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

May 2024 is a busy month if you’re a true crime fan. From a deep dive into a TikTok cult scandal to the rest of The Jinx Season 2, here’s your guide to the new documentaries hitting Netflix, Hulu, Disney Plus, Max, and more this month.

There have been some poignant entries to the true crime genre in 2024 so far, whether that be The Curious Case of Natalia Grace follow-up Natalia Speaks, The Prison Confessions of Gypsy Rose Blanchard following her release, or the shocking case detailed in American Nightmare.

The Jinx Season 2 has dominated the documentary scene in recent weeks, with new revelations about Robert “Bob” Durst and the company he kept over the years — and there are more episodes arriving this month.

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 May 2024

The Jinx Part 2 (Max) — May 5-26

Arguably the most compelling true crime docu-series has made its return in the form of The Jinx: Part Two. The six-part sequel, which arrives nine years after the 2015 original, delves deeper into the crimes of Robert Durst, who died in prison in 2022. While nothing will ever beat the “Killed them all” ending, there’s plenty more of his story to be told, making the rest of Season 2 worth adding to your watchlist this month.

Expedition from Hell: The Lost Tapes (Max) — May 12

This docu-series covers a truly stranger-than-fiction tale, centering on Mickey Grosman, a former special forces demolitions expert who took a group of inexperienced adventurers on a dangerous journey through the Amazon jungle. Although it was for a good cause, the expedition descended into horror as those who took part struggled to survive.

Pillowcase Murders (Paramount Plus) — May 14

In what will undoubtedly be a difficult watch, Pillowcase Murders is set to explore the crimes of Billy Chemirmir, a serial killer who targeted elderly women in Texas. As well as examining the case and the impact on the victims’ families, this Paramount+ docu-series will consider the oversights and failures that allowed Chemirmir to continue on his spree for so long. 

Ashley Madison: Sex, Lies & Scandal (Netflix) — May 15

Netflix

The very nature of Ashley Madison – the dating site for people looking for affairs – is controversial. But its users’ lives were thrown into further disarray when the site was hacked, leaking millions of cheaters’ private data. Netflix is set to explore the scandal in detail with this brand-new docu-series. 

Dancing for the Devil: The 7M TikTok Cult (Netflix) — May 29

Unsplash

In what can only be described as a modern problem, last year a management company called 7M Film was accused of trapping TikTok dancers in a cult. This three-part documentary series is set to explore the controversy surrounding the case, and look at the tactics used by cult-like organizations in the tech-led age. 

Jim Henson Idea Man (Disney Plus) — May 31

The late Muppets creator Jim Henson is the focus of this documentary feature, which tracks his early years puppeteering on local television through to the global fame of Sesame Street, The Muppet Show, and more, giving insight into a man whose imagination inspired the world. 

New documentaries and true crime on Netflix in May 2024

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

May 1

• Rather 

May 2

• Secrets of the Neanderthals 

May 8

• The Final: Attack on Wembley

May 9

• The Guardian of the Monarchs

May 10

• Cooking Up Murder: Uncovering the Story of Cesar Roman, Season 1
• Living with Leopards

May 15

• Ashley Madison: Sex, Lies & Scandal, Season 1

May 17

• Power

May 22

• Toughest Forces on Earth, Season 1

May 23

• The Seller of Illusions: The Generation Zoe Case

May 29

• Dancing for the Devil: The 7M TikTok Cult, Season 1

New documentaries and true crime on Max in May 2024

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

May 1

• Take My Tumor, Season 1 Episode 5

May 3

• Stop Making Sense (A24 re-release)

May 5

• The Jinx, Season 2 Episode 3

May 8

• In Pursuit with John Walsh, Season 5 Episode 1
• Take My Tumor, Season 1 Episode 6

May 12

• Expedition From Hell: The Lost Tapes, Season 1
• The Jinx, Season 2 Episode 4

May 15

• In Pursuit with John Walsh, Season 5 Episode 2

May 19

• The Jinx, Season 2 Episode 5

May 20

• Space Shuttle Columbia: The Final Flight
• STAX: Soulsville U.S.A

May 21

• Hell on Earth: The Verónica Case 

May 22

• In Pursuit with John Walsh, Season 5 Episode 3

May 23

• Romário: The Guy, Season 1

May 26

• The Jinx, Season 2 Episode 6

May 29

• MoviePass, MovieCrash

New documentaries and true crime on Amazon Prime Video in May 2024

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

May 17

• 99

May 23

• The Blue Angels

New documentaries and true crime on Hulu in May 2024

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

May 2

• The Contestant 

May 3

• Welcome to Wrexham, Season 3 Episodes 1-2

May 7

• Billy & Molly: An Otter Love Story

May 9

• Black Twitter: A People’s History, Season 1

May 10

• Welcome to Wrexham, Season 3 Episode 3

May 17

• Welcome to Wrexham, Season 3 Episode 4

May 24

• Welcome to Wrexham, Season 3 Episode 5

May 29

• Lainey Wilson: Bell Bottom Country

May 31

• Welcome to Wrexham, Season 3 Episode 6

New documentaries and true crime on Disney Plus in May 2024

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

May 7

• Billy & Molly: An Otter Love Story

May 8

• Let it Be (remastered)

May 22

• Marvel Studios’ Assembled: The Making of X-Men ’97

May 24

• The Beach Boys

May 31

• Jim Henson Idea Man

New documentaries & true crime on Paramount Plus in May 2024

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

May 1

• Behind the Music, Season 2

May 7

• Kiss The Future

May 14

• Pillowcase Murders, Season 1

May 21

• Lolla: The Story of Lollapalooza, Season 1

New documentaries & true crime on Peacock in May 2024

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

May 7

• Snapped: Killer Couples, Season 17 Finale

May 14

• Cold Justice, Season 7

May 19

• Dream Big: The Michelle Wie Story 

That’s all the new documentaries and true crime coming to streaming in May 2024. You can check out our roundup of new movies streaming this month, and look at the TV shows to watch this month. Or, read about the true story behind Netflix’s The Asunta Case.