Hulu has released some original true crime documentaries over the past few years. The streaming service has built a growing collection of crime shows, which includes critically acclaimed original features. Moreover, Hulu provides a wealth of murder mysteries and detective shows to keep viewers on the edge of their seats.
If anyone enjoys watching true-crime documentaries or shows but are unsure which real-life mystery or scandal to add to their watchlist, continue reading to discover the best crime documentaries and shows that Hulu offers.
1) Look At Me: XXXTentacion
Rapper XXXTentacion lost his life at the age of 20 during a robbery. In his brief life, the rapper achieved fame for his introspective take on hip-hop and gained wide recognition worldwide.
In 2022, Hulu examined XXXTentacion‘s life in Look At Me: XXXTentacion. It showcased both the positive and negative aspects of his life in the aforementioned documentary. Directed by Sabah Folayan, Look At Me: XXXTentacion was nominated for the Audience Award at the SXSW Film Festival.
According to IMDb, the synopsis of the documentary reads, “An inside look at a gifted young rapper’s tumultuous coming-of-age with never-before-seen footage, as XXXTentacion’s inner circle speaks out for the first time.”
2) God Forbid: The Sex Scandal That Brought Down A Dynasty
The documentary delves into the rise and fall of Jerry Falwell Jr., a televangelist who had a substantial impact on shifting evangelism toward the political right. However, the story also involved pool attendant Giancarlo Granda. He accused Falwell of coercing him into an affair with Falwell’s wife.
As per IMDb, the synopsis of this project reads, “Giancarlo Granda, former pool attendant at the Fontainebleau Hotel, shares the intimate details of his 7-year relationship with a charming older woman, Becki Falwell, and her husband, the Evangelical Trump stalwart Jerry Falwell Jr.”
The Hulu documentary also features interviews with several known personalities, including politician Ted Cruz.
3) Captive Audience: A Real American Horror Story
This three-part miniseries captures the tale of Steven Stayner, who disappeared in 1972 and reappeared to his family seven years later as a 14-year-old. However, the Hulu documentary becomes intense when it delves into the story of his older brother, Cary, who was arrested and prisoned for four murders.
Captive Audience: A Real American Horror Story received a nomination for Outstanding Crime and Justice Documentary at the 44th News and Documentary Emmy Awards.
4) Stolen Youth: Inside the Cult at Sarah Lawrence
In 2010, at Sarah Lawrence College in New York, a man named Larry Ray used his daughter’s collegiate proximity to corrupt several young minds. He even recruited them into his cult. At the time, it was one of the most horrifying cases in US history. As it is, Hulu spared no effort in spreading awareness about it.
Stolen Youth has been directed by the Academy Award-nominated director Zachary Heinzerling. The docuseries exposes Ray’s actions, highlighting their tragic consequences that serves as a cautionary call for awareness. The title earned critical acclaim and widespread audience approval, making it one of 2023’s top-rated docuseries.
5) How I Caught My Killer
This Hulu documentary series poses an interesting question: Can a departed victim aid in solving their murder? In this Hulu original series, nine cases are explored, demonstrating the real-life efforts by authorities and families to solve murders.
How I Caught My Killer shows that authorities can conquer challenges, solving cases by meticulously examining even minor details.
6) Taken At Birth
The three-part Hulu documentary shows Dr. Thomas Hicks’ shocking legacy of illegally selling hundreds of newborns. Hicks frequently gave away the babies, telling the mothers that their kids had died. In some cases, he fathered a child with the intention of selling them.
