They were always popular, but true-crime scripted TV shows really got hot when Netflix released “Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story” late last year. The true story of two well-to-do brothers murdering their parents (for reasons that become clear as the show unfolds) was too wild for us to look away, even leading to a reopening of the Menendez brothers’ case. If you love these kinds of scripted true-crime stories, there’s really two streamers that you need to subscribe to: Netflix and Hulu. Here’s why they are the best streamers for true-crime scripted TV series.

Everything you need to know about the best streamers for true-crime scripted TV shows:

What popular true-crime scripted TV shows can you stream on Hulu?

Hulu is a top choice for true crime enthusiasts looking for a scripted TV series to binge because it carries many of the most popular shows. First, there’s “Under the Banner of Heaven” – an excellent true-crime drama my wife and I watched, based on Jon Krakauer’s nonfiction book that dives into the disturbing true story of the 1984 murders of Brenda Lafferty and her baby daughter in Utah. Andrew Garfield is very good as Detective Jeb Pyre, a committed Mormon whose faith starts to crack as he investigates the brutal crime. The deeper he digs, the more he uncovers a dark web of extreme religious beliefs and family secrets tied to the Lafferty family. Daisy Edgar-Jones (who’s now on her way to movie stardom with “Twisters”) plays Brenda, a young mother whose life becomes central to the case. If you’re looking for a true-crime show with a religious twist, you won’t be disappointed.

Next, Hulu also carries all three seasons of “American Crime Story,” which includes “The People vs. O.J. Simpson,” “The Assassination of Gianni Versace,” and “Impeachment,” all about Bill Clinton’s affair with Monica Lewinsky. I think season one is the strongest, led by Cuba Gooding Jr. as O.J. in a story that follows the crime, his arrest, and eventual “not guilty” verdict of ” The Juice.” Definitely check it out.

Hulu also has the disturbing mother-daughter series, “The Act,” based on the real-life story of Gypsy Rose Blanchard and her mother, Dee Dee Blanchard. Dee Dee was accused of fabricating her daughter’s illnesses to gain sympathy - a condition known as Munchausen syndrome by proxy. The series stars Joey King as Gypsy, who’s desperate for freedom after years of her mother’s abusive control, and Patricia Arquette as Dee Dee. As Gypsy begins to question the truth about her life, her attempts to break free lead to a terrible crime you have to see to believe.

For those looking for a lighter true-crime series, there’s “The Dropout” starring Amanda Seyfried (who is incredible in this). This was one of my favorite shows of 2022 because of the fascinating woman in the center of the incredible fraud: Elizabeth Holmes. Seyfried plays Holmes, the founder of Theranos, whose rise and fall became one of the biggest scandals in Silicon Valley history. The series follows Holmes’ transformation from a driven college dropout with ambitions of revolutionizing the healthcare industry to the center of a massive fraud scandal. As Holmes claims her blood-testing technology can deliver life-changing results with just a single drop of blood, cracks begin to show in the company’s promises, leading to a dramatic unraveling with serious consequences.

Finally, for a wild look at ambition gone too far, there’s “Welcome to Chippendales.” This true-crime scripted TV series tells the story of Somen “Steve” Banerjee, the founder of the famous Chippendales male cabaret, whose quest for success led to scandal, crime, and murder. Kumail Nanjiani plays Banerjee as he rises from an ambitious entrepreneur to a man consumed by greed and paranoia. The series is packed with drama, betrayal, and the dark side of the American Dream.

Here are all the popular true-crime scripted TV shows you can stream on Hulu:

What true-crime scripted TV shows can you watch on Netflix?

Netflix is the other stand-out streamer for great true-crime scripted series. As I mentioned in the opening, it carries one of the most popular shows in the genre with “Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story.” This show was very intense (in a good way). It’s actually part of a larger true-crime anthology series from creators Ryan Murphy and Ian Brennan that includes “DAHMER - Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story” which was considered the first season, with the Menendez brothers being the second. There’s also a third season coming, which follows suspected serial killer Ed Gein. Because it’s Ryan Murphy, these are always dramatic and extremely entertaining, so check them out.

For fans looking to get inside the minds of serial killers (because why not!), there’s “Mindhunter,” based on the true story of the FBI’s early attempts to understand killers in the late 1970s. The series stars Jonathan Groff as Holden Ford and Holt McCallany as Bill Tench, two FBI agents who pioneer criminal profiling by interviewing convicted killers to uncover patterns in their behavior. With chilling interviews based on real-life killers like Ed Kemper and Charles Manson, the series will give you a fascinating look at the origins of criminal psychology.

Netflix also carries the true-crime series, “Unbelievable.” The show follows the real-life story of a young woman who was accused of lying about being sexually assaulted. Kaitlyn Dever stars as Marie, whose horrible attack is dismissed by authorities. Meanwhile, two determined detectives, played by Toni Collette and Merritt Wever, begin investigating a series of similar assaults, slowly uncovering a pattern that points back to Marie’s case. I’ll be honest – this series was tough to watch. I had to prepare myself mentally before watching each episode because it will break your heart. If you’re looking for something deeply powerful, check it out.

Finally, a brand new true-crime scripted series just dropped on Netflix on Jan. 7, called “The Breakthrough.” I haven’t had a chance to watch this one yet, but it follows the real-life double murder case that shook Linköping, Sweden, in 2004. The case remained unsolved for 16 years until new forensic DNA technology finally helped identify the killer. The show apparently focuses both on the technicalities of the case, as well as the emotional impact on the victims’ families. So if you want a super-fresh show, this could be a great choice.

Here are all the popular true-crime scripted shows to watch on Netflix: