Exploring Evil: The Best TV Shows and Documentaries About Serial Killers

Dahmer - Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story is a chilling Netflix series that dives into the life of Jeffrey Dahmer, one of America’s most notorious serial killers. Created by Ryan Murphy and Ian Brennan, the show doesn’t just focus on Dahmer’s horrifying crimes but also sheds light on how police failures let him evade capture for so long. With Evan Peters delivering a haunting performance as Dahmer in those weirdly on-trend eyeglasses, this series became a huge hit, earning top spots on Netflix and several award nominations. If you’re into true crime, it’s definitely a must-watch.

Watch 'Dahmer' on Netflix

Dexter, which ran for eight seasons from 2006 to 2013, is a gripping crime thriller series that follows a forensic blood spatter analyst for the Miami Metro Police Department. What viewers will soon discover is that Dexter Morgan leads a double life as a vigilante serial killer himself. He only targets other criminals who have escaped justice, though, leaving viewers questioning morality and justice. So is this okay or not?

With its dark humor, suspenseful storytelling, and Michael C. Hall's compelling performance as the main character, the series is a must-watch for anyone with an appetite for crime. Its blend of psychological drama and intense scenes keeps you on the edge of your seat from start to finish.

Watch 'Dexter' on Paramount+

Gripping Irish crime drama The Fall stars Gillian Anderson as Detective Superintendent Stella Gibson and Jamie Dornan as serial killer Paul Spector. Airing from 2013 to 2016, this must-watch for crime thriller fans is full of intense performances and a chilling cat-and-mouse dynamic that keeps you tuned in. The series also does a deep dive into the psychology of both the investigator and the killer, making it both a suspenseful and compelling watch.

Watch 'The Fall' on Netflix

Bates Motel is a psychological horror drama that serves as a prequel to Alfred Hitchcock's cult classic, Psycho. The series, which ran for 5 seasons from 2013 to 2017 explores the twisted relationship between Norman Bates (played by Freddie Highmore) and his mother, Norma (played by Vera Farmiga) long before that infamous shower scene.

Norman becomes a serial killer driven by his deep psychological issues and a dissociative identity disorder, where he sometimes believes he's his mother. Fans of serial killer dramas will find the show's exploration of Norman's descent into madness and its dark, suspenseful storytelling riveting.

Watch 'Bates Motel' on A&E

True-crime doc The Confession Killer premiered on Netflix in 2019 with five episodes. It focused on the story of Henry Lee Lucas, a man who confessed to hundreds of murders in the 1980s. Lucas is considered one of America's most infamous serial killers. However, the series explores the doubts and controversies surrounding his confessions, raising questions about the truth and the criminal justice system.

True crime fans will find the exploration of false confessions, police practices, and the search for the truth particularly gripping. So, did he kill all those people?

Watch 'The Confession Killer' on Netflix

One of our favorite serial killer series of all time is Mindhunter, which premiered on Netflix in 2017. This critically acclaimed show took us back in time, focusing on the early days of criminal psychology and criminal profiling at the FBI. The show follows FBI agents Holden Ford (played by Jonathan Groff) and Bill Tench (played by Holt McCallany), along with psychologist Wendy Carr (played by Anna Torv), as they interview and study notorious serial killers to understand their motives and behaviors.

Although it wasn’t a true-crime drama, the show did feature various real-life serial killers like Edmund Kemper. Viewers became obsessed with the show due to its intense character studies, gripping dialogue, and eerie, tension-filled atmosphere. The show's deep dive into the minds of these killers and its depiction of the birth of modern criminal profiling made it a must-watch for true crime enthusiasts.

Watch 'Mindhunter' on Netflix

For those who want to learn about as many serial killers as possible in one series, enter The Serial Killers on Amazon Prime. This gripping documentary dives into the minds of infamous murderers through exclusive, chilling one-on-one interviews. The show features notorious serial killers like Ted Bundy and Henry Lee Lucas, revealing how they meticulously planned and executed their horrific crimes.

It also explores the twisted stories of lesser-known killers, offering a haunting look at some of the most disturbing crimes in history. True crime fans will find this series both compelling and unsettling, so proceed with caution.

Watch 'Serial Killers' on Amazon Prime

Psychological horror Hannibal, which aired on NBC from 2013 to 2015, serves as a prequel to Anthony Hopkins’ The Silence of the Lambs. Hannibal is a must-watch for fans of crime dramas and serial killer narratives because it has all the ingredients you’re looking for: it’s dark, it has intense character dynamics, and it’ll make you think. The series ran for three seasons with 39 episodes and stars Mads Mikkelsen as Dr. Hannibal Lecter, the brilliant psychiatrist and secret cannibalistic serial killer, and Hugh Dancy as FBI profiler Will Graham.

Watch 'Hannibal' on Amazon Prime

Night Stalker: The Hunt for a Serial Killer is a riveting true-crime documentary series on Netflix that chronicles the terrifying crimes of Richard Ramirez, a notorious serial killer who terrorized Los Angeles in the 1980s. The one-season series over four episodes came out in 2021. As soon as it aired, viewers binged the compelling, intense storytelling, which featured firsthand accounts from detectives, survivors, and journalists who worked on the case. The show captures the fear that gripped the city and the relentless pursuit to bring Ramirez to justice.

Watch 'Night Stalker' on Netflix

Psychological thriller You centers around Joe Goldberg, a charming yet dangerously obsessive man who becomes infatuated with various women. His infatuation leads him to commit a series of murders to protect his twisted version of love. Played by Penn Badgley of Gossip Girl fame, Joe targets those he believes threaten his relationships. Blending drama with dark humor, this series can be both intense and occasionally satirical. This series also explores the chilling portrayal of modern-day obsessions in the age of social media and the fact that you can’t help but love Joe, who is a murderer!

Watch 'You' on Netflix