The vast Netflix library is known for having some of the best true-crime documentaries ever made, with “Tiger King” and “Crime Scene: The Vanishing at the Cecil Hotel” being two of its most well-known titles. Though Hulu has recently joined Netflix in riding the grisly life-insurance policy bandwagon, Netflix isn’t the only place where you can start to develop paranoia about them.
Although this is a relatively new genre for the streaming service, the originals it does have are just as well-made as Netflix’s true-crime documentaries. In other words, even though Netflix has been in the game a little longer, you won’t be missing out on high-quality content. “Fyre Fraud” and “Untouchable,” two critically acclaimed original films, are featured in Hulu’s true-crime collection. These initiatives analyze more recent events like the infamous Harvey Weinstein abuse cases and the Fyre Festival scandal, respectively.
True, Hulu doesn’t have as many original true-crime shows as Netflix. On the streaming service, there is no shortage of engrossing series about con artists, murder mysteries, and everything in between. Beyond Netflix’s renaissance in the twisted genre, look for programs from networks like Investigation Discovery and A&E, both of which are renowned for their in-depth coverage of true-crime cases.
Interested in returning it? Whole seasons of cult favorites like “Unsolved Mysteries” and “Forensic Files” can be found on Hulu’s site. Even the most recent “20/20” episodes are available on Hulu. This ABC program is renowned for its in-depth interviews and exclusive footage of high-profile murder cases. It is currently mostly focused on true-crime stories.
Are you trying to decide which real-life scandal or mystery to add to your queue next? Discover the top true-crime documentaries and docuseries on Hulu by reading on.
— Additional reporting by Naomi Parris and Alexis Stackhouse
“3 1/2 Minutes, Ten Bullets”
This documentary film directed by Marc Silver explores Florida’s “Stand Your Ground” self-defense law while investigating the tragic murder of unarmed teenager Jordan Russell Davis at a gas station in broad daylight.
Yes, the most recent five seasons of “20/20” are now available to stream on Hulu. The program deconstructs investigative reports on high-profile incidents using in-depth interviews and a narrative structure that is character-driven. Currently hosted by David Muir and Amy Robach, the program is supposedly about human interest topics but has recently taken on a true crime and celebrity scandal bent. We have seen additional stories concerning the cases involving Gabby Petito and Ghislaine Maxwell in recent “20/20” broadcasts. However, the ABC show frequently revisits and contextualizes earlier homicide cases, including the gruesome JonBenet Ramsey and Happy Face Killer murders.
Hulu – Watch “20/20”
“A Wilderness of Error”
“A Wilderness of Error,” a five-part documentary based on the same-named book, follows the trial of Army surgeon Jeffrey MacDonald, who was found guilty of killing his two kids and his wife in 1970. The documentary series investigates the evidence that shows MacDonald might not be guilty. Following his family’s beating, MacDonald was discovered asleep next to them. He later claimed that some hippies had broken into his house. Even though MacDonald’s charges were ultimately dropped, his wife’s relatives fought to have the matter heard in court. After that, MacDonald was found guilty, but no one is clear of what actually transpired on that fateful day in 1970.
Visit Hulu to view “A Wilderness of Error.”
“Captive Audience: A Real American Horror Story”
Producer of “Stranger Fruit,” Jason Pollock, explores the enigmatic death of 17-year-old Kendrick Johnson, who was discovered dead in the gym of his high school in Valdosta, Georgia. The narration is provided by actress Jenifer Lewis.
On Hulu right now, watch “Finding Kendrick Johnson.”
“Cold Case Files”
This suspenseful A&E legal program centers on long-open cases. To reach shocking conclusions, detectives scrutinize witnesses and leads using cutting-edge forensic technology and social media. Despite the fact that Hulu only carries one season of this show, there are still 10 40-minute episodes for you to watch. Actually, what you’ll discover on Hulu is the 2017 resurrection of the original “Cold Case Files” by Blumhouse Television. The murder of a little girl named Shauna Howe on Halloween and the killings of high school sweethearts Kelly Drew and Tim Hack are among the well-known crimes examined.
Visit Hulu to watch “Cold Case Files.”
“Cold Case Hammarskjöld”
Are you prepared to enter “the world’s most ridiculous conspiracy theory” or possibly “the world’s largest murder mystery”? The true account of Dag Hammarskjöld, the United Nations secretary-general whose aircraft crashed in 1961, is explored in “Cold Case Hammarskjöld.” Hammarskjöld and the majority of the crew perished in the disaster. Was it a technical malfunction or something more nefarious? Over fifty years later, Danish filmmaker Mads Brügger investigates the case in depth and unearths potentially disturbing information. We are led down rabbit holes by theories regarding assassinations and white nationalist groups in this in-depth research.
On Hulu, view “Cold Case Hammarskjöld.”
“Dead Asleep”
In 2017, Randy Herman Jr., a 24-year-old Floridian, fatally stabbed Brooke Preston, his longtime roommate and best friend, 25 times. The surprise in this story is that Herman, who called to report her death, insisted he didn’t remember killing Preston. He claimed to have been sleepwalking when he stabbed her, but was this just an excuse? Herman’s past is explored by director Skye Borgman, who also directed Netflix’s “Abducted in Plain Sight,” delving into his claims of sleepwalking and his father’s murder-suicide. Additionally, we watch how his defense attorney prepared for his insanity case in court.
Visit Hulu to watch “Dead Asleep.”
“Deadly Women”
“Deadly Women” on Investigation Discovery focuses on female murders, determining their motivations by assessing the forensic evidence and examining the psychology of female killers. Each case is investigated via reenactments and interviews, as is the case with many true-crime productions. Yes, the series’ main specialists are all female. Dr. Janis Amatuzio, a forensic pathologist, offers her opinions on the facts, and Candice DeLong, a former FBI agent, offers her insight into the psychological aspects of each case. Although Hulu only has seven complete seasons, there are approximately 200 episodes total, making for a sizable marathon.
Visit Hulu to watch “Deadly Women.”
“Finding Kendrick Johnson”
This Marc Silver-directed documentary looks into Florida’s “Stand Your Ground” self-defense statute while looking into the terrible daylight murder of Jordan Russell Davis, an unarmed kid, outside a gas station.
Watch “3 1/2 Minutes, Ten Bullets” right now on Hulu (an HBO Max addon is required, just so you know).
“Forensic Files”
“Forensic Files,” a true crime cult classic that debuted in the 1990s, explores how scientists use physical evidence to track down criminals. Only seasons 7 through 14 of the show are available on Hulu, but there is still a sizable enough collection of episodes there to make you into a want tobe forensics expert. Despite its extended run, each episode is only approximately 20 minutes long, making it simple to binge watch. After finishing the first season, don’t forget to watch “Forensic Files II,” which HLN began airing fresh episodes of early 2020.
Visit Hulu to watch “Forensic Files.”
“Fyre Fraud”
The other documentary that garnered notice online was Hulu’s “Fyre Fraud,” which competed with Netflix’s “Fyre: The Greatest Party That Never Happened.” A true-crime comedy is being made about a botched music festival that went viral thanks to social media. Many very well-known people who attended the festival spent thousands of dollars for opulent lodging but were instead given FEMA tents and boxed lunches. Billy McFarland, the organizer, was found guilty of one count of wire fraud and given a six-year jail term. Additionally, he and his group were the targets of at least eight lawsuits, one of which demanded $100 million in damages.
Visit Hulu to watch “Fyre Fraud.”
“Hunting JonBenét’s Killer: The Untold Story”
In this 2019 documentary, journalist Elizabeth Vargas explores the troubling JonBenét Ramsey cold case, closely examining fresh leads and DNA tests. In Boulder, Colorado, around the Christmas season of 1996, 6-year-old JonBenét was discovered strangled in the basement of her family’s home. Her parents found a ransom note and reported her missing before they found her body. Because Ramsey and her mother, Patsy, were well-known in the child beauty pageant circuit, her case particularly captured the interest of the media. The true-crime documentary dissects many trespasser ideas and includes an interview with JonBenét Ramsey’s father, John Ramsey.
On Hulu, view “Hunting JonBenét’s Killer: The Untold Story.”
“Missing 411: The Hunted”
The documentary “Missing 411: The Hunted,” which is based on the David Paulides book series, explores the instances of five kids who mysteriously vanished into the North American wilderness. Paulides is a former police officer who now works as a full-time investigator. He specializes in looking into cases of people who have vanished in the wild. Paulides disagrees and has criticized how national parks manage disappearances, despite data analysis suggesting that they are not frequently reported. His inquiry has grown to encompass cases from several countries in recent years. A scary moment is undoubtedly in store for fans of true crime who have a soft place for missing-persons investigations.
Visit Hulu to view “Missing 411: The Hunted.”
“The First 48 Presents: Homicide Squad Atlanta”
The gruesome “Fallen Angel” case, in which a teen was shot to death and later discovered naked in a local park, is the subject of this series’ in-depth study. In the first episode, we watch as inexperienced investigator Andre Lowe tries to solve the crime. We also get in-depth analyses of other homicides in the Atlanta area in addition to the main case. This series is essentially a continuation of the “The First 48” franchise, which is predicated on the idea that detectives in big cities have a 50% chance of cracking a case if they can’t locate a lead within 48 hours.
Visit Hulu to watch “The First 48 Presents: Homicide Squad Atlanta.”
“The Menendez Murders: Erik Tells All”
The main subject of this five-part A&E true-crime documentary is Erik and Lyle Menendez. The boys were convicted of killing their affluent parents in 1989 and given a life sentence without the chance of release. “The Menendez Murder: Erik Tells All,” a limited series that debuted in 2017, features an in-depth interview with Erik about the case. The widely broadcast case, dubbed “the trial of the century,” took a bizarre turn when the defense claimed that the brothers, who were 18 and 21 at the time, killed their parents as a result of years of sexual abuse.
Visit Hulu to watch “The Menendez Murders: Erik Tells All.”
“The Most Dangerous Animal of All”
A four-part FX miniseries titled “The Most Dangerous Animal of All” is based on the same-named memoir. The protagonist of the show is Gary L. Stewart, who was left by his father when he was a little child. Stewart learned during his search for his biological father that his father, con artist Earl Van Best Jr., was actually the notorious Zodiac Killer, a serial killer who brutally murdered at least five victims in Northern California during the 1960s — the perpetrator claimed to have killed 37 — and whose crimes were documented in the book Zodiac. But the documentary isn’t just a book repetition. While also profiling the memoirist, director Kief Davidson actually verifies Stewart’s assertions throughout the series.
Visit Hulu to view “The Most Dangerous Animal of All.”
“The Murder of Laci Peterson”
The case of an eight-month pregnant Modesto woman who went missing and whose disappearance sparked a massive search is the subject of the limited docuseries “The Murder of Laci Peterson.” Scott, her husband, was questioned by authorities when her body was discovered in the San Francisco Bay. With profiles of Scott (who is currently serving a life sentence without the chance of parole) and his family, A&E revisits this widely reported story. Interviews with well-known professionals like Maureen Orth, a journalist, and Gloria Allred, an attorney, are also included. Fans of true crime shouldn’t miss this spectacular six-episode series.
Visit Hulu to watch “The Murder of Laci Peterson.”
“Underworld, Inc.”
The illegal market, which has the potential to be worth hundreds of billions of dollars alone in the US, is the focus of National Geographic’s “Underworld, Inc.” The documentary series interweaves the stories of the people involved in these transactions—including law enforcement, vendors, and employees. From a backyard gun workshop in the Philippines to a brothel in New York, everything is covered in the episodes. The show has two complete seasons that include subjects like imitations, betting, moonshining, and the organ trafficking. Discover the effects of these worlds on both the central protagonists and the bystanders to their activity.
Visit Hulu to see “Underworld, Inc.”
“Unsolved Mysteries”
If the Netflix revival series and associated podcast were your first exposure to “Unsolved Mysteries,” make sure to check out the first season! There are four whole seasons in Hulu’s collection that are jam-packed with eyewitness accounts of killings, disappearances, and the occasional event that seems paranormal. The disappearance of the D.B. Cooper plane hijacker and the Son of Sam murders are only a couple of the notorious cases that were covered in the first season alone. “Unsolved Mysteries,” hosted by Robert Stack (along with other prominent people), is the ideal program to watch if you’re a fan of the true-crime genre, a fan of the supernatural, or both.
On Hulu, view “Unsolved Mysteries.”
“Untouchable”
“Untouchable” chronicles the downfall of notorious movie mogul Harvey Weinstein, who rose to prominence as one of the most influential abusers in the movie business after the #MeToo movement gained traction. After more than 80 women came forward with claims of his sexual misconduct, the documentary profiles accusers, journalists, and coworkers to create a disturbing portrait of Weinstein. Rosanna Arquette, Ronan Farrow, Caitlin Dulany, Paz de la Huerta, and other notables are interviewed in it, among others. In-depth interviews with his accusers are included in the documentary, which also traces how Weinstein and his brother, Bob, changed the film industry and puts the rise to power of Weinstein into perspective.
Hulu “Untouchable” to watch.
“Unusual Suspects”
Things are never as they seem, so the guilty party might occasionally be the least likely suspect. Investigation Discovery’s “Unusual Suspects” explores unforeseen leads that point to improbable suspects, as the program’s name implies. Catch up on all eight seasons of the legal show right now on Hulu for your taste of convoluted real crime. The complex cases range widely; they include everything from detectives who look into their own department when one of their own is murdered to a mother who thinks she was falsely accused of killing her kid.
Visit Hulu to watch “Unusual Suspects.”
“Wild Crime”
In “Wild Crime,” Special Agent Beth Shott investigates the killing of Toni Henthorn in Rocky Mountain National Park, which occurred inexplicably. Shott focuses in particular on Toni’s husband Harold Henthorn, who was present on their anniversary trip to the national park. The facts simply didn’t line up, and it seemed strange that the pair had ventured to a perilous area of the Rockies while having little prior climbing expertise. Harold contacted the police immediately after texting someone to say their trip was going well. In addition to all of that, his first wife’s death’s circumstances undoubtedly added to the suspicions.
