Top 8 TV Series Similar to ‘Monsters’ to Stream in 2024

A gripping true crime series, Netflix’s Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story focuses on a disturbing case from 1989. Directed by Ian Brennan and Ryan Murphy, renowned for creating American Horror Story, this nine-episode series recounts the real-life events surrounding the Menendez brothers, who were convicted in 1996 for the murder of their parents.

Featuring Nicholas Chavez as Lyle Menendez and Cooper Koch as Erik Menendez, the series embodies the dark and intense atmosphere typically found in true crime thrillers. It also delves into courtroom drama, showcasing the high-stakes arguments from both the prosecution and defense in gripping settings.

In addition to its true crime elements, the series functions as a psychological thriller, examining the complex motives behind the brothers’ actions. All episodes were released simultaneously, making Monsters a popular choice for binge-watching, currently trending on numerous global streaming rankings.

8 Shows Offering a True Crime Thriller Experience Like Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story

For viewers who have completed all nine episodes of Monsters and are eager for more chilling narratives, here are eight recommendations for similar true crime content:

Dahmer – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story
Worst Ex Ever
Of the
The Act
Candy
Narcos
Unsolved Mysteries
Mindhunter

1) Dahmer – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story (2022) – Netflix

Evan Peters in Dahmer – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story (Image via Netflix)

Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story serves as the second installment in the Monsters series. The first entry, Dahmer – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story, created by Ryan Murphy and Ian Brennan, recounts the horrific real-life crimes, including the murder of seventeen men, committed by Jeffrey Dahmer.

This true crime saga focuses on the psyche of the perpetrator, his motives, and the inadequacies of the police. With ten episodes featuring Evan Peters in the lead role, the show also addresses the aftermath of the crimes on the victims and their families, adding emotional depth to the narrative.

2) Worst Ex Ever (2024) – Netflix

A still from Worst Ex Ever (Image via Netflix)

Worst Ex Ever highlights the disturbing truths of relationships that take a dark turn. This docuseries consists of four episodes, each centered on a different case.

It vividly depicts harrowing tales of betrayal and violence through testimonials, bodycam footage, and reenactments. One episode narrates the kidnapping and torture of a woman, while another recounts a man’s chilling plot to hire his cousin to murder his wife, demonstrating the extreme lengths some individuals go to harm their ex-partners.

Contrarily, a significant portion of this show’s footage is real, sourced from actual crime scenes, setting it apart from Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story.

3) Des (2020) – AMC+, Apple TV, Prime Video

A scene from Des Season 1 (Image via Prime Video)

Des is a three-episode miniseries by Lewis Arnold, providing a psychological thrill akin to Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story. Each installment delves into the crime, investigation, and societal impact surrounding Scottish serial killer Dennis Nilsen.

Nilsen was arrested in the ’80s after human remains blocked a drain near his home in London, with the series borrowing its title from the public nickname he adopted.

The series offers a comprehensive look at one of the UK’s most infamous cases, covering the trial, the discovery of more victims, and the widespread shock experienced at the time.

4) The Act (2019) – Hulu

The intense and unsettling narrative of The Act explores one of the most convoluted true crime stories to date. This series follows Gypsy Blanchard, who endured years of abuse from her mother, Claudine “Dee Dee” Blanchard. However, unlike Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story, this case isn’t as straightforward.

Dee Dee had successfully convinced those around her that Gypsy was gravely ill and needed constant care, so much so that Gypsy also believed it was true. Upon discovering the truth, Gypsy takes drastic action, resulting in her mother’s death.

5) Candy (2022) – Hulu

A still from Candy trailer (Image via YouTube/@hulu)

Candy is anchored in the true story of Candy Montgomery and, like Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story, it explores themes of infidelity and betrayal, set against the backdrop of suburban life in the ’80s.

Jessica Biel plays Montgomery, who is accused of brutally murdering her friend and neighbor, Betty Gore, with an axe. Through five suspenseful episodes, it portrays the journey of a suburban woman embroiled in an illicit affair, culminating in a shocking crime driven by psychological pressures.

6) Narcos (2015) – Netflix

Narcos follows the rise and fall of notorious drug lord Pablo Escobar, played by Wagner Moura, throughout its three seasons. While based on real events, certain scenes are dramatized, mirroring aspects found in Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story.

The inaugural season chronicles Escobar’s ascent, marked by corruption and violence, while subsequent seasons depict his prison escape, a manhunt, and the internal conflicts within the Cali Cartel.

7) Unsolved Mysteries (2020) – Netflix

A promotional still from Unsolved Mysteries Volume 3 (Image via Netflix)

Unsolved Mysteries revitalizes the classic documentary series that aired from 1987 to 2010, without focusing solely on one case. Each episode presents a real-life unsolved mystery, encompassing puzzling murders, missing persons, paranormal sightings, and extraterrestrial encounters.

The show aims for authenticity, offering raw accounts from victims, their families, and professionals from the field, delivering an uncompromising true crime experience.

8) Mindhunter (2017) – Netflix

A still from Mindhunter (Image via Netflix)

While Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story examined the motivations of its principal characters, Mindhunter dives into the minds of some of history’s most infamous serial killers.

Spanning two seasons and 19 episodes, the series chronicles the endeavors of FBI agents Holden Ford and Bill Tench, along with psychologist Wendy Carr, as they interview incarcerated serial killers, exploring their psyche to solve other ongoing cases, amidst a backdrop of tension.

Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story is captivating true crime fans with its unflinching portrayal of real-life events. For those eager to delve into more authentic crime thrillers after finishing this series, the recommendations above offer compelling viewing options.

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