When you have some free time, do you often sit down and watch television? Are you a fan of sit-coms? Do you prefer a good drama? Or, are you a fan of those true-crime series?

If true-crime series is your thing, you are in luck. This genre of television is becoming increasingly popular. There are documentaries, docudramas, and docuseries galore when it comes to true crime. Here are a few of the best ones to watch!

• Evil Genius: The True Story of America’s Most Diabolical Bank Heist: Evil Genius was released on Netflix in 2018 as a four-part documentary about the murder of Brian Wells. This case is often referred to as the “pizza bomber case,” and the documentary introduces you to several weird and baffling characters. This is definitely a strange case.

• Abducted in Plain Sight: If you’re looking for a documentary that will have you screaming at your television in disbelief, this fits the bill. Abducted in Plain Sight tells the story of teenager, Jan Broberg, and her kidnapping, not once, but twice by the same man. It’s a story about manipulation and how an entire family was tricked. 

• Paradise Lost Trilogy: This is not a new documentary, but definitely a good one for true-crime lovers. It tells the story of the West Memphis Three, and a nearly two-decade quest to prove three young men innocent of murder. If you don’t know the story or could use a refresher on all of the history of the West Memphis Three – be sure to check it out.

• The Keepers: The Keepers is a Netflix docuseries that covers the unsolved murder of nun and Catholic school teacher, Cathy Cesnik. Cathy disappeared in November 1969, and her body was found two months later. Ryan White, director of this series, interviews friends, family, government officials, and others as he tries to find out what happened.

• When They See Us: This is another Netflix series, and it tells the story of the “Central Park Five.” The “Central Park Five” were five young men who were charged with the assault and rape of a jogger in Central Park. This series covers almost 25 years from their initial questioning to events as recent as 2014.

• The Staircase: Michael Peterson was a novelist, and in 2001, when his wife died, he told the police that she had fallen down the stairs. But the medical examiner didn’t agree, and Michael Peterson became a suspect. This documentary covers the murder trial from start to finish and includes an interesting looking into Michael Peterson’s background.

• Making a Murderer: Theresa Halbach was a 25-year-old photographer who was murdered in 2005 in Manitowoc, Wisconsin. This documentary covers the arrest and conviction of Steven Avery and his nephew, Brendan Dassey. This case has sparked many conversations about what constitutes coercion and what do you do when you have an attorney who may not be qualified. 

• Amanda Knox: Amanda Knox was an American student studying in Italy when she was arrested for the murder of her roommate, Meredith Kercher. She was convicted twice for this crime and then acquitted. This documentary offers interviews with many involved in this case, including Amanda Knox, her boyfriend at the time, Rafaelle Sollecito, and the Italian prosecutor of the case.

Are you a fan of the true-crime genre? There are lots of people who are – and there seems to be an increasing interest in these types of series. Be sure to look for new true crime documentaries and series on your favorite subscription services in 2020.