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December 30, 2021, 1:24 PM ET
Crime TV
Catch Up On 2021's Best True Crime Shows About Serial Killers, Disappearances And More
Kick back on the couch and stream some of the best true crime series the year had to offer, including "Snapped," "American Greed," "Cold Justice." and more. Here's how to watch.
By Becca van Sambeck
It's the time of year where we take stock of what happened in the past 12 months — and wow, quite a bit has happened. Luckily for true crime fans, 2021 also brought a wave of interesting, jaw-dropping, and disturbing true crime series to binge.
So, in honor of the advent of 2022, we're looking back at some of our true crime favorites from 2021. These shows dove into greedy criminals, shocking female killers, charismatic murderers, and bizarre disappearances. Available on Peacock, the Oxygen app, or both, these docu-series are well worth a watch.
1. "Homicide For The Holidays"
This series is the perfect disturbing watch once holiday celebrations commence, as it shows the darker side of the season. Each episode focuses on a shocking crime that occurred around a holiday, including a Thanksgiving killing, a Christmas massacre, and a New Year's day tragedy. Watch the series here.
2. "Snapped"
This classic Oxygen series follows women who just ... snapped. These female killers and criminals seemed like ordinary wives, mothers, sisters, and friends. But whether it was for revenge, for financial gain, or for love, these women crossed the line and turned to murder. You can watch here.
3. "Dateline"
Easily one of the most iconic true series of all time, "Dateline" features correspondents and journalists who investigate the most disturbing killings and mysterious disappearances of all time. With decades of episodes available, you'll never run out of "Dateline" to watch. Catch the series here.
4. "Charmed to Death"
Some killers are clearly odd, scary, unsettling. But others present as charismatic and interesting — and use that charm to help them commit their crimes. In "Charmed To Death," murderers seduce unwitting victims into their web. Watch the series here.
5. "Cold Justice"
Any murder is a horrific tragedy, but the victim's loved ones' pain only intensifies when the murder remains unsolved, especially when answers are elusive for decades. In "Cold Justice," veteran prosecutor Kelly Siegler and her team investigate cold cases in small towns across the United States, ultimately securing many arrests and convictions over the years. Watch it here.
6. "Dr. Death: The Undoctored Story"
Christopher Duntsch Photo: Dallas County Jail/AP
In the Peacock series "Dr. Death," Joshua Jackson played Christopher Daniel Duntsch, a doctor who earned the sinister nickname after he maimed and killed multiple patients. Before checking out the scripted series, learn the true story with this special, which you can watch here.
7. "911 Crisis Center"
A lot of crime shows focus on the investigators and detectives who helped crack the case. But one person who plays an important, often unseen role? A 911 dispatcher. "911 Crisis Center" chronicles the daily occurrences in a Cleveland-area emergency dispatch center, letting viewers get to know these heroic 911 dispatchers and see how they handle jaw-dropping emergencies. Watch the series here.
8. "American Greed"
Photo: CNBC
What's one of the most popular motives out there to commit crime? Greed. In this CNBC documentary, shocking stories of white-collar crime are told. These criminals let a thirst for power and money blur the line between right and wrong. Catch it here.
9. "The Real Murders Of Orange County"
Fans of "Laguna Beach," "The O.C.," and, of course, "The Real Housewives Of Orange County" know that Orange County, California is a glitzy and glamorous zip code. But while this wealthy, coastal community is an oasis of calm and beauty for some, it's also a place where truly disturbing murder cases have occurred. Dive beneath the O.C.'s luxe surface in this docu-series, which you can watch here.
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