I am a true crime addict and love a good true crime documentary, infact I often watch the same series over and over as I get involved in the solving of them. This might be due to my forensic training from university but I may just like a good mystery, either way I binge watch any new true crime documentary I see. So I am gonna show you my top documentaries to binge watch, these may require a subscription service and will be available in the UK. so lets start your true crime addition here…

*Spoiler alert!* This post may contain some spoilers in the descriptions.

1. The Staircase available on Netflix

This Documentary has to be my all time favourite true crime doc. It follows the accused from the moment the crime happens for over 14 years and is in 3 series or parts. Its intriguing and draws you in, you never quite know the truth. There are surprise discoveries, dodgy witnesses, family that stand by the accused and ones that turn against them. There is confusion in the experts, contradictions from the police and prosecution. but there is always a slight doubt behind any of this. What happened on that staircase? Have a watch and let me know your thoughts by commenting below.

The Staircase Documentary, Crime, Drama | June 2004 (United States) 7.8

Stars: Michael Peterson, David Rudolf, Ron GueretteSummary: Academy Award-winning documentary filmmaker, Jean-Xavier de Lestrade, presents a gripping courtroom thriller, offering a rare and revealing inside look at a high-profile murder trial. In 2001, author Michael Peterson was arraigned for the murder of his wife Kathleen, whose body was discovered lying in a pool of blood on the stairway of their home. Granted unusual access to Peterson's lawyers, home and immediate family, de Lestrade's cameras capture the defense team as it considers its strategic options. "The staircase" is an engrossing look at contemporary American justice that features more twists than a legal bestseller. —Julie Pouillon

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2. Making a Murderer available on Netflix

I am sure everyone has heard of this true crime documentary series by now as it has been an absolute smash hit on Netflix now with two seasons so far and series 3 currently filming. It is another of those true crimes that has so many twists and turns, corruption, class divisions and false confessions. It is one of those series that you can sit and binge watch as its so unbelievable you need to find out what happens next. The first season is much much better than series two which concentrates on the legal battle though but is worth a watch. If you haven’t watched this yet why not?!? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below. What are your theories?

Making a Murderer Documentary, Crime | December 18, 2015 (United States) 8.5

Stars: Steven Avery, Dolores Avery, Laura NiriderSummary: Filmed over a 10-year period, Steven Avery, a DNA exoneree who, while in the midst of exposing corruption in local law enforcement, finds himself the prime suspect in a grisly new crime.

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3. The Jinx: The life and deaths of Robert Durst available on Sky Boxsets

When I first saw this crime documentary on Sky Tv I didn’t know who the Durst family were, they are not well known here in the UK. I was instantly drawn into it and I have to say he (Robert Durst) is the strangest character I have ever seen. This story I say story its all real, is absolutely crazy! No one would ever think this actually happened as its such a strange sequence of events and how they connected this whole thing and tied it all together is so excellent. If you love true crime documentaries with twists and turns which leave you not knowing exactly what happened up until the end. its pure genius and a must see for the true crime addict.

The Jinx: The Life and Deaths of Robert Durst Documentary, Crime, Mystery | February 8, 2015 (United States) 8.6

Stars: Andrew Jarecki, Robert Durst, Gary NapoliSummary: A groundbreaking six-part documentary directed and produced by Andrew Jarecki and produced and shot by Marc Smerling (the Oscar nominated behind "Capturing the Friedmans (2003)") delves into the strange history of real estate heir Robert Durst, long suspected in the still-unsolved 1982 disappearance of his wife as well as the subsequent murders of family friend Susan Berman and neighbor Morris Black. It features an extended, revealing interview with Durst himself, with whom Jarecki developed a unique relationship following the release of "All Good Things (2010)", Jarecki's 2010 feature about Durst's life starring Ryan Gosling and Kirsten Dunst. "The Jinx" results from nearly a decade of research by the filmmakers, who expose police files, key witnesses, never-before-seen footage, private prison recordings, and thousands of pages of formerly hidden documents. —Jwelch5742

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4. Paradise Lost: The Child Murders at Robin Hood hills available on Sky Boxsets

This true crime documentary came from such a sad story, I watched a movie called Devils Knot with Reece Witherspoon and Colin Firth which I thought at the time was a fictional story. Turns out it was a movie adaption of a real like crime where three little boys were murdered in Memphis. I later found out that there was several documentaries about these murders so I decided to watch them all. This doc Paradise lost has 3 parts and series 1 is currently on Sky boxsets. It is not for the faint hearted as it contains graphic detail on child murders so please be aware before watching it could be distressing. Let me know what you think and whether you have watched any of the documentaries or movies.

Paradise Lost: The Child Murders at Robin Hood Hills Documentary, Crime | June 10, 1996 (United States) 8.3

Director: Joe Berlinger, Bruce SinofskyStars: Tony Brooks, Diana Davis, Terry WoodSummary: Berlinger and Sinofsky's documentary of a gruesome triple murder in West Memphis, Arkansas and the subsequent trials of three suspects, takes a hard look at both the occult and the American justice system in 'small-town' America. Three teenagers are accused of this horrific crime of killing three children, supposedly as a result of involvement in Satanism. As in their previous documentary, things turn out to be more complex than initial appearances and this film presents the real-life courtroom drama to the viewer, as it unfolds. —Tad Dibbern <DIBBERN_D@a1.mscf.upenn.edu>

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5. The Case Against Adnan Syed available on Sky Boxsets

This documentary I noticed after hearing about the podcast Serial that was about the case against Adnan Syed. This documentary focuses on the case after conviction and features interviews from both the victims friends and family along with the defence team, friends and family. its such a sad case as it was based on he said she said testimonies which could of been done from malice. This doc leaves you frustrated with the justice system and contains some raw footage from the case which is often haunting due to knowing what happened. This case is still ongoing so you don’t get any closure but its well worth a watch and hopefully this can be updated at some point to satisfy us true crime addicts.

The Case Against Adnan Syed Documentary, Crime | March 10, 2019 (United States) 6.6

Stars: Sarah Koenig, Anne Yao, Julianna GoldmanSummary: Popularized by the podcast, "Serial," the ongoing story of Adnan Syed who was convicted of murdering a high school student.

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6. The Disappearance of Susan Cox Powell available on Sky Boxsets

This is one of the “disappearance of” series of shows by Oxygen which I absolutely love and they have started to show them on the Sky Crime channel. This is one my my favourites as its such a devestatingly sad but very strange story which has a few twists and turns. Let me know if there is any similar Oxygen “disappearance of” docs you have seen and what is your favourite?

The Disappearance of Susan Cox Powell Documentary, Crime | May 4, 2019 (United States) 7.1

Stars: Stephanie Bauer, Josh Skurnik, Jennifer GravesSummary: The Disappearance of Susan Cox Powell is a two-part event - Saturday, May 4 and Sunday, May 5 - where Oxygen will present the "definitive story" of Susan's final years. The series promises alarming new developments and scandalous, never-before-seen videos. There will be rare interviews with family members offering a new, closer look into the shocking case.

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7. The Keepers available on Netflix

This is such a good documentary on Netflix about murder, religion, cover-ups, abuse, and years of torment. It does contain discussion and undertones of child abuse so please be aware that this may cause upset and is graphic in description of certain parts. I found this a great documentary thats makes you wanting to know more, I wish there was another series to get more answers to this crime and justice to be done.

The Keepers Documentary, Crime, Mystery | May 19, 2017 (United States) 8.1

Stars: Gemma Hoskins, Abbie Schaub, Virginia AnzengruberSummary: A seven-part docuseries about the unsolved murder of a nun and the horrific secrets and pain that linger nearly five decades after her death.

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8. American Murder: The Family Next Door available on Netflix

I heard about this case in the news and saw a few youtube videos about the case and legal battles about it so when this documentary was put onto Netflix I couldn’t wait to watch. This uses real life footage, phone calls, social media videos and posts along with police interview footage. This is such a sad story and does involve children so may cause upset and be difficult to watch.

American Murder: The Family Next Door Documentary, Crime | September 30, 2020 (United States) 7.2

Director: Jenny PopplewellStars: Nickole Atkinson, Jim Benemann, Luke EppleSummary: In 2018, 34-year-old Shanann Watts and her two young daughters disappear in Colorado. With the heartbreaking details emerging, the family's story made headlines around the world.

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9. The Disappearance Of Madeleine McCann available on Netflix

I don’t know of anyone who hasn’t come across the case of Madeleine McCann, she was abducted from her holiday villa in Portugal at 3 years old. She has been missing ever since. There is plenty of conspiracy theories into what happened to her but this documentary explores them all including new leads which may lead to some startling discoveries that were missed by the foreign police force. If you like a good mystery and conspiracy story then this is the true crime documentary for you. What do you think happened to that poor little girl? Leave me your thoughts in the comments below.

The Disappearance of Madeleine McCann Documentary, Crime, Mystery | March 15, 2019 (United States) 6.6

Stars: Anthony Summers, Maria João Vaz, Gonçalo AmaralSummary: The Disappearance of Madeleine McCann takes a detailed look at the disappearance of three-year-old Madeleine McCann, who vanished from the seaside resort of Praia de Luz in Portugal, while on holiday with her family.

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10. There’s Something Wrong With Aunt Diane available on Sky Boxsets

This was a documentary I had heard about and seen referenced online when looking for more true crime docs to watch, I noticed sky had added it to the crime channel and thought I would give it a go. Its such a sad story and does contain details of deaths of children and could cause upset. Its a really strange story and one that there still seems some denial, despite the evidence. Let me know your thoughts and what do you think happened to Aunt Diane in the comments below.

There's Something Wrong with Aunt Diane Documentary, Crime | July 25, 2011 (United States) 6.7

Director: Liz GarbusStars: Jesse Temple, Brad Katinas, Diane SchulerSummary: The accident made national headlines: a suburban mother drove the wrong way on the Taconic Parkway in upstate New York and crashed head-on into an SUV, killing herself and seven others. In the aftermath, Diane Schuler was portrayed as a reckless drunk and a mother who cracked. But was she the monster the public made her out to be...or the perfect wife and mother that many say she was? Investigating the case six months after the accident, this documentary searches for answers to a mysterious and senseless tragedy.

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So thats my round up of my top crime documentaries to binge watch on UK Netflix and Sky TV. If you have any favourites you think I might like please leave me some suggestions below. I would love to find more to watch.

Till next time, Thanks for reading.

Gina x