If you’ve burned through the classics likeTiger King: Murder, Madness, and Mayhem(and the dramatized seriesJoe Vs Carole),Nightstalker,andMaking a Murdereron Netflix, HBO Max contains several engrossing true-crime series that are worth the watch. Whether it be con artists, murderers, or Hollywood stars, every kind of criminal under the sun is examined with unflinching detail. Addictive and devastating, these series shine the spotlight on important societal issues and prove why it’s essential to tell these stories. Without further ado, here are the best true crime shows on HBO.
For more recommendations, check out our list of the bestmoviesandshowson HBO, thebest documentaries on HBO, and thebest true crime series on Netflix.
Disclaimer: These titles are available on US Max.
‘Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV’ (2024)
Rotten Tomatoes: 100% | IMDb: 7.7/10
Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV
Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TVis a five-part docuseries that exposes the toxic behind-the-scenes world of children’s television programs. Focusing on the late 1990s and early 2000s, the series primarily followsDan Schneider’s time at Nickelodeon as a producer and showrunner, revealing shocking stories of abuse, misogyny, and a hostile work culture. Directed byMary RobertsonandEmma Schwartz,Quiet on Setis loosely based on a 2022Business Insiderarticle. The show has received near-universal acclaim from audiences and critics. While audience members may be aware that child stars have often been targets of abuse in the industry,Quiet on Settakes that vague awareness and makes it tangible, with concrete facts and real stories. The show approaches its subjects with respect, keeping the focus firmly on those who have previously been silenced to maintain a “kid-friendly” image. The series has had a very real impact, with the online discussions it has sparked leading to Schneider releasing an apology and many of those who wrote letters in support of sex offenderBrian Peckduring his trial publicly reversing their support.
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‘McMillions’ (2020)
Rotten Tomatoes: 89% | IMDb: 7.2/10
McMillions
Who knew that the Mcdonald’s Monopoly game had so much true crime behind it all?McMillionslooks at the fraud behind the corrupted McDonald’s Monopoly game from 1989 to 2001. The con, which totaled $24 million, involved not only the FBI but everything from PR firms to the mob. The true winning ingredient ofMcMillionsis its colorful cast of characters, which sometimes robs the limelight away from the actual victims of this fraud. Directed byJames Lee HernandezandBrian Lazarte, the six-episode documentary follows both the perpetrators of the crime and the law enforcement hunting it down. Chief among its cast of characters is FBI agent Doug Mathews, who at one point quite literally shows up in a golden suit to emulate a golden French fry and nearly destroys an undercover operation. As the series chases after the elusive “Uncle Jerry” it becomes clearer that beneath the surface of this wacky heist there are real victims who have had their lives affected by these people taking advantage of the system set in place by McDonald’s. For those who aren’t interested in murder in their true crime,McMillionsis the perfect dose of weird and intriguing to binge-watch. —Therese Lacson
‘Savior Complex’ (2023)
Rotten Tomatoes: 100% | IMDb: 6.8/10
Savior Complex
Diving deep into the story of US missionaryRenee Bach,Savior Complexpulls no punches in its eyes wide-open discussion of her untrained medical practice that, despite its charitable aim, indirectly led to the deaths of 105 children. A rollercoaster of a tale,Savior Complexis nuanced in its delivery, offering both Bach’s side of the story as well as a look at the devastating effects of her work. Documentary filmmakerJackie Jeskoexplores with care the highly complex subject matter, with the miniseries capturing a sense of reality without sacrificing the gripping, tense nature modern true crime series are famous for. -Jake Hodges
‘The Price of Glee’ (2023)
Rotten Tomatoes: 14% | IMDb: 5.5/10
The Price of Glee
The Price of Gleeis a three-episode miniseries that details the drama behind the scenes of the hit showGleeand the ways it affected the stars even after the show had ended. Beyond the dive into the media impact of the show, the docuseries primarily focuses on the high-profile deaths of former cast membersCory Monteith,Mark Salling, andNaya Rivera, who each had an air of tragedy surrounding them. One could argue that the documentary sensationalizing their misfortunes is the exact type of coverage that contributed to the poor mental health and ultimate death of Monteith, but viewers will have to make that determination for themselves.
‘House of Hammer’ (2022)
Rotten Tomatoes: 70% | IMDb: 6.0/10
House of Hammer
House of Hammeris a documentary-style miniseries that sensationalizes the fall of the actorArmie Hammer(Social Network) by spotlighting his abuse and assault in previous relationships and interrogating the legacy of the whole Hammer family. Featuring interviews with Hammer’s former partners who bravely came forward to expose a pattern of behavior, the series showcases the texts, voice memos, and first-hand accounts of the disturbing behavior that Hammer subjected them to. Plus, his auntCasey Hammer(Leap of Faith) gives context on the dirty dealings of the Hammer family over the course of three generations. –Tauri Miller
‘Rich & Shameless’ (2022)
IMDb: 6.4/10
Rich & Shameless
Salacious stories every episode,Rich and Shamelessis a docu-series that highlights different scandals involving some of the biggest celebrities.Rich and Shamelessapproaches each tale of wealth and recklessness with quick and digestible episodes intended to entice audiences to further explore these stories themselves. Many of the episodes ofRich and Shamelessexplore high-profile crimes that have been featured in longer formats, such as lengthy documentary investigations, like the NXIVM sex cult inThe Vow, or through true-crime dramatizations, like the theft ofPamela AndersonandTommy Lee’s sex tape in Hulu’s brilliantPam & Tommy.– Yael Tygiel
‘Gaming Wall Street’ (2022)
IMDb: 7.2/10
Gaming Wall Street
Based on the highly publicized story of Gamestop’s stock market adventure,Gaming Wall Streetis a two-part true crime docu-series that explains the viral trend brought on by digital vigilantes who caused chaos in the stock market and ultimately revealed widely ignored systemic flaws within Wall Street. Narrated bySuccessionstarKieran Culkin,Gaming Wall Streetprovides a fast-paced peek into the financial arena, stuffed with accessible explanations focusing on the groundbreaking Gamestop fiasco. It explores a deeply relatable underdog story that could happen to anyone.– Yael Tygiel
‘Mind Over Murder’ (2022)
Rotten Tomatoes: 100% | IMDb: 7.2/10
Mind Over Murder
Mind Over Murderis a true-crime docuseries you have to see to believe. The show dives into a murder case from 1985 where six people were convinced of killing a beloved grandmother in the community. The seemingly straightforward crime quickly turns into anything but, as the group is exonerated by DNA evidence in 2009. The mind behind acclaimed documentaries likeHooligan SparrowandOne Child Nation,Nanfu Wangmasterfully presents a commentary on how unreliable memory can be in stressful situations like these and how flawed our judicial system really is. –Taylor Gates
‘Heaven’s Gate: The Cult of Cults’ (2020)
Rotten Tomatoes: 88% | IMDb: 7.2/10
Heaven’s Gate: The Cult of Cults
If you burned through series like Netflix’sKeep Sweet: Pray and Obey,Scientology and the Aftermath, or one of the several NXIVM-themed documentaries, you’re sure to become invested inHeaven’s Gate: The Cult of Cults. The series explores the UFO religion Heaven’s Gate, which was led by Marshall Applewhite. Featuring never-before-seen footage of the cult, the series explores the organization’s bizarre beliefs and rituals leading up to the tragic mass suicide in 1997. –Taylor Gates
‘The Way Down’ (2021 - 2022)
Rotten Tomatoes: 80% | IMDb: 7.0/10
The Way Down
This documentary explores the incredible story of the life and untimely death of the leader of the controversial Remnant Fellowship church in Tennessee,Gwen Shamblin Lara. Former members swear it’s a cult; current members assure you it is anything but. Regardless, it is a fascinating story watching what started as a weight loss program slowly spiral into a devout church with millions of dollars. Interviews with former members detail what it was like on the inside and how they watched Gwen transform into a complicated leader whose way of running things may have gotten a tad out of control. The series was supposed to be three episodes, but with the untimely death of Shamblin, the producers released two more. Funny how people are more willing to talk when the person they’re afraid of is no longer around for retribution. -Jennifer McHugh
