America is obsessed with true crime. I once talked to my friend’s dad, who told me he puts on a documentary every night and falls asleep to “death and crime.” It’s a bit morbid, but it doesn’t take away from the fact that these scandalous docuseries are extremely popular. You can find true crime on Hulu and HBO Max, but Netflix is still one of the top destinations for true crime.
Explore Netflix’s daily top 10, and you’ll probably find one or two true crime documentaries mixed in with the dramas and comedies. To show why Netflix is the “King of True Crime,” I’ve listed five docuseries that will satisfy fans of the genre. If I had to narrow it down to one, my top selection would be the tragic case of the woman and her Church-affiliated husband.
5
The Idaho Murders: College Nightmare
A docuseries about the victims, not the killer
When college students are involved in a tragedy, it always makes the national news. In 2022, four University of Idaho students—Ethan Chapin, Kaylee Goncalves, Xana Kernodle, and Madison Mogen—were stabbed to death in their off-campus house. The search for a killer lasted for over a month before authorities finally made an arrest.
Most true crime documentaries attempt to solve a case and add context as to why someone would commit a heinous crime. The Idaho Murders: College Nightmare subverts the formula by spotlighting and honoring the victims instead of glorifying the murderer. It’s a creative decision that turned a murder docuseries into one of remembrance, something the genre desperately needs more of.
- Subscription with ads
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Yes, $8/month
- Simultaneous streams
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Two or four
4
Worst Neighbor Ever
Be careful about who lives on your block
I’m sure we’ve all come across a few unruly neighbors who we didn’t like. In my experience, none of my poor interactions with neighbors are in the same stratosphere as the ones in Worst Neighbor Ever, the spin-off series of Worst Roommate Ever and Worst Ex Ever. You’d never expect some of these situations to turn deadly based on how they begin.
These disputes aren’t simple matters, like a noise complaint at night or failing to clean up after one’s dog. The show covers a diabolical one-sided feud, a house explosion, an eye-opening harassment campaign, and a horrific crime. So the next time your neighbor is being difficult, always remember that it could be worse.
Worst Neighbor Ever
- Release Date
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2026 – 2026-00-00
- Network
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Netflix
- Directors
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Cynthia Childs
3
I Survived a Serial Killer
Unbelievably true stories
I always love titles that are direct and straight to the point. I Survived a Serial Killer is about—you guessed it—people who encountered a serial killer and lived to tell the tale. Each of the 16 episodes features a survivor detailing their run-in with a serial killer. Some of these stories are so unbelievable that it’s an actual miracle they survived.
It’s frightening how these criminals can easily manipulate victims and then hold them captive. With The Cleveland Strangler, Vanessa Gay thought she was simply having a drink with a man at his house. With the Catfishing Killer, Tiffany Taylor thought she was giving a man a ride in exchange for cash. Again, these horrific stories serve as warnings for people when it comes to interacting with strangers.
2
Michael Jackson: The Verdict
The King of Pop faces a landmark trial
If you made a Mount Rushmore of the most influential pop culture figures of the 20th century, Michael Jackson would unequivocally be one of the four. The King of Pop broke out as a child star in the Jackson 5, but he became the most popular person on the planet as a solo artist in the 1980s. Yet Jackson’s illustrious career is clouded by controversy surrounding his 2005 trial over child molestation allegations.
Michael Jackson: The Verdict revisits the landmark case that ended in Jackson’s acquittal. The docuseries covers the trial from all angles and features interviews with people on both sides along with journalists and media members who witnessed the events. The series even features conversations with members of the jury. This fascinating examination of Jackson’s case is why the docuseries was on our best-of list for June.
Michael Jackson: The Verdict
- Release Date
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2026 – 2026-00-00
- Network
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Netflix
- Directors
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Nick Green
1
Death of the Pastor’s Wife
Tragedy in the Church
Want to talk about staying power? One of our top documentaries of August, Death of the Pastor’s Wife, premiered on August 26, and it’s still in the U.S. top 10. It speaks to the power of this addictive three-episode docuseries. Mica Miller met and eventually married John-Paul “JP” Miller, the pastor at Solid Rock Church. JP, who was 15 years older, began reciting disturbing sermons about how women need to obey their spouses, especially when it comes to sex.
In 2024, Mica eventually tried to escape and filed for separation, citing years of constant abuse. Two days later, Mica’s dead body was found in a state park. Death of the Pastor’s Wife is a tragedy on its surface. However, it’s also an eye-opening examination of abuse and a fight to implement new legislation to prevent conflicts like this from ever happening again.
Death of the Pastor’s Wife
- Release Date
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2026 – 2026-00-00
- Network
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Netflix
- Directors
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Julia Willoughby Nason, Mike Gasparro
More shows to watch on Netflix
In addition to docuseries, Netflix has plenty of shows in an assortment of genres. One of the streamer’s newest shows is Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story, the latest installment in Ryan Murphy’s anthology series. Plus, the second season of the animated spin-off Stranger Things: Tales from ’85 is now streaming.