True Crime TV for Teens

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.

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.

Network: Netflix (2023)
Trial by Choir Poster Image
TV

Trial by Choir

age 13+

Tough teens sing their hearts out.

Network: TLC (2006)
Unsolved Mysteries Poster Image
TV

Unsolved Mysteries

age 13+

Reenactments of real-life mysteries can be creepy.

Network: Lifetime Real Women (1987)
Unsolved Mysteries Poster Image
TV

Unsolved Mysteries

age 13+

Worthy revamp of true crime mystery show has some violence.

Network: Netflix (2020)
16 Shots Poster Image
MOVIE

16 Shots

age 14+

Sobering docu about racism and corruption in Chicago.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 2019)
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.

Network: Netflix (2023)
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.

Network: Netflix (2024)
Chowchilla movie poster: The retelling of a true crime case.
MOVIE

Chowchilla

age 14+

Distressing retelling of abduction case; trauma, violence.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 2024)
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.

Network: Netflix (2024)
Crime 360 Poster Image
TV

Crime 360

age 14+

Detectives investigate crimes; gritty and sometimes graphic.

Network: A&E (2008)
The Investigation Poster Image
TV

The Investigation

age 14+

Compelling Danish true crime drama sticks to the facts.

Network: Max (2021)
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.

Network: Paramount Network (2018)
Time: The Kalief Browder Story Poster Image
TV

Time: The Kalief Browder Story

age 14+

Powerful docu about tragic impact of wrongful imprisonment.

Network: Spike (2017)
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.

Network: Netflix (2024)
The Asunta Case TV show poster: Tristán Ulloa and Candela Peña stand together against dark wall.
TV

The Asunta Case

age 15+

True crime about child's murder has smoking, drug abuse.

Network: Netflix (2024)
Black and Missing Poster Image
TV

Black and Missing

age 15+

Powerful docu about racial bias and missing persons.

Network: HBO (2021)
Cold Case Files (2017) Poster Image
TV

Cold Case Files (2017)

age 15+

Sensational docuseries reboot best for serious crime buffs.

Network: A&E (2017)
Cold Justice: Sex Crimes Poster Image
TV

Cold Justice: Sex Crimes

age 15+

Graphic reality spinoff is sensational but serves a purpose.

Network: TNT (2015)
Dirty John Poster Image
TV

Dirty John

age 15+

True crime podcast turned drama is creepy to the max.

Network: Bravo (2018)