The Best Crime Shows Currently Streaming

For a TV addict, there’s nothing quite like watching through a crime of mystery series. Something about the case and constant cliffhangers keeps you coming back each week, and after every commercial break.

Streaming services made the addiction even more real, when TV fans discovered the art of binge-watching. Now, when you get hooked on a good murder mystery, you’ll find yourself checking your watch and realizing you’ve just watched seven hours of television without blinking.

If you’re one of those who can’t get enough of the crime genre, and you like to put some serious hours into Netflix, then that $10 each month is well spent. Netflix is LOADED with some amazing crime TV that will having you logging some serious couch time.

The problem is, with such a vast library, it’s hard to tell which of these shows are great, and which ones just have great cover images. Well, this is where we come in.

Strap yourselves in, grab some popcorn, and get ready to discover your next obsession. Here are five of the best crime shows streaming on Netflix.

Dexter

Let’s just get this out of the way – Dexter is not for the faint of heart. This stomach-churning series is one that will have you cringing as often as it does gasping, but it’s worth it.

The series follows a man named Dexter, who works in forensics for the police department. The only thing is, he’s a serial killer himself. 

Dexter only kills those who deserve it, but he often has to work the evidence in a way that will keep the other cops off of his scent, and onto those who really deserve it.

One of the best things about Dexter is the way the show uses the main character’s inner monologue. Just like some of the best Batman comics, you get a chance to truly dive into the mind of the detective you’re following.

If you can handle the R-rated content that the show offers, Dexter is must-see TV. All eight seasons of the series are available.

The Keepers/Making A Murderer

Yes, it may be considered cheating to make two shows one entry, but who cares? That just means more TV for everyone!

Both The Keepers and Making a Murderer are a bit different from the other shows on this list. They’re different, in that both are true crime series’. These are more documentary than procedural TV. 

Making a Murder was released first, and it tells the story of Stephen Avery. The man was convicted of a murder when he was young, released, and convicted for another. The show digs back through the trails and arrests of Avery, trying to figure out if he was actually innocent, and how the justice system mishandled his case.

The Keepers is about the 1979 murder of Sister Cathy Cesnik. The Baltimore nun/school teacher was abducted one evening, and her body was found a couple of months later. Her case was never solved, but two of her former students – now in their 60’s – are digging through history to finally bring her justice.

These shows are incredibly addicting. Fortunately, neither one is very long. Making a Murderer lasts for 10 episodes, while The Keepers is only 7.

Terriers

Some of the best shows get cancelled way too early, and that’s exactly what happened to Terriers. FX cancelled the drama after just one season. That shouldn’t stop you from watching though, because this is one of the most unique and relatable crime series’ out there. The fans who tuned in, as well as the critics, adored the show, and it’s currently rated as one of the top 250 on IMDb.

Terriers tells the story of two private detectives – ex-cop Hank, and ex-convict Britt. The best friends solve small crimes throughout the city of San Diego, and deal with their own personal issues along the way.

Donal Logue and Michael-Raymond James lead an all-star cast, and the duo has an intriguing way of latching onto your soul and never letting go. The lead characters alone are enough to justify watching this 13-episode series.

Just a warning though, while the series is fantastic, the ending will anger you quite a bit. The first season ends with a big cliffhanger, and the show was cancelled not long after that. We’ll never know what would have happened when that light turned green…(Inside joke for those of you who actually go and watch the show!)

What is nice though, is that a possible revival isn’t out of the question. As recently as 2016, there was talk of a possible revival – or movie sequel – for Terriers.

Criminal Minds

It’s hard to talk about great crime shows and not bring up Criminal Minds. This was the series that bridged the gap between regular networks and harder cable. This was where viewers came from all over the place, and found the series they could all bond over.

Instead of following the aftermath of a murder case, the BAU of Criminal Minds dives into the brain of the killer. They solve the crime by putting themselves in the right position, and profiling criminals.

If you watched crime TV before this show aired, it’s easy to look back and see how ground breaking the series actually was.

Criminal Minds is entering it’s 13th season, and the 12th just wrapped up on CBS. The first11 seasons are currently available on Netflix.

How To Get Away With Murder

When you want to discuss groundbreaking, it’s hard to leave Shonda Rhimes out of the conversation. The producer/creator changed the game with Grey’s Anatomy and Scandal, and she hit her third consecutive home-run with How to Get Away With Murder.

The series follows Annalise Keating – Played by Viola Davis who won an Emmy for the role –  a college professor who teaches students about advanced criminal law. However things get much deeper than that when there is a local murder, and she – along with her closest students – are wrapped up in the chaos.

How to Get Away With Murder tells its story in multiple time-lines, which adds to the suspense of the case itself. It lets you know the ending early, but the twists are still hiding around every corner. This is truly a case of the ride being greater than the destination.

There are three seasons of How to Get Away With Murder so far, and they’re all available on Netflix.

 [Photo Credit: Showtime]