Top 30 Movies About Serial Killers

are you sure there's nobody else in the house would you like to go upstairs and check welcome to watch Mojo and today we're counting down our picks for films based on real life serial killers we'll be excluding movies where real killers served as inspiration but the plot is mostly fictional such as with the Texas Chainsaw Massacre and the Silence of the Lambs we can be as different as we want to be but you can't kill people say who number 30 the grey man it's kind of you to offer I'm not kind Mrs Carson it's a selfish thing righty you see it's such a rare occasion that I get to see my own grandchildren Albert Fish acquired a handful of chilling monikers during his lifetime speaking to the frightening impact of his Grizzly Legacy The Gray Man dramatizes his story from the viewpoints of both the man himself and detective William King the real life murder of Grace Bud serves as the framing device for a hardboiled detective story that's complete with Noir es narration Grace come say hello to Mr Howard he's taking Edward and Willie to work on his farm pleased to see you again Mr Howard I'm so very pleased to see you Grace though not shy on violence The Narrative favors investigative cat and mouse elements and personality analysis over blood and gore most haunting is Patrick B's performance which feels descended from Anthony Hopkins legendary portrayal of Hannibal Lector fish was thankfully apprehended but this movie's atmosphere may leave you worried that there are still others like him out there somewhere the long sought alleged Slayer of little Grace Buzz Albert Fish is being moved from tomb's jail to White Plains where he will stand trial for first deegree murder number 29 the capture of the Green River Killer the Green River slangs lasted for nearly two decades one of the people responsible for the Killer's capture is David reer whose efforts this film follows there are slight Liberties taken with the story but it also includes fascinating details such as record's interview with serial killer Ted Bundy it's personal and I could tell by looking at you Dave it's personal for you too subtle in its storytelling the movie builds towards the eventual capture of the villain later identified as Gary Ridgeway unlike most entries in the genre this one isn't known for its scary quality instead the capture of the Green River Killer takes viewers along the long road to Bringing Ridgeway to Justice Howard you're a you're a coward Gary you're a coward you're evil you're a monster you're a broken broken broken thing number 28 Dear Mr gasy the infamous John Wayne gasy makes his first appearance on our list here criminology student Jason Moss looks to understand the mind of a serial Slayer he writes to gayy acting as an admirer to gain gas's trust I'm sure there are many others who write you but I hope you take the time to write me back you'll see that I'm a pretty nice guy I look forward to hearing from you soon your friend Jason Moss while the premise might seem far-fetched it's actually based on the real Moss's correspondence with gasy the film dramatizes some of the events but retains the emotional impact on Masa psyche despite what it sounds like Dear Mr gasy doesn't portray the titular killer in a relatable way we see that there's no understanding a person capable of such violence do have any idea how long it would take the guards to get here if you screamed maybe one or 2 minutes I could kill you right now if I wanted to some viewers might be uncomfortable with how the subject matter is portrayed but that's what this film is going for number 27 an officer and a murderer when it comes to safety it's better to trust no one people like Russell Williams prove why the former colonel was a seemingly model member of the community until his true nature was exposed an officer and a murderer depicts the events that turned Williams into the criminal we know him to be no no no Linda don't take off the blindfold until 200 promise I promise when his creepy Curiosities get the best of him Williams gradually turns his attention to bigger crimes the villain also continues to present his facade of a family man all the while searching for his next victim the movie isn't completely accurate but Williams Fall From Grace is shown for a larger audience to be aware of how could you do this to all those women and you've made me a victim number 26 the nightstalker the nightstalker is one of several names given to Richard Ramirez the murderer was convicted for his Rampage in the80s ultimately dying in prison while on death row this film is set during his lifetime and told through the perspective of a fictional lawyer named kit when a seemingly innocent man is convicted of murder kit has to get Ramirez to confess instead I'm here because there's another man on death row in Texas Harrison Johnson he set to die for murders that I don't think he committed for murders I think you committed during these dramatic events we're taken back to Ramirez's heinous past thanks to Lou Diamond Phillips performance viewers see how Ramirez gathered victims through Charisma and intimidation you like to think because you're so cleaned up on the outside no one can see how dirty you are on the inside but I see it the nightstalker also leaves room to show the impact the killer had on the community we watch in horror as he thrives on forcing people to live in fear number 25 appropriate adult the West couple remains among the most wicked people in recent history Fred and rosemary West committed over a dozen murders including their own child appropriate adult dramatizes the ti role social worker Janet leech performed for Fred West has Fred said anything privately to you about any of this I can't tell you I owe a duty of confidence Bound by a duty of confidence leech helplessly learns about West's reprehensible actions much as it's portrayed in the film The Real leech also struggled under the weight of West's confessions having her as the main character provides an Outsiders point of view this framing device prevents West killings from being glamorized while respecting the memory of his victims do you find that upsetting Fred there were things in Rose's life you didn't know about number 24 Boston Strangler catching criminals can be interrupted because of flaws in the system in this biographical film reporters Loretta McLaughlin and Jean Cole piece together the story of the Boston strangler's crimes unfortunately institutional sexism prevents them from bringing this to light we be beat everyone in the in the whole damn City and you're you're just going to drop it yes I am the story is good the story is a headache I don't need right now and you're back on the lifestyle desk mcglaughlin and Cole's struggles allow the killer to continue his spree for years while they were ultimately able to publicize the truth lives could have been saved if the authorities acted sooner Boston Strangler is a valid behind the scenes look at how complicated it can be to seek Justice nobody bothered to get to the truth and people got away with murder it's a long overdue story that sheds light on these Brave women who refuse to be silenced number 23 A is for acid John hag became Infamous as the Acid Bath murderer in the' 40s misinterpreting the law heg confessed to killing people before dissolving their bodies in acid A is for acid is told from the Killer's perspective taking viewers from his early days to his final moments she's completely disappeared I destroyed her with acid you can't prove murder without a body can you however it focuses more on his selfish motives rather than lingering on his Twisted mind the film is paced as a cat and mouse Thriller as heg covers his tracks by creating a Web of Lies the serial Killer's actions have been adapted in a number of works But A is for acid arguably presents the most detailed account you can't come and visit me would you at least write to them after I'm gone number 22 in the light of the Moon can you tell us another ghost story Eddie sure the horrific crimes of edge have inspired a number of films over the years including psycho and deranged this 2000 film is definitely less well-known but it remains a noteworthy exploration of the Killer's Dark Legacy in the light of the moon is also known under the more basic and to the point title Ed G and star Steve rails back more on him later as the titular killer Ed why is it you're always around when someone goes missing I don't know Judy just luck I guess let's say we go downtown check out all the excitement critical reputation was overall not kind to the film but horror fans did praise rails back's performance as well as the intensity of the storytelling basically this is lowbudget exploitation filmmaking aimed squarely at that audience but it does the job number 21 Carla doing it right remember to smile for the camera okay as far as Canadian Killers go there are few couples more Infamous than Paul Bernardo and Carla Hoka the notorious case is dramatized here with the 2006 film Carla using both the severity of the couple's crimes as well as the outrage around Carla's release from prison as fuel for its story Bernard Nardo and Hoka worked together during their spree in the early '90s yet Carla managed to strike a plea deal with the prosecutors claiming that abuse from Bernardo forced her hand Carla paints Hoka as an accomplice but also as a victim in her own right for this reason the film naturally generated a lot of controversy upon release I killed my little sister how can anyone ever be forgiven for that I think about what I did every day I really do number 20 no man of God films about Ted Bundy were far from New by the time no man of God's release still it offers another way to perceive the killer based on the correspondence between Bundy and FBI agent Bill hagm the story shows Bundy's knack for getting under people's skin you FBI guys you're all the same you think you're better than me you're all just two her disciples riding through in your high horses you've got the biggest brains in the room during their conversations hagm finds himself being significantly affected by the Killer's way with words thanks to the chemistry between actors Elijah Wood and Luke Kirby the strange connection between hagm and Bundy comes across with disturbing Clarity she knows it's her last moments on Earth and she's mine this is it no man of God flirts with the idea of Bundy's Redemption before peeling the mask off the film is a bold take that adds a new layer to familiar material number 19 the Golden Glove serial killer films by Design don't typically make for a pleasant viewing experience even by the standards of the genre though the Golden Glove can be an especially difficult watch the divisive film is primarily defined by its unrelentingly Grim tone this isn't to say that the film is bad per se rather this dramatization of Fritz Honus crimes against sex workers in the 1970s is just well extremely D and brutal it feels like an almost voyerism without much depth as to why they're happening in fact it's been called quote one of the most vile serial killer movies ever made don't say we didn't warn you number 18 Summer of Sam what do you want I want to go out and kill kill kill there's a lot to appreciate about Spike Le's Summer of Sam co-written by Lee and soprano star Michael Imperioli for starters there's a great cross-section of stories and character arcs to the film which is set during the summer of 1977 as a terrified New York City found itself at the mercy of David burkowitz the Son of Sam there's also Lee's attention to detail which Nails the vibe of the city at the time look there's a homicidal man IC Runing around the neighborhood you don't want to do anything about it there's tension at every turn as scenes with burkowitz are intercut with the compelling personal dramas of the characters it's proof that not all serial killer films need to be gratuitous slashers or slowburn procedurals Summer of Sam is in a class all its own number 17 memories of murder bang junho's Oscar win for parasite felt like something of a shared victory for fans of genre Cinema a truly remarkable and challenging film was getting recognized on the grandest stage of them all that said fans of pong know that parasite was by no means his first great film in 2003 he gave us this examination of South Korea's most infamous serial killer memories of murder follows the case of leun J Who confessed to killing over a dozen people between 1986 and 1994 today it's seen as an early classic from the director one that utilizes social satire dark humor and police procedural elements to craft a thriller that's well actually thrilling number 16 The Frozen Ground speaking of police procedurals The Frozen Ground came and went in 2013 without much fanfare But True Crime Buffs seeking a dramatization of the Robert Hansen case will want to check it out Hansen became known in Alaska as the butcher Baker an unstable and angry man who in the 70s and ' 80s kidnapped women and flew them out to the woods to hunt them down The Frozen Ground cast John cusac as Hansen with the actor actually possessing a passing resemblance to the man critics also praised Nicholas Cage's performance as the state trooper tasked with bringing the killer to Justice you're saying no way those are just places where I hunted oh I believe they were bomb places where you've hunted yep number 14 The Boston Strangler I like a sweet drink maybe kala you know why may no why let's face it many movies about real serial killers are cheap drab Affairs but not the Boston Strangler based on the same true story as an earlier entry on this list Richard fler directed and it stars Hollywood a-listers Henry Fonda and Tony Curtis who received a Golden Globe nomination for his work the movie was extremely controversial upon its release in 1968 this was not only for its content but also because many critics considered it exploitative and immoral all of a sudden I'd lose it I mean I could I could actually uh well I could see it coming out of my head and kind of floating out of the box the movie plays fast and loose with the facts Albert Del Salvo most definitely did not suffer from multiple personality disorder but the performances and production values are all so good that we can see past the Fabrications but I don't belong here M number 14 Helter Skelter it's not nice to snitch shorty Helter Skelter was adapted from the 1974 Vincent buosi and Kurt Gentry True Crime book which covered the infamous murders and trials of the Manson family it aired on CBS over two nights in 1976 while you might expect a made for TV movie from the' 70s to be less than great the film perfectly captures the pandemonium hysteria and sheer shock of the events Steve railsback is straight up horrifying as Charles Manson just look at those eyes and the movie provides viewers with a highly detailed and factual representation of the infamous case I could I grab this microphone I beat your brains out with it because that's what she deserve that's what she deserve it was nominated for three emys and a Director's Guild of America award proving that serial killer movies and Prestige can in fact go hand inand you're just making a fool out of yourself partner number 13 to catch a killer o you got a lock real tight I don't know if I can to catch a killer is another television movie but like Helter Skelter the fact that it was made for television does nothing to negatively impact its quality the movie follows Michael Riley's Lieutenant Ken Zac as he becomes suspicious of the Charming and popular John Wayne gasy who is played spectacularly by Brian Dene oh Mr policeman don't you know a clown can get away with murder this movie is different from most in that it does not depict gas's killings it's more interested in the cat and mouse game between the police and gasy and as such it's more like a detective film than anything else it forego blood and guts to tell a more intense and personal story and it's all the better for it so please you tell me what more do we need number 12 dmer what's this some engagement ring while dmer isn't perfect it definitely has a few good things going for it for one Jeremy rener is spectacular as Jeffrey dmer arguably the sickest serial killer in history he imbued dmer with both a horrific sense of psychopathy while remaining bizarrely almost relatable it's a tricky tight RPP walk of a performance but rener miraculously pulls it off the movie also explores D's character in a way that their adaptations may be too afraid of or unwilling to do while he is a psychopath through and through we come to understand his Twisted motivations through the writing and renner's complex performance it's a little lowbudget and Rough Around the Edges but rener makes it all [Music] worthwhile number 11 the deliberate stranger I call me Ted all my friends do yes it's another made for TV movie this one aired on NBC C in 1986 and stars Mark Harmon as Ted Bundy one of the most infamous serial killers of all time Harmon is magnetic as Bundy earning a Golden Globe nomination and the praise of Paulie Nelson Bundy's real lawyer who called Harmon and the film quote stunningly accurate as it was made for TV the movie omits The Grizzly details of Bundy's crimes but Harmon's chillingly Charming performance is scarier than blood and gore could ever be it's the killers and not the blood that fascinates us and the deliberate stranger knows [Music] it number 10 Charlie says Charlie Manson's family receives attention in this biographical drama while Manson's presence is felt the film centers around the three women who killed for him the perspective of Leslie van hton Patricia krenwinkel and Susan Atkins plays out as they remain entranced with Manson's teachings where are you from from the now I'm from everywhere hello I'm Lulu on the list they gave you I'm sure it says Leslie but I'm Lulu and I'm Katie in the 70s human rights activist Caren Faith attempted to break the women out of their delusions as its title implies the three are too far gone under Manson's influence I know everyone thinks we're these scary creatures who committed these horrible crimes but we were just engaging in the dance of life and death Charlie says There Is No Death although they are humanized to an extent Charlie says reaffirms that their crimes are irredeemable it's an interesting character study bolstered by sharp performances by its cast number nine my friend dmer it isn't every serial killer film that takes its source material from a graphic novel but then again my friend dmer isn't your average serial killer film for starters both fans and critics responded positively to how the film captured the facts of the case while also working on on a cinematic level sorry why'd you do that I just wanted to see what its insights looked like Ross Lynch's performance as dmer opens the door to understanding the circumstances behind his mental state while also never apologizing for the horrible and cruel nature of his crimes in a world where Nuance is often forgotten my friend dmer gets a lot right and is definitely deserving of your time where you headed I made it this far I'm headed back to aan you want to party some more number eight Ted Bundy hi there hi there my name is Ted nice to meet you the succinctly titled Ted Bundy Stars Michael Riley Burke as the notorious serial killer capturing the man's dual nature quite well on the one hand there's the charm that Bundy uses to lure victims into a false sense of security then there's the Dark Side of Bundy the Deviant behavior that eventually leads to Criminal activity on the most shocking level I'll thank you for riding if you'd like please pretty please okay the film has its flaws but Ted Bundy really hinges on the performance of Burke pushing what might otherwise be a flop into one of the more well-known adaptations of the case number seven citizen X I called you a citizen X I'm sure a lot of it is wildly incorrect would you like me to read it to you Andre chillo is one of the most notorious and unrepentant serial killers of all time a ruthless man who terrorized the USSR for over a decade it's a challenging tale to adapt yet this excellent made for cable movie more than succeeds citizen X was produced for HBO in 1995 and stars Jeffrey deun as catillo with Steven Ray Donald Sutherland and Max von seal rounding out the cast to be a psychiatrist in this country is to be an expert on paranoia whether you meant to be or not the film earned cable Ace Emmy and Golden Globe awards striking an effective balance between the Grim facts of the crimes and the authori Relentless hunt for justice citizen X is another reminder that made for TV doesn't need to be a bad thing number six extremely Wicked shockingly evil and vile Skeptics may have called out the next entry on our list for its stunt casting of Zack Efron as Ted Bundy but the former School Musical star certainly proved he was up to the task I find it absurd to ask for Mercy for something that I did not do extremely Wicked shockingly evil and vile was a worthy addition to Netflix's True Crime Library and endeavored to add something new to the well-known case of Ted Bundy in this the film was partially successful but most of extremely Wicked shockingly evil and vile hangs its hat on Efron and his ability to turn on the charm I think I must be lost you ran to stop sign son I know I couldn't make your car the headlights were in my eyes and to be honest I got a little bit spooked the actor honestly does a great job making the audience see how Bundy could balance two very different lives without ever making excuses for the horrific crimes number five 10 rington place it didn't work who is barland she's upstairs on the bed this movie depicts the story of John Christie an English man who killed eight or more people at the titular 10 resington Place between 1943 and 1953 what makes this film so captivating is its authenticity Richard atenor is mesmerizing as Christie and John Hurt received a bafta nomination for his work as Timothy Evans the man who was falsely accused of Christie's crimes three in a bed eh how about that The house's exterior scenes were shot on the actual real life Street although they were forced to film in nearby number seven rather than the historic number 10 this helps bring the story to life and immerses us in one of the most notorious crimes in English History murder trial it was Dreadful business appalling number four snow toown I'm John youing you the snow toown murders rocked Australia in the 1990s also known as the bodies in barrels murders the brutal killings were committed by three young men with the help of a fourth who considered themselves Vigilantes the film pulls no punches it is a brutal viseral experience which is aided by the director's choice to use real locals rather than professional actors for most of the roles snow toown serves as Justin kelle's feature directorial debut although you wouldn't know it the movie is professionally made and the realistic approach it takes may be enough to turn a few viewers stomachs this is real horror based on on real events and it makes for a highly disturbing watch hi Mom it's me Fred I'm on my way to p number three Henry portrait of a serial killer I'd like to kill somebody that's mean you go for a RI Otis this film is an interesting anomaly on our list it's based on the many many confessions of real life murderer Henry Lee Lucas but the majority of those confessions turned out to be false however the infamy of this case and the fact that some of Henry's actual experiences are portrayed too earns it a spot here Michael Rooker brilliantly plays Henry and Tom tols plays Otis a character based on the real Otis tool the movie is oblique uncompromising and realistic portrayal of a psychopath and as such it was immediately slapped with an x- rating by the MPAA it's remained controversial throughout the years due to its content although the film's direction and rooker's terrifying performance have remained consistently praised despite it not being an easy watch by any means tell her you're sorry okay I'm sorry number two monster I'm just trying to make some money there's any way you want to you help me out maybe I could help you out you know there is one overwhelming reason to see this movie Charlie's theren theen is completely unrecognizable both physically and mentally as serial killer Eileen warno theen was showered with accolades for her performance as the client murdering sex worker winning a sag award a Golden Globe and an Academy Award not to mention having Roger eert call it quote one of the greatest performances in the history of Cinema so yeah we think she did okay maybe if I just get a if I just get a little help you know then you can you can you can help me her portrayal allows us to both fear and feel sorry for eileene a killer haunted by mental health challenges and the circumstances of her tragic life it's both harrowing and heartbreaking I'm not a bad person I'm a real good person right before we continue be sure to subscribe to our Channel and ring the bell to get notified about our latest videos you have the option to be notified for occasional videos or all of them if you're on your phone make sure you go into your settings and switch on notifications number one zodiac I'm not the Zodiac and if I was I certainly wouldn't tell you if only all serial killer movies could be as good as zodiac David Fincher who knows a thing or two about onscreen murder directs and the movie stars Jake Gyllenhaal Mark Ruffalo and Robert Downey Jr as the men hunting the enigmatic Zodiac killer of the late 60s and early '70s I gave that to you you and Armstrong never would have found this may not be zodiac does that matter to you does it matter that Riverside may not be able to make a case against your suspect because of you this is a thriller Done Right the performances are outstanding the content dark and dreary and the murder scenes few as they may be disturbingly realistic zodiac is an unsettling and captivating look into one of the most infamous cold cases of all time and it will have you researching the Zodiac Killer long after the credits rooll this is the Zodiac speaking which serial killer film had the biggest impact on you let us know in the comments we had him and we just let him walk [Music] away

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Keywords: Crime, Film, Movies, True crime, best movies, best serial killer movies, charles manson, charles manson movie, charlie says, jeffrey dahmer, jeremy renner, list, mojo, monster charlize theron, movies about serial killers, my friend dahmer, serial killer biopics, serial killers, snowtown, snowtown murders, ted bundy, ted bundy movie, top 10, watch mojo, watchMojo, zac efron, zodiac killer, zodiac movie

Id: Ctq93XAbVBY

Length: 29min 52sec (1792 seconds)

Published: Fri Mar 15 2024