In recent years, there has been a surge in public interest in crime-focused programs. Of course, this means that the amount of this content being produced by studios and networks around the world has also increased significantly. While fans of the crime genre will certainly welcome the increase in crime-themed streaming options popping up on services like Netflix and Max, this change does introduce another problem; decide which ones to watch.
Luckily, sites like the popular review aggregator Rotten Tomatoeshelp make these decisions a little easier. The site applies a “Tomatometer” score to every movie and TV show, which viewers can use to quickly determine what percentage of a movie/show’s reviews have been positive. Every now and then a show comes along that earns the honor of receiving a 100% Tomatometer score. When searching for which crime show to watch next, it might be wise to check out which shows have earned that coveted top score on Rotten Tomatoes.
10
Tower (2021–present)
Based on the Metropolitan book series by Kate London.
Tower – a great option for fans of British television. The series, spanning eleven episodes over three seasons, explores what happens after a policeman and a teenager fall to their deaths from the roof of the Tower of London. To further complicate matters for the London police, soon after, the newcomer and the boy, who were both on the roof, mysteriously disappear. The case soon falls into the hands of Detective Sergeant Sarah Collins (played by Gemma Whelan), who must figure out what’s going on before it’s too late.
Connected
Tower it managed to fly under the radar for a bit, but reviews from those who saw the police procedural were consistently positive. The show is based on the popular Metropolitan Series of books by Kate London. Part of what makes the series so compelling is that London herself worked as a detective in the Metropolitan Police Service. Although the stories are fictional, she is able to draw on her own experiences, adding a level of realism that many fictional crime series cannot achieve.
9
Black snow (2023-present)
Six episodes that are easy to binge
Australian crime series. Black snowoffers a chilling, dramatic story from start to finish. In a small town in Australia, the discovery of a time capsule reveals new details about the unsolved murder of a high school student that happened 30 years ago. When new information falls into the hands of cold case detective James Cormack (played by Travis Fimmel), he sets out to find out once and for all who committed this horrific crime.
Black snow is full of unexpected twists and turns that keep viewers guessing until the very last moment.
Black snow there is currently only one season of six episodes available to stream, making it a great option for viewers looking for a mystery that will hook them without taking up too much of their time. However, the series has already been renewed for a second season, which is currently slated to release sometime in 2025.. Black snow is full of unexpected twists and turns that keep viewers guessing until the very last moment.
8
Worst roommate ever (2022-present)
Shocking true crime documentary series
The Worst Roommate is a Netflix original documentary series that details various people’s terrible experiences with strange roommates. The series follows five different cases, from a serial squatter who kicks tenants out of their homes to a serial killer granny who kills people who stay in her house. The miniseries premiered on Netflix in 2022.
Netflix Worst roommate ever is a gripping documentary series from Blumhouse Productions, perfect for lovers of modern crime stories. As the title suggests, the series tells the shocking true stories of various roommates who maliciously turned the lives of their loved ones upside down. Not only has the show been renewed for a third season, but it’s also set to get its own spin-off series called Worst ex ever.
Survivors tell viewers shocking stories about these crimes, making them even more frightening. Although each episode is full of psychological horror and many unexpected twists, viewers are constantly aware that these are not fictional stories specifically created to scare viewers; rather, they are real people recounting events from their past.
7
John Wayne Gacy: Devil in Disguise (2021)
Eye on the Killer
- Release date
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March 25, 2021
- Seasons
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1
Documentary series “Peacock” 2021, John Wayne Gacy: Devil in Disguisetells the disturbing true story of one of the most notorious serial killers in American history. The six-part series tells Gacy’s story, from the kidnapping that led to his arrest to the questions that still remain about the case. John Wayne Gacy: Devil in Disguise thorough enough to make older viewers vividly remember an era when every parent was mortally afraid for the safety of their child.
One of the greatest strengths of this documentary series is the inclusion of interviews with people from all sides of the story. During the six-part breakdown of the horrific crime, viewers will hear from people close to the victims, some people who believe there are more details yet to be revealed, and even Gacy himself. John Wayne Gacy: Devil in Disguise stands out for being one of the few crime documentaries to feature interviews not only with the victims, but with the actual killer himself.
6
Troppo (2022-present)
Based on the famous novel by Candice Fox.
Troppo is a crime drama series in which a disgraced ex-cop partners with an eccentric private investigator to uncover the truth behind suspicious deaths in a remote Australian town. Based on the novel Crimson Lake by Candace Fox, the series explores themes of redemption and resilience amid the unforgiving Australian wilderness. The series stars Thomas Jane, Nicole Chamoun and David Lyons.
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Thomas Jane, Nicole Chamoun, Kramer Kane, Ling Cooper Tan, Radha Mitchell, Kate Beahan, Sun Park, Angela Punch McGregor, Josh Helman, Damien Garvey, Yerin Ha, David Lyons, Peta Wilson, Wendy P. Mock
- Seasons
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1
- Manufacturing company
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Beyond Entertainment, EQ Media Group, Renegade Entertainment, Aperture Media Partners, AGC Television
Australian crime drama. Troppois a gripping series about a pair of unlikely allies who team up to solve the disappearance of a famous technology developer. The series is based on the acclaimed novel. Crimson LakeCandice Foxx currently has two eight-episode seasons, and a third could be in the future.
Connected
While his story is certainly interesting in its own right, Troppo moves forward thanks to its characters. The series’ main characters, played by Nicole Chamoun and Thomas Jane, respectively, are Amanda Farrell, an unusual detective with a dark past, and Ted Concaffee, a disgruntled former police officer. Farrell and Concaffee are complex, believable characters, and their incredible bond adds impressive depth to the series.
5
Puppet Master: The Hunt for the Real Con Man (2022)
Ideal for short term commitments
- Release date
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January 18, 2022
- Seasons
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1
Netflix has had many true crime films over the years, but one of the most critically acclaimed is Puppet Master: The Hunt for the Real Con Man. This three-part documentary series from 2022 reveals the amazing true story of Robert Hendy-Freegard, a notorious British conman. Throughout the 90s and early 2000s, Handy-Freegard manipulated various people into giving him large sums of money by pretending to be a British spy and weaving a complex web of lies to trick his victims into believing his story.
Puppet Master: The Hunt for the Real Con Man manages to tell the compelling story of Handy-Freegard without overstaying his welcome, limiting himself to just three episodes. This makes the docuseries ideal for those looking for a new crime show that won’t require a huge investment of time. The true crime series is full of twists and turns and has a surprise ending that has generated a lot of talk since its release.
4
Bad Sport (2021)
History of Olympic manipulation
- Release date
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October 6, 2021
- Seasons
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1
Netflix Documentary Series 2021, Bad sportpresents six separate stories of crime in the world of professional sports. The series highlights scandals involving various sports/leagues around the world, with episodes covering everything from cricket match-fixing to referee manipulation at the Olympics. Each episode features a detailed breakdown of events, including interviews with athletes, coaches and even law enforcement officials involved in the case.
Viewers can choose where they see fit, whether by watching each episode in order or jumping to the one that seems most interesting.
Bad sport is a great option for anyone interested in exploring the intersection of crime and sports. Since each episode tells a different story about a different scandal in the world of sports, there’s no need to worry about getting invested in one, drawn-out storyline. Viewers can choose where they see fit, whether by watching each episode in order or jumping to the one that seems most interesting.
3
Dedloch (2023-present)
A comedic touch to a dark theme
Deadloch is a mystery thriller that follows a detective investigating a dark and creepy town in Australia where he uncovers a web of secrets and lies. As he delves deeper into the mystery, he must confront the city’s sinister forces and dark past.
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Kate Box, Madeleine Sami, Nina Oyama, Tom Ballard, Alicia Gardiner
- Release date
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June 1, 2023
- Seasons
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1
- Creator(s)
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Kate McCartney, Kate McLennan
The action takes place in a fictional city in Tasmania. Dedloch is an Australian comedy-crime series about what happens when a corpse washes up on the shore of a local beach. As this tragic event occurs at the same time as the Tasmanian Winter Festival, two detectives with very different personalities must work together to get to the bottom of things before the once quiet town is thrown into chaos. The series, renewed for a second season, received numerous awards at the AACTA Awards, including ten nominations and five wins.
Dedloch stands out because it manages to seamlessly introduce comedic elements without detracting from the drama and tension that most viewers typically expect from crime shows. Due to their generally dark subject matter, most crime-themed television shows don’t dare incorporate comedy in any capacity. Dedloch proves that this can be done effectively, offering a suitable option for fans of both genres.
2
Murder on Middle Beach (2020)
Documentary series with emotional impact
Murder on Middle Beach is a documentary series directed by Madison Hamburg that chronicles the unsolved murder of his mother, Barbara Hamburg. The series delves into various theories and suspects while revealing complex family dynamics. Through interviews and personal reflections, Hamburg brings justice and closure to the case, providing an in-depth look at the emotional and investigative process surrounding the case.
- Release date
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November 15, 2020
- Seasons
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1
- Creator(s)
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Josh Adler
At the end of 2020, Max released Murder on Middle BeachA shocking, deeply personal look at the true crime genre. The four-part docuseries was created by Madison Hamburg and follows his journey as he tries to figure out who is responsible for the murder of his mother ten years ago. Compiled from interviews spanning eight years, Murder on Middle Beach it is the product of one dedicated man and his tireless journey to find the truth.
The fact that the series is Hamburg’s first television project does not in any way detract from its quality, but rather enhances the emotional impact of the show. Murder on Middle Beach stands out as a work of true crime that is much more personal than most other works in the genre, as it is truly the story of a young man desperately trying to understand what happened to his mother. Viewers are sure to feel a deep connection to Hamburg, which offers an honest, heartbreaking portrait of itself.
1
Nobody saw anything (2019)
A fascinating story about how to close your eyes
- Release date
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August 1, 2019
- Seasons
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1
In the early 1980s, widely hated “town tough” Ken Rex McElroy was gunned down in a very crowded neighborhood in Skidmore, Missouri. Documentary series by Avi Belkin, Nobody saw anythingexplores what happened when none of the nearly 60 townspeople present were willing to admit to seeing what happened. The strange incident fascinated the nation for many years, and no one was ever publicly charged with the murder. Belkin’s six-part series takes a deep dive into what may have led to an entire city turning a blind eye to the crime.
Fans of the true crime genre know that some of the most compelling mysteries are never answered. Incredible events behind Nobody saw anything made even stranger by the fact that a complete explanation has never been achieved. The fascinating story of an entire city turning a blind eye seems like a story that could only exist on television, and knowing that doesn’t make it any better.