The 29 Best HBO Max True Crime Documentaries to Watch in 2026

Something wicked this way comes. For those seeking a deep dive into the darkest corners of the human psyche, HBO Max has curated a list of 29 true crime masterpieces that are as chilling as they are informative.

Public fascination with the criminal justice system remains steady, whether it's the need for closure or a reminder that justice can prevail. From alleged conspiracies to forgotten kidnappings, these stories scratch an itch that only premium investigative storytelling can reach.

HBO Max True Crime Documentaries 2026: The Definitive Ranking

• 1st: All the Beauty and the Bloodshed (Released in 2022, chronicling the fight against the opioid epidemic)
• 2nd: A Body in the Snow: The Trial of Karen Read (A 5-part docuseries covering the June 2025 acquittal)
• 3rd: Burden of Proof (Rated B+ by EW, a brother's decades-long search for his sister)
• 4th: Beware the Slenderman (Explores a stabbing involving 19 slashes fueled by an internet myth)
• 5th: Capturing the Friedmans (2003 Sundance Grand Jury Prize winner)

Systemic Failures and Internet Horrors

The recently updated A Body in the Snow dives into the polarizing case of Karen Read. After the body of a Boston officer was found in late 2022, the case divided a town, culminating in her acquittal in June 2025. It serves as a stark reminder of how public opinion can clash with forensic evidence.

Meanwhile, Beware the Slenderman remains a terrifying benchmark for true crime. It moved beyond the sensationalist headlines of the 2014 attack to offer a sobering look at mental health and the dangers lurking in digital folklore.