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.

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)
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)
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)
The Confession Tapes Poster Image
TV

The Confession Tapes

age 16+

Crime investigation docu has cursing, violent themes.

Network: Netflix (2017)
Dirty John Poster Image
TV

Dirty John

age 15+

True crime podcast turned drama is creepy to the max.

Network: Bravo (2018)
Famous Crime Scene Poster Image
TV

Famous Crime Scene

age 15+

Gritty docuseries resurrects infamous crimes.

Network: VH1 (2010)
The FBI Files Poster Image
TV

The FBI Files

age 15+

Gripping but graphic: Real crimes solved here.

Network: Discovery Channel (1998)
How to Get Away with Murder Poster Image
TV

How to Get Away with Murder

age 15+

Tense legal procedural is steamy with some violence.

Network: ABC (2014)
Law & Order True Crime: The Menendez Murders Poster Image
MOVIE

Law & Order True Crime: The Menendez Murders

age 15+

The 'Law & Order' formula gets an OK true-crime makeover.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 2017)
The Lizzie Borden Chronicles Poster Image
TV

The Lizzie Borden Chronicles

age 15+

Grisly gore and violence in reimagining of murderer's life.

Network: Lifetime (2015)
Love & Death TV show: close-up of a woman (Elizabeth Olsen) with speckles of blood on her hands
TV

Love & Death

age 15+

Suburban true crime features sexual situations.

Network: HBO (2023)