37 Serial Killer Films
36 titles
- 1
From HellMovie · 2001 · 122m · Horror, Mystery, ThrillerIn this adaptation of a graphic novel by the Hughes brothers, Scotland Yard inspector Frederick Abberline, a man struggling with opium addiction, becomes involved with one of Jack the Ripper's victims. The story explores the possibility of the Ripper's true identity.IMDb 6.7TMDB 6.7 - 2
The UglyMovie · 1997 · 93m · Horror, ThrillerA psychologist fascinated by the human mind studies an incarcerated serial killer with a history of severe mental instability. She aims to understand his disturbed psychology after he has been institutionalized for five years. As she explores his dark inner world, the psychologist is confronted by the morally complex nature of her patient. His actions stemmed from a distorted logic and powerful emotions that are difficult to define. The film is an intense, character-driven story about the evolving relationship between the psychologist and the killer, as they grapple with empathy and understanding while each confronts their own personal struggles in this psychological thriller.IMDb 6.0TMDB 5.9 - 3
The Hillside StranglerMovie · 2004 · 97m · Drama, Horror, MysteryKenneth Bianchi, a security guard, repeatedly fails in his pursuit of a career as a police officer. He relocates to California to live with his cousin Angelo, where he begins dating several women and becomes increasingly focused on sex. The cousins eventually decide to launch an escort service. Following the violent killing of a woman they believe betrayed them, Kenneth and Angelo initiate a series of crimes that capture public attention.IMDb 5.2TMDB 5.0 - 4
EvilenkoMovie · 2004 · 111m · Crime, Drama, ThrillerFor years, Detective Lesiev and psychiatric profiler Aron Richter have pursued Andrei Evilenko. Driven by intense anger over the decline of the Soviet Union, Evilenko is a man determined to live and die as a communist, willing to do whatever it takes.IMDb 6.1TMDB 5.7 - 5
The Bone CollectorMovie · 1999 · 118m · Crime, Thriller, DramaNew NYPD detective Amelia Donaghy is assigned to work with Lincoln Rhyme, a former top homicide investigator now using a wheelchair after a spinal injury. They team up to hunt 'The Bone Collector,' a serial killer who leaves disturbing clues at the crime scenes. As Amelia adjusts to Rhyme's unusual approach, they investigate a series of baffling cases, pushing their skills and forcing them to rely on each other in a desperate race against time.IMDb 6.7TMDB 6.8 - 6
The Silence of the LambsMovie · 1991 · 119m · Crime, Thriller, DramaThis psychological thriller centers on Clarice Starling, an exceptional FBI trainee determined to seek justice. Agent Jack Crawford enlists Clarice to interview Dr. Hannibal Lecter, a highly intelligent but dangerous man imprisoned for gruesome murders and cannibalism.
Crawford hopes Lecter's deep understanding of people can provide vital clues to a current case. He also believes Clarice’s youth and appearance might help her connect with Lecter and gain information. The complex dynamic between the agent and the prisoner explores their conflicting views and morals as they both pursue the truth.IMDb 8.6TMDB 8.3 - 7
The Jeffrey Dahmer FilesMovie · 2013 · 76mThis documentary blends archival footage, interviews, and dramatized scenes to explore the lives of those connected to Jeffrey Dahmer in the summer of his 1991 arrest.IMDb 6.3TMDB 5.5 - 8
We Are What We AreMovie · 2013 · 105m · Drama, Horror, ThrillerThe Parkers are a secluded family deeply devoted to tradition, and their hidden world is disrupted when a heavy rain and the passing of their mother require daughters Iris and Rose to step up and take on important duties.IMDb 5.9TMDB 5.8 - 9
PsychoMovie · 1960 · 109m · Horror, Thriller, MysteryMarion Crane, a real estate clerk who has stolen money and is trying to escape her past, arrives at the Bates Motel. The motel is run by Norman Bates, who is responsible for his mother's care while she is confined to the house.IMDb 8.5TMDB 8.4 - 10
ZodiacMovie · 2007 · 157m · Crime, Mystery, ThrillerFor ten years, editors at the San Francisco Chronicle become consumed by the Zodiac Killer case. As the years pass, however, professional interest fades. The Killer ceases his public communication. But convinced he holds the key to the remaining mysteries, an amateur cartoonist from the early sightings races against time to stop what he believes will be another killing.IMDb 7.7TMDB 7.5 - 11
Ted BundyMovie · 2002 · 99m · Crime, HorrorSeattle, 1974. Ted Bundy succumbs to his violent impulses and begins a nationwide killing spree, leaving behind a trail of victims who have been raped, tortured, murdered, dismembered, and sexually violated.IMDb 5.8TMDB 5.7 - 12
The RavenMovie · 2012 · 111m · Crime, Thriller, MysteryThis film explores the final days of Edgar Allan Poe, as he becomes obsessed with tracking a serial killer. The killer's methods eerily replicate the plots of Poe's own stories.IMDb 6.4TMDB 6.3 - 13
SnowtownMovie · 2011 · 120m · Crime, DramaBased on true events, sixteen-year-old Jamie becomes involved with his mother's new boyfriend and the group of people who consider themselves neighborhood watch. This connection spirals into a series of torture and murders.IMDb 6.5TMDB 6.3 - 14
Summer of SamMovie · 1999 · 142m · Crime, Drama, ThrillerSummer 1977. New York City lives in fear as a psychopathic serial killer, dubbed 'Son of Sam,' commits a series of brutal murders. The city is on edge; residents are constantly afraid, unsure if each night could be their last.
The film captures the gritty atmosphere of the time, exploring the urban landscape and the relationship between the killer and his victims. It's a chilling look at a real-life horror story, revealing the darkness in people while also showing how those affected find strength in unity amidst chaos. As police hunt the elusive murderer, New Yorkers confront their fears, experiencing the suspense that gripped the city during this terrifying period.IMDb 6.7TMDB 6.5 - 15
Se7enMovie · 1995 · 127m · Crime, Mystery, ThrillerTwo homicide detectives hunt a terrifying serial killer who stages his murders to reflect the seven deadly sins. Detective Sommerset studies the sins to understand the killer's motives, but his younger partner Mills questions his methods while grappling with the emotional impact of the case. The film follows a tense chase between the detectives and the ruthless killer, exploring themes of morality, redemption, and human weakness.IMDb 8.6TMDB 8.4 - 16
Carl Panzram: The Spirit of Hatred and VengeanceMovie · 2011 · 80mThis is the true story of Carl Panzram, a lifelong criminal and serial killer. Imprisoned throughout the 20th century, Panzram was a brutal figure who committed over 20 murders and numerous violent assaults. A prison guard, Henry Lesser, showed Panzram an unexpected act of kindness, which led to a friendship and ultimately inspired him to write his autobiography. In 1930, Panzram was executed for the murder of a laundry foreman at Leavenworth prison.IMDb 6.3TMDB 6.7 - 17
Dear Mr. GacyMovie · 2010 · 103m · Crime, Drama, ThrillerThis is the story of Jason Moss, a college student who becomes increasingly drawn to John Wayne Gacy, a serial killer. It details their interactions and the developing relationship between them.IMDb 6.4TMDB 5.8 - 18
Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet StreetMovie · 2007 · 116m · Drama, HorrorThis is the notorious tale of Benjamin Barker, also known as Sweeney Todd. He opens a barber shop in London, unknowingly forming a dark alliance with his next-door neighbor, Mrs. Lovett. Adapted from the acclaimed Broadway musical.IMDb 7.3TMDB 7.2 - 19
The Hunt For the BTK KillerMovie · 2005 · 82mIn Wichita, Kansas, detectives close in on the serial killer known as BTK after he has been free for 31 years.IMDb 5.8TMDB 5.4 - 20
B.T.K.Movie · 2008 · 90mThis is the true story of Dennis L. Rader, a man who lived a normal life as a husband, father, security officer, and church leader. For over thirty years, he secretly committed a series of brutal murders, systematically torturing his victims while evading police detection.IMDb 4.1TMDB 5.1 - 21
Red DragonMovie · 2002 · 124m · Crime, Thriller, HorrorWill Graham, a former FBI agent with a history of near-fatal encounters with Hannibal "The Cannibal" Lecter, must reluctantly seek Lecter's assistance. A new serial killer is on the loose, and Lecter appears to be the only one who can help Graham find him.IMDb 7.2TMDB 7.0 - 22
ManhunterMovie · 1986 · 120m · Crime, Horror, ThrillerFBI Agent Will Graham, still affected by his past with serial killer Hannibal Lecter, plans to retire after capturing him. But a new, brutal murderer appears, leaving a trail of mutilated victims, forcing Graham back into criminal profiling. With time running out, he reluctantly teams up with Lecter, now in prison. Their uneasy partnership becomes a dangerous game of cat and mouse, filled with deceit and moral challenges. In this intense thriller, Graham must face his past while confronting an enemy more cunning and deadly than ever.IMDb 7.2TMDB 7.0 - 23
Henry: Portrait of a Serial KillerMovie · 1986 · 83m · Crime, Horror, ThrillerThis darkly funny thriller centers on Henry, a man with a disturbing passion for killing people in inventive ways. He lives with Otis, his roommate, who is unaware of Henry's deadly secret. Their quiet life is disrupted when Otis' sister comes to stay, unknowingly entering the dangerous world between the two men. The film explores the contrasting sides of Henry – as a normal neighbor and as a relentless serial killer – prompting viewers to consider how well we really know the people in our lives and what hidden darkness might exist beneath the surface of everyday existence.IMDb 7.0TMDB 6.7 - 24
Taking LivesMovie · 2004 · 103m · ThrillerFBI profiler Illeana Scott is brought in by the Montreal police to help find a serial killer who impersonates his victims. She knows the killer will kill again soon. Her best hope is a museum employee who may have seen the killer.IMDb 6.2TMDB 6.4 - 25
DisturbiaMovie · 2007 · 105m · Thriller, Drama, MysteryKale enjoys a life many teens would dream of: endless video games, internet surfing, junk food, and TV. He has total freedom at home, and a beautiful new neighbor named Ashley has just moved in. However, there's a catch – he can't leave the house. Kale is under court-ordered house arrest for three months. If he steps outside the 100-foot perimeter of his home, he'll face a prison sentence.IMDb 6.8TMDB 6.7 - 26
American PsychoMovie · 2000 · 102m · Thriller, Drama, CrimeA successful New York investment banker keeps a hidden side from his colleagues and friends: a darker, more violent personality. He increasingly indulges in disturbing, irrational fantasies.IMDb 7.6TMDB 7.4 - 27
Behind the Mask: The Rise of Leslie VernonMovie · 2006 · 91m · Comedy, Horror, ThrillerA documentary crew gains exclusive access to the life of a promising new psycho horror slasher as he meticulously plans a terrifying attack on the quiet town of Glen Echo. Throughout the film, he dissects and dismantles the familiar tropes and characters of the horror genre for the cameras.IMDb 6.6TMDB 6.5 - 28
Hannibal RisingMovie · 2007 · 121m · Crime, Thriller, HorrorThis is the story of Hannibal Lecter's formative years, exploring the origins of his violent nature. It begins with his difficult childhood in Lithuania, where he witnesses brutal acts of desperation by soldiers driven by hunger. Later, in France, while studying medicine, he develops a fascination with death and a growing desire to kill.IMDb 6.1TMDB 6.3 - 29
Ed Gein: The Butcher of PlainfieldMovie · 2007 · 90mBased on the true story behind infamous killers like Norman Bates, Buffalo Bill, and Leatherface, this film revisits the life of Ed Gein, known as "The Butcher Of Plainfield." In the late 1950s, Gein terrorized his Wisconsin community and the nation with a series of brutal murders. Prepare to explore the disturbing mind and unsettling world of "The Butcher Of Plainfield."IMDb 3.7TMDB 3.8 - 30
Serial Killers: The Real Life Hannibal LectersMovie · 2001 · 60m · Documentary, Thriller, CrimeThe film explores several documented cases of serial killers, drawing parallels between their behaviors and the character of Hannibal Lecter from popular fiction.IMDb 6.5TMDB 5.9 - 31
MansonMovie · 1973 · 83mIn a courtroom setting, prosecutor Vincent Bugliosi interviews Lynette Fromme, Mary Brunner, and Sandra Good, three members of the Manson "family," regarding the Tate-LaBianca murders.IMDb 7.2TMDB 6.9 - 32
FrailtyMovie · 2002 · 100m · Drama, Thriller, CrimeA mysterious man seeks out an FBI agent and shares his past. He describes how his father, a devout fanatic, claimed to receive visions instructing him to kill people he believed were "demons." The man recounts his childhood experiences under his father's influence.IMDb 7.2TMDB 7.0 - 33
H.H. Holmes: America's First Serial KillerMovie · 2004 · 64m · Crime, Documentary, HistoryH.H. Holmes constructed a terrifying castle filled with devices of death: torture chambers, acid vats, greased chutes, and gassing rooms. The film chronicles Holmes' life as a criminal mastermind, detailing his creation of this horrific place.IMDb 6.3TMDB 6.1 - 34
MonsterMovie · 2003 · 109m · Crime, DramaIn 1989, prostitute Aileen Wuornos forms a relationship with a young woman named Selby. Hoping to improve her life, Aileen's lack of education leads her back to working on the streets. After being assaulted, she kills her attacker. This event marks the beginning of a series of murders and robberies, ultimately transforming Aileen into America's first confirmed female serial killer.IMDb 7.3TMDB 7.2 - 35
GacyMovie · 2003 · 88m · Crime, Drama, HorrorThis film is based on the true story of John Wayne Gacy, a man who appeared to be a model citizen – a loving father, husband, and community volunteer. Secretly, he was a serial killer who murdered over 30 men and boys, and entombed their bodies in the crawl space beneath the house where he lived with his family.IMDb 4.7TMDB 4.5 - 36
Feast of the Assumption: BTK and the Otero Family MurdersMovie · 2010 · 85mThis is the story of Charlie Otero, the only surviving member of the family targeted by the BTK killer. Through his personal account, we experience one of the most chilling serial killer cases in American history – the BTK murders. The narrative follows Charlie's life as he recounts the events of January 15th, 1974, when his family was murdered by BTK.IMDb 6.1TMDB 3.7
