What makes the best true crime documentaries so addictive that 84% of Americans watch these stories? At Voice123, where you can hire narrators for crime documentaries, we know that gripping storytelling comes down to how the story is told.
In this post, we’ll cover the best true crime documentaries 2025 and how you can be inspired to create new crime documentaries!
What are true crime documentaries?
A true crime documentary is a film or series that investigates real-life crimes, from murders and kidnappings to frauds and cults. Unlike fictional dramas, a true crime docuseries uses real footage, survivor interviews, re-enactments, and narration to craft a compelling story.
This combination of fact, suspense, and storytelling hooks viewers the same way a thriller might, but with the added intensity of knowing that the events really happened. For true crime documentary filmmakers, narration is everything. A skilled voice actor from Voice123 can add emotional depth to true crime stories.
The best true crime documentaries 2025
1. American Murder: Gabby Petito
This true crime documentary revisits the tragic story of Gabby Petito, whose disappearance and death dominated global headlines. The series examines how digital and forensic evidence helped solve the case.
One of the most haunting true crime docuseries of 2025, this show investigates the mysterious disappearance of Amy Bradley, who vanished from a cruise ship in 1998.
3. Cold Case: The Tylenol Murders
This crime documentary explores the chilling 1982 Tylenol poisonings, a case that terrified the nation. The true crime docuseries revisits unanswered questions that persist almost 40 years later.
This true crime docuseries revisits a brutal unsolved crime in Austin, Texas, where four teenage girls were murdered in 1991. The series examines why justice has remained elusive, from wrongful convictions to conflicting reports.
5. Ted Bundy: Dialogue with the Devil
This new true crime documentary gives audiences a chilling look into taped conversations between Ted Bundy and investigators. The series highlights the psychological battles between him and the investigators who tried to decode his confessions.
The best true crime documentaries 2024
This true crime series centers around a terrifying kidnapping story that police once dismissed as a hoax. Survivor accounts and gripping narration make this story unforgettable.
2. Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV
This exposé highlights disturbing truths behind popular children’s shows with narration that balances empathy and outrage to captivate audiences.
3. The Program: Cons, Cults and Kidnapping
This shocking look at the troubled teen industry is told through survivor testimonies and real footage, making it one of the best new true crime documentaries.
4. BTK: Confession of a Serial Killer
Interviews and police reports uncover chilling details from the notorious BTK killer investigation and the events that led to his capture, creating one of the best new crime documentaries.
5. Jared from Subway: Catching a Monster
This crime documentary reveals how determined investigators brought down one of America’s most unexpected predators.
The best true crime documentaries on Netflix
Netflix is one of the best producers of true crime documentaries and true crime docuseries. Here are the top picks to inspre your next type of documentary.
Season 2 features four new cases of roommates with dark secrets and chilling pasts. These true crime documentaries have a 100% Rotten Tomatoes rating for their powerful storytelling.
2. Dancing for the Devil: The 7M TikTok Cult
This true crime docuseries investigates how a dance management company and its affiliated church isolated and controlled young dancers on social media.
A three-episode deep dive into a 2015 kidnapping case, which was initially dismissed as a hoax, is told through honest interviews and archival footage.
4. American Murder: Laci Peterson
This true crime docuseries revisits the high-profile 2002 murder, using interviews and case footage to uncover unique details of the investigation.
5. American Conspiracy: The Octopus Murders
These true crime documentaries follow the mysterious death of journalist Danny Casolaro. The investigative storytelling makes it one of the best true crime documentaries on Netflix.
Why are true crime documentaries so popular?
The popularity of true crime documentaries comes down to three factors:
- Blending suspense with reality: Unlike fictional crime dramas, true crime docuseries carry a unique intensity because they’re real and allow viewers to get involved with events that really happened.
- Narration that hooks audiences: A good narrator is crucial to the success of true crime documentaries because they create tension and keep audiences engaged. Many filmmakers hire professionals from Voice123 to capture the perfect tone.
- Psychological curiosity: Viewers are fascinated by the “why” behind crimes. Crime documentaries provide context through experts, survivors, and narrators.
- Streaming culture: Platforms like Netflix and Hulu churn out binge-worthy true crime series faster than ever because they’re faster and cheaper to produce than fictional content.
- Community conversations: These true crime documentaries spark discussions, podcasts, and online theories which keeps the story alive long after the events take place.
How to make true crime documentaries
Creating a true crime documentary is more than just piecing together interviews and police reports. The best true crime docuseries succeed because they balance storytelling, accuracy, and atmosphere. Here’s a deeper breakdown of how to make compelling true crime documentaries:
1. Research and investigate thoroughly
Every great true crime documentary starts with solid research. This means:
- Reviewing court records, police files, and media coverage.
- Interviewing survivors, investigators, or journalists.
- Fact-checking timelines and events to avoid sensationalism.
This groundwork ensures your crime documentary is credible and impactful.
2. Structure the narrative
A strong narrative arc is the difference between a standard report and a gripping true crime series. Use storyboarding to map:
- Key scenes (crime discovery, investigation, aftermath).
- Character focus (victim, perpetrator, investigators, family).
- Narration points where a voice actor explains evidence or transitions.
This planning keeps your true crime docuseries flowing like a suspense film while remaining factual.
3. Choose the right narration style
Narration can make or break a documentary. Many of the best crime documentaries use narration to:
- Clarify confusing evidence.
- Build suspense before reveals.
- Humanize victims and survivors.
Hiring a professional narrator from Voice123 ensures your true crime documentary has the right emotional balance.
4. Combine interviews with re-enactments.
A mix of storytelling elements keeps true crime shows engaging:
- Firsthand interviews with witnesses, survivors, and experts.
- Re-enactments for visual drama (especially effective when paired with narration).
- Archival material like 911 calls, news clips, and court recordings.
Each of these elements can tie the pieces of an investigation together seamlessly, creating some of the best crime documentaries.
5. Create the right audio atmosphere
Silence, suspenseful music, and sharp sound cues all influence how viewers feel. For instance:
- A chilling pause before revealing evidence.
- Echo effects to mimic interrogation rooms.
- Layered narration over tense music to amplify suspense.
6. Prioritize ethical storytelling
Unlike fictional thrillers, true crime docuseries involve real people and tragedies. So always:
- Protect the dignity of victims and survivors.
- Avoid glorifying the crimes.
- Use narration to guide empathy, not just shock.
This ethical approach builds audience trust and makes your crime documentary more impactful.
7. Maintain suspense and clarity
The best true crime documentaries use pacing, narration, and visuals to keep viewers hooked.
Pro tip: End episodes of a true crime series with cliffhangers or unresolved questions, just like Netflix does with its biggest true crime docuseries.
Final Thoughts
From the best true crime documentaries 2024 to 2025, these stories are the future of documentaries.
Whether you’re watching the latest true crime docuseries on Netflix or planning your own crime documentary, remember that narration transforms information into gripping storytelling.
Work with professional narrators on Voice123 to make your story unforgettable. Post your next documentary project today!
FAQs
American Nightmare and Dancing for the Devil rank as some of the best true crime documentaries 2025.
American Murder and Night Stalker are the best true crime documentaries on Netflix in 2025.
Burden of Proof and A Body in the Snow are some of the best true crime documentaries on HBO Max.
One Night in Idaho: The College Murders and Cold Case Files are considered the best true crime documentaries on Prime Video.
