New documentaries & true crime December 2024: Netflix, Hulu, Prime & more

Daisy Phillipson
Richard Ramirez, still from The Kings of Tupelo, and Denis Cuspert, aka Deso Dogg

From an Oscar-contending deep dive into systemic abuse to an infamous true crime saga involving a cheerleading murder-for-hire scandal, here’s your guide to the new documentaries hitting Netflix, Hulu, Disney Plus, Max, and more in December 2024.

As we approach the end of the year, now’s the time to look back on some of the best true crime releases of 2024. From the thought-provoking case examined in Tell Them You Love Me to the chilling exploration of the troubled teen industry in The Program, this year has delivered some of the best the genre has to offer.

Over the past month, Cold Case: Who Killed JonBenét Ramsey has dominated the chat, delving into the notorious unsolved murder that continues to spark debate over potential suspects.

While Netflix continues to be the best streaming service for true crime, all platforms have something unique to offer, with plenty of real-life stories and shows making their streaming debut. So, here’s a rundown of all the new documentaries and true crime shows to mark in your calendar.

Top documentary and true crime picks for December 2024

The Honey Trap: A True Story of Love, Lies and The FBI (Paramount Plus) – December 6

In this feature documentary, filmmaker Chris Moukarbel examines the unbelievable true story of Denis Cuspert, aka Deso Dogg, a rapper-turned-MMA-fighter-turned-ISIS recruiter. The case takes an unexpected turn when the FBI enlists translator Daniela Greene, unraveling a tangled web of espionage, propaganda, and romance.

Sugarcane (Hulu/Disney Plus) – December 10

Sugarcane, making its streaming debut this month, will be the toughest yet most essential documentary you’ll watch all year. Directed by Julian Brave NoiseCat and Emily Kassie, this Oscar contender investigates abuse and the disappearance of children at a Native American residential school in Canada, shedding light on the broader history of systemic atrocities faced by Native American communities and the Catholic Church’s role in these horrors.

The Kings of Tupelo: A Southern Crime Saga (Netflix) – December 11

This new three-part docu-series is directed by Maclain Way and Chapman Way, the filmmakers behind Wild Wild Country, so you know it’s going to be gold. Rather than cults, they’re tackling the stranger-than-fiction tale of an Elvis impersonator whose entanglement in a conspiracy theory spirals into a feud, an attempted presidential assassination, and a high-stakes battle to clear his name.

Texas Cheerleader Murder Plot (Max) – December 19

Investigation Discovery’s new two-hour documentary is set to uncover the truth behind the infamous 1991 murder-for-hire case involving Wanda Holloway, a Texas mom who attempted to eliminate her daughter’s cheerleading rival. With rare interviews, including insights from Holloway’s daughter Shanna, it reveals hidden motives, media misrepresentations, and the shocking events that captivated the nation.

New documentaries and true crime on Netflix in December 2024

Biggest Heist Ever is set to explore the "Bitcoin Bonnie and Clyde"
Biggest Heist Ever is set to explore the “Bitcoin Bonnie and Clyde”

Here are all the documentary series and films hitting Netflix in December 2024:

December 3Borderless: Ae! Groups Debut, Season 1 premiere
December 4Churchill at War, Season 1
The Only Girl in the Orchestra
December 6Biggest Heist Ever
December 9999 Murderer Calling, Season 1
December 10Polo, Season 1
December 11Makayla’s Voice: A Letter to the World
The Kings of Tupelo: A Southern Crime Saga, Season 1
December 15Saucedo
December 17Aaron Rodgers: Enigma
December 18Julia’s Stepping Stones
December 20UniverXO Dabiz
December 31Avicii – I’m Tim

Max

Still from Nature of the Crime
Nature of the Crime explores the complexity of America’s parole system

Here are all the documentary series and films hitting Max in December 2024:

December 3Hard Knocks: In Season with the AFC North, Season 1 premiere
December 7Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story
December 10Nature of the Crime
December 12Lost in the Amazon: The Rescue That Shocked the World
Was I A Sex Object?
December 16Very Scary People, Season 6 Episode 1
December 17Dr. Sanjay Gupta Reports: Is Ozempic Right For You?
December 19Texas Cheerleader Murder Plot
December 23Very Scary People, Season 6 Episode 2
Alien Files: Reopened, Season 1
December 30Very Scary People, Season 6 Episode 3

Amazon Prime Video

Here are all the documentary series and films hitting Amazon Prime Video in December 2024:

December 5Glitter & Greed: The Lisa Frank Story, Season 1
December 23ChiefsAholic: A Wolf in Chiefs Clothing

Hulu

Newspaper clipping shown in Bad Actor: A Hollywood Ponzi Scheme
Bad Actor: A Hollywood Ponzi Scheme is making its streaming debut this month

Here are all the documentary series and films hitting Hulu in December 2024:

December 3Bad Actor: A Hollywood Ponzi Scheme
December 5Wild Crime, Season 4
December 7Inside the Enchanted Forests, Season 1 premiere
December 10Sugarcane
December 12Accused: Guilty or Innocent?, Season 6
Interrogation Raw, Season 2B
December 17Blink
December 20Lost Treasures of the Bible, Season 1 premiere

Disney Plus

Here are all the documentary series and films hitting Disney Plus in December 2024:

December 3Jung Kook: I Am Still – The Original, Season 1 premiere
December 5Wild Crime, Season 4
December 7Inside the Enchanted Forests, Season 1 premiere
December 10Sugarcane
December 13Elton John: Never Too Late
December 17Blink
December 20Lost Treasures of the Bible, Season 1 premiere

Paramount Plus

Still of pop group as1one
Learn more about as1one in Paramount’s new documentary

Here are all the documentary series and films hitting Paramount Plus in December 2024:

December 3as1one: The Israeli-Palestinian Pop Music Journey, Season 1 premiere
December 6The Honey Trap: A True Story of Love, Lies and The FBI

Peacock

Here are all the documentary series and films hitting Peacock in December 2024:

December 3Girls Gone Wild: The Untold Story, Season 1
Lady of the Dunes: Hunting a Cape Cod Killer, Season 1
December 7Dateline, Season 33 (new episode)
December 10Richard Ramirez: The Night Stalker Tapes, Season 1
December 14Dateline, Season 33 (new episode)
December 17Puff: The Making of a Monster
December 21Dateline, Season 33 (new episode)
December 24Killer Relationship with Faith Jenkins, Season 3
December 28Dateline, Season 33 (new episode)

That’s all the new documentaries and true crime coming to streaming in December 2024. You can check out our roundup of new movies streaming this month, as well as the TV shows to add to your watchlist.

Also, read about the best serial killer documentaries, the Zodiac killer suspects, what to expect in Natalia Grace Season 3.