15 Morbidly Fascinating True Crime Shows and Movies That Are Required Viewing

True crime has become one of streaming’s most reliable obsessions, and this list leans all the way into that fascination. These movies and limited series revisit real scandals, shocking crimes, and the people at the center of them, which is exactly why they keep pulling viewers in.

From fraud and murder to cults, celebrity chaos, and headline-grabbing betrayals, each title here turns a real-life story into something hard to look away from. The appeal is obvious, even when the subject matter is grim.

If you are looking for your next binge, this lineup has plenty of dark, twisty options to keep you busy all weekend.

1. The Girl From Plainville

This is the dramatization of the trial of Michelle Carter. The then-teenager was found to have encouraged her boyfriend, Conrad Roy, to commit suicide.

Hulu

2. The Staircase

The series revolves around the death of Kathleen Peterson. It's an adaptation of the documentary of the same title, which explores the events leading up to Kathleen's murder by her husband.

HBO Max

3. Candy

Jessica Biel completely transformed herself to portray Candy Montgomery, a woman accused of killing her friend. She was having an affair with her friend's husband before committing the murder.

Tina Rowden/Hulu

4. The Dropout

This is the story of Elizabeth Holmes, the founder of the Silicon Valley unicorn startup Theranos. She defrauded investors out of billions of dollars after claiming to have invented a machine that would revolutionize blood testing.

Beth Dubber/Hulu

5. WeCrashed

The series explores the life of eccentric WeWork founder Adam Neumann. Jared Leto plays Neumann, while Anne Hathaway portrays his wife, Rebekah.

Apple TV+

6. The Thing About Pam

If you think Renée Zellweger's transformation for her role in Bridget Jones's Diary was impressive, then you have to watch her play Pam Hupp. Pam was convicted of the murder of Betsy Faria after attempting to frame Betsy's husband for the crime.

Skip Bolen/NBC

And if you want the human chaos behind the headlines, check out celebrity tell-alls where Hollywood gloss is traded for unvarnished honesty.

7. Inventing Anna

Inventing Anna tells the story of the fake heiress Anna Delvey. She managed to scam her way into New York's most elite circles to establish a fake foundation for which she had no funding.

Nicole Rivelli/Netflix

8. Joe vs. Carole

Missing Kate McKinnon from SNL? Watch her as the polarizing Carole Baskin in the fictional adaptation of her story with Joe Exotic.

Mark Taylor/Peacock

9. Under the Banner of Heaven

The TV show starring Andrew Garfield is based on the book of the same name written by Jon Krakauer. It follows Detective Jeb Pyre as he investigates the death of a Mormon mother and her baby, uncovering something more sinister within the church.

Michelle Faye/FX

10. Dr. Death

This is the story of Dr. Christopher Duntsch, who has been accused of repeatedly injuring patients. He has been convicted and sentenced to life in prison.

Peacock

11. Landscapers

Here's something new: true crime dark comedy. It's the story of Susan and Christopher Edwards, who murdered Susan's parents and buried them in their backyard, only to be discovered ten years later.

HBO

12. The Eyes of Tammy Faye

Andrew Garfield and Jessica Chastain portray the televangelist couple Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker. Jim was actually convicted years later for wire and mail fraud.

Searchlight Pictures

13. Gaslit

Julia Roberts brings Martha Mitchell to life onscreen in this Watergate-era series. Martha was the wife of the attorney general during the scandal and was the first to draw attention to Nixon's dealings.

Hilary Bronwyn Gale/Starz

14. Impeachment: American Crime Story

This time, it's Monica Lewinsky who gets to tell her version of events. The series examines the explosive impeachment scandal of Bill Clinton following his affair with Lewinsky.

FX

15. House of Gucci

Lady Gaga and Adam Driver in one movie are enough to make a hit. On top of that, House of Gucci tells the story of the murder of Maurizio Gucci, who was killed by his own wife, who had hired a hitman.

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer

True crime documentaries, TV shows, and movies can be quite conflicting to enjoy. After all, they are about real people who had lives and families.

Watching their lives play out on our TVs and the big screen has the potential to desensitize us to heinous crimes, but that isn't always the case. Their stories may be fascinating, but they are not intended for casual entertainment.

For another chilling true-crime twist, read what Luke Daley revealed after speaking out for the first time in Nancy Guthrie’s abduction case.