20 Best Documentary TV Shows on Peacock 2026
Browse Peacock’s top documentary and true-crime TV picks, from Dateline NBC and Forensic Files to new 2025 releases and more must-watch series.
If you want gripping nonfiction, Peacock has a lineup that goes from true-crime deep dives to high-energy reality and sports coverage. This guide spotlights titles like Forensic Files, Dateline NBC, Snapped, Murdered at First Sight, and The Unknown Serial Killers of America, plus crowd-pleasers such as America’s Got Talent and Hard Knocks: Training Camp. You’ll also find newer additions like Death Row Confidential: Secrets of a Serial Killer, giving the service a mix of familiar staples and fresh 2025 releases. With 20 titles on the page, it’s easy to move from investigative stories to comedy, family, game-show, and music picks without leaving Peacock.
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01
The Real Story of...
documentary
A TV series that examines the truth behind the ostensibly true stories told in Hollywood films.
Directed by Chris Roberts, Patrick Dickinson, Steve Baker, Nick Davidson, Simon DeeleyCast David Galea, Stuart Whelan, Nathanjohn Carter, Andy Wolf, Ash HolmesAmazon Prime VideoPeacock Premium -
02
America's Got Talent
documentary · comedy · family · game-show · music · musical · reality-tv
A weekly talent competition where an array of performers – from singers and dancers, to comedians and novelty acts – vie for a $1 million cash prize.
Directed by Russell NormanCast Josh Page, Devon Marlink, Kevan Allen, Jake Courlang, Silvana ViennePeacock Premium -
03
Forensic Files
documentary · crime
Real crimes, disease outbreaks and accidents around the world are solved by experts using scientific laboratory analysis which helps them find previously undetectable evidence. Brilliant scientific work helps convict the guilty and free the innocent.
Directed by Michael Jordan, Richard Monahan, Mike WerteenCast Peter Thomas, Michael Atilano, Roy Shuler, Peter Dean, Stephanie FetterAmazon Prime VideoHuluPeacock PremiumFreevee -
04
The Center Seat: 55 Years of Star Trek
history · documentary
Chronicles rare and fascinating details of how "Star Trek" began, where it's been, and how it's going where no television series has gone before.
Directed by Brian Volk-WeissCast Gates McFadden, Robin Curtis, Catherine Hicks, Brooke Breton, Dominic KeatingAmazon Prime VideoPeacock PremiumFreevee -
05
The Unknown Story
documentary
Take a deeper look into everybody's favorite movies and TV shows, from "I Love Lucy" to "Jurassic Park."
Cast Tom KellyPeacock Premium -
06
The Unknown Serial Killers of America
crime · documentary
Lesser-known but equally lethal killers are revealed through interviews with police and victims' contacts, showing how these murderers stayed undetected while continuing their deadly sprees.
Directed by Bruno BahunekCast Anthony Horton, Joshua Henry, Christina Pope, Jennifer Uphold, Kyle SofiaPeacock Premium -
07
Dateline NBC
documentary · news
Long-running news-magazine/investigation series.
Directed by Judy Farinet, John Libretto, Rob Klug, Stephen Lucas, Guy PepperCast Alison Carpentier, Larry Montgomery, Lise-Lotte Lublin, Ira Bernstein, Amanda LindhoutPeacock Premium -
08
Hard Knocks: Training Camp
documentary · reality-tv · sport
Chronicles of NFL teams' preparations for the season.
Directed by Matt Dissinger, Kaley Campen, Shannon Furman, Rob Gehring, Pat HarrisCast Duce Staley, John Dorsey, Paul Rudd, Aubrey Pleasant, John BrownPeacock PremiumMax -
09
Air Crash Investigation
documentary · crime · history
Major real-life air disasters are depicted in this series. Each episode features a detailed dramatized reconstruction of the incident based on cockpit voice recorders and air traffic control transcripts, as well as eyewitnesses recounts and interviews with aviation experts.
Directed by Tim Wolochatiuk, Mark Mainguy, George D'Amato, Su Rynard, James HyslopCast Jonathan Aris, Stephen Bogaert, Von Flores, Dale Yim, Thom MarriottAmazon Prime VideoPeacock Premium -
10
In Plain Sight
documentary · crime
Disturbing cases featuring culprits who hide in plain sight, giving interviews, posting on social media and showing their faces while having blood on their hands the whole time.
Directed by Chris Soule, Cameron Patterson, Oscar Fenoglio, Caelum Vatnsdal, François BalcaenCast Ashley Rebecca Moore, George Rempel, William Whyte, Tyanne McNicoll, Dustin KuschnereitAmazon Prime VideoHuluPeacock PremiumFreevee -
11
Snapped
documentary · crime
The fascinating cases of every day, seemingly average moms, wives and girlfriends accused of murder. Did they really do it? And if so, why?
Directed by Robert Ivkovic, Bob Hasentufel, Wesley Caylor, Chad Cunningham, Jeffrey WoodsCast Andrew D. Erath, Dustin Bolt, Jay Heselschwerdt, Larry Lemanski, Matthew AtchleyHuluPeacock Premium -
12
Murdered at First Sight
documentary · crime
British true crime documentary series telling the first-hand stories of some of the most complex and hard-to-solve murder cases: stranger murders.
Directed by Madeline Chiari, Duncan CookAmazon Prime VideoPeacock PremiumFreevee -
13
Death Row Confidential: Secrets of a Serial Killer
documentary
Death Row Confidential: Secrets of a Serial Killer examines the gripping story of convicted killer Joseph Naso, and how a fellow inmate came to connect him to many more cold cases.
Cast Thomas William, Mackenna Shults, Sadie Beth Scott, Leslie Dobson, Benji TrentPeacock Premium -
14
Homicide: Hours to Kill
documentary · crime
Follow determined investigators working the most shocking murder cases as they reconstruct the tragic final hours in the victim's life, in order to find their killer and crack the case.
Directed by Daniel am Rosenberg, Tara Hughes, Susan Schafer, Fab Filippo, Chloe Sosa-SimsCast Tish Iceton, Lex Darian, Piret Jõgeda, Martin Huss, John DickhoutAmazon Prime VideoPeacock Premium -
15
The Americas
documentary
Explores the wonders, mysteries, and fragilities of the Americas, the largest landmass on Earth, as well as extraordinary, untold wildlife tales that will resonate with millions of people all over the world.
Directed by Gillian TaylorCast Tom HanksPeacock Premium -
16
The Killer Among Us
documentary · crime · mystery
A small community is devastated by murder. The killer isn't an outsider - they're one of their own. As suspicion spreads through town, trust erodes. Cumming explores close-knit places where the unthinkable occurs and everyone's a suspect.
Directed by Chad CunninghamCast Tweed Michael Manning, Vernetta Leigh Rose, Dustin Bolt, Mike Johnston Jr., Courtney VancePeacock Premium -
17
I Lived with a Killer
crime · documentary
Follows the stories of the families of notorious serial killers throughout the United States, and how their lives have been affected by those terrible events.
Directed by Steve Allen, Fiona Isaacson, Sam Flamont, Andrea Hoffman, Amy BlytheCast Michael Vecchione, Andrew Valdez, Jodie Riley, Leone J. Flosi, Rosanne KatonPeacock Premium -
18
SNL50: Beyond Saturday Night
documentary
This docuseries explores the iconic Saturday Night Live, showcasing the audition process, writing, infamous sketches, and the pivotal 11th season that cemented the show's DNA under Lorne Michaels' leadership.
Directed by Robert Alexander, Neil Berkeley, Marshall Curry, Jason ZeldesCast Al Franken, Kevin Nealon, James Andrew Miller, Chad Smith, Ayala CohenPeacock Premium -
19
American Greed
documentary · crime
A dissection of the dark side of the American Dream, a survey of how far some people go to become rich, no matter the cost to themselves and those around them. Real-life cases are reviewed and involve such criminal activity as credit card scams, identity theft, counterfeiting and Ponzi schemes.
Directed by Greg Gricus, Mike West, Brendan WalshCast Stacy Keach, Kristin Reyer, Katharin 'Ladie K' Mraz, Kevin Lingle, Bill StonekingAmazon Prime VideoPeacock Premium -
20
The Gilgo Beach Killer: House of Secrets
documentary · crime
Inside the home of the alleged Gilgo Beach killer, featuring exclusive family testimony revealing a double life and dark secrets hidden beneath their roof after his arrest.
Directed by Jared P. ScottCast Samira Choudhury, Kristina Lawrence, Alice MillerPeacock Premium
Wrapping Up
Peacock’s nonfiction library has a little of everything, from long-running investigations to newer specials that keep the true-crime lane feeling current. Whether you’re drawn to Dateline NBC, Forensic Files, Snapped, or one of the latest 2025 releases, this page makes it easy to find a smart next watch. Bookmark it if you want a quick way to revisit favorites or discover something new later. We update the page regularly, so there’s always another standout worth checking out.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often is this list updated?
We refresh this list regularly as titles are added or removed from streaming catalogs, so rankings and availability stay current.
Do I need a Peacock subscription to watch these?
Yes — every title on this list is currently available on Peacock. Availability can change, so we recommend checking the streaming link on each title before you start watching.
How are these documentary shows ranked?
We rank by a combination of audience rating and current popularity, so you're seeing the documentary titles people are actually watching right now, not just an old fixed list.
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Last updated: September 11, 2026