10 Best True Crime Documentaries On HBO Max

Most streaming services offer documentaries, but HBO Max really stands out with its true crime collection. True crime documentaries can be tricky – it’s hard to strike a balance between being informative and being exploitative, which makes it a particularly sensitive genre. Despite this, true crime continues to become more and more popular.

There are tons of documentaries available on streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, and Apple TV, but HBO Max has become known for having some of the best true crime content. Their documentaries don’t just recount well-known cases – they often offer new perspectives and push for justice, going above and beyond what you’d expect.

Chowchilla

A Look At The 1976 Kidnapping Of A Packed School Bus

The shocking true story of the Chowchilla kidnapping is surprisingly straightforward: three men abducted a school bus, holding 26 children and their driver captive in a hidden underground bunker. They intended to demand a $5 million ransom, but the older students and the driver, Frank Edward “Ed” Ray, managed to escape on their own.

Once the 27 people who were kidnapped were safely rescued, those responsible were swiftly arrested and punished. However, the survivors continued to struggle with many unanswered questions and lasting emotional scars. Thankfully, all of the children involved survived, but the event had a deep and long-lasting impact on everyone affected, continuing even after 1976.

The Yogurt Shop Murders

A Chilling Cold Case From 1991 That Haunted Austin, Texas

When the documentary The Yogurt Shop Murders came out, the case remained unsolved and deeply unsettling. Back in 1991, four teenagers were killed in a horrific attack at an I Can’t Believe It’s Yogurt! shop in Austin, Texas, and the perpetrator then set the building on fire. For many years afterward, the families of the victims continued to grieve without answers.

The documentary wasn’t really about the crime itself, but the deep sadness and long-term effects it caused. Director Margaret Brown intentionally avoided sensationalizing the case with dramatic recreations or focusing on the mystery. Instead, she wanted to explore how the crime continued to affect people’s lives. Fortunately, a few months later, detectives were able to identify the killer using DNA evidence, finally bringing some relief and answers to those impacted.

I Love You, Now Die: The Commonwealth V. Michelle Carter

A Nuanced Reflection Of A Precedent-Setting Court Case

Most true crime documentaries focus on the mystery of unsolved crimes, but rarely show what happens after a crime is solved. The documentary I Love You, Now Die: The Commonwealth V. Michelle Carter is different – it spends a large part of its time detailing the court case itself.

In 2014, Conrad Roy died by suicide, but evidence from text messages and phone calls revealed that Michelle Carter had encouraged him to go through with it. This case significantly impacted how the public and legal system understand responsibility and involvement in actions when they happen online.

Murdaugh Murders: Deadly Dynasty

One Of The Best Documentaries Based On The High-Profile Murders

The Murdaugh family story has been told in several documentaries and TV series, with another dramatization coming to Hulu in 2025. However, Murdaugh Murders: Deadly Dynasty offers a particularly detailed look at Alex Murdaugh’s life and the crimes he’s accused of, including theft and unsolved murders that are now being investigated.

The three-part documentary series explores the deaths of Maggie and Paul Murdaugh by looking at the larger story of the Murdaugh family – a family with a long and complicated history of alleged crimes, including cover-ups, money laundering, and fraud. While the Murdaughs have attracted public attention for years, Murdaugh Murders: Deadly Dynasty provides a comprehensive overview for those new to the case.

The Matthew Shepard Story: An American Hate Crime

A Tragedy That Nobody Should Forget

Many murders happen without an obvious reason, and even knowing why someone was killed doesn’t lessen the tragedy. The murder of Matthew Shepard, a 21-year-old student at the University of Wyoming, is a heartbreaking example. He was robbed, severely beaten, and left to die, tied to a fence. Tragically, the main reason he was targeted was his sexual orientation.

Although it took far too long, Matthew Shepard’s tragic death was a turning point in the passage of the federal Hate Crimes Prevention Act, which also honors James Byrd Jr. His parents channeled their grief into creating the Matthew Shepard Foundation, dedicating their lives to fighting for LGBTQ+ rights. While some good came from this tragedy, it’s a painful reminder that progress should never require someone to lose their life.

Love Has Won: The Cult of Mother God

One Of The Most Bizarre Phenomenons Of The Past Two Decades

People often think of true crime as just stories about murder, but the genre actually covers a lot more ground and can be surprisingly informative. While we see many documentaries about historical cults, it’s rare for journalists to investigate groups that are currently operating. The documentary Love Has Won: The Cult of Mother God is a notable exception to this.

This three-part series explores the life and death of Amy Carlson, who founded the Love Has Won religious group. Over ten years, Carlson gained a large following and promoted numerous conspiracy theories, including false claims about events like the Sandy Hook shooting, the Holocaust, and the COVID-19 pandemic.

Mommy Dead and Dearest

An Introspective Take On One Of The Most Familiar True-Crime Stories

The case of Dee Dee Blanchard’s murder is well-known, especially thanks to the documentary Mommy Dead and Dearest. Released just a few years after Dee Dee died, the film explored why her daughter, Gypsy Rose Blanchard, committed the crime, suggesting it was due to years of abuse caused by her mother’s Munchausen Syndrome by proxy.

For years, people have been fascinated by the complicated details of the Gypsy Rose Blanchard case. Unlike most true crime stories that lead to a single film, this case sparked several TV series, such as Hulu’s The Act and Lifetime’s Love You to Death. Although the documentary Mommy Dead and Dearest wasn’t flawless, it significantly shaped how the Blanchard family is remembered.

I’ll Be Gone in the Dark

A Dedicated True Crime Author Latches Onto The Golden State Killer Case

It’s common for criminals to receive more attention than the investigators and law enforcement who work to catch them. However, the book I’ll Be Gone in the Dark shifts the focus to Michelle McNamara, the author who dedicated years to finding the Golden State Killer, driven in part by her own experience as a survivor of sexual assault.

As a true crime buff, I was so moved by the story of the Golden State Killer case, and it really struck me how much Michelle McNamara contributed to finally solving it. It’s incredibly sad she didn’t live to see the capture and conviction, but her dedication was absolutely crucial. It just goes to show you, the truth has a way of coming out, often in the most unexpected ways – and her story is a bittersweet reminder of that.

There’s Something Wrong With Aunt Diane

A Harrowing Investigation Into One Of New York’s Most Deadly Car Accidents

Even though it first came out in 2011, There’s Something Wrong with Aunt Diane is still considered one of HBO’s most compelling documentaries. The film explores the story of Diane Schuler, who caused the tragic 2009 crash on the Taconic State Parkway. After her minivan collided head-on with another vehicle, the accident resulted in 8 deaths and 3 injuries.

Diane’s husband and sister-in-law didn’t accept the toxicology report showing alcohol and marijuana in her system after the crash, but additional investigation confirmed the original results. This makes the documentary even more heartbreaking, as it reflects how grief often begins with disbelief.

The Jinx: The Life and Deaths of Robert Durst

Arguably The Most Impactful True Crime Documentary Ever Made

Many documentaries explore true crime – some look at what happened before a crime, others at the consequences afterward. But The Jinx: The Life and Deaths of Robert Durst stands out as particularly shocking. What began as a look into several unsolved cases unexpectedly led to a stunning confession, all captured on film.

During a final interview, the documentary’s creator, Andrew Jarecki, showed Robert Durst new evidence that suggested his involvement in the murder of Susan Berman. Durst briefly left the room, not realizing his microphone was still recording, and shockingly confessed to “killing them all.” This crucial evidence, uncovered by the documentary team, directly led to Durst’s arrest and eventual conviction, making the series a groundbreaking true crime documentary on HBO Max.

2026-02-26 17:05