11 Must-Watch Netflix True Crime Drama Shows on Right Now (August 2025)

Griselda Blanco was known as the “Black Widow” or “La Madrina” (godmother) of the Medellín cartel in the ’70s and ’80s. Sofia Vergara portrays her in this limited series, undergoing an impressive physical transformation and creating a character who’s ruthless, ferocious and complex — you’ll hardly believe it’s the same actress you loved in Modern Family.

Known for her ruthless business acumen and violent tactics, Blanco’s story encapsulates the dangerous allure and the underpinning volatility of the cocaine industry.

The setting — Miami in the ’70s and ’80s — has a dark yet vibrant glamour, and the show is both authentic and nuanced. For true crime fans, it’s an in-depth look into one woman’s rise through the murky waters of the drug trade. 

This British limited series, coproduced by the BBC and Netflix, delves into the chilling life of notorious criminal Charles Sobhraj (Tahar Rahim), a con man and serial killer who preyed on Western tourists along the “Hippie Trail” in South Asia during the 1970s with the help of his accomplice, Marie-Andrée Leclerc (Jenna Coleman).

The Serpent is a period piece that uses an intricate narrative structure to show how Sobhraj eluded the authorities and cannily manipulated those around him in a terrifying game of cat and mouse. True crime fans will love The Serpent‘s meticulous attention to detail and its ability to weave actual historical events with dramatic storytelling, providing an immersive look into the psyche of a master manipulator and the relentless efforts of those who sought justice.

From the production design to the performances, The Serpent feels chillingly authentic, presenting a fascinating look at one man’s killing spee — and how he avoided capture for so long.

A thoughtful and nuanced take on the true crime narrative, Unbelievable sensitively handles a harrowing tale of sexual assault. The series is based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning article “An Unbelievable Story of Rape” by T. Christian Miller and Ken Armstrong, as well as a radio episode of This American Life.

The story centers around Marie Adler (Kaitlyn Dever, The Last of Us), a teenager who reports being raped but faces skepticism from the authorities tasked with investigating her case. Grace Rasmussen (Toni Collette) and Karen Duvall (Merritt Wever), two dedicated female detectives in another state, begin connecting the dots between Marie’s case and several unsolved rapes under similar circumstances. (The characters are based on real detectives  Edna Hendershot and Stacy Galbraith.) The performances of Collette, Wever and Dever were widely praised, and they definitely live up to their accolades. 

Unbelievable examines the trauma and psychological turmoil that come with investigating a rape case, unpacking the impact on both the victim and the investigators involved. It’s engaging and thought-provoking, with fantastic talent at its center.

Before Pedro Pascal was the star of huge franchises like The Mandalorian and The Last of Us, he wowed Netflix fans with his performance on Narcos as real-life DEA Agent Javier Peña. In this series, a gripping portrayal of the complex and turbulent world of drug trafficking in Colombia during the late 20th century, Peña and his partner Steve Murphy (Boyd Holbrook) attempt to find and bring down the drug kingpin Pablo Escobar (Wagner Moura). 

Narcos blends fact with dramatic storytelling to capture the high-stakes conflicts between cartels and law enforcement agencies. Its narrative offers an intricate examination of law enforcement’s relentless pursuit to dismantle the Medellín Cartel, providing viewers with a fascinating insight into the history of the War on Drugs.

Whether you’re a Pascal lover or just a fan of good true crime, you’ll be hooked on this morally complex series, which highlights the moral complexities and personal sacrifices inherent in the fight against narcotics trafficking. 

Ben Stiller directs every episode of this acclaimed miniseries, which tells the disturbing tale of a real-life prison break. The series revolves around the true story of two convicted murderers, Richard Matt (Benicio del Toro) and David Sweat (Paul Dano), who managed to break out of the facility with the assistance of a prison employee named Joyce “Tilly” Mitchell (Patricia Arquette). Their daring escape led to a massive and intense manhunt that captivated the nation.

The series was lauded for its meticulous exploration of the events leading up to the escape. It delves into the psychological and interpersonal dynamics between the characters, including the sexual relationships that both Matt and Sweat had with Mitchell. Escape at Dannemora also highlights the flaws and vulnerabilities within the penal system that facilitated this elaborate breakout. 

Arquette won a well-deserved Golden Globe for this role, which she portrays with considerable nuance. The thrilling and thought-provoking storytelling makes Escape at Dannemora a standout series for fans of true crime.

Each of Dirty John‘s two seasons dives deep into a different deceptive relationship, creating fascinating portrayals of two fascinatingly manipulative individuals. The first season is based on the life of John Meehan (Eric Bana), a charismatic con artist who engaged in a perilous entanglement with businesswoman Debra Newell (Connie Britton). This tale of deception and coercion is based on the Los Angeles Times podcast of the same name by Christopher Goffard, which delves into the dangers of hidden truths in intimate relationships. 

The second season recounts the infamous case of Betty Broderick (Amanda Peet), whose turbulent marriage to Dan Broderick (Christian Slater) and subsequent actions drew significant media attention. The show’s portrayal of these chilling true stories highlights the psychological thriller aspects that are particularly appealing to true crime fans. The emotional volatility and unsettling dynamics between the featured couples make for an engrossing — albeit disturbing — viewing experience.

This dark comedy-drama won six Emmy Awards in 2024. It is a fictionalized take on the true story of Donny, an aspiring comedian who is stalked and assaulted by a woman he waits on at a bar. 

Starring relative unknowns Richard Gadd and Jessica Gunning, this story sheds light on sexual assault, stalking, and the complicated relationships between abuser and abused. Shockingly, it even manages to sneak some laughs in along the way.

This story isn’t just captivating, it’s heartbreaking, and it’s an example of how a “get the bad guys at any cost” attitude can have devastating consequences. When They See Us tells the true story of the Central Park Five, a group of Black teenage boys who were forced to falsely confess to the murder of a white female jogger in Central Park in 1989. All five boys went to prison, serving sentences ranging from seven to thirteen years, but were later exonerated.

The ensemble cast showcases some incredible performances, particularly by Michael K. Williams, Aunjanue Ellis and Niecy Nash. Directed by Ava DuVernay, this tragic story has moments of hope and inspiration.

What do we know about the minds of killers? And how do we know it? Mindhunter, based on the 1995 book Mindhunter: Inside the FBI’s Elite Serial Crime Unit, takes viewers back to the early days of criminal profiling. The series, which stars Glee’s Jonathan Groff and The Iron Claw’s Holt McCallany, explores how the FBI began to interview serial killers, what they learned from their findings, and how that knowledge informs crime-solving today. 

Mindhunter’s detectives interview fictionalized versions of many real-life serial killers, including Edmund Kemper, Montie Rissell, Dennis Berkowitz (also known as the Son of Sam), and Charles Manson. This fascinating psychological thriller series is produced by David Fincher, who directed The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo and The Social Network.

If you’re interested in a less bloody take on true crime, check out this series about Anna Delvey, aka Anna Sorokin. Sorokin made headlines when she appeared on Dancing with the Stars in 2024, but before that, she was found guilty of scamming New York City’s elite out of millions of dollars. 

This Netflix series, which stars Ozark’s Julia Garner and Veep’s Anna Chlumsky, dramatizes the rise and fall of an incredible con artist. (And, at least according to DWTS viewers, a mediocre dancer.)

Ryan Murphy has been on the cutting edge of the true crime genre for years, and his Netflix series is no exception. Monster has so far delved deep into the stories of three well-known murderers for two seasons. Season one tells the story of Jeffrey Dahmer, portrayed by Murphy’s frequent collaborator Evan Peters. 

The second season is focused on Erik and Lyle Menendez, played by Cooper Koch and Nicholas Alexander Chavez, respectively. The upcoming third season will star Sons of Anarchy actor Charlie Hunnam as serial killer Ed Gein. 

Season three of Monster is reportedly scheduled for release in 2025. If you want to catch up on the Dahmer and Menendez stories, now is the perfect time.

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