Netflix’s Unsolved Mysteries has been named as the most popular true crime documentary based on viewer interest in a brand new study.

True Crime Mania, created by Jackpot City, analyses search data for Netflix and IMDb’s top shows to reveal which cases have kept the world most captivated, which documentaries on each case are worth watching, and how case developments have been received worldwide.  

The study found that while staple mysteries like The Black Dahlia and Jack the Ripper remain among the most-searched cases, it’s the 2007 disappearance of Madeleine McCann that has garnered the most worldwide interest to date

Those who are curious about the case should watch The Disappearance of Madeleine McCann for the details, as the show comes out as the most-watched account to date - despite holding a relatively low IMDb rating of 6.6 out of 10.

It seems that it’s child disappearances that captivate the world the most, as Netflix’s 2017 Abducted in Plain Sight documentary comes out as the most-watched show among those ranked as a true crime series on IMDb.

But some of us are watching true crime docs with no preference for case, as it’s Netflix’s 2020 iteration of the popular Unsolved Mysteries series that is the most-streamed show globally, with Season 1 Episode 3 House of Terror considered the best of the bunch. 

The top 10 must-watch shows based on search volume are as follows:

  1. Unsolved Mysteries
  2. Making a Murderer
  3. Wild Wild Country
  4. Abducted in Plain Sight
  5. The Act of Killing
  6. Bowling for Columbine
  7. The Thin Blue Line
  8. The Keepers
  9. The Imposter
  10. The Devil Next Door

When it comes to where shows the most interest in true crime shows, it’s the US that takes the top spot, followed by Sweden, the UK and Canada. But while the US favours Unsolved Mysteries, Sweden prefers Making a Murderer and the UK goes for The Thin Blue Line. 

There are more people turning to true crime series’ as entertainment during lockdown than before, with online searches for the top five most popular shows - including the standout Making a Murderer - increasing by a massive 60% globally over the past six months. 

So what is it about true crime documentaries that keep viewers coming back for more?  Tony Panaccio, acclaimed Media Consultant and Producer, believes that it’s the intense nature of the crimes explored in documentaries that keep Brits craving more. 

He said: “We've always been fascinated with the work of the police, not only because of its prurient nature but also for the puzzle. People love puzzles, and detectives solve puzzles that can actually save lives. The heightened stakes are what capture our attention and interest.”

This increased interest can be telling as the analysis also found that in the case of The Keddie Murders, recent search peaks for the top TV account, The Disturbing Murders at Keddie Cabin, matched up to a timely case breakthrough back in October. 

Other standout findings include that Ireland is the most invested country in the outcome of Madeleine McCann’s case, while Making a Murderer is the top-rated show analysed in the study.

To find out more about how true crime documentaries are received and which titles are the most popular, please visit True Crime Mania at: https://www.jackpotcitycasino.com/projects/true-crime-mania/