Brb, Locking The Doors

10 Shows Like The Watcher Made Creepier By The Fact They’re Based On True Stories

Eerie testament to the fact we can never be too careful.

by Simone R. Johnson
Updated: 
Originally Published: 
Eric Liebowitz/Netflix © 2022

The Watcher is where true crime and horror meet. After a family moves into their dream home, it quickly turns into a nightmare as a frightening fiend called The Watcher begins terrorizing them. It'll leave you wanting more, so here are 10 other based-on-real-life shows to binge next.

Eric Liebowitz/Netflix © 2022

Dirty John | 2018-2019

Debra Newell has the perfect life, but after she meets dreamboat doctor John Meehan, things take a dangerous turn. He quickly manipulates the mother of two, which ends in disaster for the entire family. Season 2 tells the story of Betty Broderick, who murdered her ex-husband.

Atlas Entertainment, LA Times Studios, Universal Cable Productions

Under the Banner of Heaven | 2022

In this miniseries, religious detective Jeb Pyre investigates a gruesome murder, and the prime suspects are a devout and esteemed family in Utah. Their motive? A strong mistrust of the government and extremist Ladder Day Saint views.

Michelle Faye - © 2022, FX Networks.

The Act | 2019

On paper, Dee Dee Blanchard is just an overprotective mother. However, when her daughter goes to shocking lengths to escape her, the darkness and toxicity of their relationship get brought to light.

Writ Large, Cool House, Eat the Cat

Dr. Death | 2021

Dr. Christopher Duntsch is not your typical doctor — his “routine” spinal surgeries left his patients maimed or dead. This eight-part drama series follows his journey of butchery up to his arrest.

Peacock TV LLC

Waco | 2018

Waco is a dramatized retelling of the 51-day standoff between the FBI, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and David Koresh's religious clan in 1993 in Waco, Texas. The strange event ends in a fatal shootout.

Brothers Dowdle Productions, Alibi, Paramount Network

Landscapers | 2021

Landscapers follows the story of Susan and her husband Christopher, who killed Susan's parents and buried them in their Mansfield home back garden. The crime went undetected for more than a decade.

Cactus Films, Sister, South of the River Pictures

Des | 2020

This three-part miniseries tells the tale of Scottish serial killer Dennis Nilsen. His heinous crimes are brought to light after the human remains of his victims are found to be the reason for the drainage blockage near his home.

DNA Films FX Productions/Scott Rudin Productions/BBC Two

The Thing About Pam | 2022

This true crime story is about the 2011 murder of Betsy Faria by her seemingly good friend Pam Hupp. After hatching her sinister plan at the expense of Faria's life, Hupp reveals who she really is.

NBC/Skip Bolen/© 2021 NBCUniversal Media, LLC

A Friend of the Family | 2022

A Friend of the Family tells the true story of the Broberg family. A creepy and strangely appealing family friend kidnaps their daughter Jan multiple times over the years. The bizarre circumstances create a rift in the family.

© 2022 Peacock TV LLC

The Staircase | 2022

Crime novelist Michael Peterson is accused of killing his wife when she’s found dead at the bottom of the stairs. The mini-drama follows the 16-year judicial battle that’s filled with unexpected twists and turns.

Brauer & Co. Hawk Anamorphic Los Angeles