If You Loved ‘Monster: The Ed Gein Story ’, Watch These 15 Similar Shows on Netflix

If you enjoyed the detailed and investigative style of ‘Monster: The Ed Gein Story’ and are a true crime enthusiast, you’ll have lots to explore on Netflix. The streaming service offers a vast collection of series that delve into real-life investigations, using historical documents and showcasing how detectives and experts solve crimes. While many shows center on serial killers, others examine the larger context of violent crime and the process of investigating it.

This collection features both documentary and fictionalized series that follow the stories of criminals, those they’ve impacted, and the people who investigate them, spanning various time periods and locations. You’ll discover shows built around interviews, productions relying heavily on archival footage, and carefully constructed case analyses that dissect timelines, evidence, and key moments in investigations. Each series was selected because it prioritizes confirmed facts, original sources, and thorough investigation – qualities that made ‘Monster: The Ed Gein Story’ so captivating.

‘Dahmer – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story’ (2022– )

This dramatic series retells the story of the Milwaukee case by examining police files, court documents, and what neighbors have shared. It pieces together key moments in the investigation and any shortcomings in the process, using only information that is already publicly available – like details about the arrest and what happened during the trial.

As a total movie buff, I’ve noticed how this show brilliantly lays out the events in order. It really builds the story by showing us exactly *where* things happened and *when*, using actual locations and a clear timeline. What I find especially compelling is how it mixes together official reports, the heartbreaking stories of people affected, and the final results in court – it shows you the whole journey of the case, from the very first concerns raised all the way to a conviction. It’s a really effective way to tell a true crime story and keep you hooked. I’m completely invested! It’s masterful storytelling, honestly.

‘Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story’ (2024)

This piece in the collection focuses on the Beverly Hills case, utilizing court transcripts, interviews with those involved, and evidence presented in court to follow the events, starting from the night the crime occurred and continuing through the well-known trials. The story also includes verified details about the family’s background and financial information that was available in the official court documents.

Each episode follows the standard steps of a legal case, including the defense’s arguments, the prosecution’s evidence, and the judge’s decisions. The show presents recorded phone calls and pieces of interviews, along with how events unfolded chronologically, to illustrate how detectives built their understanding of the crime.

‘Catching Killers’ (2021– )

This documentary series follows detectives and forensic experts as they detail their investigations, explaining each step of the process. Every episode combines interviews, historical video, crime scene photos, and visual maps to show viewers how suspects were found and evidence was analyzed. It’s a detailed look at real cases.

The show explores various criminal cases from different legal areas, frequently showcasing the use of innovative methods such as DNA profiling and geographic analysis. It focuses on how investigative teams worked together, obtaining warrants, conducting surveillance, and utilizing lab analysis to turn initial clues into evidence that could be used in court.

‘Conversations with a Killer: The Ted Bundy Tapes’ (2019)

This series centers on lengthy audio recordings and uses the subject’s interviews, along with news clips, police documents, and court videos. It pieces together their known travels across several states, linking these movements to reports and investigative details from that time.

As a movie lover, I was really impressed with how this production laid everything out. They used maps, dates, and even official documents to clearly show how things unfolded and how certain patterns started to appear. It wasn’t just about *what* happened, but *how* it all connected. They also went into detail about how different agencies worked together – the jurisdictional coordination and evidence sharing – and how that ultimately helped them build a solid case. It really highlighted how important teamwork was in solving everything.

‘Conversations with a Killer: The John Wayne Gacy Tapes’ (2022)

This series combines old recordings with photos, search documents, and personal accounts to revisit the investigation that took place in the Chicago suburbs. It shows how investigators first approached the crime scene and details the steps they took to dig for and identify evidence.

Each episode details the process of obtaining warrants, searching for missing people based on reports filed, and gathering forensic evidence. The story highlights how city and state law enforcement worked together to organize evidence and develop their cases.

‘Night Stalker: The Hunt for a Serial Killer’ (2021)

As a critic, I found this docuseries to be a compelling reconstruction of the Los Angeles investigation. It really draws you in by letting you hear directly from the lead detectives who worked the case, as well as surviving witnesses and the reporters who were there covering it all. What’s particularly effective is how it uses actual location footage, original composite sketches, and crime scene photos to build a really detailed timeline of events. It’s not just talking heads; it *shows* you what happened and when.

The series details the organization of the task forces, the handling of received information, and how examining bullets and footprints helped identify the suspect. It also records the safety precautions taken to protect the public and the updates provided to the media during the search.

‘The Ripper’ (2020)

This series centers on the Yorkshire case and draws from police records, news reports from the time, and conversations with those who worked on the investigation and lived in the area. It details the locations searched and the choices investigators made as the case unfolded.

Each episode details the process of creating and narrowing down lists of suspects, and how differing stories from witnesses influenced where resources were sent. It also looks at how false information caused problems and the key pieces of evidence that ultimately resulted in an arrest.

‘The Sons of Sam: A Descent into Darkness’ (2021)

This series takes a fresh look at the New York case using old news footage, police records, and the notes from private investigators. It presents the established facts of the case and then details different theories that were explored beyond the official investigation.

The episodes feature interviews, letters, and official documents to separate confirmed events from those that are debated. They demonstrate how evidence in each case was structured and how requests made under freedom of information laws helped build the publicly available record.

‘The Raincoat Killer: Chasing a Predator in Korea’ (2021)

This Korean documentary series pieces together the investigation using real police interviews, realistic reenactments based on official case records, and footage from the actual locations. It explains how detectives used surveillance, went undercover, and analyzed forensic evidence to ultimately find and arrest the suspect.

The show lays out exactly what happened, from how the crime scene was investigated to what the media reported and how the public was informed. It details the legal procedures available to investigators and explains how those tools were used during the search.

‘I Am a Killer’ (2018– )

As a total cinema devotee, I’m really fascinated by this series. It’s built around interviews with people who are in prison, where they talk directly about what happened in their cases. But it doesn’t just stop there – it also gives you the bigger picture by including insights from the people involved – the investigators, the lawyers, and even their families. What I really appreciate is how it backs up those personal stories with actual evidence – things like official records, photos, and documents from the court. It’s a really comprehensive look, going beyond just what people remember. You can even find more information about the cases online.

Each episode connects individual stories with official court documents and records to explain the legal situation surrounding the case. It details the sentencing process, how appeals work, and whether someone is eligible for parole, according to the records kept by the appropriate legal authorities.

‘Making a Murderer’ (2015–2018)

This detailed docuseries examines a case from Wisconsin, covering everything from the initial police investigation to appeals after the trial. It features primary source materials – like depositions, court transcripts, evidence presented in court, and interviews with the lawyers involved – to illustrate how the legal strategies developed and changed over time. It provides a comprehensive look at the case’s progression through the legal system.

This system monitors project schedules, including deadlines, exchanged information, and legal decisions. It also records requests for forensic analysis, details of expert witness statements, and the necessary paperwork for handling appeals and legal filings.

‘Mindhunter’ (2017–2019)

This fictionalized series takes inspiration from the real history of how the FBI developed behavioral analysis techniques. The show features interviews that are based on established, published methods, and the storylines are built around actual case studies that helped shape the beginnings of criminal profiling.

Episodes show how investigators gathered information by creating profiles, carrying out interviews in prisons, and working with local police forces. The show presents the facts of each case using interview transcripts, summaries of evidence, and the theories investigators developed while working on the ground.

‘The Confession Killer’ (2019)

This documentary series investigates the confessions of Henry Lee Lucas by looking at recordings of his interrogations, official court records, and news coverage from the time. It follows the process of how his statements were recorded, documented, and checked against open, unsolved crimes in various states.

The series explains how investigators checked if statements made by suspects matched up with the actual evidence. It also shows how cases were officially closed and then reviewed later if any problems or contradictions came to light. Learn more about the process.

‘Crime Scene: The Vanishing at the Cecil Hotel’ (2021)

This series follows the investigation of a missing person connected to a hotel in downtown Los Angeles. It brings together surveillance footage, interviews, and official documents to show how detectives developed and focused on different clues.

The episodes detail the search methods, schedules, and teamwork between agencies that guided the investigation. They also illustrate how what people were doing online connected with the formal inquiry, and how officials responded to what the public was saying and guessing.

‘Crime Scene: The Times Square Killer’ (2021)

This episode examines a string of murders that took place in New York City. It pieces together the events using original case files, news reports from the time, and interviews with the investigators involved to create a detailed timeline. The program places the crimes within their actual locations and recreates the investigative process using verified evidence.

I was really impressed with how this series broke down the detective work. It clearly showed me how they connected seemingly unrelated events, carefully handled the physical evidence, and worked hand-in-hand with the prosecutors. What I found most compelling was seeing the entire process laid out – from the initial surveillance, through gathering witness statements, and finally, the crucial forensic testing – all of which ultimately built the case and led to charges being filed. It’s a fascinating look at how investigations unfold.

If we left out any true crime shows you love, please tell us in the comments! We want other readers to be able to discover new favorites, so share your recommendations.

2025-10-04 17:47