Top 20 Movies Based on Real Serial Killers

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Ignacio Weil

Entertainment - May 17th 2025, 00:00 GMT+2

Cropped my friend dahmer 2017 — 20. My Friend Dahmer (2017)

Ah, high school—awkward crushes, cafeteria pizza, and, in Jeffrey Dahmer’s case... early signs of becoming one of America’s most infamous serial killers. *My Friend Dahmer* isn’t your typical blood-splattered thriller; it’s more of a slow, unsettling simmer that focuses on Dahmer’s teenage years, based on a graphic novel by his real-life classmate. Former Disney heartthrob Ross Lynch takes on the haunting role of young Jeff, and somehow pulls off “deeply disturbing but oddly sympathetic” with eerie precision. The film is as much a coming-of-age story as it is a glimpse into the making of a monster—which makes it all the more skin-crawling. It doesn’t go full slasher, and that restraint makes it even creepier. A serial killer origin story disguised as indie high school angst? We’re in. | © FilmRise

Cropped Extremely Wicked Shockingly Evil and Vile 2019 — 19. Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile (2019)

If you ever wanted to see Zac Efron go from High School Musical to high-stakes murder trial, look no further. In *Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile*, he plays the infamously charming Ted Bundy with a smirk that makes you forget (momentarily) that he’s portraying a man who murdered over 30 women. The film flips the serial killer genre on its head by telling the story largely through the eyes of Bundy’s longtime girlfriend, played by Lily Collins, adding emotional depth and a confusing sense of denial. It’s flashy, slick, and oddly stylish—kind of like Bundy himself. Efron’s casting caused controversy at first, but his magnetic performance proved disturbingly spot-on. You’ll question your judgment at least twice during this film, and maybe that’s the point. | © Netflix

Cropped snowtown 2011 — 18. Snowtown (2011)

Bleak, brutal, and not for the faint of heart, *Snowtown* is based on Australia’s horrific “bodies in barrels” murders—and yes, it’s every bit as cheerful as that sounds. The film focuses on how John Bunting, played chillingly by Daniel Henshall, manipulates a vulnerable teen into becoming his protégé in murder. There are no Hollywood gloss or comforting genre beats here; this is kitchen-sink realism dipped in horror. It’s less about gore and more about the slow erosion of innocence in a hopeless environment. There’s a suffocating sense of dread in every frame, and even the lighting feels like it’s judging you for watching. If you’re into pitch-black true crime that dares to unsettle more than entertain, this is your poison. | © Madman Entertainment

Cropped The Good Nurse — 17. The Good Nurse (2022)

Jessica Chastain and Eddie Redmayne give us a hospital drama with a body count in *The Good Nurse*, a film based on the true story of serial killer Charles Cullen—a nurse who “helped” dozens of patients to their deaths over 16 years. Chastain plays Amy, a single mom and nurse who starts to suspect that her quiet coworker might be a little too involved in his patients' demises. Redmayne brings his trademark soft-spoken intensity to Cullen, making the character feel disarmingly ordinary—which makes his actions all the more chilling. The film builds tension like a medical chart with no diagnosis: slow, steady, and then—boom—cardiac arrest. It’s a quiet thriller, but the kind that lingers long after the credits. | © Netflix

Cropped no man of god 2021 — 16. No Man of God (2021)

Let’s be honest—Ted Bundy has been portrayed in *way* too many movies, but *No Man of God* takes a refreshingly different approach. Instead of chase scenes or courtroom drama, we get a series of intense, cerebral conversations between Bundy (played by Luke Kirby) and FBI analyst Bill Hagmaier (played by Elijah Wood, trading in hobbit feet for a suit and a furrowed brow). Based on actual transcripts, the film unfolds like a psychological chess match—calm, clinical, and creepily charismatic. It’s Bundy at his most manipulative, trying to charm his way out of a death sentence with one final mind game. Elijah Wood’s performance is restrained but razor-sharp, reminding us that sometimes, horror speaks in a whisper. | © RLJE Films

Cropped murder by decree 1979 — 15. Murder by Decree (1979)

What happens when Sherlock Holmes investigates Jack the Ripper? You get *Murder by Decree*, where legendary actor Christopher Plummer dons the deerstalker hat and Robert Mitchum-style cool to bring Holmes into the grimiest alleyways of Victorian London. This isn’t your average Ripper flick—it mixes real historical facts with Sherlockian flair, tossing in conspiracy theories and a lot of fog. James Mason joins the fun as Dr. Watson, and their buddy-cop chemistry is strangely delightful amid the throat-slashing. The film walks the fine line between detective mystery and horror, giving Ripper lore a classy makeover. Think of it as *Downton Abbey* meets *Seven*, with mustaches. | © AVCO Embassy Pictures

Cropped badlands 1973 — 14. Badlands (1973)

Before true crime was cool, *Badlands* gave us a poetic, oddly beautiful look at two lovers on a killing spree. Inspired by the Charles Starkweather and Caril Ann Fugate murders, this film marked Terrence Malick’s directorial debut—and wow, did he show up swinging. Martin Sheen and Sissy Spacek star as the charming-but-deadly couple, bringing an eerie innocence to a violent journey across the Midwest. The narration is dreamy, the murders are matter-of-fact, and the tone is hauntingly detached—as if violence were just part of the scenery. It’s like if *Thelma & Louise* had zero remorse and a gun in every glovebox. A murder movie that makes you feel strangely... poetic? Only Malick. | © Warner Bros.

Cropped the boston strangler 1968 — 13. The Boston Strangler (1968)

It’s the 1960s, and Hollywood decides to go full psychological thriller with *The Boston Strangler*, based on the real-life crimes of Albert DeSalvo. Tony Curtis, known more for charm than menace, stuns as the titular killer—delivering a performance that’s both cold and unnerving. Henry Fonda brings gravitas as the investigator trying to piece it all together, while split-screen editing adds a groovy yet gritty flair to the whole thing. The film plays fast and loose with the truth, but that just makes it more watchable. It's part courtroom drama, part psychodrama, and all retro paranoia. Picture Mad Men meets Mindhunter—but with mustier trench coats. | © 20th Century Fox

Cropped angst 1983 — 12. Angst (1983)

If you’ve never seen *Angst*, you’re not alone—and that’s a crime (not literally, but almost). This Austrian cult classic is based on real-life killer Werner Kniesek and plays like a manic fever dream. The camera work is dizzying (literally strapped to the actor at times), the monologues are disturbingly intimate, and the whole film feels like being trapped inside a killer’s racing mind. Erwin Leder delivers a terrifying, twitchy performance that has influenced directors like Gaspar Noé and Lynne Ramsay. It’s brutal, it’s artsy, and it’s not for casual viewing—but horror fans worship it for a reason. Fair warning: it’s not popcorn fare unless you like your snacks with existential dread. | © CineStyria

Cropped the honeymoon killers 1970 — 11. The Honeymoon Killers (1970)

Low-budget, high-impact, and weirdly hilarious in all the wrong ways, *The Honeymoon Killers* tells the twisted tale of Raymond Fernandez and Martha Beck—a.k.a. the “Lonely Hearts Killers.” Based on real crimes, this black-and-white gem blends bleak realism with biting dark comedy. Shirley Stoler is a revelation as the emotionally unstable Martha, while Tony Lo Bianco plays the sleazy, smooth-talking Ray. Their chemistry is toxic in the most entertaining way, like Bonnie and Clyde if they had zero style and lots of psychological baggage. Quentin Tarantino called it one of his favorites, which checks out. It’s rough, raw, and irresistibly grimy. | © Cinerama Releasing Corporation

Cropped polytechnique 2009 — 10. Polytechnique (2009)

*Polytechnique* isn’t your typical serial killer movie—there are no twisted monologues or chase scenes here. Directed by Denis Villeneuve (yes, *Dune* and *Arrival* Villeneuve), this stark black-and-white film recounts the harrowing 1989 Montréal Massacre, where Marc Lépine targeted female students at École Polytechnique. Instead of sensationalizing, the film zooms in on the psychological aftermath and quiet devastation, with a respectful and haunting stillness that lingers. Maxim Gaudette plays the shooter, but the focus remains on the victims and survivors, particularly through Karine Vanasse’s heartbreaking performance. It's a difficult watch, but an essential one—and a reminder that horror doesn’t always wear a mask. | © Alliance Films

Cropped Henry Portrait of a Serial Killer — 9. Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer (1986)

There’s gritty, and then there’s *Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer*. Loosely based on the confessions of real-life drifter-killer Henry Lee Lucas, this film feels like it crawled out of a documentary and took a wrong turn into your nightmares. Michael Rooker (before he became your favorite gruff uncle in *Guardians of the Galaxy*) stars as Henry, giving a performance so dead-eyed and unsettling it’ll make you rethink casual small talk. The movie doesn’t glamorize anything—it’s ugly, raw, and relentless, like a VHS tape left too long in hell. It’s basically what happens when you strip the true crime genre of all its style and leave only the existential rot. Sleep tight! | © Greycat Films

Cropped M — 8. M (1931)

Long before Netflix docuseries and clickbait headlines, Fritz Lang gave us M—a true crime masterpiece that still gives modern thrillers a run for their money. Loosely inspired by real German serial killers like Peter Kürten, the film stars the legendary Peter Lorre in his breakout role as a child murderer hunted by both police and criminals. His haunted eyes and trembling voice? Utterly iconic. M isn’t just about catching a killer—it’s about paranoia, mob justice, and the thin line between law and chaos. Plus, that whistled tune? It’ll live in your head rent-free. It’s noir before noir existed, and it still slaps, nearly a century later. | © Nero-Film

Cropped in cold blood 1967 — 7. In Cold Blood (1967)

Based on Truman Capote’s groundbreaking nonfiction novel, *In Cold Blood* is the kind of true crime adaptation that feels literary and chilling in equal measure. Robert Blake and Scott Wilson star as real-life killers Perry Smith and Dick Hickock, who brutally murdered a Kansas family for what amounted to pocket change. Shot in stark black-and-white (with scenes filmed in the actual house where the murders occurred—yikes), the film doesn’t flinch from the horror but still gives its killers eerie psychological depth. Capote blurred the line between journalism and art, and this film follows suit. If you like your crime stories with a side of moral dread and mid-century minimalism, look no further. | © Columbia Pictures

Cropped 10 Rillington Place 1971 — 6. 10 Rillington Place (1971)

There’s something extra unsettling about a serial killer who seems so... normal. Enter *10 Rillington Place*, based on the true story of John Christie, a quiet London man with a basement full of dark secrets. Richard Attenborough (yes, the *Jurassic Park* guy—life finds a way!) plays Christie with a chillingly soft-spoken menace that creeps under your skin. John Hurt co-stars as the tragically naive Timothy Evans, whose wrongful execution became a real-life scandal. The film is slow, claustrophobic, and all the more terrifying for how ordinary everything looks. It’s proof that sometimes the most polite neighbor is the one you should fear the most. | © Columbia Pictures

Cropped the chaser — 5. The Chaser (2008)

If you ever thought your Uber driver might be up to something shady, *The Chaser* will do absolutely nothing to ease that fear. This South Korean thriller, inspired by the real-life case of killer Yoo Young-chul, follows a disgraced ex-cop turned pimp (yes, you read that right) who realizes his girls are disappearing—and one of his clients might be a monster. Kim Yoon-seok gives a frantic, powerhouse performance, and Ha Jung-woo is terrifyingly calm as the killer who basically confesses early... but good luck getting the cops to act. It’s gritty, urgent, and full of edge-of-your-seat tension, with a third act that pulls zero punches. Think *Taken* if it had way fewer dad speeches and way more emotional devastation. | © Showbox

Cropped vengeance is mine — 4. Vengeance Is Mine (1979)

So, what happens when a murderer goes on the run—and people kind of *like* him? Enter *Vengeance Is Mine*, a cold-blooded character study based on the true story of Japanese serial killer Akira Nishiguchi. Ken Ogata plays the killer with unnerving charm, slipping in and out of identities like it’s a party trick. Director Shōhei Imamura isn’t interested in easy answers—this film is more about what society allows to slip through the cracks. It's not a whodunit, because we know exactly whodidit—it’s a “why the hell did he keep getting away with it” kind of deal. Stylish, strange, and full of bleak philosophy, it’s true crime as existential art. | © Toei Company

Cropped monster 2003 — 3. Monster (2003)

Charlize Theron didn’t just “transform” for *Monster*—she *disappeared* into Aileen Wuornos, the infamous sex worker turned serial killer. Based on Wuornos’ real-life crimes in Florida, this film digs into the messiness of her life, her love story with Selby (a fictionalized version of Tyria Moore, played by Christina Ricci), and the harsh realities that shaped her into a killer. Theron won an Oscar, but honestly, that’s underselling how good she is—every twitch, grunt, and glare feels ripped from raw truth. Director Patty Jenkins (yes, the *Wonder Woman* one) treats the story with compassion without ever excusing the horror. It’s tragic, haunting, and utterly unforgettable. | © Newmarket Films

Cropped Zodiac — 2. Zodiac (2007)

It’s got Jake Gyllenhaal, Robert Downey Jr., and Mark Ruffalo *all* in one movie—and not a single cape in sight. Instead, *Zodiac* delivers a slow-burn, obsessive procedural based on the real-life Zodiac Killer who terrorized California in the late ’60s and ’70s. Directed by David Fincher (*Fight Club*, *Gone Girl*, basically the god of stylish dread), the film doesn’t hand you neat answers—in fact, it kind of leaves you dangling, just like real investigators were for decades. But that’s the beauty of it. It’s about obsession, not resolution. Gyllenhaal’s cartoonist-turned-armchair-sleuth carries the paranoia like a second skin, and the dialogue crackles with newsroom energy. True crime never felt so classy. | © Paramount Pictures / Warner Bros.

Cropped memories of murder 2003 — 1. Memories of Murder (2003)

Bong Joon-ho (*Parasite*) didn’t just direct a great serial killer film—he crafted *the* serial killer film. *Memories of Murder*, based on the true story of South Korea’s first confirmed serial murders, follows two mismatched detectives (Song Kang-ho and Kim Sang-kyung) trying to catch a phantom killer in a small town drowning in rain and corruption. It’s funny, horrifying, heartbreaking, and soaked in dread. The tonal shifts are wild—but masterful—and that final shot? One of the most haunting in cinema. Before Bong won Oscars, he gave us this flawless slice of true crime art. If *Zodiac* is about obsession, *Memories* is about hopelessness. And it’s perfect. | © CJ Entertainment

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True crime continues to grip audiences around the world, and few stories are as chilling—or as captivating—as those based on real-life serial killers. From psychological thrillers to biographical dramas, these films dive deep into the disturbing minds behind some of history’s most infamous murderers. In this list, we rank the top 20 movies based on real serial killers, blending cinematic quality with factual inspiration to deliver the ultimate watchlist for true crime fans. Whether you're drawn to the macabre out of curiosity or fascination, these films reveal the darkest corners of human behavior—because sometimes, reality is more terrifying than fiction.