The best true crime documentaries to stream right now

With so many different streaming sites it can be hard to pick your next watch, there's simply too much choice! Well luckily for you we've assembled some of the most shocking true-crime documentaries that really are as ominous as they sound! 

If you want a spine-chilling series then read on!

 5 | WATCH FREE UK | Channel 4 | ITV | BBC

5

A Killer Makes a Call 

Stream on 5 

When the 999 call comes from the killer themselves, things get very dark, very fast. Twisty, unsettling, and impossible to switch off, with three whole series ready to binge!! 

Murdered at First Sight 

Stream on 5 
Most killers know their victims, these ones didn’t. This unsettling series dives into cases where strangers turn deadly, told through first-hand accounts and expert insight.  

Murder: Suspect No1

Stream on 5

Catching cold-blooded killers is NEVER easy, however in Murder Suspect No1 they do just that, piecing together all the evidence they can find as quickly as possible!

Killer at the Crime Scene 

Stream on 5 
From discovery to detection, this series walks you through the crucial early hours of a murder investigation. Buckle up for forensic deep-dives, real detective work, and four series to get through. 

The Drowning of Paula Leeson

Stream on 5

This documentary explores heiress Paula Leeson's mysterious death on holiday in Denmark. After originally appearing accidental, close examination of her Fitbit data pointed instead to her husband... Get watching to discover all the digital breadcrumbs and deceit that unravelled the truth behind her tragic end!

#Dead2Me 

Stream on 5 
Online romance but with real-world consequences. This series explores relationships that took a deadly turn, with insight from loved ones, investigators and psychologists. Swipe right, if you dare. 

WATCH FREE UK

Murder UK

Stream on WATCH FREE UK

Join renown criminologist professor David Wilson as he takes viewers deep into some of the UK's most chilling murder cases, uncovering common connecting threads and exploring the psychological and societal factors that drive people to kill. Using expert analysis and in-depth case studies, Murder UK exposes the unaltered reality of murder and what drives someone to commit the ultimate crime!

Murder By The Sea 

Stream on WATCH FREE UK

Maybe it’s the sea air or simply too much sun. But despite the sandcastles and ice creams, breezy promenade walks and donkey rides, many British seaside towns have a huge reputation for hosting the most craziest of crimes. Some of the most strange and terrifying murders ever recorded in British criminal history have taken place at our famous seaside resorts with the grand hotels playing host to some of the deadliest murderers imaginable, and the seafronts doubling as stalking grounds for the darkest of serial killers! This series dives in to the nitty gritty truth behind these gorgeous facades.

Fatal Fraud 

Stream on WATCH FREE UK 
Money, lies, and deadly consequences. These cases show just how far people will go when greed takes over, and how quickly it spirals out of control. 

Killers: Caught on Camera 

Stream on WATCH FREE UK 

Real footage, real crimes, real convictions. This one puts you right at the centre of the investigation with gripping video evidence from around the world. 

Medical Detectives 

Stream on WATCH FREE UK 

Get out your magnifying glass it’s time for science to meet crime-solving! Follow forensic experts as they piece together evidence using cutting-edge techniques, and crack cases others couldn’t. 

Evidence of Evil

Stream now on WATCH FREE UK

Strap in for a dark and ominous ride as Evidence of Evil explores and reconstructs some of the most fascinating and shocking criminal cases from the UK, Ireland, US and Canada from the past twenty years! With modern techniques at their disposal, detectives soon find traces of the crime! 

Channel 4

24 Hours in Police Custody

Stream on Channel 4 

This hit series follows investigations as they unfold, sometimes solving cases years in the making, yes, even after 13 years of denial. 

Love Cheats 

Stream on Channel 4 
We’re talking a whole lot of romance scams, betrayal, and big reveals. This one’s equal parts shocking and addictive, exposing the truth behind manipulative relationships. Buckle in. 

Murder in the Outback 

Stream on Channel 4 

A deep dive into one of Australia’s most infamous cases. This re-examination of the Falconio mystery is haunting, detailed and not one you’ll forget. 

Want more from Australia? Explore our top drama picks 

999: What Happened Next 

Stream on Channel 4 
Every call tells a story, but not all are what they seem. Follow investigators as they uncover the truth behind emergency calls that take unexpected turns. 

The Fall: Skydive Murder Plot

Stream now on Channel 4

When both of Victoria Cilliers’ parachutes fail during a skydive, she somehow manages to survive! This miraculous tale is based on the true story and how Victoria comes to terms with the fact that this wasn’t an accident and was in fact a plot carried out by her husband Emile!

Spacey Unmasked

Stream on Channel 4

This series follows the life of well-known actor Kevin Spacey from his rise to stardom to his well-publicised fall from grace following accusations of grooming, sexual harassment and abuse made by multiple men.

ITVX

John Wayne Gacy: The True Story 

Stream on ITVX 
A chilling look at one of the most notorious serial killers in history, and the shocking failures that allowed his crimes to continue for so long. 

Secrets of a Murder Detective 

Stream on ITVX 

Get inside the mind of a real detective with this fab series! With 30 years of experience, Steve Keogh reveals what it really takes to solve some of the toughest cases. 

The Jury Room 

Stream on ITVX 
We would all loooove to know what really happens behind closed doors? This fascinating series dives into jury deliberations, including cases where the verdict still raises questions. 

Until I Kill You: The Real Story

Stream now on ITVX

If you’ve wanted the drama, this documentary is a MUST! Until I Kill You: The Real Story tells the powerful true story of Delia Balmer and uncovers how she bravely faced serial killer John Sweeney and fought for justice.

Madeline McCann: The Hunt for the Prime Suspect

Available now on ITVX

Nearly twenty years ago, 7 year old Madeline McCann disappeared without a trace whilst on holiday with her family in a mystery that shocked the entire world. This powerful documentary revisits the case, exploring the evidence against key suspect Christina Brückner but also touching on why it’s not enough.

BBC

Kidnapped by My Mum

New to BBC iPlayer

At aged 11, Alex Batty vanished into thin air or what was meant to be a short family holiday with his mother and grandfather. An international missing persons case was launched, but years went by without a trace! Six years later, a teenager appeared on the side of the road in the French Pyrenees and told a driver he'd been kidnapped.

Now aged 2, Alex Batty is ready to tell his story...

Life and Death Row

Watch on BBC iPlayer

Over 5 seasons, this series tells the story of capital punishment through the eyes of young people who have been shaped by it. From interviews with those in their final days to interviews with the friends and families of victims.

The Ruth Ellis Files: A Very British Crime Story 

Stream on BBC iPlayer 
A powerful re-examination of the last woman to be executed in Britain. Thought-provoking, emotional, and so so so compelling. 

Crimewatch Caught 

Stream on BBC iPlayer 
From the team behind Crimewatch, this series revisits real cases and shows how detectives cracked some of their most complex investigations. 

If you're still a crime mood, why not check out our crime drama recommendations!