Press "Enter" to skip to content

Top 10 Films About Serial Killers


they can be gruesome and exploitive but

they can be gruesome and exploitive but also entertaining at times welcome to

also entertaining at times welcome to

also entertaining at times welcome to watchmojo.com and today we’re counting

watchmojo.com and today we’re counting

watchmojo.com and today we’re counting down our picks for the top 10 movies

down our picks for the top 10 movies

down our picks for the top 10 movies about serial killers I’m just like

about serial killers I’m just like

about serial killers I’m just like anybody else

before we begin we publish new videos

before we begin we publish new videos every day

every day

every day so be sure to subscribe for more great

so be sure to subscribe for more great

so be sure to subscribe for more great content for this list we’re looking at

content for this list we’re looking at

content for this list we’re looking at films about the lives and crimes of

films about the lives and crimes of

films about the lives and crimes of serial killers while these aren’t

serial killers while these aren’t

serial killers while these aren’t documentaries per se we’re only

documentaries per se we’re only

documentaries per se we’re only considering those that tell the stories

considering those that tell the stories

considering those that tell the stories of real-life serial killers this means

of real-life serial killers this means

of real-life serial killers this means that very loose were inspired by stories

that very loose were inspired by stories

that very loose were inspired by stories and characters like Leatherface net gain

and characters like Leatherface net gain

and characters like Leatherface net gain won’t be included but movies that take

won’t be included but movies that take

won’t be included but movies that take some liberties are permitted I’m gonna

some liberties are permitted I’m gonna

some liberties are permitted I’m gonna do it mama number 10 Dahmer what’s this

do it mama number 10 Dahmer what’s this

do it mama number 10 Dahmer what’s this song a drink while Dahmer isn’t perfect

song a drink while Dahmer isn’t perfect

song a drink while Dahmer isn’t perfect it definitely has a few good things

it definitely has a few good things

it definitely has a few good things going for it Jeremy Renner is

going for it Jeremy Renner is

going for it Jeremy Renner is spectacular as Jeffrey Dahmer arguably

spectacular as Jeffrey Dahmer arguably

spectacular as Jeffrey Dahmer arguably the sickest serial killer in history he

the sickest serial killer in history he

the sickest serial killer in history he abused Dahmer with both horrific sense

abused Dahmer with both horrific sense

abused Dahmer with both horrific sense of psychopathy while remaining bizarrely

of psychopathy while remaining bizarrely

of psychopathy while remaining bizarrely almost relatable it’s a tricky tightrope

almost relatable it’s a tricky tightrope

almost relatable it’s a tricky tightrope walk for performance but Renner

walk for performance but Renner

walk for performance but Renner miraculously pulls it off the movie also

miraculously pulls it off the movie also

miraculously pulls it off the movie also explores Dahmer’s character in a way

explores Dahmer’s character in a way

explores Dahmer’s character in a way that other adaptations may be too afraid

that other adaptations may be too afraid

that other adaptations may be too afraid of or unwilling to do while he is a

of or unwilling to do while he is a

of or unwilling to do while he is a psychopath through and through we come

psychopath through and through we come

psychopath through and through we come to understand his twisted motivations

to understand his twisted motivations

to understand his twisted motivations through the writing and renders complex

through the writing and renders complex

through the writing and renders complex performance it’s a little low-budget too

performance it’s a little low-budget too

performance it’s a little low-budget too rough around the edges but Renner makes

rough around the edges but Renner makes

rough around the edges but Renner makes it all worthwhile

[Music]

[Music] number nine the Boston Strangler there a

number nine the Boston Strangler there a

number nine the Boston Strangler there a 67 year old nurse has been sexually

67 year old nurse has been sexually

67 year old nurse has been sexually assaulted and strangled by a Boston man

assaulted and strangled by a Boston man

assaulted and strangled by a Boston man a fifth victim to belong to Lauren

a fifth victim to belong to Lauren

a fifth victim to belong to Lauren Shalini let’s face it most movies about

Shalini let’s face it most movies about

Shalini let’s face it most movies about real-life serial killers are trap

real-life serial killers are trap

real-life serial killers are trap Affairs but not the Boston Strangler

Affairs but not the Boston Strangler

Affairs but not the Boston Strangler Richard Fleischer directed and it stars

Richard Fleischer directed and it stars

Richard Fleischer directed and it stars Hollywood a-listers Henry Fonda and Tony

Hollywood a-listers Henry Fonda and Tony

Hollywood a-listers Henry Fonda and Tony Curtis who received a Golden Globe

Curtis who received a Golden Globe

Curtis who received a Golden Globe nomination for his work the movie was

nomination for his work the movie was

nomination for his work the movie was extremely controversial upon its release

extremely controversial upon its release

extremely controversial upon its release in 1968 this was not only for its

in 1968 this was not only for its

in 1968 this was not only for its content but because many critics

content but because many critics

content but because many critics considered it exploitive and immoral the

considered it exploitive and immoral the

considered it exploitive and immoral the movie plays fast and loose with the

movie plays fast and loose with the

movie plays fast and loose with the facts Albert DeSalvo most definitely did

facts Albert DeSalvo most definitely did

facts Albert DeSalvo most definitely did not suffer from multiple personality

not suffer from multiple personality

not suffer from multiple personality disorder but the performances and

disorder but the performances and

disorder but the performances and production values are all so good that

production values are all so good that

production values are all so good that we can see past fabrications but I don’t

we can see past fabrications but I don’t

we can see past fabrications but I don’t love it

love it

love it number 8 hold your skelter it’s not nice

number 8 hold your skelter it’s not nice

number 8 hold your skelter it’s not nice to snitch shorty L through skelter was

to snitch shorty L through skelter was

to snitch shorty L through skelter was adapted from the 1974 Vincent Bugliosi

adapted from the 1974 Vincent Bugliosi

adapted from the 1974 Vincent Bugliosi and Kurt Gentry true crime book which

and Kurt Gentry true crime book which

and Kurt Gentry true crime book which covered the infamous murders and trials

covered the infamous murders and trials

covered the infamous murders and trials of the Manson Family

of the Manson Family

of the Manson Family he’d aired on CBS over two nights in

he’d aired on CBS over two nights in

he’d aired on CBS over two nights in 1976 while you may expect a made-for-tv

1976 while you may expect a made-for-tv

1976 while you may expect a made-for-tv movie from the 70s to be less than great

movie from the 70s to be less than great

movie from the 70s to be less than great the film perfectly captures the

the film perfectly captures the

the film perfectly captures the pandemonium hysteria and sheer shock of

pandemonium hysteria and sheer shock of

pandemonium hysteria and sheer shock of the events Steve Railsback straight-up

the events Steve Railsback straight-up

the events Steve Railsback straight-up horrifying as Charles Manson just look

horrifying as Charles Manson just look

horrifying as Charles Manson just look at those eyes and the movie provides

at those eyes and the movie provides

at those eyes and the movie provides viewers with a highly detailed and

viewers with a highly detailed and

viewers with a highly detailed and factual representation of the infamous

factual representation of the infamous

factual representation of the infamous case it was nominated for three Emmys

case it was nominated for three Emmys

case it was nominated for three Emmys and a Directors Guild of America Award

and a Directors Guild of America Award

and a Directors Guild of America Award proving that serial killer movies and

proving that serial killer movies and

proving that serial killer movies and prestige can in fact go hand-in-hand

prestige can in fact go hand-in-hand

prestige can in fact go hand-in-hand make a fool of yourself partner number

make a fool of yourself partner number

make a fool of yourself partner number seven to catch a killer

seven to catch a killer

seven to catch a killer it’s you cut up like real tight I don’t

it’s you cut up like real tight I don’t

it’s you cut up like real tight I don’t know if I could to catch killer is

know if I could to catch killer is

know if I could to catch killer is another television movie but like hello

another television movie but like hello

another television movie but like hello skelter the fact that it was made for

skelter the fact that it was made for

skelter the fact that it was made for television does nothing to negative

television does nothing to negative

television does nothing to negative impact its quality the movie follows

impact its quality the movie follows

impact its quality the movie follows Michael Riley’s lieutenant cozen Zack as

Michael Riley’s lieutenant cozen Zack as

Michael Riley’s lieutenant cozen Zack as he becomes suspicious of the charming

he becomes suspicious of the charming

he becomes suspicious of the charming popular John Wayne Gacy who is played

popular John Wayne Gacy who is played

popular John Wayne Gacy who is played spectacularly by Bryan Denny mr.

spectacularly by Bryan Denny mr.

spectacularly by Bryan Denny mr. policeman don’t you know a clown can get

policeman don’t you know a clown can get

policeman don’t you know a clown can get away with murder the movie is different

away with murder the movie is different

away with murder the movie is different from Oh in that it does not depict

from Oh in that it does not depict

from Oh in that it does not depict Casey’s killings it’s more interested in

Casey’s killings it’s more interested in

Casey’s killings it’s more interested in the cat-and-mouse game between the

the cat-and-mouse game between the

the cat-and-mouse game between the police and Gacy and as such it’s more

police and Gacy and as such it’s more

police and Gacy and as such it’s more like a detective film than anything else

like a detective film than anything else

like a detective film than anything else it forgoes blood and guts to tell a more

it forgoes blood and guts to tell a more

it forgoes blood and guts to tell a more intense and personal story and it’s all

intense and personal story and it’s all

intense and personal story and it’s all the better for it

the better for it

the better for it so please you tell me what more do we

so please you tell me what more do we

so please you tell me what more do we need number 6 the deliberate stranger I

need number 6 the deliberate stranger I

need number 6 the deliberate stranger I call me Ted all my friends do Hey look

call me Ted all my friends do Hey look

call me Ted all my friends do Hey look another made-for-tv movie we guess major

another made-for-tv movie we guess major

another made-for-tv movie we guess major Hollywood studios don’t enjoy exploring

Hollywood studios don’t enjoy exploring

Hollywood studios don’t enjoy exploring the topic of serial killers this one

the topic of serial killers this one

the topic of serial killers this one aired on NBC in 1986 and stars Mark

aired on NBC in 1986 and stars Mark

aired on NBC in 1986 and stars Mark Harmon as Ted Bundy one of the most

Harmon as Ted Bundy one of the most

Harmon as Ted Bundy one of the most infamous serial killers of all time

infamous serial killers of all time

infamous serial killers of all time Harmon is magnetic as Bundy earning a

Harmon is magnetic as Bundy earning a

Harmon is magnetic as Bundy earning a Golden Globe nomination and the praise

Golden Globe nomination and the praise

Golden Globe nomination and the praise of Pauline Elsa

of Pauline Elsa

of Pauline Elsa Bundy’s real lawyer who called Harmon

Bundy’s real lawyer who called Harmon

Bundy’s real lawyer who called Harmon and the film’s stunningly accurate as it

and the film’s stunningly accurate as it

and the film’s stunningly accurate as it was made for TV the movie omits the

was made for TV the movie omits the

was made for TV the movie omits the grisly details

grisly details

grisly details Bundy’s crimes but Harmons chilling and

Bundy’s crimes but Harmons chilling and

Bundy’s crimes but Harmons chilling and charming performance is scarier that

charming performance is scarier that

charming performance is scarier that blood and gore could ever beat it’s The

blood and gore could ever beat it’s The

blood and gore could ever beat it’s The Killers not blood who fascinate us and

Killers not blood who fascinate us and

Killers not blood who fascinate us and the deliberate stranger knows it

number five 10 Rillington place this

number five 10 Rillington place this movie depicts the story of John Christie

movie depicts the story of John Christie

movie depicts the story of John Christie an English man who killed eight or more

an English man who killed eight or more

an English man who killed eight or more people at the titular 10 Rillington

people at the titular 10 Rillington

people at the titular 10 Rillington place between 1943 and 1953 what makes

place between 1943 and 1953 what makes

place between 1943 and 1953 what makes this film so captivating is its

this film so captivating is its

this film so captivating is its authenticity Richard Attenborough is

authenticity Richard Attenborough is

authenticity Richard Attenborough is mesmerizing his Christie and John Hurt

mesmerizing his Christie and John Hurt

mesmerizing his Christie and John Hurt received a BAFTA nomination for his work

received a BAFTA nomination for his work

received a BAFTA nomination for his work as Timothy Evans the man who was falsely

as Timothy Evans the man who was falsely

as Timothy Evans the man who was falsely accused of Christie’s crimes about the

accused of Christie’s crimes about the

accused of Christie’s crimes about the houses exterior scenes were shot on the

houses exterior scenes were shot on the

houses exterior scenes were shot on the actual real-life Street although they

actual real-life Street although they

actual real-life Street although they were forced filmed in nearby number-7

were forced filmed in nearby number-7

were forced filmed in nearby number-7 rather than the historic number 10 this

rather than the historic number 10 this

rather than the historic number 10 this helps bring the story to life and

helps bring the story to life and

helps bring the story to life and immerses us in some of the most

immerses us in some of the most

immerses us in some of the most notorious crimes in English history and

notorious crimes in English history and

notorious crimes in English history and mental note have mercy on your soul

mental note have mercy on your soul

mental note have mercy on your soul number 4 snow town John the snow town

number 4 snow town John the snow town

number 4 snow town John the snow town murders rocked Australia in the 1990s

murders rocked Australia in the 1990s

murders rocked Australia in the 1990s also known as the bodies and barrels

also known as the bodies and barrels

also known as the bodies and barrels murders the snow town murders were

murders the snow town murders were

murders the snow town murders were committed by three young men with help

committed by three young men with help

committed by three young men with help up and forth who considered their

up and forth who considered their

up and forth who considered their victims weak members of society the film

victims weak members of society the film

victims weak members of society the film pulls no punches it’s a brutal visceral

pulls no punches it’s a brutal visceral

pulls no punches it’s a brutal visceral experience which is aided by the

experience which is aided by the

experience which is aided by the directors choice to use real locals

directors choice to use real locals

directors choice to use real locals rather than professional actors for most

rather than professional actors for most

rather than professional actors for most of the roles now while we sitting here

of the roles now while we sitting here

of the roles now while we sitting here something it’ll keep baying touch-top

something it’ll keep baying touch-top

something it’ll keep baying touch-top snow town serves as Dustin Roselle’s

snow town serves as Dustin Roselle’s

snow town serves as Dustin Roselle’s feature directorial debut although you

feature directorial debut although you

feature directorial debut although you wouldn’t know it

wouldn’t know it

wouldn’t know it the movie is professionally made and the

the movie is professionally made and the

the movie is professionally made and the realistic approach it makes may be

realistic approach it makes may be

realistic approach it makes may be enough to turn a few viewer stomachs

enough to turn a few viewer stomachs

enough to turn a few viewer stomachs this is real horror based on real events

this is real horror based on real events

this is real horror based on real events and it makes for a highly disturbing

and it makes for a highly disturbing

and it makes for a highly disturbing watch that’s my friend

number 3 Henry portrait of a serial

number 3 Henry portrait of a serial killer must mean you go for

killer must mean you go for

killer must mean you go for this film is an interesting anomaly on

this film is an interesting anomaly on

this film is an interesting anomaly on our list it’s based on the many many

our list it’s based on the many many

our list it’s based on the many many actual confessions of real-life murder

actual confessions of real-life murder

actual confessions of real-life murder Henry Lee Lucas but the majority of them

Henry Lee Lucas but the majority of them

Henry Lee Lucas but the majority of them were subsequently revealed to be false

were subsequently revealed to be false

were subsequently revealed to be false however the infamy of the case and the

however the infamy of the case and the

however the infamy of the case and the fact that the big screen Henry shares

fact that the big screen Henry shares

fact that the big screen Henry shares many experiences of a non fictional

many experiences of a non fictional

many experiences of a non fictional serial killer place it here my coworker

serial killer place it here my coworker

serial killer place it here my coworker brilliantly portrays Henry and Tom told

brilliantly portrays Henry and Tom told

brilliantly portrays Henry and Tom told Flay’s Otis a character based on a real

Flay’s Otis a character based on a real

Flay’s Otis a character based on a real honest tool the movie is a bleak

honest tool the movie is a bleak

honest tool the movie is a bleak uncompromising and realistic portrayal

uncompromising and realistic portrayal

uncompromising and realistic portrayal of a psychopath and as such it was

of a psychopath and as such it was

of a psychopath and as such it was immediately slapped with an X rating by

immediately slapped with an X rating by

immediately slapped with an X rating by the MPAA it has remained controversial

the MPAA it has remained controversial

the MPAA it has remained controversial throughout the years due to its content

throughout the years due to its content

throughout the years due to its content although the film’s direction and

although the film’s direction and

although the film’s direction and Rooker’s terrifying performance ever

Rooker’s terrifying performance ever

Rooker’s terrifying performance ever made consistently praised despite it not

made consistently praised despite it not

made consistently praised despite it not being an easy watch by any needs and

being an easy watch by any needs and

being an easy watch by any needs and tell her you’re sorry okay I’m sorry

tell her you’re sorry okay I’m sorry

tell her you’re sorry okay I’m sorry number 2 monster

number 2 monster

number 2 monster [Music]

there is one overwhelming reason to see

there is one overwhelming reason to see this movie Charlize Theron there it is

this movie Charlize Theron there it is

this movie Charlize Theron there it is completely unrecognizable both

completely unrecognizable both

completely unrecognizable both physically and mentally as serial killer

physically and mentally as serial killer

physically and mentally as serial killer Aileen Wuornos

Aileen Wuornos

Aileen Wuornos Darren was showered with accolades for

Darren was showered with accolades for

Darren was showered with accolades for her performance as the John murdering

her performance as the John murdering

her performance as the John murdering prostitute

prostitute

prostitute winning a SAG Award a Golden Globe and

winning a SAG Award a Golden Globe and

winning a SAG Award a Golden Globe and an Academy Award not to mention having

an Academy Award not to mention having

an Academy Award not to mention having Roger Ebert call it one of the greatest

Roger Ebert call it one of the greatest

Roger Ebert call it one of the greatest performances in the history of cinema so

performances in the history of cinema so

performances in the history of cinema so yeah we think she did okay her portrayal

yeah we think she did okay her portrayal

yeah we think she did okay her portrayal allows us to both fear and feel sorry

allows us to both fear and feel sorry

allows us to both fear and feel sorry for Eileen a killer hunted by mental

for Eileen a killer hunted by mental

for Eileen a killer hunted by mental illness and the circumstances of her

illness and the circumstances of her

illness and the circumstances of her tragic life it’s both harrowing and

tragic life it’s both harrowing and

tragic life it’s both harrowing and heartbreaking I’m not a bad person I’m

heartbreaking I’m not a bad person I’m

heartbreaking I’m not a bad person I’m real good person number one zodiac I’m

real good person number one zodiac I’m

real good person number one zodiac I’m not the zodiac if only all serial killer

not the zodiac if only all serial killer

not the zodiac if only all serial killer movies can be as good as Zodiac David

movies can be as good as Zodiac David

movies can be as good as Zodiac David Fincher who knows a thing or two about

Fincher who knows a thing or two about

Fincher who knows a thing or two about on-screen berger directs and the movie

on-screen berger directs and the movie

on-screen berger directs and the movie stars Jake Gyllenhaal Mark Ruffalo

stars Jake Gyllenhaal Mark Ruffalo

stars Jake Gyllenhaal Mark Ruffalo Robert Downey jr. as the man hunting the

Robert Downey jr. as the man hunting the

Robert Downey jr. as the man hunting the enigmatic Zodiac killer in the late 60s

enigmatic Zodiac killer in the late 60s

enigmatic Zodiac killer in the late 60s and early 70s this is a thriller done

and early 70s this is a thriller done

and early 70s this is a thriller done right the performances are outstanding

right the performances are outstanding

right the performances are outstanding the content dark and dreary and the

the content dark and dreary and the

the content dark and dreary and the murder scenes new as they may be

murder scenes new as they may be

murder scenes new as they may be disturbing they realistic zodiac isn’t

disturbing they realistic zodiac isn’t

disturbing they realistic zodiac isn’t unsettling and captivating look into one

unsettling and captivating look into one

unsettling and captivating look into one of the most famous cold cases of all

of the most famous cold cases of all

of the most famous cold cases of all time and it’ll have you researching the

time and it’ll have you researching the

time and it’ll have you researching the Zodiac killer long after the credits

Zodiac killer long after the credits

Zodiac killer long after the credits roll zodiac do you agree with our picks

roll zodiac do you agree with our picks

roll zodiac do you agree with our picks check out these other great clips from

check out these other great clips from

check out these other great clips from WatchMojo and subscribe for new videos

WatchMojo and subscribe for new videos

WatchMojo and subscribe for new videos every day

”

Be First to Comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *