The 7 Best Unsolved Crime Movies & TV Shows You Can't Miss

If you're not afraid to go retro, then The Legend of Lizzie Borden will give you a much more accurate look at the famous unsolved axe murders than Ryan Murphy and Ian Brennan's The Lizzie Borden Story. Of course, like all stylized retellings, there are creative liberties taken, considering that no one actually knows what went on in that house, except Lizzie herself… and maybe her maid. 

That said, The Legend of Lizzie Borden offers a detailed look at the subsequent trial, with the TV film using real testimony in its script. Elizabeth Montgomery also earned a Best Actress nomination for her performance, making it a must-watch for that alone.

While most of the recommendations on this list feature unsolved murders, Escape from Alcatraz offers something a little different. The Clint Eastwood vehicle chronicles the famous 1962 prison escape that resulted in the subsequent disappearances of Frank Morris, John Anglin, and Clarence Anglin.

There are many theories as to what happened to the prisoners. While the leading one is that they didn't survive the harrowing raft ride through San Francisco Bay, others think the trio made it to land and started new lives. Unfortunately, if you're looking for some type of closure, you won't find it here. Escape from Alcatraz delivers a mostly faithful retelling of true events, including the ambiguous ending of Frank Morris and the Anglin brothers. 

NOTE: This murder has officially been solved as of 2019. However, when Bong Joon Ho released Memories of Murder in 2003, authorities still hadn't uncovered Lee Choon-jae as the man behind the Hwaseong serial murders, which makes it an interesting time capsule. 

Anyone familiar with Bong Joon Ho's other work, like The Host (2006) and Parasite (2019), knows the director is a master of tension and satire. Memories of Murder does something similar by delivering all the expected crime drama trappings with a bit of comedy thrown in. The ending is outstandingly chilling, leaving you with a haunting ambiguity that works for the then-unsolved crime's open conclusion. 

As far as historical accuracy, don't expect much from From Hell. While the movie pulls from the infamous Jack the Ripper murders, it more closely follows what Alan Moore and Eddie Campbell laid out in their graphic novel. Yes, there are real murders covered in both the movie and source material, but Moore and Campbell make the "royal conspiracy" a big focus of their plot. 

Don't know what the royal conspiracy is? Well, prepare yourself for an internet rabbit hole. However, in short, the theory posits that the British crown orchestrated an elaborate cover-up to protect Prince Albert Victor. It's interesting for sure, but most historians agree it's also a pretty far-fetched idea, even if From Hell has some solid fun with it.

The Black Dahlia might rank lower than most of the other movies on this list if we're just going by critical reception. However, anything Brian De Palma touches is generally a visual feat that's worth watching at least once, even if it's just for the spectacle. The Black Dahlia most definitely falls into that category.

Narratively, it struggles, but it's not without some strengths, including Mia Kirshner as Elizabeth Short. Short's murder, of course, remains one of the most sensationalized unsolved crimes in American History. Her story is often depicted with a certain amount of glamour and despair, considering her status as an aspiring actress. De Palma delivers something within that spectrum; just don't expect something overly historically accurate given the limited details about Short's life. 

The Zodiac killings remain one of the most notorious unsolved crimes of the 20th century—and for good reasons. The killer's seemingly random and brutal murders targeting young couples parked on lovers' lanes give the case an added element of horror. However, what truly made this case stand out was the killer's letters and cryptograms, which are a major focus of David Fincher's aptly titled film, Zodiac. 

A large portion of the films follows Jake Gyllenhaal's Robert Graysmith, a political cartoonist at the San Francisco Chronicle who takes an obsessive interest in the case after the news outlet receives the first letter and cryptogram. While Zodiac is a bit of a slow burn, it's the ideal watch for someone interested in learning more about the Zodiac case, even if some of the true events have been dramatized.

If you're a fan of the aforementioned Ryan Murphy and Ian Brennan's brand of true crime retellings, then make sure to check out The Watcher. Unlike the majority of entries on this list, The Watcher focuses on stalking rather than murder. The series pulls from the true events surrounding what the press dubbed The Watcher of Westfield, New Jersey, which involved new homeowners receiving strange letters from an unknown sender who called themselves "The Watcher."

In real life, the case has never been solved and has essentially gone cold. However, Murphy and Brennan's version of the events deliver much more drama and campy fun. This isn't one for people looking for facts; it's for those of us wanting a twisty mystery to follow that offers escapism instead of hardcore truths or profound ideas.