Essential True Crime Documentaries on Hulu

This documentary series examines the infamous case of Richard Ramirez, the Night Stalker, who terrorized Los Angeles in the 1980s. It features interviews with investigators and survivors, providing a chilling look at how the police finally apprehended the serial killer.

Directors Josh and Kira Ferguson explore the lives of Larry and Eileen Loughrin, whose fraudulent health food company, Upton's Natural Foods, became one of the largest frauds in U.S. history. The film reveals how a family turned a local grocery store into a multimillion-dollar scam empire.

Henry Lee Lucas was a notorious confessor who claimed responsibility for hundreds of murders he did not commit. This documentary series investigates his confessions, the police interrogations that led to them, and the tragic consequences for innocent people who suffered because of his lies.

This documentary follows the murder trial of Michael Peterson, who was accused of killing his wife after she was found dead at the bottom of the stairs in their home. It offers a compelling inside look at the American legal system and the complexities of the case.

This series delves into the bizarre and tragic story of the Young family, whose patriarchs were involved in a web of incest, murder, and corruption within the Mormon Church in early 20th-century Idaho. It explores the cultural and religious contexts that enabled these crimes.

This documentary tells the true story of Susan Smith, who convinced police that a carjacker had kidnapped her two young sons. The film examines the media frenzy and the eventual revelation that she had drowned her children in a lake to collect insurance money.

This series unravels the mystery of a pizza shop robbery gone wrong, where the perpetrator used a plastic bag on his head and left behind a trail of clues. It leads investigators to a bizarre and unexpected suspect, highlighting the unpredictable nature of criminal behavior.

This seven-part series investigates the unsolved murder of Sister Catherine Cesnik, a nun and teacher in Baltimore, and the alleged abuse she suffered at the hands of a priest. It connects the cold case to a wider web of institutional corruption and silence within the Catholic Church.

This documentary chronicles the rise of the controversial Rajneesh movement in Oregon during the 1980s. It covers the cult's expansion, its conflicts with local residents, and the eventual bioterror attack on a local restaurant, offering a shocking glimpse into extremist behavior.

This documentary uses only found footage, including home videos and doorbell camera recordings, to reconstruct the events leading up to and following the murder of the Ford family. It provides an intimate and terrifying look at domestic violence through the lens of technology.

This series revisits the case that inspired the podcast 'Serial,' focusing on Adnan Syed, who was convicted of murdering his high school girlfriend. It explores new evidence and perspectives, raising questions about the fairness of his trial and the reliability of the original investigation.

This documentary series examines the 1989 murders of José and Kitty Menendez by their sons, Lyle and Erik. It delves into the family dynamics, allegations of abuse, and the media frenzy that surrounded the trial, which became one of the most publicized in American history.

This limited series follows the investigation into real estate heir Robert Durst, who was a suspect in the disappearances and deaths of three people. The documentary culminates in a shocking confession, captured unexpectedly on hot mic, during a television interview.

This documentary series uses archival audio and video recordings from Ted Bundy's trials to provide a chilling insight into his psyche. It explores how Bundy manipulated the legal system and the media, revealing the calculated nature of his crimes.

This series investigates the mysterious disappearance of three-year-old Madeleine McCann from her parents' holiday apartment in Portugal. It examines the various theories, suspect profiles, and the global media attention that has followed the case for over a decade.

This documentary follows women who met a charming man on a dating app, only to lose their life savings to his elaborate con. It exposes how he used romance to manipulate his victims, leaving them financially devastated and emotionally scarred by his deception.

This documentary tells the true story of Jan Broberg, who was abducted by a family friend while her father was unaware. It explores the psychological manipulation used by the kidnapper and the shocking revelations that emerged years later about the extent of the abuse.

This segment or related documentary content covers the accusations made by Dylan Farrow against her father, Woody Allen, regarding child sexual abuse. It includes interviews and analysis of the allegations, the subsequent custody battle, and the impact on the family dynamic.

This documentary covers the trial of Brian David Mitchell, who kidnapped Elizabeth Smart from her home as a teenager. It provides a detailed account of the legal proceedings and the emotional journey of Elizabeth and her family as they sought justice for the crimes committed against them.

While primarily a sports documentary, this series offers a look into the world of Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls, including the controversies and legal issues surrounding the team. It provides a broader context of fame, power, and the occasional dark side of high-profile careers.