Pop Xulture Mini-Article:
Why Fictionalized Crime is the Most Flourishing Streaming Genre. 8/12/25
“Crime has always been one of fiction’s juiciest hooks, but it’s arguably the genre that has flourished the most in the streaming era.”
As a Netflix subscriber, I was sent a Tudum email about Dept. Q – my favorite show in recent history. Tudum, named for the onomatopoeia that plays during Netflix’s title card, is their “global fan event” and companion site. The Tudum email I received pointed to another article which I found fascinating: “11 Gripping Detective Shows to Solve the Mystery of Your Next Stream.”
Well, I found the article’s opening line fascinating, I kinda skimmed everything else until I got to their eleven suggested shows.
To be clear, far from impartial, this is a streaming platform pushing shows currently on… their platform. But that introductory line – crime fiction flourished most in the streaming era – made me ask, who has better user data than Netflix?
No one.
No one has been around longer, been more successful, or been more aware of data mining opportunities than Netflix. So I’ve got to believe this is true. But why?
(Detective) Netflix takes a stab at a few theories around fictionalized crime’s popularity: (1) Battling villains from the safety of your living room is an engaging premise, (2) Viewers want content that’s “propulsive and escapist,” and (3) that very escapism allows audiences to play armchair detective.
I find it noteworthy that we’re not talking about true crime or documentaries, this is very clearly fictionalized crime. Granted, much imagined storytelling is adapted or based on true happenings. But there truly is something captivating about hitting the streets with new detective friends from the comfort of your couch.
BONUS: Of the eleven suggested shows, I’ve seen: Bodies, Mindhunter, Murderville, and The Residence. And based on their suggestions, I plan to watch The Good Detective.
Thanks, in Him,
-Chris (the Bearded Wonder) Fogle