The 12 Greatest Serial Killer Films of All Time, Ranked

      Here are the 13 finest serial killer films we've witnessed, ranked from least to most exceptional.

      12 – Freeway (1996)

      Republic Pictures – Credit: C/O

      Mathew Bright’s Freeway is as exaggerated as Henry is realistic: It’s a reimagining of Little Red Riding Hood, featuring Kiefer Sutherland as the Big Bad Wolf Bob Wolverton, and Reese Witherspoon as Vanessa, our protagonist, who is an illiterate runaway.

      In a clever, very '90s twist on the classic fairy tale, no one believes Vanessa, even after she shoots Bob to end his rampage across California’s highways.

      It perfectly encapsulates an era defined by sensational TV and televised murder trials, blurring the lines between death and entertainment.

      11 – My Friend Dahmer (2017)

      FilmRise – Credit: C/O

      Adapted from an impressive graphic novel by Derf Backderf, who genuinely grew up with Jeffrey Dahmer, this chilling coming-of-age film directed by Mark Meyers is disturbing not for being exploitative — it maintains a remarkable level of restraint — but because it portrays a time when a horrific serial killer could have been stopped if only someone had foreseen the turmoil he would unleash.

      The film effectively illustrates Dahmer’s lack of empathy towards both animals and peers, connecting it to his subsequent murders without being overly didactic. (His mimicry of someone with a disability serves as an early sign of his senseless cruelty.)

      The entire cast delivers outstanding performances — particularly Ross Lynch as Dahmer and Alex Wolff as Derf — prompting viewers to consider early warning signs deeply.

      10 – Seven (1995)

      New Line Cinema – Credit: C/O

      Released a year prior to Freeway to far greater acclaim, Seven epitomizes the serial killer as a mad genius, taking almost too much pleasure in how John Doe (Kevin Spacey) dispatches his victims.

      Like all memorable villains, he believes he serves a noble purpose — eliminating those who embody the seven deadly sins — yet the film feels like pure pulp.

      Nevertheless, it is expertly crafted pulp, thanks to David Fincher’s undeniable direction and superb performances all around. In addition to remarkable turns by Brad Pitt, Morgan Freeman, and Spacey, Gwyneth Paltrow also shines in her breakout role.

      9 – From Hell (2001)

      20th Century Fox – Credit: C/O

      Drawing from the graphic novel From Hell by Alan Moore and Eddie Campbell, the Hughes brothers’ adaptation provides an unexpectedly fresh view of Jack the Ripper.

      Starring Johnny Depp as a Victorian-era investigator and Heather Graham as a sex worker targeted by Whitechapel’s notorious killer, From Hell pulls you in with its dark allure: there's even a cameo by the Elephant Man.

      The film offers a plausible and narratively satisfying hypothesis about Jack's identity.

      8 – Monster (2003)

      Newmarket Films – Credit: C/O

      Patty Jenkins’ portrayal of real-life serial killer Aileen Wuornos is bold and ambitious in a way few films achieve: It allows us to comprehend and even empathize with its female protagonist before ultimately turning against her.

      Charlize Theron underwent a remarkable transformation, earning her an Academy Award for Best Actress, and her character arc unfolds gradually, depicting how monsters aren’t born but made, a rarity in serial killer narratives.

      7 – American Psycho (2000)

      Christian Bale as Patrick Bateman in American Psycho, Lionsgate

      Undoubtedly the funniest serial killer film ever made, American Psycho tracks Patrick Bateman (Christian Bale in his breakout role), a yuppie who either murders people or vividly imagines it, depending on your interpretation of the film.

      Our interpretation: He killed all those individuals. This becomes even more darkly humorous when everyone assumes he didn’t, based on his good looks, trendy attire, fitness, and standard business card.

      What’s perhaps funniest of all is the subversion of the hero-detective trope: Willem Dafoe’s Donald Kimball is as much a clout-chasing, counterfeit yuppie as Bateman. The script by director Mary Harron and co-star Guinevere Turner skillfully extracts the most entertaining elements from Bret Easton Ellis’ brilliant novel while omitting portions that might make the film too extreme for the average viewer.

      If you find this interesting, you might also enjoy our Oral History of American Psycho. We’re also quite curious about Luca Guadagnino’s upcoming adaptation of Ellis’ novel, although it’s hard to envision anyone improving upon Harron’s interpretation.

      6 – Zodiac (2007)

      Paramount – Credit: C/O

      David Fincher’s Zodiac, which we prefer to Seven, offers a nearly opposite take on the typical serial killer story: the crimes remain unsolved. No sense of closure is achieved. The killer inflicts destruction not just on his direct victims but on many others.

      The film captures the Bay Area’s somber atmosphere like