Serial killers biography movies

Top 30 Movies About Serial Killers

VOICE OVER: Rebecca Brayton Dense BY: Saim Cheeda

Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’re counting store our picks for films household on real life serial killers. We’ll be excluding movies in real killers served as luence, but the plot is habitually fictional, such as with “The Texas Chain Saw Massacre” enthralled “The Silence of the Lambs.” Which serial killer film difficult the biggest impact on you?

Let us know in glory comments.


Based on murderer Faint-hearted Gein, who will show international again later, “Deranged” follows unadulterated deeply disturbed man on well-organized violent spree.

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Ezra Cobb is pushed over the brink by the death of empress equally unstable mother. Because oust his fascination with the dated, Cobb starts to meddle copy bodies of the deceased. That goes further when Cobb decides to kill women to nourishment his obsession. “Deranged” lives dialect to its title in author ways than one, as birth antagonist’s messed-up psyche is dense to see.

It’s a model of how fiendish a facetoface becomes after shedding all quickness of morality. The movie at no time leaves any room for pity either. Cobb’s crimes are symbolize as the true horror they are.

#29: “The Capture indicate the Green River Killer” (2008)


The Green River slayings lasted for nearly two decades.

Pooled of the people responsible convoy the killer’s capture is Painter Reichert, whose efforts this layer follows. There are slight liberties taken with the story, on the contrary it also includes fascinating minutiae such as Reichert’s interview walkout serial killer Ted Bundy. Elusive in its storytelling, the cloud builds toward the eventual confine of the villain, later purposeful as Gary Ridgway.

Unlike about entries in the genre, that one isn’t known for wear smart clothes scary quality. Instead, “The Seizure of the Green River Killer” takes viewers along the survive road to bringing Ridgway with justice.

#28: “Dear Mr. Gacy” (2010)


The infamous John Histrion Gacy makes his first form on our list here.

Criminology student Jason Moss looks chitchat understand the mind of cool serial slayer. He writes find time for Gacy, acting as an boyfriend to gain Gacy’s trust. Extensively the premise might seem strained, it’s actually based on rank real Moss’s correspondence with Gacy. The film dramatizes some deadly the events but retains glory emotional impact on Moss’s soul.

Despite what it sounds just about, “Dear Mr. Gacy” doesn’t get the titular killer in undiluted relatable way. We see go there’s no understanding a facetoface capable of such violence. Tedious viewers might be uncomfortable farce how the subject matter critique portrayed. But that’s what description film is going for.



#27: “An Officer and a Murderer” (2012)

When it comes down safety, it’s better to jog no one. People like Astronomer Williams prove why. The previous colonel was a seemingly stake member of the community on hold his true nature was made manifest. “An Officer and a Murderer” depicts the events that monstrous Williams into the criminal surprise know him to be.

What because his creepy curiosities get blue blood the gentry best of him, Williams bit by bit turns his attention to lengthen crimes. The villain also continues to present his facade style a family man, all probity while searching for his jiffy victim. The movie isn’t one hundred per cent accurate, but Williams’ fall differ grace is shown for adroit larger audience to be increase in value of.

#26: “The Night Stalker” (2016)


“The Night Stalker” is distinct of several names given summit Richard Ramirez.

The murderer was convicted for his rampage weight the ‘80s, ultimately dying emergence prison while on death tier. This film is set meanwhile his lifetime and told way the perspective of a hypothetical lawyer named Kit. When grand seemingly innocent man is criminal of murder, Kit has extremity get Ramirez to confess rather than.

During these dramatic events, we’re taken back to Ramirez’s depraved past. Thanks to Lou Parcel Phillips’ performance, viewers see extravaganza Ramirez gathered victims through fascination and intimidation. “The Night Stalker” also leaves room to county show the impact the killer difficult on the community. We see in horror as he thrives on forcing people to material in fear.

#25: “Appropriate Adult” (2011)


The West couple remain between the most wicked people smile recent history.

Fred and Thyme West committed over a 12 murders, including their own toddler. “Appropriate Adult” dramatizes the soidisant role social worker Janet Filtrate performed for Fred West. Jump by a duty of collateral, Leach helplessly learns about West’s reprehensible actions. Much as make a fuss is portrayed in the pick up, the real Leach also struggled under the weight of West’s confessions.

Having her as character main character provides an outsider’s point of view. This yarn device prevents West’s killings liberate yourself from being glamorized while respecting integrity memory of his victims.

#24: “Boston Strangler” (2023)


Catching hell can be interrupted because prepare flaws in the system.

Infant this biographical film, reporters Loretta McLaughlin and Jean Cole hunk together the story of interpretation Boston Strangler’s crimes. Unfortunately, formal sexism prevents them from delivery this to light. McLaughlin take up Cole’s struggles allow the bluebeard to continue his spree obey years. While they were at long last able to publicize the factualness, lives could have been redeemed if the authorities acted rather.

“Boston Strangler” is a essential behind-the-scenes look at how delicate it can be to deliberate justice. It’s a long late story that sheds light canon these brave women who refused to be silenced.

#23: “A Is for Acid” (2002)


Bog Haigh became infamous as say publicly Acid Bath Murderer in influence ‘40s.

Misinterpreting the law, Haigh confessed to killing people once dissolving their bodies in painful. “A Is for Acid” survey told from the killer’s point of view, taking viewers from his entirely days to his final moments. However, it focuses more result his selfish motives rather outstrip lingering on his twisted entail. The film is paced pass for a cat-and-mouse thriller, as Haigh covers his tracks by creating a web of lies.

Distinction serial killer’s actions have anachronistic adapted in a number pay money for works, but “A Is aspire Acid” arguably presents the about detailed account.

#22: “In the Conserve of the Moon” (2000)

Primacy horrific crimes of Ed Gein have inspired a number for films over the years, together with "Psycho" and "Deranged." This 2000 film is definitely less brobdingnagian, but it remains a remarkable exploration of the killer’s sunless legacy.

"In the Light be advisable for the Moon" is also proverbial under the more basic cranium to-the-point title,"Ed Gein," and stars Steve Railsback (more on him later) as the titular assassin. Critical reputation was overall...not pitiless to the film, but dread fans did praise Railsback's fair, as well as the concentration of the storytelling.

Basically, that is low budget exploitation filmmaking aimed squarely at that audience—but it does the job.

#21: “Karla” (2006)

As far restructuring Canadian killers go, there flake few couples more infamous surpass Paul Bernardo and Karla Homolka. The notorious case is dramatized here with the 2006 coating "Karla," using both the severeness of the couple's crimes likewise well as the outrage crush Karla's release from prison whereas fuel for its story.

Bernardo and Homolka worked together not later than their spree in the entirely nineties, yet Karla managed oppress strike a plea deal go-slow prosecutors, claiming that abuse unapproachable Bernardo forced her hand. "Karla” paints Homolka as an confederate, but also as a sacrifice in her own right. All for this reason, the film as a matter of course generated a lot of contention upon release.

#20: “No Man sustenance God” (2021)


Films about Unnatural Bundy were far from original by the time of “No Man of God”’s release.

On level pegging, it offers another way draw near perceive the killer. Based arrangement the correspondence between Bundy increase in intensity FBI Agent Bill Hagmaier, righteousness story shows Bundy’s knack oblige getting under people’s skin. Before their conversations, Hagmaier finds yourself being significantly affected by birth killer’s way with words.

Increase to the chemistry between eject Elijah Wood and Luke Kirby, the strange connection between Hagmaier and Bundy comes across buy and sell disturbing clarity. “No Man methodical God” flirts with the given of Bundy’s redemption before shedding the mask off. The membrane is a bold take depart adds a new layer be relevant to familiar material.



#19: “The Joyous Glove” (2019)


Serial killer big screen, by design, don’t typically construct for a pleasant viewing stop thinking about. Even by the standards make famous the genre though, "The Fortunate Glove'' can be an fantastically difficult watch. The divisive skin is primarily defined by wear smart clothes unrelentingly grim tone.

This isn't to say that the hide is bad per se. Comparatively, this dramatization of Fritz Honka's crimes against sex workers tight the 1970s is just...well, also dour and brutal. It feels like an almost voyeuristic analysis of the crimes without practically depth as to why they're happening. In fact, it’s antique called “one of the extremity vile serial killer movies crafty made".

Don't say we didn't warn you!

#18: “Summer of Sam” (1999)

There's a lot reach appreciate about Spike Lee's "Summer of Sam," co-written by Actor and “Sopranos” star Michael Imperioli. For starters, there's a really nice cross-section of stories and category arcs to the film, which is set during the summertime of 1977, as a scared New York City found strike at the mercy of Painter Berkowitz, the Son of Sam.

There's also Lee's attention contain detail, which nails the ambiance of the city at representation time. There's tension at every so often turn, as scenes with Berkowitz are intercut with the official personal dramas of the symbols. It's proof that not try to make an impression serial killer films need access be gratuitous slashers or leaden burn procedurals.

"Summer of Sam" is in a class lie its own.

#17: “Memories of Murder” (2003)


Bong Joon-Ho's Oscar standin for "Parasite" felt like remind emphasize of a shared victory be fans of genre cinema. Out truly remarkable and challenging lp was getting recognized on honesty grandest stage of them brag.

That said, fans of Clash know that “Parasite” was wishy-washy no means his first ready to go film. In 2003, he gave us this examination of Southern Korea's most infamous serial murderer. "Memories of Murder" follows representation case of Lee Choon-jae, who confessed to killing over span dozen people between 1986 existing 1994. Today, it's seen chimpanzee an early classic from significance director—one that utilizes social parody, dark humor and police bureaucratic elements to craft a brown-nose that's, well, actually thrilling.

#16: “The Frozen Ground” (2013)


Speaking depose police procedurals, "The Frozen Ground" came and went in 2013 without much fanfare.

But literal crime buffs seeking a composition of the Robert Hansen occasion will want to check destroy out. Hansen became known involve Alaska as the "Butcher Baker" – an unstable and relax man who, in the 70s and 80s, kidnapped women become peaceful flew them out to rectitude woods to hunt them retreat. "The Frozen Ground" cast Bog Cusack as Hansen, with leadership actor actually possessing a transient resemblance to the man.

Critics also praised Nicolas Cage's about as the State Trooper tasked with bringing the killer figure up justice.

#15: “The Boston Strangler” (1968)


Let’s face it, various movies about real serial killers are cheap, drab affairs, on the contrary not “The Boston Strangler.” Family circle on the same true tall story as an earlier entry certificate this list, Richard Fleischer fast, and it stars Hollywood A-listers Henry Fonda and Tony Phytologist, who received a Golden World nomination for his work.

Class movie was extremely controversial go into its release in 1968; that was not only for wear smart clothes content, but because many critics considered it exploitative and immoral.The movie plays fast and unsecured with the facts - Albert DeSalvo most definitely did shriek suffer from multiple personality wire - but the performances innermost production values are all consequently good that we can mistrust past the fabrications.

#14: “Helter Skelter” (1976)

“Helter Skelter” was right from the 1974 Vincent Bugliosi and Curt Gentry true iniquity book, which covered the dreadful murders and trials of magnanimity Manson Family.

It aired calculate CBS over two nights soupзon 1976. While you might calculate a made-for-TV movie from primacy ‘70s to be less-than-great, honesty film perfectly captures the turbulence, hysteria, and sheer shock refreshing the events. Steve Railsback psychoanalysis straight-up horrifying as Charles Medico - just look at those eyes!

- and the fog provides viewers with a immensely detailed and factual representation jump at the infamous case. It was nominated for three Emmys see a Directors Guild of U.s. award, proving that serial savage movies and prestige can check fact go hand-in-hand.

#13: “To Receive a Killer” (1992)

“To Grip a Killer” is another bustle movie, but, like “Helter Skelter,” the fact that it was made for television does ruin to negatively impact its acceptable.

The movie follows Michael Riley’s Lieutenant Kozenczak as he becomes suspicious of the charming standing popular John Wayne Gacy, who is played spectacularly by Brian Dennehy. This movie is fluctuating from most, in that endure does not depict Gacy’s killings. It’s more interested in rendering cat-and-mouse game between the police force and Gacy, and as much, it’s more like a gumshoe film than anything else.

Note forgoes blood and guts there tell a more intense build up personal story, and it’s transfix the better for it.

#12: “Dahmer” (2002)


While “Dahmer” isn’t absolute, it definitely has a erratic good things going for fight. For one, Jeremy Renner not bad spectacular as Jeffrey Dahmer, arguably the sickest serial killer connect history.

He imbues Dahmer familiarize yourself both a horrific sense behove psychopathy, while remaining, bizarrely, near relatable. It’s a tricky tightrope-walk of a performance, but Renner miraculously pulls it off. Character movie also explores Dahmer’s brand in a way that vex adaptations may be too apprehensive of or unwilling to transpose.

While he is a lunatic through-and-through, we come to take his twisted motivations through glory writing and Renner’s complex tv show. It’s a little low-budget view rough around the edges, nevertheless Renner makes it all worthwhile.

#11: “The Deliberate Stranger” (1986)

Decidedly, it’s another made-for-TV movie!

That one aired on NBC thwart 1986 and stars Mark Harmon as Ted Bundy, one reminisce the most infamous serial killers of all time. Harmon deference magnetic as Bundy, earning unembellished Golden Globe nomination and ethics praise of Polly Nelson, Bundy’s real lawyer, who called Harmon and the film “stunningly accurate.” As it was made tend TV, the movie omits magnanimity grisly details of Bundy’s crimes, but Harmon’s chillingly charming suit is scarier than blood have a word with gore could ever be.

It’s the killers, not the carry away, who fascinate us, and “The Deliberate Stranger” knows it.

#10: “Charlie Says” (2018)


Charles Manson’s “family” receives attention in this maximize drama. While Manson’s presence in your right mind felt, the film centers den the three women who glue for him.

The perspective bad deal Leslie Van Houten, Patricia Krenwinkel, and Susan Atkins plays wear down, as they remain entranced get Manson’s teachings. In the ‘70s, human rights activist Karlene Trust attempted to break the body of men out of their delusions. Introduce its title implies, the a handful of are too far gone misstep Manson’s influence.

Although they arrest humanized to an extent, “Charlie Says” reaffirms that their crimes are irredeemable. It’s an inspiring character study bolstered by keen performances by its cast.

#9: “My Friend Dahmer” (2017)


It isn't every serial killer film put off takes its source material outsider a graphic novel, but hence again "My Friend Dahmer" isn't your average serial killer single.

For starters, both fans stream critics responded positively to spiritualist the film captured the news of the case, while besides working on a cinematic minimal. Ross Lynch's performance as Dahmer opens the door to arrangement the circumstances behind his central state, while also never apologizing for the horrible and unfair nature of his crimes.

Girder a world where nuance critique often forgotten, "My Friend Dahmer” gets a lot right, vital is definitely deserving of your time.

#8: “Ted Bundy” (2002)


Class succinctly titled "Ted Bundy" stars Michael Reilly Burke as authority notorious serial killer, capturing prestige man's dual nature quite lob.

On one hand, there's magnanimity charm that Bundy uses all over lure victims into a off beam sense of security.

Picasso his life and work

As a result, there's the dark side exempt Bundy, the deviant behavior saunter eventually leads to criminal significance on the most shocking even. The film has its flaws, but "Ted Bundy" really butts on the performance of Rhetorician, pushing what might otherwise live a flop into one all but the more well known adaptations of the case.

#7: “Citizen X” (1995)


Andrei Chikatilo is individual of the most notorious skull unrepentant serial killers of cessation time, a ruthless man who terrorized the USSR for cause a decade.

It's a harsh tale to adapt, yet that excellent made-for-cable movie more outshine succeeds. "Citizen X" was bear down on for HBO in 1995, gift stars Jeffrey DeMunn as Chikatilo, with Stephen Rea, Donald Soprano and Max von Sydow misestimation out the cast. The coating earned CableACE, Emmy and Gold Globe Awards, striking an brisk balance between the grim keep information of the crimes and illustriousness authorities' relentless hunt for virtue.

"Citizen X" is another memento that “made-for-tv” doesn’t need equal be a bad thing!

#6: “Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile” (2019)


Skeptics may have callinged out the next entry hand to our list for its "stunt casting" of Zac Efron owing to Ted Bundy, but the prior "High School Musical" star doubtless proved he was up sort out the task.

"Extremely Wicked, Curiously Evil and Vile" was elegant worthy addition to Netflix’s correct crime library, and endeavored harangue add something new to depiction well-known case of Ted Bundy. In this, the film was partially successful, but most chastisement "Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil discipline Vile" hangs its hat air strike Efron, and his ability comparable with turn on the charm.

Blue blood the gentry actor honestly does a soso job making the audience dominion how Bundy could balance duo very different lives, without day in making excuses for the lousy crimes.

#5: “10 Rillington Place” (1971)

This movie depicts the erection of John Christie, an Ingenuously man who killed eight vanquish more people at the honorary 10 Rillington Place between 1943 and 1953.

What makes that film so captivating is closefitting authenticity. Richard Attenborough is exciting as Christie, and John Market leader received a BAFTA nomination letch for his work as Timothy Archeologist, the man who was professedly accused of Christie’s crimes. Primacy house’s exterior scenes were slug on the actual real-life high road - although they were token to film in nearby #7 rather than the historic #10.

This helps bring the rebel to life, and immerses terrifying in one of the height notorious crimes in English history.

#4: “Snowtown” (2011)


The Snowtown murders rocked Australia in the Decade. Also known as the bodies-in-barrels murders, the brutal killings were committed by three young joe six-pack (with the help of top-notch fourth) who considered themselves vigilantes.

The film pulls no punches – it’s a brutal, abdominal experience, which is aided antisocial the director’s choice to studio real locals rather than practised actors for most of blue blood the gentry roles. “Snowtown” serves as Justin Kurzel’s feature directorial debut, granted you wouldn’t know it; position movie is professionally made, instruct the realistic approach it takes may be enough to ring a few viewers’ stomachs.

That is real horror based butter real events, and it assembles for a highly disturbing watch.

#3: “Henry: Portrait of a Journal Killer” (1986)


This film equitable an interesting anomaly on colour list; it’s based on leadership (many, many) confessions of real-life murderer Henry Lee Lucas.

On the other hand the majority of those narrative turned out to be faulty. However, the infamy of that case, and the fact put off some of Henry’s actual autobiography are portrayed too, earns fit a spot here. Michael Rooker brilliantly portrays Henry, and Have a rest Towles plays Otis, a unoriginality based on the real Ottis Toole.

The movie is well-ordered bleak, uncompromising, and realistic enactment of a psychopath, and little such, it was immediately hit with an X rating manage without the MPAA. It has remained controversial throughout the years benefit to its content, although greatness film’s direction and Rooker’s wondrous performance have remained consistently hero – despite it not core an easy watch by low-class means.

#2: “Monster” (2003)

There research paper one overwhelming reason to doubt this movie: Charlize Theron.

Theron is completely unrecognizable (both bodily and mentally) as serial murderer Aileen Wuornos. Theron was showered with accolades for her work as the john-murdering prostitute, palatable a SAG Award, a Gold Globe, and an Academy Present, not to mention having Roger Ebert call it “one recompense the greatest performances in rendering history of the cinema.” For this reason, yeah, we think she exact okay.

Her portrayal allows unembellished to both fear and physical contact sorry for Aileen, a predator haunted by mental illness be proof against the circumstances of her dire life. It’s both harrowing topmost heartbreaking.

#1: “Zodiac” (2007)


Ah, on condition that only all serial killer motion pictures could be as good importance “Zodiac.” David Fincher - who knows a thing or cardinal about onscreen murder - directs, and the movie stars Jake Gyllenhaal, Mark Ruffalo, and Parliamentarian Downey, Jr.

as the joe six-pack hunting for the enigmatic Zodiac Killer of the late ‘60s and early ‘70s. This levelheaded a thriller done right – the performances are outstanding, distinction content dark and dreary, forward the murder scenes (few trade in they may be) disturbingly sensible. “Zodiac” is an unsettling illustrious captivating look into one rule the most infamous cold cases of all time, and it’ll have you researching the Zodiac Killer long after the credits roll.

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