Kick back with family and bond over newtoyou Netflix content. The 18 best family shows on Netflix to unwind to Kick back with family and bond over newtoyou Netflix content. and Ilana Gordon :maxbytes(150000):stripicc()/ILANAGORDONHEADSHOT80577598f8ed442cacff5de184ceb9f5.jpg) Ilana Gordon is an entertainment, culture, and comedy writer originally from Connecticut. She currently lives in Los Angeles. EW's editorial guidelines January 4, 2026 9:00 a.m.

Kick back with family and bond over new-to-you Netflix content.

The 18 best family shows on Netflix to unwind to

Kick back with family and bond over new-to-you Netflix content.

and Ilana Gordon

Ilana Gordon is an entertainment, culture, and comedy writer originally from Connecticut. She currently lives in Los Angeles.

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January 4, 2026 9:00 a.m. ET

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Mikey Day on 'Is it Cake?'; Nicole Byer on 'Nailed It!'; Malia Baker as Mary Anne Spier, Anais Lee as Jessi Ramsey, Momona Tamada as Claudia Kishi, and Shay Rudolph as Stacey McGill on 'The Baby-Sitter's Club'. Credit:

Courtesy of Netflix; Netflix; Liane Hentscher/Netflix

When it comes to family time, picking something to watch often results in picking a fight. Not to worry, Netflix offers several shows that multiple generations can enjoy together. Boomers get a new adaptation of their beloved sitcom *One Day at a Time*, Gen X and millennials can enjoy revisiting *Goosebumps*, Gen Z will love the absurdity of *Centaurworld*,* *and Gen Alpha can vibe out to *The Tiny Chef Show*.

Regardless of age demographic, the shows on this list can be enjoyed by people of all ages. Read on for **'s list of the 18 best family shows on Netflix.

Avatar: The Last Airbender (2005–2008)

Aang (voice: Zach Tyler Eisen) on 'Avatar: The Last Airbender'. Everett Collection

An Avatar is a once-in-a-generation figure who can control the four elements: water, earth, fire, and air. At 12 years old, Aang is one such anomaly, but upon realizing his responsibilities, he panicked and put himself into suspended animation by freezing himself within an iceberg. After being freed by Katara and Sokka a century later, Aang journeys with them to learn how to use his powers properly.

Delivering the kind of sophisticated serialized storytelling typically reserved for prestige cable dramas, *Avatar: The Last Airbender** *is a buddy coming-of-age story and a mythological epic rolled into one. *—Will Harris *

Where to watch *Avatar: The Last Airbender*: Netflix

**Cast:** Zach Tyler Eisen, Mae Whitman, Jack De Sena, Dante Basco, Mark Hamill

The Baby-Sitters Club (2020–2021)

Shay Rudolph as Stacey McGill and and Momona Tamada as Claudia Kishi on 'The Baby-Sitters Club'. Netflix

Netflix revamps the beloved young adult chapter books for Gen Z in the TV adaptation of *The Baby-Sitters Club*. Formerly released as a movie in 1995, the series reintroduces the world to five middle school students — Kristy, Claudia, Mary Anne, Stacey, and Dawn (with Mallory and Jessi joining later) — who form a club to make finding child care easier for the parents in their town.

The 18 episodes are inspired by plot from Ann M. Martin's books and follow the girls as they balance boyfriends, health issues, school troubles, and parental disputes with their babysitting jobs. Netflix canceled the show after only two seasons, but *The Baby-Sitters Club *is still worth watching, as EW's reviewer writes, because it brings the series "into the modern era without sacrificing the wholesome ideals at its core. *—Ilana Gordon*

Where to watch *The Baby-Sitters Club*: Netflix

**EW grade: **B

**Cast: **Sophie Grace, Momona Tamada, Shay Rudolph, Malia Baker, Alicia Silverstone

Centaurworld (2021)

Durpleton (voice: Josh Radnor), Zulius (voice: Parvesh Cheena), Wammawink (voice: Megan Hilty), Ched (voice: Chris Diamontopolous), and Glendale (voice: Megan Nicole Dong) on 'Centaurworld'.

A half-musical, half-comedy/drama about a world where the characters are half-person, half-animal, there's nothing else like *Centaurworld* on television today. The 18-episode animated series tells the story of a warhorse who accidentally travels to a world composed of different animals that are all centaurs — thus providing them with the ability to speak and sing.

If that's confusing to think about, that's okay: The show is beautiful to look at, with catchy songs sung by Broadway favorites, and adventurous storylines to ground the ambitious and abstract premise. The show combines the world-building vibes of *BoJack Horseman* with the silliness of *Bob's Burgers*, and tops the whole thing off with the musical stylings of a *Crazy Ex-Girlfriend* — all wrapped in family-friendly packaging. *—I.G.*

Where to watch *Centaurworld*: Netflix

**Cast: **Kimiko Glenn, Megan Hilty, Parvesh Cheena, Chris Diamantopoulos, Megan Dong

The Cuphead Show! (2022)

Mugman (voice: Frank Todaro) and Cuphead (voice: Tru Valentino) on 'The Cuphead Show!'.

An adaptation of the popular video game, this homage to classic 1930s cartoons is a level of bizarre usually relegated to Adult Swim, and it's a great deal of fun, especially if you appreciate early animated shorts. (You'd be surprised how many people do.)

The series revolves around brothers Cuphead and Mugman, two anthropomorphic cups who live with their grandfather, Elder Kettle, and have fun and crazy adventures. Sometimes things can get a little dark — there's a recurring plotline involving the Devil trying to take Cuphead's soul — but as darkness goes, it's still pretty light. *—W.H. *

Where to watch *The Cuphead Show!*: Netflix

**Cast:** Tru Valentino, Frank Todaro, Grey DeLisle, Joe Hanna, Wayne Brady

The Fairly OddParents (2001–2017)

Cosmo (voice: Daran Norris), Wanda (voice: Susanne Blakeslee), and Timmy Turner (voice: Tara Strong) on 'The Fairly OddParents'.

*The Fairly OddParents *is one of Nickelodeon's longest-running shows, and now you can catch seasons 4 and 5 streaming on Netflix. The series centers around Timmy Turner, a miserable 10-year-old whose life improves significantly after he is given two fairy godparents named Wanda and Cosmo.

Timmy's godparents are happy to grant his every wish — but that has a tendency to backfire, and Timmy finds himself spending the rest of each episode cleaning up the messes his good intentions left behind. A wish-fulfillment show for the pragmatic amongst us, *The Fairly OddParents *is a good time for everyone. *—I.G.*

Where to watch *The Fairly OddParents*: Netflix

**Cast: **Tara Strong, Susanne Blakeslee, Daran Norris, Grey DeLisle, Carlos Alazraqui

Fuller House (2016–2020)

Jodie Sweetin as Stephanie Tanner, Andrea Barber as Kimmy Gibbler, and Candace Cameron Bure as D.J. Tanner on 'Fuller House'.

ABC's old-school TGIF lineup in the late-'80s and early-'90s was full of the most critic-proof, viewer-adored programming ever, making the long-running sitcom *Full House* (1987–1995) ripe for a revival. This time around, the original adult characters — played by Bob Saget, John Stamos, Dave Coulier, and Lori Loughlin — were mere guest stars, with D.J. (Candace Cameron Bure), Stephanie (Jodie Sweetin), and Kimmy (Andrea Barber) now the stars of the show, along with D.J. and Kimmy's kids. (Sorry, the Olsen twins didn't return as Michelle.)

It's rare for one generation to be able to translate their pop culture touchstones to the next, but *Fuller House* makes it a seamless transition, as if picking up right where the golden era of '90s sitcoms left off. *—W.H. *

Where to watch *Fuller House*: Netflix

**Cast:** Candace Cameron Bure, Jodie Sweetin, Andrea Barber, Michael Campion, Elias Harger

Goosebumps (1995–1998)

Season 1, episode 1 of 'Goosebumps,' 'The Haunted Mask'.

Fox Network/Courtesy Everett Collection

R.L. Stine created a cottage industry of striking fear into the hearts of pre-teens, teens, and occasionally even adults with his long-running *Goosebumps *book series, so it was only a matter of time before they got a television adaptation.

Although there's nowhere to stream *all* of the episodes, Netflix has at least curated a collection, which includes appearances from the Terror Tower, the Werewolf of Fever Swamp, and the Living Dummy, that'll keep nostalgic fans happy. The show truly captured the vibes of Stine's books — just spooky and weird enough to scratch that itch for a young, burgeoning horror fan, but without anything scary enough to send a kid to therapy. *—W.H. *

Where to watch *Goosebumps*: Netflix

**Cast:** Cory Sevier, Brendan Fletcher, Hayden Christensen

iCarly (2007–2012)

Miranda Cosgrove as Carly Shay on 'iCarly'.

Who would've expected this series to become such a phenomenon when it first launched back in 2007? At the time, video streaming was arguably still a novelty, so the idea of building a TV show around two teens — Carly Shay (Miranda Cosgrove) and her bestie, Sam Puckett (Jennette McCurdy) — and their web series was remarkably forward-thinking of Nickelodeon.

The show channels a certain energetic, zany sense of humor viewers could recognize from their own adolescent friendships and antics, culminating in a five-season run and a 2021–2023 revival on Paramount+. *—W.H. *

Where to watch *iCarly*: Netflix

**Cast:** Miranda Cosgrove, Jennette McCurdy, Nathan Kress, Jerry Trainor

Is It Cake? (2022–present)

Mikey Day on 'Is It Cake?'.

Courtesy of Netflix

Some memes never die — they mutate into addictive Netflix reality shows. The competition series *Is It Cake? *began online in the summer of 2020 after a video featuring cake disguised as everyday objects went viral. The show adaptation challenges expert bakers to recreate everyday items in cake form for a chance to win $50,000. Hosted by *Saturday Night Live*'s Mikey Day, this bake-off game show is fun to play along with as celebrity judges try to guess which objects are regular objects, and which are actually made of cake. *—I.G.*

Where to watch *Is It Cake?*: Netflix

**Cast: **Mikey Day

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Julie and the Phantoms (2020)

Jeremy Shada as Reggie, Madison Reyes as Julie, Charlie Gillespie as Luke, and Owen Joyner as Alex on 'Julie and the Phantoms'.

Kailey Schwerman/Netflix

This creative Netflix series from executive producer Kenny Ortega (*High School Musical*) never got a chance to stretch its wings during its single-season run, but that doesn't mean you can't still enjoy the nine episodes. While trying to make music after her mother's death, Julie (Madison Reyes) summons the spirits of a band that died in 1995 and ends up behind their new lead singer.

How? Well, they can somehow be seen when they're performing, so concertgoers think they're holograms. Don't ask too many questions…just enjoy the music. (Yes, there *is* a soundtrack!) *—W.H. *

Where to watch *Julie and the Phantoms*: Netflix

**Cast:** Madison Reyes, Charlie Gillespie, Owen Patrick Joyner, Jeremy Shada

Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events (2017–2019)

Neil Patrick Harris as Count Olaf on 'Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events'.

The 2004 film *Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events*, starring Jim Carrey as Count Olaf, failed to secure enough box office success to warrant adaptations of further books in the long-running series. Fortunately, that didn't stop Netflix from taking a chance on a TV version, which follows orphans Violet, Klaus, and Sunny Baudelaire as they avoid Count Olaf, now played by Neil Patrick Harris, as he tries to wrest control of their inheritance.

This is a practically perfect translation, capturing the books' madness, eccentric humor, and darkly inventive imagination — and Harris, of course, nails it. *—W.H.*

Where to watch *Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events*: Netflix

**EW grade:** A–

**Cast:** Neil Patrick Harris, Patrick Warburton, Malina Weissman, Louis Hynes, K. Todd Freeman

Lost in Space (2018–2021)

Toby Stephens as John Robinson and Molly Parker as Maureen Robinson on 'Lost in Space'.

Since the original 1960s series wrapped, producers have been trying to get a reboot of *Lost in Space* — a sci-fi adventure inspired by *Swiss Family Robinson* — off the ground (no pun intended), but it took the power of Netflix to finally make it happen.

The Robinson family, along with Don West and criminal stowaway June Harris, a.k.a. Zoe Smith, leaves Earth to assist in the colonization of the Alpha Centauri system, only to crash on an alien planet before reaching their destination. It's a sci-fi adventure, yes, but it's first and foremost a story of family bonding. That sets it apart from the myriad space operas populating big-budget TV in recent years; the relationships are the real substance of the show, the interstellar adventures are the dessert. *—W.H. *

Where to watch *Lost in Space*: Netflix

**Cast:** Molly Parker, Toby Stephens, Maxwell Jenkins, Taylor Russell, Parker Posey

The Magic School Bus (1994–1997)

(Front, from left): Dorothy Ann (voice: Tara Meyer), Wanda Li (voice: Lisa Yamanaka), Ralphie Tennelli (voice: Stuart Stone), and Arnold Pearlstein (voice: Danny Tamberelli); (Middle, from left): Carlos Ramon (voice: Daniel DeSanto), Tim Jamal (voice: Andre Ottley-Lorant), Keesha Franklin (voice: Erica Luttrell), and Phoebe Terese (voice: Maia Filar); (Back, right): Ms. Valerie Frizzle (voice: Lily Tomlin) on 'The Magic School Bus'.

Courtesy Everett Collection

The best field trips in the '90s took place on *The Magic School Bus*. Lily Tomlin voices Miss Frizzle, an eccentric science teacher who chauffeurs her students through time, space, and the human body in a flying yellow school bus.

The series ran for two seasons on PBS where it became the highest-rated show on the network for school-aged kids. And the show's list of guest stars includes some of the most accomplished voice, stage, and comedic actors of the time. Only the first season is available to stream on Netflix, but with 13 episodes ready to go, there are plenty of reasons to hitch a ride on the Magic School Bus. *—I.G. *

Where to watch *The Magic School Bus*: Netflix

**Cast: **Lily Tomlin, Malcolm-Jamal Warner, Lisa Yamanaka

Nailed It! (2018–2022)

Nicole Byer on 'Nailed It!'.

If watching people fail to recreate complicated Pinterest baking recipes is your thing, you simply must watch *Nailed It!* This competition reality show pits hapless home bakers against one another to complete two challenges per episode. With limited time and $10,000 on the line, they're tasked with making something that vaguely resembles and tastes like the expert-level cake they've been assigned to replicate.

With seven seasons, each containing between four and eight episodes, this platform favorite is low-stakes enough to have on in the background, but engaging enough to watch with the whole family. *—I.G.*

Where to watch *Nailed It!*: Netflix

**Cast:** Nicole Byer, Jacques Torres

One Day at a Time (2017–2020)

Justina Machado as Penelope and Todd Grinnell as Schneider on 'One Day at a Time'.

Michael Yarish/Netflix/Courtesy: Everett Collection

If there was any uncertainty when Norman Lear announced in the mid-2010s that he wanted to remake his '70s sitcom *One Day at a Time *with a Latino family, it dissipated when the new version debuted. In this new incarnation, Justina Machado plays a veteran of the U.S. Army Nurse Corps who's raising two kids with the help of her mom (Rita Moreno) in an apartment owned by Pat Schneider (Todd Grinnell), who also doubles as the handyman.

Critics adored the camaraderie between the cast as well as the realistic, relatable storylines — and for good reason. In his 90s when the revival launched, Lear proved why he was a small-screen legend with his uncanny ability to find modern wisdom in a timeworn prototype. *—W.H. *

Where to watch *One Day at a Time*: Netflix

**Cast:** Justina Machado, Todd Grinnell, Isabella Gomez, Marcel Ruiz, Rita Moreno

The Tiny Chef Show (2022–2024)

Tiny Chef (voice: Matt Hutchinson) on 'The Tiny Chef Show'.

The cutest cooking show on TV is *The Tiny Chef Show*, a Nickelodeon creation. It's part live action, part animation, and follows a vegetarian chef who lives in a tree stump as he cooks with his best friend, a robot named Olly.

Each episode features a different celebrity guest star and recipe, as well as educational food content, advice sessions, and dance breaks. The perfect series to help introduce children to cooking and nutrition, *The Tiny Chef Show* is likely to inspire parents to remember the joys of cooking as well. *—I.G.*

Where to watch *The Tiny Chef Show*: Netflix

**Cast: **Matt Hutchinson, Odessa A'zion, RuPaul, Alan Cumming, Nicole Byer

Young Sheldon (2017–2024)

Raegan Revord as Missy, Zoe Perry as Mary, Lance Barber as George, Iain Armitage as Sheldon, Annie Potts as Meemaw, Montana Jordan as Georgie, and Emily Osment as Mandy on 'Young Sheldon'.

Pamela Littky/CBS

What started as a semi-novelty — a prequel series to *The Big Bang Theory* (2007–2019) exploring how the ingenious (and often insufferable) Sheldon Cooper (Iain Armitage, with the original Sheldon, Jim Parsons, serving as narrator) became the man he is today — quickly turned into one of the most popular broadcast comedies in recent memory, thanks in no small part to its strong ensemble. Cute, quippy, and clean, many families will be able to enjoy *Young Sheldon** *even if they didn't watch the original series. *—W.H. *

Where to watch *Young Sheldon*: Netflix

**Cast:** Iain Armitage, Zoe Perry, Lance Barber, Montana Jordan, Raegan Revord

Zoey 101 (2005–2008)

(Front, left): Paul Butcher as Dustin Brooks; (Middle row, from left): Erin Sanders as Quinn Pensky, Jamie Lynn Spears as Zoey Brooks, and Victoria Justice as Lola Martinez; (Back row, from left): Sean Flynn as Chase Matthews, Matthew Underwood as Logan Reese, and Christopher Massey as Michael Barret on 'Zoey 101'. Everett Collection

Nickelodeon was in its heyday in the mid-2000s, and *Zoey 101* proved to be one of the network's most expensive and successful endeavors to date. The show was designed around Jamie Lynn Spears (Britney's younger sister), who was already featured on the network in the comedy sketch show,* All That*.

*Zoey 101* is set in Southern California at the Pacific Coast Academy, a pretend boarding school where Zoey Brooks (Spears), her brother Dustin (Paul Butcher), and their friends are learning to live, laugh, and love as young teenagers. The show was cancelled after Spears was embroiled in a teen pregnancy scandal, but in 2023, Paramount+ gifted fans with a revival film called *Zoey 102* that reunited most of the original stars. *—I.G.*

Where to watch *Zoey 101*: Netflix

**Cast: **Jamie Lynn Spears, Paul Butcher, Sean Flynn, Kristin Herrera, Christopher Massey

- Children's Shows

Original Article on Source

Source: "EW Children's"

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Source: Children's

Published: January 05, 2026 at 08:57AM on Source: RON MAG

#ShowBiz#Sports#Celebrities#Lifestyle

byKris Ronald

in Celebrities, Lifestyle, Politics, ShowBiz, Sports

January 04, 2026

The 18 best family shows on Netflix to unwind to

Kick back with family and bond over newtoyou Netflix content. The 18 best family shows on Netflix to unwind to Kick bac...

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The comedian keeps trying to do one impersonation that is just too obscure for &34;Saturday Night Live.&34; James Austin Johnson can't get his best impression on SNL: 'It's always a resounding no' The comedian keeps trying to do one impersonation that is just too obscure for &34;Saturday Night Live.&34; By Jillian Sederholm Jillian Sederholm Jillian Sederholm is news director at . She has worked at EW for more than eight years. Jillian has previously worked as a reporter, social media editor, and homepage producer at NBC News, Digital First Media, Newsday, and Random Lengths News.

The comedian keeps trying to do one impersonation that is just too obscure for "Saturday Night Live."

James Austin Johnson can't get his best impression on SNL: 'It's always a resounding no'

The comedian keeps trying to do one impersonation that is just too obscure for "Saturday Night Live."

By Jillian Sederholm

Jillian Sederholm

Jillian Sederholm is news director at *. *She has worked at EW for more than eight years. Jillian has previously worked as a reporter, social media editor, and homepage producer at NBC News, Digital First Media, Newsday, and *Random Lengths News.*

EW's editorial guidelines

January 3, 2026 4:00 p.m. ET

James Austin Johnson at 'SNL50' on Feb. 16, 2025. Credit:

Jamie McCarthy/NBC

*Saturday Night Live*'s resident master impressionist isn't allowed to do his best impression on the show.

James Austin Johnson, who regularly portrays President Donald Trump, has one impersonation that he's repeatedly attempted to do on *SNL*, but he keeps getting shot down because it's just too obscure.

After show alum Fred Armisen revealed during a panel for the Television Academy earlier this year that his own impression of* This American Life *host Ira Glass never made it past *SNL *dress rehearsal because "it was explained to me that he wasn't famous enough," the current cast member piped up that he could relate.**

"Fred, I get that a lot at the table," Johnson said, referring to the meeting where writers and cast members read through potential sketches to see what gets the best reception from the staff. "I get that a lot. 'Why are we doing this, honey?' Because I do the voice. 'Yeah, nobody gives a s---.'"

Fred Armisen, Ego Nwodim, Heidi Gardner, Bowen Yang, Sarah Sherman, James Austin Johnson, and Chloe Fineman at the Television Academy on June 2, 2025.

Todd Williamson/NBC

Johnson was joined on the June 2 panel by his *SNL *season 50 costars Ego Nwodim, Heidi Gardner, Bowen Yang, Sarah Sherman, and Chloe Fineman. (Nwodim and Gardner later left the show ahead of the current 51st season.)

Sherman urged the comedian to reveal to the live audience what voice he was talking about.

"Longtime *Rolling Stone* editor David Fricke," Johnson declared, naming the music journalist who has had an illustrious career but may not be a familiar voice to the average *SNL* viewer.**

"Wait, did you really, did you really do it?" Armisen asked, amused at the reference, as Johnson's colleagues nodded that he had.**

"I've done it so many times. It's always a resounding no from everyone in the room," Johnson replied.**

Jack Black details 'SNL' sketch written by Amy Poehler that never made it to air

Ashley Padilla's viral 'SNL' bad haircut sketch was based on a real experience: 'I looked insane'

"We laugh," several of his costars insisted.

"You laugh, you laugh because it's like, 'Oh, look at James, he's doing his little cartwheel for us,'" he retorted, insisting, "It's my best voice. It's my best impression. I nailed that guy. It's just, you know, that people don't want to see it."**

After the group egged him on to do the impression, he warned, "It's the most boring voice you've ever heard in your life," before providing a demonstration of Fricke discussing Paul McCartney.

Check out Johnson's impression of Fricke below:**

Armisen asked if the impression had ever made it to a sketch performed at dress rehearsal.

"No, no, no, no," Johnson replied. "Every single time they've been like, 'You gotta stop submitting that s---. You gotta stop. There's no time.'"

For comparison, you can watch the real Fricke discussing McCartney himself below:**

*Saturday Night Live* is currently on winter hiatus before making its expected return sometime in January with new episodes.

Original Article on Source

Source: "EW SNL"

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Source: SNL

Published: January 05, 2026 at 08:57AM on Source: RON MAG

#ShowBiz#Sports#Celebrities#Lifestyle

byKris Ronald

in Celebrities, Lifestyle, Politics, ShowBiz, Sports

January 04, 2026

James Austin Johnson can't get his best impression on SNL: 'It's always a resounding no'

The comedian keeps trying to do one impersonation that is just too obscure for &34;Saturday Night Live.&34; James Aus...

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Docuseries, shows inspired by true stories, and premises ripped from the headlines: These series put the &34;true&34; in true crime. The 17 best true crime shows on Hulu for your inner sleuth Docuseries, shows inspired by true stories, and premises ripped from the headlines: These series put the &34;true&34; in true crime. By James Mercadante, Kayla Mroch, Ilana Gordon, and Kevin Jacobsen January 4, 2026 12:00 p.m. ET Leave a Comment :maxbytes(150000):stripicc()/besttruecrimehulu042524aa838edf802344fbaf00cf62292fcf6f.

Docuseries, shows inspired by true stories, and premises ripped from the headlines: These series put the "true" in true crime.

The 17 best true crime shows on Hulu for your inner sleuth

Docuseries, shows inspired by true stories, and premises ripped from the headlines: These series put the "true" in true crime.

By James Mercadante, Kayla Mroch, Ilana Gordon, and Kevin Jacobsen

January 4, 2026 12:00 p.m. ET

Leave a Comment

Riley Keough as Rebecca Godfrey in 'Under the Bridge'; 'Captive Audience: A Real American Horror Story'; Bill Kurtis, host of 'Cold Case Files'. Credit:

Disney; Courtesy Hulu; Andrew Eccles/A+E Network

Cultural historians will struggle to pinpoint the exact moment true crime became one of the great American pastimes. But what we do know is that since the genre has taken off, there's no criminal case too scandalous, lurid, or complicated for an audience to follow. The dramatic series and docuseries on this list represent some of the most thoughtful portrayals of infamous criminal stories, with subjects ranging from a mom with Munchausen syndrome by proxy (*The Act*) to tales of 1970s childhood kidnappings (*Captive Audience: A Real American Horror Story*).

Follow along for EW's list of the 17 best true crime shows on Hulu. **

The Act (2019)

Patricia Arquette as Dee Dee Blanchard and Joey King as Gypsy-Rose Blanchard in 'The Act'. Brownie Harris/Hulu

You're likely familiar with the name Gypsy Rose, the notorious ex-convict who has consistently made headlines ever since her early release from prison in December 2023. Spanning eight episodes, *The Act* recounts the events leading up to the murder of her mother, Dee Dee Blanchard (Patricia Arquette), in 2015, a case intertwined with allegations of abuse and factitious disorder.

While the series captures the suffocating atmosphere Gypsy endured under her mother's care — who made her daughter believe she had cancer, among other illnesses and disabilities — what stands out are the performances by Arquette (who won a Golden Globe for the role) and Joey King, who told EW, "Transforming into Gypsy was one of the most challenging but most rewarding things I've ever done." —*James Mercadante*

Where to watch *The Act*: Hulu

**Cast:** Patricia Arquette, Joey King, AnnaSophia Robb, Chloë Sevigny, Calum Worthy

American Crime Story (2016–present)

Courtney B. Vance as Johnnie Cochran in 'The People: v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story'. Prashant Gupta/FX

Ryan Murphy, the producer behind eclectic TV hits like *Glee *and* American Horror Story*, expanded his ever-evolving repertoire when tackling the true crime genre. Winning countless Emmys and two Golden Globes for Best Miniseries or Television Film in 2017 and 2019, FX's anthology series *American Crime Story* dives into infamous historical transgressions ingrained in the American psyche.

Season 1 (by far the best installment) centers on the O.J. Simpson (Cuba Gooding Jr.) murder trial, while season 2 covers the 1997 murder of fashion designer Gianni Versace (Edgar Ramírez), and season 3 shifts focus to the late-'90s presidential sex scandal involving Bill Clinton (Clive Owen) and Monica Lewinsky (Beanie Feldstein). —*J.M.*

Where to watch *American Crime Story*: Hulu

**EW grade:** A

**Cast:** Sarah Paulson, Annaleigh Ashford, Sterling K. Brown, Cuba Gooding Jr., Darren Criss

Captive Audience: A Real American Horror Story (2022)

'Captive Audience: A Real American Horror Story'.

In 1972, 7-year-old Steven Stayner's captor stripped him of his identity, subjected him to years of abuse, and claimed his parents abandoned him. After nearly eight years, the kidnapper brought home another young abductee named Timmy White. Realizing Timmy's plight, Steven hitchhiked across California to return the boy to his family, only to be reunited with his long-lost loved ones in the process.

As Steven's story sparked the "stranger danger" warnings across the nation and inspired *I Know My First Name Is Steven *(NBC's 1989 miniseries),* Captive Audience: A Real American Horror Story* shows how his return wasn't the only shocking revelation the Stayner family had to face. —*Kayla Mroch*

Where to watch *Captive Audience: A Real American Horror Story*: Hulu

**Cast:** Todd Eric Andrews, Steven Stayner, Ashley Stayner, Kay Stayner, Cary Stayner

Cold Case Files (1999–2002; 2006; 2017; 2021–present)

Bill Kurtis, host of 'Cold Case Files'. Andrew Eccles

There's something extra fascinating about cold cases, if only because of the mystery factor. *Cold Case File *profiles unsolved murders from the past, with investigators using modern forensic technology and an understanding of criminal psychology to hopefully provide answers to old questions. Garnering multiple Primetime Emmy nominations, *Cold Case Files *aired its first run from 1999 to 2002, with A&E reviving the docuseries in 2006, 2017, and 2021. —*Kevin Jacobsen*

Where to watch *Cold Case Files*: Hulu

**Cast:** Bill Kurtis

Daughters of the Cult (2024)

'Daughters of the Cult'.

Ervil LeBaron, also known as the "Mormon Manson," sowed tremendous discord while leading the polygamist Church of the First Born Lamb of God. However, ABC News Studios' *Daughters Daughters of the Cult *shifts focus to those most deeply affected: his children (of which he had more than 50).

Directed by Sarah Mast, the five-episode docuseries exposes the inner workings of the religious sect, where members carried out mass murders at the behest of their fanatical prophet to target rivals and even LeBaron's own kin. Suffering horrors throughout most of their upbringing, the surviving daughters step forward to share their experiences with their father and find solace in their sisterhood as they recover. *—J.M.*

Where to watch *Daughters of the Cult*: Hulu

**Cast:** Bix Krieger, Olivia Fox, Andrea Vicunia, Igor Grbesic, Chiyeko Jones

Devil in the Family: The Fall of Ruby Franke (2025)

Ruby Franke in 'Devil in the Family: The Fall of Ruby Franke'.

One of 2023's biggest internet stories was the arrest of Ruby Franke, a Mormon family vlogger whose videos of her six children earned her a sizable platform on YouTube. Franke, along with her business partner Jodi Hildebrandt, were charged with felony aggravated child abuse against Franke's two youngest children. (Out of respect for their privacy, the names and faces of the four youngest Franke siblings are not included in the documentary.)

*Devil in the Family* is the story of Franke's slide from millionaire mommy vlogger to convicted child abuser, a descent that was enabled and abetted by the brainwashing and cult-like teachings of Hildebrandt, who Franke saw as a mentor and therapist. The story is unbelievable and upsetting, but the documentary is not exploitative. *—Ilana Gordon*

Where to watch *Devil in the Family: The Fall of Ruby Franke*: Hulu

**Cast: **Ruby Franke, Kevin Franke, Shari Franke, Chad Franke, Jodi Hildebrandt

The First 48 (2004–present)

'The First 48'. A&E

In the aftermath of a murder, the initial 48 hours hold the key to unlocking vital evidence before it fades into oblivion and potentially allows a perpetrator to slip through the cracks. For two decades, this edifying A&E docuseries has been lifting the veil of investigative work during that critical time frame.

Across various cities and crime scenes, each episode follows seasoned and greenhorn sleuths as they spend the first two days post-homicide deploying a myriad of forensic tactics, witness interrogations, and other innovative methodologies to reveal the faces behind the acts. *—J.M.*

Where to watch *The First 48*: Hulu

**Cast:** Dion Graham, Nathan Schilling, Jason White, Dave Walker

Fyre Fraud (2019)

The Fyre Festival in 2017 was supposed to be the most glamorous musical event of the century. Set on a private island, produced by entrepreneur Billy McFarland and rapper Ja Rule, the festival promised a lineup of 33 incredible musical artists and luxury accommodations for its attendees. Ticket holders paid thousands of dollars for a chance to rub elbows with celebrities, but when they arrived on the island, they found no trace of the festival experience they were promised.

One of two documentaries produced about the event, Hulu's *Fyre Fraud *breaks down where it all went wrong and who paid the price. From class-action lawsuits to a prison sentence, *Fyre Fraud *is a cautionary tale about the dangers of believing everything you see on social media. —*I.G.*

Where to watch *Fyre Fraud*: Hulu

**Directors: **Jenner Furst, Julia Willoughby Nason

**Cast:** Billy McFarland, Ja Rule, Jake Horowitz, Plly Mosendz, Calvin Wells

The Murder of Laci Peterson (2017)

'The Murder of Laci Peterson'.

Hulu/A+E Network8BIM

Months after Laci Peterson and her unborn child were tragically found dead in the San Francisco Bay, her husband Scott ultimately faced a murder conviction and a death sentence, despite the absence of forensic evidence or eyewitnesses.

Timed with the 15th anniversary of Laci's disappearance on Christmas Eve 2002, A&E's six-part docuseries reopens the case's dossier, challenging the demonized portrayal of Scott and presenting interviews with him while behind bars, as well as with his family members and various legal experts. *The Murder of Laci Peterson* nudges viewers to reevaluate the veracity of media narratives and draw their own conclusions. *—J.M.*

Where to watch *The Murder of Laci Peterson*: Hulu

**Cast:** Laci Peterson, Scott Peterson, Ted Rowlands, Gloria Gomez, Nancy Grace

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Never Let Him Go (2023)

'Never Let Him Go'.

In December 1988, the lifeless body of Scott Johnson — a gay mathematician from Southern California — was found beneath a cliff in Sydney, Australia. Initially deemed a suicide, Scott's older brother, Steve, adamantly rejected this verdict and spent the next three decades seeking the truth.

Over the course of four episodes, *Never Let Him Go* bypasses the predictable rhythm of the true crime genre, with its nuanced storytelling being both unbiased and politically poignant. The series explores many multifaceted issues, including Sydney's historical negligence towards anti-gay violence, the warped effects of grief, disparities in wealth and justice, and the toxic dynamics between Australians and Americans. *—J.M.*

Where to watch *Never Let Him Go*: Hulu

**Cast:** Steve Johnson, Scott Johnson

Scamanda (2025)

Scamming is bad for your health as Amanda Riley learns in *Scamanda*. This four-part ABC News true crime series tells the story of a young wife, mother, and blogger who convinced thousands to send her money to help fight the cancer she claimed to have. But when an investigative reporter examines Amanda's claims and the IRS starts tracing the money, Amanda's medical secrets are no longer hers to keep.

True crime fans may have heard the story covered already in the popular podcast *Scamanda*, but the docuseries adds faces and further context. If you enjoyed *Anatomy of Lies *(2024) you'll be similarly intrigued and horrified by the grift perpetuated by Riley as told in *Scamanda*. *—I.G.*

Where to watch *Scamanda*: Hulu

**Cast: **Rachel Leighson, Chris Savery, Ruby Singleton

Stolen Youth: Inside the Cult at Sarah Lawrence (2023)

'Stolen Youth: Inside the Cult at Sarah Lawrence'. Hulu

When Larry Ray (who's now serving a 60-year prison sentence) crashed at his daughter's dorm at Sarah Lawrence College in 2010, he leveraged his father-figure guise to convince several students to relocate to his Upper East Side sublet, subjecting them to years of isolation, deprivation, abuse, and psychological torment. Described by EW's critic as "a particularly tough watch," this four-part docuseries unveils the unspeakable events within that apartment — thanks to Ray's compulsive recordings for potential blackmail — while also interviewing the former members (and those still under Ray's influence) as they attempt to reclaim the lost years of their youth and reconstruct their fragmented lives. *—J.M.*

Where to watch *Stolen Youth: Inside the Cult at Sarah Lawrence*: Hulu

**EW grade:** B

**Cast:** Larry Ray, Talia Ray, Isabellla Pollok, Dan Levin, Santo Rosario

The Twisted Tale of Amanda Knox (2025)

Grace Van Patten as Amanda Knox in 'The Twisted Tale of Amanda Knox'.

Disney/Adrienn Szabó

Amanda Knox's case was one of the first viral true crime stories of the digital age. An American college student studying abroad in Italy, Knox was accused and convicted of murdering her British roommate. She was almost four years into a 26-year sentence when she was released, exonerated, and left to contend with her unexpected notoriety.

Knox previously shared her story in her 2013 memoir, *Waiting to Be Heard*, but this new miniseries offers a decade's worth of hindsight and an advancement to the story: Knox's attempt to heal from her past by building a friendship with the Italian prosecutor who once made it his mission to convict her. Knox takes control over her story once more, co-writing the final episode and serving as one of the series' executive producers. *—I.G.*

Where to watch *The Twisted Tale of Amanda Knox*: Hulu

**Cast: **Grace Van Patten, Sharon Horgan, Francesco Acquaroli, Giuseppe De Domenico, John Hoogenakker

Under the Banner of Heaven (2022)

Andrew Garfield as Det. Jeb Pyre in 'Under the Banner of Heaven'. Michelle Faye/FX

Andrew Garfield unveils new dimensions to his craft as Jeb Pyre, the pious detective who investigates the murders of Brenda Wright Lafferty and her infant daughter at the hands of religious extremists. Based on Jon Krakauer's novel of the same name, *Under the Banner of Heaven *is a raw, gritty look into the world of fundamentalist Mormonism and the power of cults, all through Pyre's eyes.

Writer-director Dustin Lance Black told EW: "I hope that like the book, some mainstream Mormons might [watch the show]. They might not talk about it in church, but I hope that if they watch the show, they will be illuminated, and there will be some relief to be had in knowing." *—K.M.*

Where to watch *Under the Banner of Heaven*: Hulu

**Cast: **Andrew Garfield, Sandra Seacat, Gil Birmingham, Sam Worthington, Daisy Edgar-Jones

Under the Bridge (2024)

Riley Keough as Rebecca Godfrey in 'Under the Bridge'.

In the Hulu miniseries adaptation of Rebecca Godfrey's *Under the Bridge *— which she penned from the perspectives of the adolescents and investigators involved — the late author becomes a central piece of the story. Portrayed by Riley Keough, the New York writer revisits her hometown in British Columbia and stumbles upon the perfect lead for her next book: the disappearance of 14-year-old Reena Virk (Vritika Gupta).

Jumping between the past and present, the show chronicles Reena's final days alongside the investigation into her murder, spearheaded by Rebecca and her former best friend turned officer, Cam Bentland (Lily Gladstone). As noted by EW's critic, "the performances in *Under the Bridge* are consistently superb," as "Keough plays Rebecca with a kind of dreamy and alluring reserve" while "Gladstone elevates Cam beyond the character's stern-yet-concerned cop framework." *—J.M.*

Where to watch *Under the Bridge*: Hulu

**Cast:** Riley Keough, Lily Gladstone, Vritika Gupta, Chloe Guidry, Javon "Wanna" Walton

Welcome to Chippendales (2022–2023)

Kumail Nanjiani as Steve Banerjee in 'Welcome to Chippendales'. Erin Simkin/Hulu

From creator Robert Siegel (*Pam & Tommy*), the eight-episode Hulu miniseries delves into the origins of the U.S.'s first male strip dynasty: the Chippendales. Indian immigrant Somen "Steve" Banerjee (Kumail Nanjiani), a gas station employee with Hugh Hefner aspirations, teams up with Emmy-winning director and choreographer Nick De Noia (Murray Bartlett) to transform a lackluster Los Angeles bar into a pulsating male strip revue.

However, their breakneck rise is met with an equally spectacular fall, with their business marred by arson, murder for hire, and a jailhouse suicide. A glitzy true crime romp boasting bulges and G-strings galore, *Welcome to Chippendales* lays bare the greedy and corrupt side of the American Dream. *—J.M.*

Where to watch *Welcome to Chippendales*: Hulu

**EW grade:** B

**Cast:** Kumail Nanjiani, Murray Bartlett, Annaleigh Ashford, Juliette Lewis, Quentin Plair

Wild Crime (2021–present)

'Wild Crime: Murder in Yosemite'.

Drawing millions of visitors annually, the serene landscapes of America's national and state parks are the grounds for many deadly deeds. Blending elements of nature documentary and true crime, this series follows a team of unconventional investigators as they unravel the most chilling offenses committed on public land. Season 1 of *Wild Crime *delves into the mysterious death of Toni Henthorn after a fall in Rocky Mountain National Park, and the second unravels a murder and a severed hand found in Yosemite. Later seasons show additional heinous acts in stunning wilderness areas around the U.S. *—J.M.*

Where to watch *Wild Crime*: Hulu

**Cast:** Jon Dyer, Derek Kingsley, Rocco Navarro, John Grabler, David Wenzel

- Documentary True Crime Shows

Original Article on Source

Source: "EW Documentary"

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Source: Documentary

Published: January 05, 2026 at 08:57AM on Source: RON MAG

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byKris Ronald

in Celebrities, Lifestyle, Politics, ShowBiz, Sports

January 04, 2026

The 17 best true crime shows on Hulu for your inner sleuth

Docuseries, shows inspired by true stories, and premises ripped from the headlines: These series put the &34; true &...

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In Cranston's 2016 memoir, &34;A Life in Parts,&34; he says Zahn was in contention to play everyone's favorite chemistryteacherturneddrugkingpin. Steve Zahn disputes Bryan Cranston's claim about Breaking Bad role: 'I think Cranston is lying!' In Cranston's 2016 memoir, &34;A Life in Parts,&34; he says Zahn was in contention to play everyone's favorite chemistryteacherturneddrugkingpin. By Lauren Huff :maxbytes(150000):stripicc()/PXL202501060627063092a245c0a56a194868af7b6a47af56223c.

In Cranston's 2016 memoir, "A Life in Parts," he says Zahn was in contention to play everyone's favorite chemistry-teacher-turned-drug-kingpin.

Steve Zahn disputes Bryan Cranston's claim about *Breaking Bad *role: 'I think Cranston is lying!'

In Cranston's 2016 memoir, "A Life in Parts," he says Zahn was in contention to play everyone's favorite chemistry-teacher-turned-drug-kingpin.

By Lauren Huff

Lauren Huff

Lauren Huff is an award-winning journalist and staff writer at ** with over 12 years of experience covering all facets of the entertainment industry.

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January 3, 2026 7:00 p.m. ET

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Steve Zahn at the 'Chad Powers' premiere at the Rose Bowl; Bryan Cranston on 'Breaking Bad'. Credit:

Amy Sussman/WireImage; Ursula Coyote/AMC

Steve Zahn as Walter White? He says it ain't so — no matter where you heard it.

Case in point: In Bryan Cranston's 2016 memoir, *A* *Life in Parts*, the actor claims that Zahn was in contention for the role of Walter White on *Breaking Bad*, which famously went to Cranston and netted him four Emmy Awards for Best Actor in a Drama Series.

Zahn was asked about the claim in a recent interview with *The Hollywood Reporter*, when the outlet point-blank asked if he'd been on a "shortlist for the role of Walter White? Or was there some actual back and forth?"

"No," he replied simply. When the outlet pointed out that Cranston himself has made that claim all these years, Zahn laughed and said, "Oh, really!? Cranston is so awesome, but I find that hard to believe. I think Cranston is lying!"

Referring to Cranston, Zahn continued, "He's in London right now doing a play, and I'm shooting in London, so I'm going to go talk to him."

Steve Zahn at the 'Anaconda' premiere in Los Angeles.

Robyn Beck/AFP via Getty

Cranston even mentioned the story about Zahn in interviews prior to his memoir, though it's not clear exactly who told him what. Speaking to *Rolling Stone* in 2012, Cranston recalled how *Breaking* *Bad* execs weren't sold on him for the part of the chemistry-teacher-turned-meth-dealer because of his beloved role as the patriarch on *Malcolm in the Middle*.

"Sony and AMC were not convinced I was the guy, because Walter White wasn't Hal from *Malcolm in the Middle*," Cranston said, adding that he'd heard Zahn was up for the role instead. According to the report, Cranston believed he only got the role after telling the network he had an offer for a different show, a Fox pilot in which he'd be playing a doctor.

Still, he said, "If Steve Zahn did Walter, we'd go, 'Oh, my God. Steve Zahn is the guy! Can you imagine anybody but Steve Zahn doing it?' And you wouldn't be able to."

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*Breaking Bad* ran for five seasons on AMC, from 2008 to 2013. Though it was well-received at the time, the series has gone on to be considered among the greatest in television history. In addition to Cranston's individual honors, the show won a whopping 16 Primetime Emmy Awards, eight Satellite Awards, two Golden Globe Awards, two Peabody Awards, two Critics' Choice Awards, four Television Critics Association Awards, and one British Academy Television Award, among others.

***Get your daily dose of entertainment news, celebrity updates, and what to watch with our EW Dispatch newsletter.***

Zahn can next be seen starring alongside Jack Black, Paul Rudd, and Thandiwe Newton in the giant-snake thriller *Anaconda*, opening Christmas Day.

Original Article on Source

Source: "EW Drama"

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Source: Drama

Published: January 05, 2026 at 08:57AM on Source: RON MAG

#ShowBiz#Sports#Celebrities#Lifestyle

byKris Ronald

in Celebrities, Lifestyle, Politics, ShowBiz, Sports

January 04, 2026

Steve Zahn disputes Bryan Cranston's claim about Breaking Bad role: 'I think Cranston is lying!'

In Cranston 's 2016 memoir, &34;A Life in Parts,&34; he says Zahn was in contention to play everyone's favor...

Read More