True-crime buffs often point to the thrill of playing armchair detective (see “Don’t F- With Cats”) and the satisfaction of solving a real-life puzzle. Critics of the genre argue that true crime is exploitative and voyeuristic, and there’s no doubt that’s part of its allure. And yes, they’ve also unraveled the twisted tales of heinous murders, heartless scams and wanton corruption for the sake of entertainment.
The filmmakers behind these productions have solved crimes, freed the wrongly accused, exposed the guilty and given voice to victims and survivors. The choices run the gamut in terms of subject matter and tone, tackling all matter of narratives: following the gumshoe detectives of “The First 48,” exposing miscarriages of justice in “Who Killed Malcolm X?,” chronicling crimes so bizarre it’s hard to believe they qualify as true in “Sasquatch.” Here, selected by yours truly and compiled from Times coverage, are 50 of the best true-crime documentary films and TV series you can stream right now. So, like the authorities - at least the honest ones - we’re stepping in to help. From HBO Max to A&E, true-crime programming is more prevalent than illegal weed dispensaries. Cult murders, lottery heists, deadly dating apps, killer clowns: We’re in the midst of a true-crime wave, and television is the culprit.
