Lists
10 Best Serial Killer Shows of All Time, Ranked
There’s something about serial killer shows that just pulls us in. It’s not just the thrill of the chase or the eerie plot twists but, actually, the way they make us peek into the darkest corners of the human mind.
Serial killer shows are twisted, gripping, and weirdly addictive, and couch potatoes and binge-watchers love watching good vs. evil play out. Thus, we have compiled a list of all-time fan-favorite serial killer shows. Every episode of each of these ten shows, be it the pilot or the finale, will leave you wanting more.
Nothing sends shivers down your spine quite like a show based on a real-life serial killer’s exploits. This entry on our list is about Charles Sobhraj, a notorious serial murderer who took out numerous victims along the Hippie Trail in the mid-’70s. His modus operandi involved poisoning his targets, torching their bodies beyond recognition, and then making off with their cash and travel bonds, which were a hot commodity back then.
By the time he was finally caught, he’d killed and robbed over 30 tourists. Everything about this show is on point, from Tahar Rahim’s spot-on portrayal of Charles to its slick, retro, and eerie ambiance. In simple terms, It is Flawless.
You can watch The Serpent HERE.
The British crime drama Marcella stars Anna Friel as Marcella Backland, a former detective who goes back into the game when a serial killer she once hunted comes back and starts claiming victims. What Marcella doesn’t know is that the killer is in some way connected to her own past. The show isn’t the best serial killer show out there, but it has its fair share of amazing moments, including Friel’s performance as a woman trying to make sense of the world.
Marcells is a flawed character, and Friel brings it to life. While the plot, acting, writing, and characters are all on point, the sound effects and score might just blow your eardrums. This includes an assortment of of high-pitched shrieks, wails, and bass drops, all cranked up to eleven. Nonetheless, the show is brilliant and a must-watch for anyone looking for a good time.
Marcella is available to stream HERE.
Who knew a bookstore manager could be just as cadaverous as a psychiatrist with a taste for murder? In You, the titular character is Joe, a charming guy next door who’s just as good with knives as he is with books and even better at stalking and killing people. We all bought into the image of him as a sweet, thoughtful man just looking for love until he revealed his darker side.
Penn Badgley totally nails it and delivers a performance that’s both romantic and downright terrifying. Some people might not be into it, but this show is romantic, chilling, and pure addiction and will make you rethink just how far someone might go to be with the one they love or obsess.
All episodes of You are available HERE.
The world owes a huge thanks to Alfred Hitchcock for giving us Psycho, one of the most terrifying and genius serial killer films ever made. Bates Motel is its TV prequel that Explores the twisted roots of Norman Bates’ madness. Starring Freddie Highmore and Vera Farmiga, the show takes us way back, long before the events of the movie, and lets us witness Norman’s slow descent into the cold-blooded killer we all know—and fear.
While the original Psycho never really touched on Norman’s complex relationship with his mother, Bates Motel gives us five full seasons of that deliciously disturbing dynamic. Watching it all take place is pure, spine-tingling bliss.
You can watch Bates Motel HERE.
This Bruno Heller’s creation sees Simon Baker playing the role of Patrick Jane, a charming but broken man who helps the crime branch solve cases with his people-reading skills while looking for a serial killer who killed his wife and daughter. The only thing that might outshine the brilliant writing of *The Mentalist* is Simon Baker’s wonderful performance.
Patrick’s backstory is so intense and genuine that it grabs you by the heart, making it impossible not to feel and live each episode. The show ran for a solid seven seasons, so you’ve got plenty of time to watch and savor it. In addition, It wrapped up with a very satisfying finale, a rarity in the crime-thriller genre.
You can stream The Mentalist HERE.
Who says only top-tier chefs can dish out meals that look divine? A serial killer with a psychology degree can do just as well! In Hannibal, we meet an award-winning forensic psychiatrist who’s approached by the FBI to help hunt down serial killers. The only issue is that the FBI has no clue that Hannibal himself is a genius and macabre serial murderer.
Also, Hannibal is not just killing his targets but is also storing their body parts for his next gourmet meal or to serve at one of his lavish dinner parties. Mads Mikkelsen absolutely crushes it as the refined, cannibalistic serial killer. Some might even argue he tops Anthony Hopkins’ iconic performance in Silence of the Lambs.
You can stream all Hannibal episodes HERE.
As the name gives it away, Dahmer explores the nightmarish world of Jeffrey Dahmer, with Evan Peters bringing the real-life monster to life. The show casts a light on his life, from his early days to what led him to commit gruesome crimes. Peters does justice to the role, making Dahmer’s story both genuine and horrifying.
The show is not only about gore and decapitation but also courtroom drama that shows how Dahmer’s horrific acts shattered lives and exposed systemic failures. Everything about it is just astounding: the acting, directing, editing, casting, and cinematography. Without a doubt, this is one of the few shows that will make you feel like you’re really in the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s.
You can watch Dahmer HERE.
Not every season of True Detective is about psychotic serial killers, but the first season is pure gold when it comes to building tension and conveying a killer story. Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson bring their A-game as detectives trying to investigate a string of creepy occult murders in Louisiana.
It’s the slow-burn mystery and the complex, sometimes combustible chemistry between the two leads that make this season unforgettable. The following three seasons are just as excellent; they are dark, philosophical, and terrifying and will stay with you long after the last credits have rolled.
You can stream all four seasons of True Detective HERE.
It is almost impossible to talk about serial killer shows without mentioning Dexter. However, unlike other serial-killer dramas on our list, Dexter follows a serial killer of the same name who doesn’t harm innocent but kills other serial killers, sexual predators, and all sorts of bad guys.
By day, Dexter is a friendly and socially awkward blood-spatter analyst, but as soon as night comes, he trades his gloves for a set of knives. The reason why Dexter is so special and revered is because it makes us root for a killer.
You can check out the show HERE.
I’m sure at some point, we’ve all wondered how the FBI or cops manage to get inside the heads of serial killers. Well, Mindhunter will scratch that itch of yours. Set in the late ’70s, this serial killer show revolves around a couple of FBI agents who literally go from prison to prison, sitting down with serial killers and grilling them with questions to figure out why these killers did what they did—and it’s every bit as fascinating as it sounds.
Even though “Mindhunter” is entirely based on serial killers, there’s very little blood-splashing blood and gore. The show keeps it calm and collected, but the edge-of-your-seat interactions between the agents and killers like Ed Kemper and Sam Strike will get under your skin and keep you coming back for more.
10. The Serpent
Nothing sends shivers down your spine quite like a show based on a real-life serial killer’s exploits. This entry on our list is about Charles Sobhraj, a notorious serial murderer who took out numerous victims along the Hippie Trail in the mid-’70s. His modus operandi involved poisoning his targets, torching their bodies beyond recognition, and then making off with their cash and travel bonds, which were a hot commodity back then.
By the time he was finally caught, he’d killed and robbed over 30 tourists. Everything about this show is on point, from Tahar Rahim’s spot-on portrayal of Charles to its slick, retro, and eerie ambiance. In simple terms, It is Flawless.
You can watch The Serpent HERE.
9. Marcella
The British crime drama Marcella stars Anna Friel as Marcella Backland, a former detective who goes back into the game when a serial killer she once hunted comes back and starts claiming victims. What Marcella doesn’t know is that the killer is in some way connected to her own past. The show isn’t the best serial killer show out there, but it has its fair share of amazing moments, including Friel’s performance as a woman trying to make sense of the world.
Marcells is a flawed character, and Friel brings it to life. While the plot, acting, writing, and characters are all on point, the sound effects and score might just blow your eardrums. This includes an assortment of of high-pitched shrieks, wails, and bass drops, all cranked up to eleven. Nonetheless, the show is brilliant and a must-watch for anyone looking for a good time.
Marcella is available to stream HERE.
8. You
Who knew a bookstore manager could be just as cadaverous as a psychiatrist with a taste for murder? In You, the titular character is Joe, a charming guy next door who’s just as good with knives as he is with books and even better at stalking and killing people. We all bought into the image of him as a sweet, thoughtful man just looking for love until he revealed his darker side.
Penn Badgley totally nails it and delivers a performance that’s both romantic and downright terrifying. Some people might not be into it, but this show is romantic, chilling, and pure addiction and will make you rethink just how far someone might go to be with the one they love or obsess.
All episodes of You are available HERE.
7. Bates Motel
The world owes a huge thanks to Alfred Hitchcock for giving us Psycho, one of the most terrifying and genius serial killer films ever made. Bates Motel is its TV prequel that Explores the twisted roots of Norman Bates’ madness. Starring Freddie Highmore and Vera Farmiga, the show takes us way back, long before the events of the movie, and lets us witness Norman’s slow descent into the cold-blooded killer we all know—and fear.
While the original Psycho never really touched on Norman’s complex relationship with his mother, Bates Motel gives us five full seasons of that deliciously disturbing dynamic. Watching it all take place is pure, spine-tingling bliss.
You can watch Bates Motel HERE.
6. The Mentalist
This Bruno Heller’s creation sees Simon Baker playing the role of Patrick Jane, a charming but broken man who helps the crime branch solve cases with his people-reading skills while looking for a serial killer who killed his wife and daughter. The only thing that might outshine the brilliant writing of *The Mentalist* is Simon Baker’s wonderful performance.
Patrick’s backstory is so intense and genuine that it grabs you by the heart, making it impossible not to feel and live each episode. The show ran for a solid seven seasons, so you’ve got plenty of time to watch and savor it. In addition, It wrapped up with a very satisfying finale, a rarity in the crime-thriller genre.
You can stream The Mentalist HERE.
5. Hannibal
Who says only top-tier chefs can dish out meals that look divine? A serial killer with a psychology degree can do just as well! In Hannibal, we meet an award-winning forensic psychiatrist who’s approached by the FBI to help hunt down serial killers. The only issue is that the FBI has no clue that Hannibal himself is a genius and macabre serial murderer.
Also, Hannibal is not just killing his targets but is also storing their body parts for his next gourmet meal or to serve at one of his lavish dinner parties. Mads Mikkelsen absolutely crushes it as the refined, cannibalistic serial killer. Some might even argue he tops Anthony Hopkins’ iconic performance in Silence of the Lambs.
You can stream all Hannibal episodes HERE.
4. Dahmer
As the name gives it away, Dahmer explores the nightmarish world of Jeffrey Dahmer, with Evan Peters bringing the real-life monster to life. The show casts a light on his life, from his early days to what led him to commit gruesome crimes. Peters does justice to the role, making Dahmer’s story both genuine and horrifying.
The show is not only about gore and decapitation but also courtroom drama that shows how Dahmer’s horrific acts shattered lives and exposed systemic failures. Everything about it is just astounding: the acting, directing, editing, casting, and cinematography. Without a doubt, this is one of the few shows that will make you feel like you’re really in the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s.
You can watch Dahmer HERE.
3. True Detectives
Not every season of True Detective is about psychotic serial killers, but the first season is pure gold when it comes to building tension and conveying a killer story. Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson bring their A-game as detectives trying to investigate a string of creepy occult murders in Louisiana.
It’s the slow-burn mystery and the complex, sometimes combustible chemistry between the two leads that make this season unforgettable. The following three seasons are just as excellent; they are dark, philosophical, and terrifying and will stay with you long after the last credits have rolled.
You can stream all four seasons of True Detective HERE.
2. Dexter
It is almost impossible to talk about serial killer shows without mentioning Dexter. However, unlike other serial-killer dramas on our list, Dexter follows a serial killer of the same name who doesn’t harm innocent but kills other serial killers, sexual predators, and all sorts of bad guys.
By day, Dexter is a friendly and socially awkward blood-spatter analyst, but as soon as night comes, he trades his gloves for a set of knives. The reason why Dexter is so special and revered is because it makes us root for a killer.
You can check out the show HERE.
1. Mindhunter
I’m sure at some point, we’ve all wondered how the FBI or cops manage to get inside the heads of serial killers. Well, Mindhunter will scratch that itch of yours. Set in the late ’70s, this serial killer show revolves around a couple of FBI agents who literally go from prison to prison, sitting down with serial killers and grilling them with questions to figure out why these killers did what they did—and it’s every bit as fascinating as it sounds.
Even though “Mindhunter” is entirely based on serial killers, there’s very little blood-splashing blood and gore. The show keeps it calm and collected, but the edge-of-your-seat interactions between the agents and killers like Ed Kemper and Sam Strike will get under your skin and keep you coming back for more.
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