Best Netflix True Crime Series, 8 Shows Like Dirty John

Whether they’re new releases or old favorites, the platform continues to deliver the best Netflix true crime content to audiences worldwide. Among the vast collection of true crime shows on Netflix, you’ll find some absolute gems. One series that personally enthralls me and keeps me coming back for more is the riveting Dirty John TV series. This docu-style drama is based on real-life events and will have you hooked from the very first episode.

And that’s not all! In addition to Dirty John, you’ll discover a plethora of popular crime-based programs currently streaming on the platform. If you’re a fan of true crime, this is the ultimate Netflix TV series list for you! Make sure to check out the Dirty John podcast that inspired the TV series, as well as other gripping shows like Fyre and Abducted in Plain Sight.

Dirty John, Based on a True Story + the Dirty John Podcast

The Netflix drama for the Dirty John Netflix series is one of those shows that will make you so angry and perplexed for so many reasons you’ll wonder why you watched it in the first place. You may even find a whisper of sympathy for the story’s integral characters. Or you could simply just be sad that these sorts of things happen to people.

Dirty John is based on a true story but like most this documentary, this one embellishes in favor of a more compelling story at times. The creators do get the details fairly straight through and, the casting for this was more than perfect. Cast in season one of Dirty John included Connie Britton, Eric Bana, and Julia Garner.

Each character portrayal shows and covers roles that were contributing factors to the lies, deception, and anguish this brings to light.

I loved every second of the Dirty John series. If you’ve seen it already, episode 1 from the original Dirty John podcast is playable below. The podcast was played more than 1 million times in the first six weeks alone. This just goes to show how a powerful podcast with good content can grab people, no wonder companies and individuals are moving onto platforms like Lower Street, for example, so they can produce something that will get them noticed and stick in people’s minds.

The Dirty John series season 2 was released in 2020 with a new cast to die for including Christian Slater and Amanda Peet.

Best Netflix True Crime

Is The Dirty John Series a True Story?

Dirty John is a true story which is why it gets additional points. The original podcast was also based on the same story reported in the LA Times and was released in October 2017. John Meehan is a con man. But of course, it’s never as simple as that. He is the king of con men. The series comprising 8 episodes covers one angle of his story. This documentary follows his relationship with Debra Newell who he meets through a single dating site.

If you are looking to see a multidimensional true-crime tale that shows just how people like John Meehan get their hooks into seemingly nice, everyday people then look no further. Be warned though, Debra Newell will make you angry. You’ll wonder how someone can be so naive and make such awful choices. Does she seem like a smart woman? How can she get things so wrong?

Can forgiveness come at such a heavy cost? The impact shown on her family and others in her life might even shine a light on others in the universe who have been or are still a victim of these types of scenarios. Dirty John season 1 has an amazing cast with Eric Bana at the helm as John. Debra Newell is played by Connie Britton (Spin City) and her daughters are played by Juno Temple (The Dark Night Rises) and the wonderful Julia Garner of Ozark fame.

Dirty John Series Trailer (Season 2 is Cast with Christian Slater)

Best TV Series Ever To Watch on Netflix

Abducted in Plain Sight

Another Netflix true crime example is the documentary “on the TV series “Abducted in Plain Sight.” This one stemmed from a memoir called Stolen Innocence: The Jan Broberg Story. The memoir was written by Jan and her mother. This one has everybody talking for a myriad of reasons. Like the documentary listed before it, Abducted in Plain Sight will make you think that someone made this up.

For many people, the gullibility of others will be a sight to behold. For the rest, they will either sit in judgment that something like this could never happen to them or simply feel that sometimes systems fail. Either that or you’ll wonder why some people are allowed to make other little people want to yell at someone.

What Happened in the Documentary, Abducted in Plain Sight?

The most fascinating thing about the Abducted in Plain Sight documentary is that the stars are all listed as “himself or herself.” Yep, that’s right, the true story of the Brobergs, who were church-going Idaho families are the actual people that lived it.

The same people who fell under the spell of a sociopathic neighbor with designs on their twelve-year-old daughter. Interestingly, Jan Broberg went on to launch her acting career and has starred in movies like Maniac (2012) and Girlboss (2017.) Maryanne, Susan, Karen, and Bob all play themselves.

Abducted in Plain Sight Series Trailer

Fyre: The Greatest Party That Never Happened

The Fyre documentary was released in January 2019 on the Netflix platform. This series was again a really popular account of a bizarre and crazy situation. If you’ve ever been to a music festival and shelled out heaps of money to see your favorite bands play then this story might be of interest to you. One of the best Netflix true crime series to hit the platform.

Led by a somewhat now-infamous Ja Rule and his business partner Billy McFarland their company Fyre Media Inc. This show’s name drops plenty within its structure and showcases how the promotion of a 4000+ strong crowd came to be which will be an eye-opener for many.

This documentary is also showcased on Hulu and comes with some revelations about wealth, fraud, and greed. What should have been the festival of the decade quickly amassed to nothing more than a quasi-beach party and resulted in lawsuits and some jail time for McFarland. Many people believe Ja Rule should have joined him. Judge it for yourself. You’ll never look at a music festival the same way again.

Fyre TV Show Full Trailer on Netflix

Behind the Curve TV Series

For conspiracy theories, try Behind the Curve. Want to hear an argument for why the world is flat? Think that Debra Newell and others listed above are easily convinced of things that aren’t true. This lovely documentary will show you how a movement against the Earth is not round just because of scientific evidence. Even more than that, more than one person believes it. Behind the Curve series aired in 2018 and includes one season about flat Earthers.

Botched Up Bodies Series

For a real documentary of the surgical kind, try the Botched Up Bodies series. What greater cause could there be than fixing someone else’s attempt to give someone bigger boobs who got it wrong? Of course, there are more justified things to fix like correcting a person’s cheap Thailand enhancement gone wrong. Botched Up Bodies includes one season which aired in 2013.

Ted Bundy Tapes: Conversations with a Killer

For more true crime, give The Ted Bundy Tapes: Conversations with a Killer a one-time watch.

Best Netflix True Crime

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• TRUE CRIME: Don’t F**k With Cats follows the story of a vigilante group hunting a killer. Can you handle watching Don’t F**k With Cats?
• TED BUNDY: See the full review of Extremely Wicked Shockingly Evil and Vile.