List RulesVote up the best true crime series that use reenactment and drama to tell their stories.
There is just something about terrible crimes that makes for wonderful television. It's the main reason why shows like Law & Order and NCIS have been on the air for so many years. However, watching fictionalized crimes is not always enough. Viewers remain on the edge of their seats when they watch a show they know is based on a true story. Many of these shows combine elements of documentaries with elements of dramas through the form of reenactments. The best true crime docudramas have followed some of the most horrifying, yet interesting, crimes in American history.
True crime television dramas like The Jinx focus on one particular case of note. Over the course of several episodes, these shows do deep dives into a single case, so the viewer gets a complete picture of the crimes that unfolded. Other docudramas, such as Forensic Files, dedicate each episode to a different crime. There is always something new to learn, and casual viewers can learn all about the latest developments in forensics.
True crime reenactment shows are all the rage these days. Which series piqued your interest the most? You can vote for your favorite true crime docudramas in the list below to let everyone know which shows to check out.
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3910Unsolved Mysteries
Robert Stack, Dennis FarinaPremiered: 1987
Unsolved Mysteries (NBC, 1987) is an American mystery documentary television show created by... more on Wikipedia2
359Forensic Files
Dayle Hinman, Peter ThomasPremiered: 1996
Forensic Files is an American documentary-style series that reveals how forensic science is... more on Wikipedia3
272Cold Case Files
Danny Pino, Anthony GreenPremiered: 1999
Cold Case Files (A&E, 1999) is a reality legal docuseries hosted by Bill Kurtis. The show... more on Wikipedia4
275A Crime to Remember
Marc A. Hermann, Michelle McNamaraPremiered: 2013
Styles may change, but murder lasts forever. Step into the past and unravel the intricacies of... more on Wikipedia5
221Unusual Suspects
Mocean Melvin, Jeff WilburnPremiered: 2010
Unusual Suspects is an American documentary television series on Investigation Discovery. The... more on Wikipedia6
246Snapped
Laura San GiacomoPremiered: 2004
Snapped is a British narrated American true crime television series that airs on the Oxygen... more on Wikipedia7
271020/20
Elizabeth Vargas, David MuirPremiered: 1978
20/20 is an American television newsmagazine that has been broadcast on ABC since June 6,... more on Wikipedia8
161American Justice
Bill KurtisPremiered: 1992
For over ten years, AMERICAN JUSTICE® has been the gold standard of criminal justice... more on Wikipedia9
2412The Jinx: The Life and Deaths of Robert Durst
Robert Durst, Andrew JareckiPremiered: 2015
The Jinx: The Life and Deaths of Robert Durst (HBO, 2015) is a documentary miniseries directed... more on Wikipedia10
209The FBI Files
James Kallstrom, Anthony D. CallPremiered: 1998
The FBI Files is an American television docudrama series that originally ran from 1998 to... more on Wikipedia11
198Deadly Women
Lynnanne ZagerPremiered: 2005
Deadly Women is a television series first aired in 2005 on the Discovery Channel, focusing on... more on Wikipedia12
2113Your Worst Nightmare
Eric Abraham, Clark SarulloPremiered: 2014
Your Worst Nightmare (Investigation Discovery, 2014) is an American true crime documentary... more on Wikipedia13
144Snapped: Killer Couples
Laura San Giacomo, Sharon MartinPremiered: 2013
Snapped: Killer Couples (Oxygen, 2013) is an American true crime docudrama television series... more on Wikipedia14
156On The Case With Paula Zahn
Paula Zahn, Raymond BrenkertPremiered: 2009
On the Case with Paula Zahn is a documentary and news program broadcast on Investigation... more on Wikipedia Night Stalker: The Hunt for a Serial Killer (Netflix, 2021) is an American true crime... more on Wikipedia15
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Killer Kids provides an in-depth profile of the lives of kids who kill. What can possibly... more on Wikipedia124Killer Kids
Misty Lee, John S. Howell Sr.17
Disappeared is an American documentary television series on Investigation Discovery which... more on Wikipedia157Disappeared
Christopher Crutchfield Walker, Kiff VandenHeuvel18
Obsession: Dark Desires is a drama television series whose first episode aired on January 14,... more on Wikipedia158Obsession: Dark Desires
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158America's Most Wanted
John WalshPremiered: 1988
America's Most Wanted is an American television program produced by 20th Television, and was... more on Wikipedia20
71Pink Collar Crimes
Marcia ClarkPremiered: 2018
Pink Collar Crimes (CBS, 2018) is an American true crime television docuseries created by... more on Wikipedia21
41Dead Reckoning
Danish Farooqui, Hassan FarrowPremiered: 2020
Dead Reckoning (Investigation Discovery, 2020) is an American true crime documentary series.... more on Wikipedia22
116Nightmare Next Door
Greg Diefenbach, James DavenjayPremiered: 2011
Nightmare Next Door (Investigation Discovery, 2011) is an American true crime documentary... more on Wikipedia The Ripper (Netflix, 2020) is a British crime documentary series. The mini series focuses on... more on Wikipedia23
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00Leavenworth
Clint Lorance, Anna LorancePremiered: 2019
Leavenworth (Starz, 2019) is an American war, crime documentary series created by Steven... more on Wikipedia25
117Death at the Mansion: Rebecca Zahau
Jason Benjamin, Frederick KeevePremiered: 2019
Death at the Mansion: Rebecca Zahau (Oxygen, 2019) is an American documentary crime television... more on Wikipedia