Best TV Series to Watch If You Love American Manhunt

Summary

• American Manhunt: OJ Simpson Case rivals top true-crime docs with almost 30M viewing hours.
• The series explores famous crimes intertwined with mental health struggles and law enforcements.
• Despite American Manhunt’s popularity, better options may captivate viewers.

With the launch of its second season, American Manhunt: The OJ Simpson Case, the true-crime series has been catapulted among the most popular documentaries available on Netflix, attracting almost 30 million hours of viewership. It tells the story of actor and former NFL star OJ Simpson and his infamous acquittal for the murders of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ron Goldman.

The circumstances of the case remain debatable and ultimately inconclusive to this day, making it an ideal story to attract audience engagement, which likely contributed to its popularity. As an example of a true-crime story, American Manhunt: The OJ Simpson Case is fairly middling, a comprehensive retelling without breaking new ground. Put bluntly, even better options are available for anyone currently swept up by the thrilling revelations; consider these the best TV shows to watch if you love American Manhunt.

8

Homicide

Homicide Detectives Recount Their Most Grisly Cases

• Release Date: 2024-03-20
• Seasons: 2
• Streaming Services: Netflix

Homicide is split into two seasons, one focusing on New York and one focusing on Los Angeles. Both follow the same structure of interviewing a selection of homicide detectives from the respective bureaus as they look back on memorable cases.

The show features some crossover with cold cases that spanned multiple detectives all offering their input and some gruesome and befuddling mysteries. The LA season even showcases the murder charge brought against famous music producer Phil Spector, making it a great watch for any fans drawn in by the celebrity aspect.

7

Worst Roommate Ever

Deadly Living Arrangements

• Release Date: 2022-03-01
• Seasons: 2
• Streaming Services: Netflix

Worst Roommate Ever is another true-crime documentary series, this time focusing on smaller stories of victims living under the same roof as their would-be killer. The series covers unsettling lodgers, landlords, scorned friends or partners, and the infamous case of serial killer Dorothea Puente.

Like a lot of similar series, the subsequent season and the spinoff Worst Ex Ever don’t quite deliver the same impact. The most compelling stories were told in the initial season, but given the self-contained structure of each episode, they are worth the watch.

6

Under The Banner Of Heaven

A Chilling True Story Of Religious Fanaticism

This is the first drama series on the list, so expect some creative license to be taken with events. Still, Under the Banner of Heaven tells a truly chilling tale of unchecked authority in the US. The story centers on the Lafferty family, who are respected pillars of their local Morman community.

As the mantle passes to the next generation, religious beliefs become mixed with a disdain for the federal government and a lack of respect for the law, steering the family into religious fanaticism. It leads to the murder of a young woman and her child, and a very real fear that more ‘impure’ members of the community are next as a manhunt for the brother ensues.

5

American Nightmare

Real Life Gone Girl

American Nightmare is a documentary series telling the story of 29-year-old Denise Huskins, who was abducted from her bed in the middle of the night. The extraordinary circumstances of the case seem too elaborate to be true, especially as the captive was released 48 hours later.

Police quickly concluded that Huskins and her boyfriend faked the abduction — however, they were incorrect, allowing the perpetrator to remain at large and offend again. It’s not only a very disturbing crime, executed almost at random, but a damning indictment of the investigation and a reminder that authorities should always exercise caution regardless of the circumstances.

4

Manhunt: Unabomber

Chasing The Unabomber

• Release Date: 2017-08-01
• Seasons: 2
• Streaming Services: Amazon Prime Video, Google Play
• Cast: Paul Bettany, Sam Worthington, Jeremy Bobb, Keisha Castle-Hughes

Manhunt: Unabomber is a dramatization of the story of the serial terrorist, the Unabomber, who executed an extended campaign of sending bombs through the mail, killing three people and injuring many others. The Unabomber was at large for almost 20 years, consistently sending his deadly packages. His arrest was, at the time, the longest and most expensive investigation ever conducted by the FBI.

Manhunt also received a second season several years later focusing on the Atlanta Olympics bombing, but it was not as well received as the first. That story is better told in the movie Richard Jewell.

3

Love & Death

The Gruesome Killing Of Betty Gore

Love & Death is the second and superior telling of the story of Candy Montgomery. The case was shocking as Candy was a kind, unassuming, church-going citizen who was embroiled in an incredibly violent murder charge of a love rival who was brutally hacked with an axe, 41 times.

Like the OJ Simpson case, the trial achieved international renown due to Candy’s unexpected acquittal of the murder charges. It’s certain to spark debate among viewers as the details of the case are revealed. Elizabeth Olsen excellently brings the dichotomy of the character to life, ensuring it’s possible to settle one way or the other.

2

The Staircase

An Unexplainable Death

This incredibly expansive and complex series was orchestrated in part by the defendant himself as he bids to prove his innocence after being charged with the murder of his wife. The version on Netflix compiles separate parts of the story from across 13 years, covering the various trials and new developments of the case.

The Staircase documents the death of Kathleen Peterson, which took place under peculiar and uncertain circumstances. As the only other person present, the husband was tried for murder despite the absence of a clear motive or method. It’s another that’s sure to spark debate as the case continues to twist, and both sides take liberties with events.

1

American Crime Story: The People Vs OJ Simpson

If The Glove Fits

The American Crime Story series has since expanded with new seasons covering Bill Clinton and Gianni Versace, but it’s the original critically acclaimed The People vs OJ Simpson season that is a must-see recommendation for any fans of American Manhunt. Granted, it will be a familiar story, but it’s still worth revisiting this dramatized take.

There are some arguably career-best performances from the likes of John Travolta and David Schwimmer, and an excellently sympathetic lead performance from Cuba Gooding Jr. The series expertly lays out not just the details, of the case but the backdrop of racial tensions in Los Angeles at the time that led to the divisive media spectacle it became.