Paramount+ has cultivated a niche but powerful collection of true crime documentaries, largely drawing from the prestigious catalog of Showtime. The platform’s offerings tend to favor thoughtful, human-centric storytelling over sensationalism, focusing on systemic issues, victim narratives, and ethical questions. Here is an exploration of the best true crime documentaries the service has to offer.
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Award-Winning Examinations of Crime and Society
Paramount+ is home to several critically acclaimed documentaries that use true crime as a lens to examine broader societal failures. These are not just whodunits; they are deep dives into the “why” and “how” such tragedies occur.
Attica (2021)
Topping any list of essential viewing is Attica, the 2021 feature documentary directed by Traci Curry and Stanley Nelson . The film revisits the 1971 Attica Correctional Facility riot, one of the largest and most violent prison uprisings in American history. Prisoners, demanding basic human rights and an end to brutal treatment, took over the prison and negotiated for four days. The documentary meticulously chronicles these events through first-hand accounts from inmates, journalists, and officials who were there. The film’s power lies in its unflinching look at the violence and systemic racism within the prison system, culminating in the tragic final day when law enforcement stormed the facility, leaving 43 people dead—39 of them at the hands of the authorities . Nominated for an Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature and holding a perfect 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, Attica is a monumental achievement in documentary filmmaking .
We Need to Talk About Cosby (2022)
Another landmark series is the four-part We Need to Talk About Cosby, created and produced by W. Kamau Bell . This series is a masterclass in how to handle a complex cultural catastrophe. It doesn’t just catalog the crimes of Bill Cosby; it forces a necessary and painful reckoning with his legacy. The documentary brilliantly juxtaposes Cosby’s role as “America’s Dad” on The Cosby Show—a figure who broke barriers and uplifted Black representation—with the devastating accounts of the dozens of women he sexually assaulted over decades . By interviewing survivors, comedians, and journalists, Bell creates a space to explore the cognitive dissonance of loving the art while condemning the artist. The series won a Peabody Award and boasts a 99% critic score on Rotten Tomatoes .
Murder in Big Horn (2023)
Murder in Big Horn is a three-part series that shines a necessary light on the crisis of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW) in rural Montana . Directed by Oglala Lakota/Diné filmmaker Razelle Benally and Matthew Galkin, the series gives voice to the families and communities fighting for justice in the face of systemic neglect. It personalizes a devastating statistic—that on some reservations, Native women face murder rates more than ten times the national average—by telling the specific stories of women who have gone missing or been killed . The series won a News & Documentary Emmy Award for its outstanding cinematography, which captures the stark beauty of the Montana landscape against which these tragedies unfold .
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Deep Dives into Specific Cases
For viewers who prefer a granular look at a single, complex case, the platform offers several excellent multi-part series.
Murder in the Bayou (2019)
This five-part series, directed by Matthew Galkin and based on the book by Ethan Brown, investigates the unsolved murders of eight women in Jefferson Davis Parish, Louisiana, between 2005 and 2009 . Known as the “Jeff Davis 8,” the case is a murky and frustrating investigation. Murder in the Bayou excels not just in laying out the facts, but in immersing the viewer in the atmosphere of the community itself—a place of deep-seated secrets, alleged police corruption, and a pervasive sense of fear and mistrust. The series is praised for its empathy towards the victims and its dogged investigative journalism .
The 12th Victim (2023)
The 1958 Nebraska crime spree of Charles Starkweather is legendary, but The 12th Victim, a four-part series directed by Nicola Marsh, reframes the entire narrative . The documentary focuses on Caril Ann Fugate, Starkweather’s 14-year-old girlfriend. While history has often painted her as a willing accomplice, this series explores the compelling argument that she was, in fact, his twelfth victim—a child held hostage and terrorized into compliance. Through interviews and dramatic reenactments, the series probes themes of manipulation, culpability, and the media’s rush to judgment .
Spector (2022)
Spector is a four-part series that examines the life and trial of legendary music producer Phil Spector, following the 2003 death of actress Lana Clarkson in his mansion . Directed by Don Argott and Sheena M. Joyce, the documentary distinguishes itself by refusing to let Clarkson become a footnote in Spector’s story. By interviewing Clarkson’s mother, Donna, and Spector’s daughter, Nicole, the film “walks the tightrope between sensitive and salacious,” as The Guardian noted, ensuring that the focus remains on the victim and the devastating impact of the crime .
The Fire That Took Her (2022)
This is perhaps one of the most difficult but essential watches on the entire service. The Fire That Took Her, directed by Patricia E. Gillespie, tells the story of Judy Malinowski, a 33-year-old mother of two who was doused with gasoline and set on fire by her ex-boyfriend in 2015 . Judy survived the attack for two years, suffering burns on over 90% of her body, and in that time, she made history by testifying in her own murder trial. The documentary uses Judy’s own hospital-bed testimony and footage of her daughters to create what The New York Times called “an unflinching portrait of pain” . It’s a raw and powerful indictment of the failures of the system to protect women from domestic violence. It won a News & Documentary Emmy Award .
The New Wave: Modern Perspectives (2024-2025)
Paramount+ continues to add to its library with contemporary releases that tackle the genre from fresh angles.
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Outcry (2020)
Though released a few years ago, Outcry remains a standout example of the miscarriage-of-justice subgenre. This five-part series tells the gripping story of Greg Kelley, a Texas high school football star who was wrongly convicted of sexually assaulting a young boy and sentenced to 25 years in prison . Filmmaker Pat Kondelis meticulously unravels the case, exposing a deeply flawed investigation and prosecution. The series is an addictive and infuriating look at a justice system that seemed more concerned with securing a conviction than finding the truth. It holds an 89% score on Rotten Tomatoes .
Predators (2025)
One of the most talked-about releases of late 2025 is the documentary film Predators, directed by David Osit . This film takes a meta look at the true crime genre itself by examining the legacy of the NBC series To Catch a Predator. Osit poses challenging ethical questions about the show that ran from 2004 to 2007: Was it a public service or a form of entertainment built on public humiliation? Was law enforcement using the TV program, or was the program using law enforcement? . The film features interviews with host Chris Hansen, decoy actors, and critics, and also explores the more unhinged world of modern-day vigilante streamers it inspired. While some critics have argued the film is overly sympathetic to the perpetrators, its central questions about media ethics are undeniably timely .
#Cybersleuths: The Idaho Murders (2023)
This three-part documentary is a fascinating and often unsettling look at the intersection of social media and criminal investigation . #Cybersleuths: The Idaho Murders examines the case of the 2022 murders of four University of Idaho students through the lens of the online amateur sleuths who tried to solve it on TikTok and other platforms. The series features interviews with these internet detectives, showing how their efforts both helped spread information and hindered the official investigation by fueling rampant speculation and rumor. It’s a must-watch for anyone interested in how true crime fandom is evolving in the digital age .
Active Shooter: America Under Fire (2021)
This eight-part docuseries takes a somber and respectful approach to one of America’s most painful topics: mass shootings . Rather than focusing on the perpetrators or advocating for specific policy changes, Active Shooter: America Under Fire centers the stories of survivors, first responders, and victims’ families. Each episode explores a different shooting, humanizing a subject often reduced to statistics and aiming to foster a more nuanced conversation about the epidemic. With a 96% Rotten Tomatoes score, it is recognized for its sensitive and impactful approach .
PD True (2024)
For a procedural twist, PD True offers a different perspective by telling stories of crime through the accounts of the police officers who worked the cases . Released in August 2024, each episode features interviews with the detectives and first responders directly involved, providing insight into the challenges and emotional toll of their work. While it may follow a familiar format for true crime veterans, it distinguishes itself by concluding each episode with a tribute to the victims, ensuring they are remembered .
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Conclusion: Quality Over Quantity
While Paramount+ may not have the sheer volume of true crime content as some competitors, its library is carefully curated, with a strong emphasis on quality, empathy, and journalistic integrity. From the Oscar-nominated power of Attica to the ethical quandaries of Predators and the heart-wrenching intimacy of The Fire That Took Her, the platform offers a wealth of documentaries that respect the victims and challenge the viewer to think more deeply about crime and its consequences. For the true crime aficionado seeking substance over sensationalism, Paramount+ provides an essential and compelling slate of programming.
