John and Patsy Ramsey, the parents of JonBenet Ramsey, at a media callout in 1997
(Image: GETTY)True crime fanatics looking for something to send a chill down their spines should look no further than our top picks. There are plenty of documentaries on offer to stream over the Christmas period from Netflix to Amazon Prime.
Though many true crime documentaries and docuseries tell a cautionary tale, they are not for the faint hearted.
From a catfish, jailbird lovers on the run, to an inside look into the shocking murder of JonBenét Ramsey there are a several shows for you to tune into during the festive season.
But with so many streaming services to choose from, and numerous options on each platform, it can be hard to narrow down what to watch.
Among mysterious murders, to financial crimes, cults and serial killers, Express Online have whittled down the list for some of the best true crime documentaries.
Here are top 10 true crime documentaries to stream right now
10. Sweet Bobby: My Catfish Nightmare
My Catfish Nightmare is a British true crime documentary where a woman's online courtship takes an unsettling turn after a dark secret is exposed, leading to a harrowing ordeal.
The Netflix film comes after Tortoise Media’s 2021 multi-part podcast series, which exposed the inner workings of “one of the world’s most sophisticated catfishers.”
The former radio presenter, who was duped for nearly a decade, recounts the trauma in the candid documentary which is brought to you by the makers of the infamous Tinder Swindler.
(Image: Netflix)
9. Dirty Pop: The Boy Band Scam
The 90s was a time of boyband galore for fans across the world and Lou Pearlman was the puppet master behind some of the biggest groups - including Backstreet Boys, NSYNC and O-Town.
Despite reaching the heights of fame, this three-episode Netflix docuseries delves into the rise and fall of Pearlman — who pleaded guilty to conspiracy, money laundering and other crimes before he died in 2016.
(Image: GETTY)
8. Fanatical: The Catfishing of Tegan and Sara
Indie rock duo Tegan and Sara built a global community on inclusivity and passion arond their music.
But their safe space turned into a nightmare when Tegan Quin's personal files were stolen in 2011 and used in an elaborate catfishing scheme that left fans stalked and terrorised for more than a decade.
Now, in this Hulu whodunnit documentary, Tegan sets out to find the culprit.
(Image: HULU)
7. American Murder: Laci Peterson
When Laci Peterson went missing from her California home on Christmas Eve 2002, while eight months pregnant, her family immediately launched a campaign to find her.
Her body was discovered months later, just one day after the remains of her unborn child, Conner, were found. Despite his claims of innocence, her husband, Scott Peterson, was convicted of her murder in 2004.
While the Petersons’ ordeal quickly became national news, American Murder: Laci Peterson reexamines the case and the media frenzy that surrounded it.
This three-part Netflix docuseries paints a fuller picture of Laci's life and untimely death, featuring rare interviews with her mother Sharon Rocha, and Scott's former mistress, Amber Frey.
(Image: GETTY)
