As we head into 2018, one pop culture trend that doesn't look like it's going anywhere in the new year is the true crime phenomenon. Documentaries and dramatizations of actual murders, kidnappings, and other crimes continue to be insanely popular, and it looks like they're only going to grow in popularity. And although the offerings of streaming services like Netflix and premium networks like HBO tend to get the most headlines, there are still plenty of true crime docs you can watch on TV right now that come with your regular old, run of the mill basic cable package.
The following 13 movies and series are all relatively new offerings, all having premiered within the past several months, and are available either in live airings or on demand (in many cases, both). The channels covered include old stalwarts Lifetime, Oxygen, and A&E; upstart Sundance TV; and the undisputed king of true crime, Investigation Discovery. Virtually all of ID's programming consists of true crime documentaries, so this list focuses only on their latest one-offs and their new series that have premiered in 2018 (yes, they have already premiered several new series this year). So take a look below at 13 true crime docs currently on television and start your new year off in likely the same way you ended the previous year: By watching a ton of true crime content.
1
'Jodi Arias: An American Murder Mystery'
Female killers are much more rare than their male counterparts, which tends to make them more fascinating in the eyes of the public. This upcoming three-part series on Jodi Arias, who was convicted of killing her ex-boyfriend in 2008, technically doesn't start until Jan. 14, but chances are it will be worth the wait.
Watch on: Investigation Discovery.
2
'O.J. Simpson: The Crimes And Punishment'
The O.J. Simpson murder case has been done to death, but this new series takes a look at the crime the former NFL star was actually convicted of in criminal court: A 2007 Las Vegas robbery.
Watch on: Oxygen.
3
'Cold Blooded: The Clutter Family Murders'
Four members of the Clutter family were bound and shot to death in their rural Kansas home in 1959. Their story became a national fascination after Truman Capote immortalized it in his 1966 book In Cold Blood, but now members of the actual Clutter family are speaking publicly for the first time about the murders in this doc.
Watch on: Sundance TV.
4
'Village Of The Damned'
The village of Dryden, New York has a bit of a grisly reputation. Find out why by watching this controversial doc.
Watch on: Investigation Discovery.
5
'The Menendez Murders: Erik Tells All'
Convicted murderer Erik Menendez, who is currently serving life in prison with no chance of parole alongside his brother for the slaying of their parents, discusses what happened in his own words. Chilling stuff.
Watch on: A&E.
6
'The Family I Had'
A 13-year-old boy murders his 4-year-old sister in this heartbreaking documentary.
Watch on: Investigation Discovery.
7
'The Disappearance of Maura Murray'
Nursing student Maura Murray vanished after a car crash in 2004, and she remains missing to this day, with many still committed to finding out what happened to her.
Watch on: Oxygen.
8
'Diabolical'
This new series, which premiered on New Year's Day, is about criminal masterminds who use their charm and cunning to lure and seduce victims.
Watch on: Investigation Discovery.
9
'Scott Peterson: An American Murder Mystery'
Convicted in 2004 of murdering his pregnant wife, Laci Peterson, the Peterson case remains one of the most notorious murder cases of this century.
Watch on: Investigation Discovery.
10
'Homicide City'
Another new series for 2018, this one sees veteran police detectives recount their most memorable murder cases from various American cities.
Watch on: Investigation Discovery.
11
'I Am Elizabeth Smart'
While not technically a documentary, this difficult to watch reenactment of Elizabeth Smart's kidnapping rings true, thanks to narration from Smart herself.
Watch on: Lifetime.
12
'Bride Killa'
The third of ID's New Year's Day premieres, Bride Killa is a new series that covers both cases of killer brides and brides who were victims of murderous husbands.
Watch on: Investigation Discovery.
13
'True Conviction'
The fourth new ID series to make the list, True Conviction takes a different angle than most true crime docs, with host and prosecutor Anna-Sigga Nicolazzi going behind the scenes to show how the justice system solves crimes and convicts criminals.
Watch on: Investigation Discovery.
Any one of these movies or series will make a great choice for satiating your hunger for true crime documentaries, and they all prove that the genre is still going strong on television in 2018.
