The Top 13 Ranked Movies About Serial Killers

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

      Ranging from dark comedies to deep dives into empathy disguised as serial killer narratives, each film offers insights into crime and society at large.

      Here are the greatest serial killer movies ever made.

      13 – Freeway (1996)

      Republic Pictures

      Mathew Bright’s Freeway is as extravagant as Henry is realistic: it reimagines Little Red Riding Hood, featuring Kiefer Sutherland as the Big Bad Wolf, Bob Wolverton, and Reese Witherspoon as the protagonist—a runaway named Vanessa who can't read.

      In this clever, distinctly '90s twist on the fairy tale, nobody believes Vanessa, even after she shoots Bob to stop his rampage along California's freeways.

      It perfectly captures the era of trash television and televised murder trials, blurring the lines between death and entertainment.

      12 – My Friend Dahmer (2017)

      FilmRise – Credit: C/O

      Adapted from an impressive graphic novel by Derf Backderf, who genuinely grew up with Jeffrey Dahmer, Mark Meyers’ chilling, dark coming-of-age film is unsettling not due to exploitation — it's very restrained — but because it portrays a time when a horrific serial killer could have been apprehended, had anyone foreseen the devastation he would wreak.

      The film effectively illustrates Dahmer’s lack of empathy towards animals and peers, correlating it with his later murders, without being overly preachy. (His impersonation of a disabled person serves as a warning sign of his casual cruelty.)

      The cast excels, particularly Ross Lynch as Dahmer and Alex Wolff as Derf, prompting reflection on early warning signals.

      11 – Seven (1995)

      New Line Cinema – Credit: C/O

      Debuting a year prior to Freeway to significant acclaim, Seven epitomizes the serial-killer-as-genius trope, reveling a bit too much in how John Doe (Kevin Spacey) executes his victims.

      Like all noteworthy villains, he believes he has a noble mission — eliminating those who embody the seven deadly sins — but the film feels more like pulp than profound.

      Nonetheless, it’s well-crafted pulp, showcasing David Fincher’s undeniable skill as a director and strong performances from the cast. Alongside standout roles from Brad Pitt, Morgan Freeman, and Spacey, it was Gwyneth Paltrow’s breakout performance.

      10 – Zodiac Killer Project (2025)

      Music Box Films

      Charlie Shackleton's experimental documentary doesn't disclose the identity of the infamous Zodiac Killer but deconstructs the tools of true crime media, including what Shackleton terms “evocative B-roll” — generic visuals of crime scene tape, stray footprints, vacant parking lots, and foreboding buildings that evoke fear without offering real information.

      He created the film after his attempt to produce a documentary on the Zodiac Killer’s identity fell through, resulting in a fascinating exploration of the filmmaking process rather than yet another inconclusive whodunit.

      Here’s Charlie Shackleton explaining his approach.

      9 – From Hell (2001)

      20th Century Fox – Credit: C/O

      Based on Alan Moore and Eddie Campbell’s graphic novel, the Hughes brothers’ outstanding adaptation provides a fresh perspective on Jack the Ripper.

      With Johnny Depp as a Victorian crime investigator and Heather Graham as a sex worker targeted by Whitechapel’s notorious murderer, From Hell draws viewers in with its lurid fascination, even featuring a cameo by the Elephant Man.

      It also offers a darkly believable and narratively satisfying theory regarding 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, managing to evoke understanding and sympathy for its female killer before ultimately turning against her.

      Charlize Theron's remarkable transformation earned her the Best Actress Oscar, and her character arc gradually reveals, in a way few films do, that monsters are not born but made.

      7 – American Psycho (2000)

      Christian Bale as Patrick Bateman in American Psycho, Lionsgate

      As the most humorous serial killer movie ever, American Psycho follows Patrick Bateman (Christian Bale in a breakout role), a yuppie who either murders people or vividly imagines doing so, depending on your interpretation of the film.

      Our take: He indeed killed those people. This deepens the film’s dark humor, as everyone assumes he’s innocent due to his stylish hair, designer clothes, and impressive physique.

      The subversion of the hero-detective trope is especially amusing: Willem Dafoe’s Donald Kimball is as much a phony, status-seeking yuppie as Bateman. The script, crafted by director Mary Harron and co-star Guinevere Turner, skillfully extracts the most humorous elements from Bret Easton Ellis’ novel while leaving out material that could alienate general audiences.

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