders. Other entries focus on specific cases like the 2003 death of Brian Wells, the 2018 murders committed by Chris Watts, and the ongoing legal proceedings surrounding the Gilgo Beach killings involving Rex Heuermann.
Cults and Systemic Investigations
The genre also covers institutional and group-based crimes. 'Wild Wild Country' details the 1984 bioterrorist attack by the Rajneesh cult in Oregon, while 'The Vow' explores the manipulation and abuse within the Nxivm organization. Other series, such as 'Time: The Kalief Browder Story' and 'The Keepers,' highlight systemic failures in prisons and the cover-up of abuse within institutions, respectively.
Digital and Social Phenomena
Modern true-crime often incorporates digital evidence and social media. 'American Murder: The Family Next Door' utilizes text messages and social media posts to reconstruct a domestic tragedy. Meanwhile, 'Don't F**k with Cats' documents how online sleuths tracked a perpetrator who escalated from animal cruelty to murder, and 'Girl in the Picture' examines a case involving identity fraud and abduction.
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This article was independently rewritten by ManyPress editorial AI from reporting originally published by The Guardian Culture.
