7 Best True Crime Documentaries Streaming on Paramount+

While Paramount+ doesn’t have a huge number of true crime documentaries compared to some other streaming services, it still offers several excellent options. Between original documentaries from Paramount+ and Showtime – both available on the platform – you can find some truly compelling true crime content. Though the selection isn’t as wide-ranging, the quality is definitely there.

I’ve been really impressed with the true-crime documentaries Showtime has been putting on Paramount+. They’ve released a lot of them over the last few years, and I’ve checked out quite a few. What I appreciate most is that each one feels really well-researched and has something meaningful to say. They don’t just present the facts; they really dig into the issues and ask tough questions, which makes them totally captivating and important to watch.

Here are 7 of the best true crime documentaries streaming on Paramount+ right now.

‘Spector’ (2022)

Phil Spector was a highly influential American music producer and songwriter who rose to fame in the 1960s, working with many popular musicians. However, his life took a tragic turn in 2003 when actress Lana Clarkson, known for her role in *The Haunting of Morella*, was found dead at his California home. The investigation uncovered a pattern of violent behavior towards women, leading to Spector’s arrest and 2007 trial for Clarkson’s murder.

Remembering Lana Clarkson

The four-part Showtime limited series, *Spector*, created by Don Argott and Sheena M. Joyce – the team behind *The Bond* – delves into the disturbing evolution of Phil Spector’s behavior and his connection with Lana Clarkson. Through interviews with friends and media figures, as well as Nicole Spector (Phil’s daughter) and Donna Clarkson (Lana’s mother), the documentary navigates a delicate balance between respect and sensationalism, consistently prioritizing the story of Lana Clarkson, as noted by Leila Latif in *The Guardian*.

‘The Fire That Took Her’ (2022)

Judy Malinowski, a 33-year-old Ohio mother of two, had previously struggled with opiate use. When she began a relationship with Michael Slager, she started using drugs again, and he even provided them to her as a way to control her. Their relationship became increasingly difficult, leading to frequent arguments. In 2015, during a fight at a gas station, Michael Slager doused Judy in gasoline and set her on fire. Remarkably, Judy survived and became the first person ever to testify in her own attempted murder trial.

Judy Malinowski’s Life and Legacy

Judy tragically suffered burns over 90% of her body and passed away in 2017. The documentary *The Fire That Took Her*, directed by Patricia E. Gillespie (known for *The Called Him Mostly Harmless*), explores the troubled relationship between Judy and her abuser, as well as the details of the trial. It also features hospital footage of Judy and shows the impact on her daughters, creating what *The New York Times* described as a raw and honest depiction of suffering. The film received a Gracie Award for Gillespie and a News & Documentary Emmy Award for Outstanding Crime and Justice Documentary.

‘We Need to Talk About Cosby’ (2022)

Bill Cosby was a hugely popular comedian and actor, best known for starring in and co-creating the NBC sitcom *The Cosby Show* from 1984 to 1992. He became a household name, and his character, Cliff Huxtable, was a widely admired TV dad. However, starting in the 1960s, accusations of sexual assault began to surface. In 2015, *The Cut* published an article featuring allegations from 35 women, and Cosby was subsequently charged with three counts of aggravated indecent assault.

Exposing a Predator

W. Kamau Bell, host of CNN’s *United Shades of America*, created and directed *We Need to Talk About Cosby*, a four-part documentary series. The series examines Bill Cosby’s career and the allegations of sexual assault against him, featuring interviews with survivors, comedians, and journalists. It has received critical acclaim, winning a Peabody Award and the International Documentary Association Award for Best Multi-Part Documentary. It was also nominated for four Primetime Emmy Awards and holds a 99% ‘Fresh’ rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

‘Murder in the Bayou’ (2019)

Between 2005 and 2009, eight women were murdered in Jefferson Davis Parish, Louisiana, and people began to suspect the killings were connected, referring to the victims as the “Jeff Davis 8.” Ethan Brown’s 2016 book, *Murder in the Bayou: Who Killed the Women Known as the Jeff Davis 8,* details the investigation into these deaths. That book served as the basis for the five-part Showtime documentary *Murder in the Bayou*, directed by Matthew Galkin (known for *One Night in Idaho: The College Murders*). The documentary features interviews with the victims’ loved ones, journalists, and law enforcement officers, some of whom had been working on the case for a decade.

Inside Jefferson Davis Parish

The series thoroughly examines the case, offering viewers a disturbing look at a complex and often-ignored investigation. According to Daniel Fienberg of *The Hollywood Reporter*, the show is more than just entertainment; its dedication to understanding the community, the crimes, and the human stories involved gives these voices a valuable platform. It’s a documentary that truly immerses itself in the local community, and the investigation itself is captivating.

‘The 12th Victim’ (2023)

In 1958, 14-year-old Caril Ann Fugate found herself at the center of a shocking crime spree in Lincoln, Nebraska. Her boyfriend, 19-year-old Charles Starkweather, had already killed one person the previous year when he murdered Caril’s mother, stepfather, and young sister. This sparked a widespread search as the pair went on to kill seven more people. After their arrest, it was unclear whether Fugate was being held against her will or was involved in the crimes. Ultimately, she was convicted of first-degree murder and received a life sentence. The story served as a loose basis for the 1973 film *Badlands*.

Accomplice or Victim?

The four-part Showtime documentary series, The 12th Victim, directed by Nicola Marsh (known for Child Star), re-examines the story of Caril Fugate, who was 13 when her relationship with Charles Starkweather began. The series proposes that Fugate may have been Starkweather’s twelfth victim, rather than an accomplice. Through interviews and dramatic recreations, it explores whether she was a willing participant or another target of Starkweather’s manipulation and violence. According to director Nicola Marsh, in an interview with The Guardian, the series is about more than just the crime itself; it’s about understanding how someone can become complicit and who bears responsibility.

‘Murder in Big Horn’ (2023)

Native and Indigenous women have experienced shockingly high levels of violence for nearly two centuries, and these crimes often go unsolved. The National Indigenous Women’s Resource Center points out that the disappearances and murders of Native women are a major crisis for Tribal communities. In fact, some reservations see murder rates among Native women more than ten times higher than the national average.

Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women

Showtime’s three-part documentary, Murder in Big Horn, investigates the disappearances and deaths of Native American women in rural Montana. The series was directed by Razelle Benally (Oglala Lakota/Diné) and Matthew Galkin, who previously directed Murder in the Bayou. Murder in Big Horn has received critical acclaim, winning a Gracie Award and a News & Documentary Emmy Award for Jeff Hutchens’ cinematography, and was also nominated for a Best New Documentary Series Independent Spirit Award.

‘Attica’ (2021)

In 1971, a major prison uprising occurred at Attica Correctional Facility in New York. The prisoners rioted, protesting mistreatment and abuse by the guards. Talks between the prisoners and authorities continued for four days, but ultimately failed. When police retook the prison, 43 people died, with 39 of those deaths caused by law enforcement.

Racism and the Prison System

Directed by Traci Curry and Stanley Nelson, the documentary *Attica* examines the 1971 Attica Prison uprising. The film uses personal stories from those who experienced the events to reveal the violence and racism present in the prison system. *Attica* has received critical acclaim, including nominations for a Peabody Award and an Academy Award, as well as a win for Outstanding Directorial Achievement from the Directors Guild of America. It currently holds a 100% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

2025-10-09 03:36