The following article contains descriptions of graphic violence.
Summary
- Fans of true crime are captivated by serial killer TV shows on Netflix, with both factual documentaries and dramatic fiction options.
- The rising interest in true crime and cold cases has led to an ever-growing list of binge-able series that delve into the minds of serial killers.
- From real-life cases like Ted Bundy to fictional tales, viewers are drawn in by the chilling stories and psychological depth of the best serial killer TV shows on Netflix.
Some of the best serial killer TV shows on Netflix are factual documentaries or dramatic fiction. Many deal with murder mysteries, but fans seem to be particularly fixated on serial killers, their stories, and their psychology. Because of the rising interest in true crime and cold cases, series inspired by or meant to document real-life killers are popular. Each story is more fascinating than the next, and the streaming service has worked to help satiate the appetites of viewers who love the true crime genre with a wide selection of programming that fits the serial killer interest.
Viewers' intense fascination with serial killers and their backstories continues, and that translates to an ever-growing list of serial killer shows. Whether it's a story about a real-life killer like the highly documented Ted Bundy, inspired by one, or a completely fictional tale, many eat up the content with fervor, sitting on the edges of their seats to see what happens next. Serial killer TV shows are one of the most binge-able types of shows there are, so it's no surprise that there are always new titles to make up the best serial killer TV shows on Netflix, with many fascinating options in the genre.
For more streaming recommendations, be sure to check out the best movies on Netflix and the best TV shows on Netflix.
10 Best Crime Shows on Netflix
Netflix has plenty of great crime shows to offer for any amateur sleuth. These are ten of the best available right now.
25 Inside The Criminal Mind (2018)
4 Episodes
For Netflix subscribers interested in criminology or the psychology behind criminal acts at all, Inside the Criminal Mind is a pretty fascinating watch. Each episode of the series spotlights a different type of criminal whose life becomes defined by what they do: crime lords, cult leaders, serial killers, etc. Only the first episode of the series highlights serial killers, so audience members don’t have to watch further if that’s all they’re interested in. It’s a broader examination of serial killers compared to some of the more detailed series on Netflix.
The documentary series was originally produced in Germany and released there before Netflix picked it up worldwide. What makes this a unique experience for true crime fans is that it really doesn't feature specific killers in each episode. Instead, each episode focuses on a specific kind of crime and has a laundry list of criminals that it uses to reveal these topics. Fascinating episodes include a look at people "born to kill" and a view of the people who are in prison on life sentences.
24 The Playing Card Killer (2023)
3 Episodes
In 2003, a playing card left at a crime scene connected a string of murders across Spain, and the country was left in terror. The Netflix true-crime documentary The Playing Card Killer recounts the investigation of the crimes and includes interviews with journalists, police officers, investigators, and forensic psychiatrists to paint a full picture of the crimes and the search for the killer. The real-life story behind this chilling serial killer series on Netflix is that of Alfredo Galán, who actually turned himself in on July 3, 2003.
What makes this case so intriguing is that it wasn't over after Galán confessed.
What makes this case so intriguing is that it wasn't over after Galán confessed. The country remained embroiled in this tale of terror because no one knew his motivations, and this Netflix series seeks to figure out why he killed the six people during his murder spree. The downside to this three-part docuseries is that the information is thrown at the viewer at a very fast pace, making it hard to digest the huge volume. However, it’s still incredibly informative and offers many different points of view.