Lock your doors, draw the curtains, and keep the lights on — these true crime shows aren’t just here to entertain, if “entertain” is even the right word.
They’re here to send shivers down your spine and make you rethink how safe you really are.
With chilling tales of real-life horrors, sinister secrets, and the kind of mysteries that get under your skin, these series are guaranteed to make you uneasy.
You’ll come face to face with serial killers who lurk in plain sight, elusive predators who evade justice, and twisted family secrets that unravel into chaos.
Each show dives deep into the darkest corners of human nature, exposing the sinister truths that make everyday life feel a little less safe.
If you’re brave enough to watch, these 21 shows will leave you questioning every creak in the night — and sleeping with one eye open.
Homicide for the Holidays (2016)
Nothing ruins holiday cheer like a murder case, and Homicide for the Holidays digs into grisly crimes committed when everyone’s supposed to be decking the halls.
Each episode uncovers tragic stories that took place during the most “wonderful” time of the year, reminding us that not all family get-togethers end with pie and presents.
It’s a true crime fix that adds a creepy twist to the holiday spirit — just don’t expect to look at your own celebrations the same way again.
Watch Homicide for the Holidays Online
True Nightmares (2015)
True Nightmares takes bizarre true stories that sound like urban legends and brings them to life in twisted reenactments that’ll make your skin crawl.
Hosted by Tom Holland, the king of creepy knows just how to ramp up the dread, sharing tales that could’ve come straight out of your darkest dreams.
From strange coincidences to shocking murders, each episode dives into the kind of weirdness that makes you wonder if reality is even real. It’s a wild ride that’ll have you questioning every “what if” you’ve ever had.
Watch True Nightmares Online
Capturing the Killer Nurse (2022)
Ever wondered how a caregiver can turn into a killer?
Capturing the Killer Nurse dives into the case of Charles Cullen, the seemingly kind-hearted nurse who turned out to be one of America’s most prolific serial killers.
This documentary doesn’t just lay out the horrors Cullen committed — it exposes the shocking failures in the healthcare system that allowed him to keep on killing.
It’s a terrifying look at how danger can lurk where you least expect it and will definitely make you think twice about your next hospital visit.
Watch Capturing the Killer Nurse Online
Don’t Pick Up the Phone (2022)
If you thought scam calls were just about extending your car’s warranty, think again.
Don’t Pick Up the Phone dives into a bizarre hoax that targeted fast-food workers across America, where an anonymous caller posing as a cop convinced managers to perform humiliating and illegal acts.
This story is so surreal that you’ll wonder how anyone could have fallen for it. But for the people involved, it was horrifyingly real.
It’s a mind-bending look at how easily people can be manipulated by a voice on the other end of the line when they believe they’re speaking to someone in authority.
Watch Don’t Pick Up the Phone Online
What Jennifer Did (2024)
What Jennifer Did tells the dark tale of Jennifer Pan, a seemingly ordinary young woman who orchestrated a deadly plot against her own parents.
After years of deception, Jennifer’s lies finally caught up with her, leading her to plan a horrifying murder-for-hire scheme to escape her strict upbringing.
The show delves into the psychological twists and turns that transformed a dutiful daughter into a criminal mastermind, revealing the dangerous consequences of living a double life.
It’s a true crime story that will make you question just how well you know the people closest to you.
Watch What Jennifer Did Online
Dating Death (2022)
If you’ve watched the recent Netflix film Woman of the Hour, then Dating Death is right up your alley — but be warned, it’s even more disturbing.
The series dives into the chilling case of Robert Alcala, the serial killer who once appeared as a charming contestant on The Dating Game in the 1970s.
While he seemed like the perfect bachelor, Alcala hid a dark secret, using his charisma to lure victims while leading a double life.
Dating Death uncovers the details of his horrifying crimes, revealing how someone so sinister managed to evade capture for so long.
It’s a harrowing reminder that the most charming faces can hide the darkest secrets.
Watch Dating Death Online
Wild Wild Country (2018)
Forget what you think you know about cults — Wild Wild Country is on a whole other level.
The series follows the bizarre and captivating saga of the Rajneeshpuram community, led by the controversial guru Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh, as they clash with local Oregonians.
From attempted murders to mass poisonings, the documentary dives into the chaos and violence that erupted as the cult’s influence grew.
It’s a jaw-dropping story that keeps you hooked from beginning to end, revealing the dark side of spiritual movements and the dangers of unchecked power.
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Sins of Our Mother (2022)
How does a seemingly loving mom end up at the heart of a multi-state murder investigation?
Sins of Our Mother explores the unsettling case of Lori Vallow, whose descent into religious fanaticism led to a series of chilling crimes.
The show investigates her disturbing beliefs and their tragic impact on her family, piecing together the events that turned a devoted mother into a figure of horror.
It’s a haunting story that shows how even the most trusted people can harbor unimaginable darkness.
Watch Sins of Our Mother Online
American Nightmare (2024)
Beneath the surface of American suburbia lies a darker reality, and American Nightmare brings those hidden horrors to light.
Each episode delves into gruesome crimes that happened in seemingly perfect communities, exposing the sinister secrets lurking behind picket fences and manicured lawns.
With cases that range from shocking murders to twisted family dramas, the series pulls back the curtain on a side of America that’s anything but picture-perfect.
It’s a true crime show that will make you question what really happens in the “quiet” neighborhoods.
Watch American Nightmare Online
The Sons of Sam: A Descent Into Darkness (2021)
The Sons of Sam: A Descent Into Darkness digs deep into one of New York’s most infamous murder sprees, unraveling the twisted tale behind the Son of Sam case.
The series goes beyond the well-known story of David Berkowitz, questioning whether he really acted alone or if a larger, more sinister network was at play.
With conspiracy theories, cults, and chilling evidence, this documentary will have you second-guessing what you thought you knew about the infamous killer.
It’s a dark and captivating exploration of a case that refuses to stay buried — perfect for true crime fans who like their mysteries extra unsettling.
Watch The Sons of Sam: A Descent Into Darkness Online
Vatican Girl: The Disappearance of Emanuela Orlandi (2022)
The disappearance of Emanuela Orlandi in 1983 is a mystery shrouded in conspiracy. The Vatican Girl explores the theories surrounding it, ranging from Vatican cover-ups to organized crime.
The case is as twisted as they come, involving secrets from the heart of the Catholic Church and dark tales that refuse to be forgotten.
It’s a story that goes deeper than your average true crime mystery, delving into some of the world’s most powerful institutions.
Watch Vatican Girl: The Disappearance of Emanuela Orlandi Online
American Murder: The Family Next Door (2020)
American Murder: The Family Next Door pulls back the curtain on a crime that shocked the world, using social media posts and real footage to reveal the dark truth hiding behind a seemingly perfect suburban life.
This documentary doesn’t just describe the events — it drops you right in the middle of a chilling family tragedy that spiraled out of control.
It’s an unsettling reminder that the façade of normalcy can hide the most horrifying secrets, making you question what you really know about the lives unfolding next door.
Watch American Murder: The Family Next Door Online
Killer Sally (2022)
Killer Sally explores the shocking true story of Sally McNeil, a competitive bodybuilder whose life took a dark turn after a domestic dispute ended in murder.
The series delves into the world of bodybuilding, domestic violence, and the events that led to that fateful night.
As the documentary unravels Sally’s troubled relationship with her husband, it raises questions about self-defense, justice, and what happens when personal struggles collide with extreme physical strength.
It’s a gripping look at the thin line between love and danger.
Watch Killer Sally Online
The Hatchet Wielding Hitchhiker (2023)
The Hatchet Wielding Hitchhiker starts with the bizarre, captivating story of Kai, the carefree drifter who became a viral hero after using his hatchet to stop an attack.
But behind the internet fame, things took a dark and unexpected turn.
The documentary dives into Kai’s chaotic life, peeling back the layers of his troubled past and the shocking crime that derailed his brief moment in the spotlight.
It’s a wild ride that explores the dangerous and unpredictable side of viral fame, where notoriety can unravel as quickly as it’s earned.
Watch The Hatchet Wielding Hitchiker Online
Crime Scene: The Times Square Killer (2021)
Crime Scene: The Times Square Killer pulls you right into the gritty chaos of 1970s New York, back when Times Square wasn’t a family-friendly tourist spot but a sketchy playground for danger.
The series follows the disturbing crimes of Richard Cottingham, known as the Torso Killer, who targeted vulnerable women in some of the most depraved ways imaginable.
It’s a look at the city’s darker days, where the neon lights couldn’t hide the ugly truths lurking in the shadows.
If you think you know Times Square, this show will make you see its past in a far more unsettling light.
Watch Crime Scene: The Times Square Killer Online
The Night Caller (2020)
The terror that gripped Perth, Australia, in the 1950s and 60s is resurrected in The Night Caller.
This chilling series dives into the horrifying spree of Eric Edgar Cooke, a serial killer who left an entire community paralyzed with fear.
It doesn’t just recount the crimes; it unravels the twisted mind behind them, exploring the psychological darkness that drove Cooke while also shedding light on the devastating impact on the victims’ families.
After watching this, you might just find yourself sleeping with one eye open.
Watch The Night Caller Online
The Real Murders on Elm Street (2024)
Freddy Krueger might be a nightmare from the movies, but The Real Murders on Elm Street shows that real-life horrors have unfolded on actual Elm Streets across America.
Each episode dives into chilling crimes that took place on these infamous streets, from grisly murders to eerie mysteries that seem almost too bizarre to be true.
It’s true crime with a haunting twist, proving that sometimes reality is more terrifying than fiction.
Watch The Real Murders on Elm Street Online
A Crime to Remember (2013)
With its vintage noir vibe, A Crime to Remember takes you back to the most shocking crimes of the past, turning each case into a twisted time capsule.
The show’s haunting reenactments and period details transport you into the dark corners of history, where even the most glamorous eras had a sinister side.
It’s a stylish dive into true crime that doesn’t just tell you what happened — it makes you feel like you’re right there, witnessing the drama unfold in a bygone world that’s as eerie as it is fascinating.
Watch A Crime to RememberOnline
Evil Lives Here (2016)
What’s scarier than a monster? Sharing a home with one.
Evil Lives Here shares chilling stories from people who found out the hard way that their loved one was hiding a deadly secret.
Each episode explores the psychological horror of living alongside someone capable of unspeakable evil, making it a show that’ll leave you second-guessing everyone you know.
Watch Evil Lives Here Online
Dead of Winter (2019)
Winter’s bad enough without adding murder to the mix, but Dead of Winter does just that.
It covers real-life crimes committed during the year’s coldest months, where isolation, snowstorms, and bone-chilling temperatures make everything feel a little more sinister.
Each episode reminds you that some nightmares don’t wait for dark alleyways — they can creep up just outside your door, especially when the cold closes in.
Watch Dead of Winter Online
Invisible Monsters: Serial Killers in America (2021)
This series connects the dots between America’s most notorious serial killers, exploring how culture, crime, and psychology intertwine to create some of the darkest figures in history.
It’s a deep dive into the twisted minds that left a trail of terror across the country, examining how their stories intersect and the impact they continue to have on society.
If you’re fascinated by the psychology behind serial killers, this show will keep you hooked.
Watch Invisible Monsters: Serial Killers in America Online
Watch — If You Dare!
If you’re brave enough to hit play on any of these spine-chilling series, just remember, you’re not just watching TV.
You’re stepping into the darkest corners of human nature, where the line between right and wrong gets disturbingly blurry, and safety feels like a distant memory.
These stories won’t just keep you on the edge of your seat; they’ll stick with you, making every shadow feel a little darker and every creak a little more unsettling.
Because once you confront these real-life horrors, it’s hard to shake the feeling that danger might be closer than you’d like to believe.
So dim the lights, if you must — but don’t say we didn’t warn you. There’s a reason you’ll be sleeping with one eye open.