Why Netflix's Unsolved Mysteries Won't Feature The Same Kinds Of Cases As The Original

Unsolved Mysteries Netflix

Unsolved Mysteries has a legacy of captivating viewers with some of the most chilling and bizarre unexplainable cases around the world, and to maintain that legacy, there was a need for modernization. The truth of the matter is some things aren't as mysterious as they once were, and the series had to adapt to that in its change to Netflix.

As for what changed for Unsolved Mysteries on Netflix, executive producer and co-creator Terry Dunn Meurer told USA Today that some cases just don't have the same air of mystery in the modern world. That's not necessarily a bad thing considering some of these were just more readily solvable with modern tech, but as such, these types of stories won't be seen in the Netflix reboot.

We don't have nearly as many 'lost-love' story submissions as we did, because people can find people (now) with Ancestry.com, 23andMe and the Internet. We don't have as many UFO stories, because (with) cellphones, you figure if somebody saw (a UFO) a lot of people would be recording it, not just one person.

Internet databases and advances in DNA have made finding loved ones easier than it has been in the past, and apparently, made the world a little more skeptical of UFO stories. As a kid who grew up terrified by many Unsolved Mysteries UFO stories, I'm a bit sad to hear that, but I can't deny there aren't many UFO or Bigfoot pictures taken in the age of high definition cameras.

There is a positive to outweigh any negatives in Unsolved Mysteries losing a bit of material due to tech. The Netflix original has already received around 20 credible tips that have been passed on to authorities and may lead to the resolution of some of these mysteries. It's not entirely surprising given the massive subscribership Netflix has, and it will be interesting to see just how many cases are solved with the reboot compared to the original runs of the series.

And while Unsolved Mysteries may not do as many UFO stories as it once did, they're not completely off the table. One of the first of six episodes chronicles the mass UFO sighting in Berkshire county, which happened back in 1969. The story features several accounts of the mysterious event, which coincidentally did not happen in an era where everyone had a recording device in their pocket. The rest fall in the true-crime variety, which should be a morbid treat for anyone looking for their next murder-filled obsession.

Unsolved Mysteries is currently available to stream on Netflix, and more episodes are expected to arrive later this year. In the meantime, continue to stick with CinemaBlend for more on Netflix originals, and for the latest news happening in television and movies.

Mick Joest
Content Producer

Mick Joest is a Content Producer for CinemaBlend with his hand in an eclectic mix of television goodness. Star Trek is his main jam, but he also regularly reports on happenings in the world of Star Trek, WWE, Doctor Who, 90 Day Fiancé, Quantum Leap, and Big Brother. He graduated from the University of Southern Indiana with a degree in Journalism and a minor in Radio and Television. He's great at hosting panels and appearing on podcasts if given the chance as well.