Unsolved Mysteries is an American documentary television show, that presents actual/non-fiction media segments. Mainly ranging from unsolved, cold, controversial, critical, disputed, or unexplained crimes and criminal cases; wanted fugitives who are at large; missing individuals; and paranormal occurrences. The program also occasionally features segments from individuals suffering from amnesia/memory loss; urban legends and myths; child abduction/kidnapping cases; accused parties of a crime who claim their innocence; deceased individuals in which their family/next of kin is yet to be located; and individuals looking to be reunited with lost connections/family members.

It began with a series of television specials, airing on NBC from 1987 to 1988. These specials were each individually hosted by several different actors, such as Raymond Burr (in the pilot special), Karl Malden (in the following two specials), and Robert Stack (for the remaining specials, with Stack later becoming the permanent staple host of the franchise).

Due to the popularity of the specials, the program hosted by Stack, was picked up in 1988 and aired a total of nine seasons on NBC. The series was then acquired by CBS in 1997, adding actress Virginia Madsen (as a co-host alongside Stack, announcing special alerts, bulletins and updates), where it continued for a short run of 2 seasons. In 2001, Lifetime acquired the series, with Stack returning to acting as lone host, where it finished its original run in 2002, followed shortly by the death of Stack.

The series ran re-runs of NBC, CBS, and Lifetime episodes in syndication for a number of years until it was resurrected by Spike TV (Now known as the Paramount Network) in 2008. The new series featured actor Dennis Farina as host. However, the Spike TV series did not include any new cases or segments; and instead the program included digitally enhanced and edited older cases that were already featured on NBC, CBS and Lifetime, and if applicable, added updated information. This edition was discontinued in 2010.

In 2020, the series returned with all-new episodes and a new format on Netflix. This version of the program, contains no host or narrator, (although a portrait of Stack is featured at the end of the opening credits) and instead gives a more candid documentary/reality television/true crime/personal view of each case. Also graphic language is uncensored.

Series overview The following is a list of Unsolved Mysteries episodes and specials.

Please note this list contains first-run/broadcast episodes only. A spin-off special court show series titled Final Appeal: From The Files of Unsolved Mysteries, which has cases of accused criminals claiming their innocence, is not inherently considered part of the main Unsolved Mysteries broadcast history, however, these episodes were all later shown as episodes in the Spike TV version of the show. In 2019, FilmRise released the original series to various streaming platforms. However, they are in incorrect production order, and have removed specific segments due to statute of limitations or at the request of families.

Episodes Specials (1987–88)

Season 1 (1988–89)

Season 2 (1989–90)

Season 3 (1990–91)

Season 4 (1991–92)

Season 5 (1992–93)

Season 6 (1993–94)

Season 7 (1994–95)

Season 8 (1995–96)

Season 9 (1996–97)

Season 10 (1997–98)

Season 11 (1999)

Season 12 (2001–02)

Season 13 (2002)

Season 14 (2008–10)

Season 15 (2020)

Season 16 (2022)

Season 17 (2024)

Unmasking the Tylenol Killer (2026) The upcoming Unsolved Mysteries first-ever feature-length documentary, Unmasking the Tylenol Killer, is set to premiere on October 9, 2026, on The Roku Channel. The 88-minute film details the resolution of the Boise, Idaho cold case of the "Unknown Wanderer" (identified as Dr. Mathew Francis Betkouski in September 2026), which was featured on a 1990 episode of the show, and explores a possible connection to the unsolved 1982 Chicago Tylenol murders.

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