True Crime TV for Teens

Last updated: August 13, 2025

True crime fans, rejoice! We've pulled together the best shows out there so that you can indulge in real-life mysteries and stories of the continued fight toward justice. Some of these picks are documentary series with extensive interviews and archival footage, and some are fictionalized accounts of real-life crimes and investigations. Either way, many of them aren't for young or squeamish viewers, so make sure you know what your kid can handle before starting in on something gruesome. For more TV that'll keep you engrossed and on the edge of your seat, check out our Mystery TV and Scary TV lists.

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Unsolved History Poster Image

TV

Unsolved History

age 8+

Cracking the past's big mysteries with technology.

Discovery Channel , Discovery Times Educational (2002)

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Good American Family TV show poster: The faces of Kristine, Michael, and Natalia Barnett are seen in closeup

TV

Good American Family

age 13+

Strong cast, mild violence in Natalia Grace-inspired series.

Hulu Drama (2025)

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The Billionaire, the Butler, and the Boyfriend TV show poster: engraving style depiction of Bettencourt heiresses and F.M. Baner

TV

The Billionaire, The Butler, and the Boyfriend

age 13+

Wealth attracts con artists in treacherous true-crime show.

Netflix Educational (2023)

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Trial by Choir Poster Image

TV

Trial by Choir

age 13+

Tough teens sing their hearts out.

TLC Reality TV (2006)

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Unsolved Mysteries Poster Image

TV

Unsolved Mysteries

age 13+

Worthy revamp of true crime mystery show has some violence.

Netflix Reality TV (2020)

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Unsolved Mysteries Poster Image

TV

Unsolved Mysteries

age 13+

Reenactments of real-life mysteries can be creepy.

Lifetime Real Women Reality TV (1987)

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16 Shots Poster Image

MOVIE

16 Shots

age 14+

Sobering docu about racism and corruption in Chicago.

June 19, 2019 2019 NR (82 minutes)

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A Deadly American Marriage movie poster: Smiling White family with 2 parents and 2 kids

MOVIE

A Deadly American Marriage

age 14+

True crime docu examines complicated murder case; violence.

May 9, 2025 2025 NR (102 minutes)

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American Murder: Laci Peterson TV show poster: Peterson's face is superimposed above an image of a motor boat in the water.

TV

American Murder: Laci Peterson

age 14+

Harrowing docu revisits notorious domestic violence case.

Netflix Reality TV (2024)

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Bad Surgeon: Love Under the Knife TV show poster: A hand wearing surgeon gloves is shown holding a bloody scalpel with an engagement balancing on top.

TV

Bad Surgeon: Love Under the Knife

age 14+

Tale of horrific consequences of unchecked power and ego.

Netflix Reality TV (2023)

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Buried_Truth: A close up of an Indian women's face is shown being reflected in pieces side by side

TV

Buried Truth: The Indrani Mukerjea Story

age 14+

Gripping true crime series has murder, sexual assault.

Netflix Reality TV (2024)

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Chowchilla movie poster: The retelling of a true crime case.

MOVIE

Chowchilla

age 14+

Distressing retelling of abduction case; trauma, violence.

January 27, 2024 2024 NR (99 minutes)

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Cooking Up Murder TV show poster: Close up of Cesar Roman smiling in his chef coat

TV

Cooking Up Murder: Uncovering the Story of César Román

age 14+

Twisted, violent docu about celebrity chef turned killer.

Netflix Reality TV (2024)

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Crime 360 Poster Image

TV

Crime 360

age 14+

Detectives investigate crimes; gritty and sometimes graphic.

A&E Reality TV (2008)

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Out There: Crimes of the Paranormal poster: Sillouette of person in light in forest.

TV

Out There: Crimes of the Paranormal

age 14+

Solid docu probes links between crimes and the paranormal.

Hulu Reality TV (2024)

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Rest in Power: The Trayvon Martin Story Poster Image

TV

Rest in Power: The Trayvon Martin Story

age 14+

Dramatic docu about birth of Black Lives Matter movement.

Paramount Network Reality TV (2018)

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The Investigation Poster Image

TV

The Investigation

age 14+

Compelling Danish true crime drama sticks to the facts.

Max Drama (2021)

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Time: The Kalief Browder Story Poster Image

TV

Time: The Kalief Browder Story

age 14+

Powerful docu about tragic impact of wrongful imprisonment.

Spike Reality TV (2017)

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American Manhunt: O.J. Simpson TV show poster: Right side of O.J. Simpsons face replaced with images of police activity.

TV

American Manhunt: O.J. Simpson

age 15+

True crime docu talks race, violence, murder, and media.

Netflix Reality TV (2025)

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American Nightmare TV show Poster: The back of a woman stands in front of the ocean. The entire image is red.

TV

American Nightmare

age 15+

Sexual violence, language in kidnapping-focused docuseries.

Netflix Drama (2024)

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