Shows Like Real Detective

If you liked Real Detective (2016), a drama and documentary series, here are 20 shows with a similar feel, based on TMDB's recommendations. Each one links to its cast, trailer and where it's streaming.

1
The Vow (2020)
★ 7.1/10Also documentary and crime
The docuseries follows people deeply involved in the group NXIVM — which is faced with various charges, including sex trafficking and racketeering conspiracy — over the course of several years.
2
Conversations with a Killer: The Jeffrey Dahmer Tapes (2022)
★ 7.8/10Also documentary and crime
Serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer confesses to his gruesome crimes in unguarded interviews, offering an unsettling view into a disturbed mind.
3
Worst Neighbor Ever (2026)
★ 7.4/10Also crime and documentary
This intense documentary series details true stories of neighbors gone bad, from heinous fraud schemes to senseless acts of violent retribution.
4
Trust Me: The False Prophet (2026)
★ 7.5/10Also documentary and crime
In this true-crime documentary, a cult expert and filmmaker infiltrate a polygamist sect to expose a self-proclaimed prophet and bring him to justice.
5
Inside the World's Toughest Prisons (2016)
★ 7/10Also crime and documentary
Crime journalist Raphael Rowe goes behind the bars of some of the world’s most notorious and toughest prisons. Immersing himself in maximum security facilities around the world to live as a prisoner, he encounters the…
6
I AM A KILLER (2018)
★ 6.9/10Also documentary and crime
Death row inmates convicted of capital murder give a firsthand account of their crimes in this documentary series.
7
Homicide Hunter: Lt Joe Kenda (2011)
★ 8.9/10Also documentary and crime
A non-fiction investigative series of murder cases told through the personal experience of retired detective, Lieutenant Joe Kenda. Through re-enactments, discussions with investigation teams, and interviews with…
8
Dirty Money (2018)
★ 7.1/10Also crime and documentary
From crippling payday loans to cars that cheat emissions tests, this investigative series exposes brazen acts of corporate greed and corruption.
9
Crime Scene: The Texas Killing Fields (2022)
★ 6.5/10Also documentary and crime
An overgrown field and a stretch of highway connect a series of grisly murders spanning several decades as grieving families search for answers.
10
Dateline (1992)
★ 6.6/10Also crime and documentary
Dateline NBC, or simply Dateline, is a weekly American television newsmagazine series. It was previously the network's flagship newsmagazine, but now focuses mainly on true crime stories with only occasional editions…
11
The Idaho Murders: College Nightmare (2026)
★ 6.8/10Also documentary and crime
Through bodycam footage, texts and interviews with loved ones, this documentary investigates the horrifying murder of four University of Idaho students.
12
Cold Case: Who Killed JonBenét Ramsey (2024)
★ 7.3/10Also documentary and crime
Police missteps and a media circus derailed the JonBenét Ramsey murder case. This definitive docuseries chronicles the decades-long quest for justice.
13
How I Caught My Killer (2023)
★ 7.1/10Also crime and documentary
The real-life stories behind unique homicide cases with in-depth interviews, authentic archival material and cinematic recreations all packaged together into a fresh spin in the genre.
14
Cold Justice (2013)
★ 7.5/10Also crime and documentary
From Executive Producer Dick Wolf, this true crime investigative series follows veteran prosecutor Kelly Siegler, and her rotating team of seasoned detectives, as they travel to small towns across the country and help…
15
Cold Case Files (2017)
★ 7.9/10Also crime and documentary
There are over 100,000 cold cases in America, and only about 1% are ever solved. With recent advancements in technology and the methods used to solve these cases, as well as the unwavering dedication of victims’…
16
Mind Over Murder (2022)
★ 6.8/10Also documentary and crime
Chronicles the bizarre and psychologically complex story of six individuals who were convicted for the 1985 murder of a beloved 68- year-old grandmother, Helen Wilson, in Beatrice, Nebraska.
17
The Investigator: A British Crime Story (2016)
★ 5.8/10Also crime and documentary
Mark Williams-Thomas returns to ITV for an explosive and ground-breaking new investigative series that shows how real life crime can be far more compelling than fiction. The murder of Carole Packman, whose body has…
18
The Test (2020)
★ 7.7/10Also drama and documentary
A docuseries following the Australian Men’s Cricket Team, offering a behind-the-scenes look at how one of the world’s best cricket teams fell from grace and was forced to reclaim their title and integrity.
19
Homicide (2024)
★ 7/10Also documentary and crime
Detectives and prosecutors revisit their most challenging homicide cases in this chilling true-crime docuseries.
20
Evil Lives Here (2016)
★ 8/10Also crime and documentary
The true stories of people who lived with a killer. How well do you really know your family? Would you recognize the warning signs? Or would you become entangled in evil?