Great Movies About Serial Killers That Are Totally Dramatic

Ranker Film
Updated May 16, 2024 25 items
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1.1K votes
197 voters
Voting Rules
Vote up your favorite movies about the hunt for a serial murderer that are less OMG horror, more dramatic thriller.

Murder plus expertly calibrated tension is the perfect recipe for serial killer thrillers. The top dramatic serial killer movies feature cat-and-mouse games between disturbed characters and the people out to put them behind bars. This is a list of the greatest serial killer dramas including everything from Kiss the Girls to The Killer Inside Me to I Saw the Devil.

What films will you find on this list of the best dramatic serial killer movies? The Silence of the Lambs features not one, but two serial killers. The incarcerated Hannibal Lecter is recruited by the FBI to help catch Buffalo Bill before he kills again. Seven is another compelling serial killer movie with a lot of drama. American Psycho finds a New York businessman trading in stocks for slaughters. Other good movies featured on this list include Psycho, Zodiac, and Strangers on a Train.

Do you have a favorite movie about serial killers? Give the best films a thumbs up and please add any great movies that are missing.

Most divisive: Strangers on a Train
Over 100 Ranker voters have come together to rank this list of Thrillers That Are Totally Dramatic
  • The Silence of the Lambs
    1

    The Silence of the Lambs

    Jodie Foster, Anthony Hopkins, Scott Glenn
    82 votes
    The Silence of the Lambs, a gripping thriller, introduces audiences to FBI trainee Clarice Starling (Jodie Foster). She's assigned an unnerving task: to extract information from the infamous and incarcerated cannibalistic serial killer, Dr. Hannibal Lecter (Anthony Hopkins). The objective? To help apprehend another active serial killer, Buffalo Bill (Ted Levine), before he strikes again. This chilling narrative, directed by Jonathan Demme, won five Academy Awards, including Best Picture. It interweaves suspense, crime solving and psychological manipulation, creating a film that is as thought-provoking as it is horrifying.
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  • Seven
    2

    Seven

    Brad Pitt, Morgan Freeman, Gwyneth Paltrow
    70 votes
    In Seven, Detective William Somerset (Morgan Freeman), a seasoned but weary crime fighter, partners with the young and impulsive Detective David Mills (Brad Pitt) to investigate a series of grisly murders. Each murder uniquely represents one of the seven deadly sins - a chilling theme that pervades the movie. The film, directed by David Fincher, is dark and atmospheric, delivering an intense thriller that delves into the heart of human depravity. As the detectives unravel each horrifying crime, they are drawn deeper into a twisted killer's methodical madness. A critical success, this 1995 film won an MTV Movie Award for Best Movie.
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  • Psycho
    3

    Psycho

    Anthony Perkins, Janet Leigh, Vera Miles
    56 votes
    In the chilling classic Psycho, Marion Crane (Janet Leigh) absconds with stolen cash, seeking solace at the remote Bates Motel. The proprietor, Norman Bates (Anthony Perkins), is a peculiar young man dominated by his puritanical mother. Marion's disappearance triggers an investigation led by her sister, Lila (Vera Miles), and boyfriend, Sam Loomis (John Gavin). Directed masterfully by Alfred Hitchcock, this iconic horror-thriller won several awards, including an Academy Award nomination for Leigh's performance. Psycho's suspense-filled plot twists and haunting score have left an indelible mark on cinematic history.
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  • Zodiac
    4

    Zodiac

    Jake Gyllenhaal, Mark Ruffalo, Robert Downey
    60 votes
    Zodiac, an intriguing crime thriller directed by David Fincher, trails the chilling path of the famed Zodiac Killer. Robert Graysmith (Jake Gyllenhaal), a cartoonist at the San Francisco Chronicle, becomes obsessively intertwined with the unsolved case. Alongside him are Paul Avery (Robert Downey Jr.), a bohemian crime reporter, and Inspector David Toschi (Mark Ruffalo), a seasoned detective. As they delve deeper into the cipher-laden letters sent by the killer, their lives become inextricably linked to this enigma. The film, based on true events, is a tense exploration of obsession, fear, and the elusive nature of truth. Despite its long runtime, each moment is filled with suspense and intrigue, keeping viewers riveted until the very end. Zodiac remains a compelling testament to Fincher's mastery of his craft.
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  • Red Dragon
    5

    Red Dragon

    Anthony Hopkins, Ed Norton, Ralph Fiennes
    47 votes
    In Red Dragon, former FBI agent Will Graham (Edward Norton) is lured out of retirement to track down a serial killer known as The Tooth Fairy (Ralph Fiennes). Pulled into the depths of a mind twisted by madness, Graham finds himself consulting the notorious Hannibal Lecter (Anthony Hopkins), his old adversary. This crime thriller, a prequel to The Silence of the Lambs, delves into the dark origins of the cannibalistic psychiatrist, painting a chilling portrait of evil. As Graham unravels the case, he becomes ensnared in a deadly game with two twisted minds at its center.
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  • Copycat
    6

    Copycat

    Sigourney Weaver, Holly Hunter, Dermot Mulroney
    43 votes
    Deeply shaken after being assaulted by a deranged man (Harry Connick Jr.), Dr. Helen Hudson (Sigourney Weaver) must face her fears if she is to help solve a series of murders. Helen is a psychologist who has studied serial killers, but this case, in which the crimes seem modeled on the work of infamous deviants, is grimmer than most. With the help of two San Francisco police officers (Holly Hunter, Dermot Mulroney), Helen tries to come between the murderer and his next victim.
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  • Frailty
    7

    Frailty

    Bill Paxton, Matthew McConaughey, Powers Boothe
    27 votes
    In Frailty, a chilling tale of suspense and intrigue unfolds. The movie centers around the Meiks family, headed by the father (Bill Paxton) who believes he has been chosen by God to destroy demons disguised as people. His sons, Fenton (Matthew McConaughey) and Adam (Jeremy Sumpter), are drawn into this terrifying crusade. The story takes a darker turn when the line between divine mission and insanity blurs. This gripping thriller delves deep into the human psyche, exploring faith, morality and the gray area in between. With its unique storyline and compelling performances, Frailty is an unforgettable cinematic experience.
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  • American Psycho
    8

    American Psycho

    Christian Bale, Willem Dafoe, Jared Leto
    54 votes
    American Psycho, a chilling psychological thriller, follows the life of Patrick Bateman (Christian Bale), a successful Wall Street executive by day and a gruesome serial killer by night. Balancing an outward appearance of wealth and normalcy with an inner world steeped in violence, Bateman's double life spirals out of control as his homicidal tendencies escalate. This film, noted for its exploration of materialistic culture and the dark underbelly of American society, is a stark portrayal of a man's descent into madness. Directed by Mary Harron, the movie offers a disturbing glimpse into the mind of a killer concealed beneath a veneer of sophistication.
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  • Kiss the Girls
    9

    Kiss the Girls

    Morgan Freeman, Ashley Judd, Cary Elwes
    43 votes
    In the chilling thriller Kiss the Girls, forensic psychologist Alex Cross (Morgan Freeman) locks horns with a serial kidnapper known as Casanova. The predator's eerie modus operandi involves abducting young women who possess specific qualities, creating a collection of victims in his hidden underground lair. Aided by detective Kate McTiernan (Ashley Judd), herself an escapee from Casanova's clutches, Cross navigates a twisted game of cat and mouse. Set against the backdrop of North Carolina, this movie intertwines suspense and mystery, presenting a haunting portrayal of obsession and power.
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  • Hannibal
    10

    Hannibal

    Anthony Hopkins, Julianne Moore, Gary Oldman
    44 votes
    In the chilling sequel to The Silence of the Lambs, Hannibal reintroduces us to the infamous Dr. Hannibal Lecter (Anthony Hopkins). Now residing in Italy, Lecter's tranquil life is disrupted when his past comes knocking. FBI agent Clarice Starling (Julianne Moore), who previously sought his assistance in capturing a serial killer, re-enters his life under dire circumstances. The movie weaves a dark tale as it explores the twisted relationship between Lecter and Starling, against a backdrop of suspense and horror. Directed by Ridley Scott, this thriller won high praise for its unexpected plot twists and unsettling themes.
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  • Manhunter
    11

    Manhunter

    William Petersen, Kim Greist, Dennis Farina
    37 votes
    In the chilling thriller Manhunter, former FBI profiler Will Graham (William Petersen) is coaxed out of retirement to hunt a serial killer known as The Tooth Fairy. With his unique ability to empathize with psychopaths, Graham consults incarcerated cannibalistic murderer Dr. Hannibal Lecktor (Brian Cox) to gain insights into the case. As Graham delves deeper into the mind of the killer, he finds himself on a perilous journey that tests his mental strength. Directed by Michael Mann, this film is a masterful precursor to The Silence of the Lambs.
  • Mr. Brooks
    12

    Mr. Brooks

    Kevin Costner, Demi Moore, Dane Cook
    35 votes
    Well-respected businessman Earl Brooks (Kevin Costner) has a secret: Beneath his family-man facade lurks a murderous alter-ego named Marshall (William Hurt). Brooks struggles with his addiction to killing, but Marshall enjoys his grisly hobby too much to let go. Finally, Brooks resolves to commit one final murder, but a voyeur (Dane Cook) witnesses it and blackmails him to continue. With a detective (Demi Moore) hot on his trail, Brooks/Marshall must spin an increasingly elaborate web.
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  • I Saw the Devil
    13

    I Saw the Devil

    Lee Byung-hun, Choi Min-sik, Jeon Gook-hwan
    30 votes
    In the chilling film I Saw the Devil, Kim Soo-hyeon (Lee Byung-hun), a secret agent, embarks on a relentless quest for revenge after his fiancé becomes the latest victim of a brutal serial killer, Kyung-chul (Choi Min-sik). The ensuing cat-and-mouse game spirals into a vortex of violence and horror as Soo-hyeon employs increasingly ruthless tactics to outwit his adversary. This South Korean thriller, lauded for its intense performances and unflinching depiction of evil, won the Best Film award at the 2010 Baeksang Arts Awards. It remains a stark exploration of retribution's corrosive effects and the thin line separating hunter from hunted.
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  • Hannibal Rising
    14

    Hannibal Rising

    Gaspard Ulliel, Gong Li, Helena Lia Tachovska
    30 votes
    After witnessing the violent deaths of his parents at the end of World War II, young Hannibal Lecter (Gaspard Ulliel) flees to his uncle's home in Paris. He learns his uncle is dead, but the man's mysterious Japanese widow, Lady Murasaki (Gong Li) welcomes him nonetheless. An aptitude for science helps Hannibal gain acceptance to medical school, where he hones the skills he needs to exact revenge for the atrocities he witnessed.
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  • Dahmer
    15

    Dahmer

    Jeremy Renner, Bruce Davison, Artel Great
    31 votes
    In this fictionalized, fragmented biopic of one of America's most notorious serial killers, Jeffrey Dahmer (Jeremy Renner) contemplates his latest potential victim, a young man named Rodney (Artel Kayaru). As Dahmer considers the fate of his prey, we see flashbacks to the events that led to the evolution of a monster, from Dahmer's tortured relationship with his father (Bruce Davison), to his first kill, to his patrolling of the gay bars of Milwaukee.
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  • Strangers on a Train
    16

    Strangers on a Train

    Robert Walker, Farley Granger, Ruth Roman
    24 votes
    In the suspenseful thriller, Strangers on a Train, tennis star Guy Haines (Farley Granger) encounters eccentric Bruno Antony (Robert Walker) during a chance meeting on a train. A conversation ensues, with Antony proposing an unthinkable pact: murder swapping. The chilling plot spirals when Antony takes their conversation as a binding agreement and acts upon it, plunging Haines into an unfathomable dilemma. Directed by the renowned Alfred Hitchcock, this film is a masterwork of tension and terror. It was nominated for the Best Cinematography award at the 1952 Academy Awards.
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  • Memories of Murder
    17

    Memories of Murder

    Song Kang-ho, Kim Sang-kyung, Kim Roi-ha
    16 votes
    In 1986, Park (Song Kang-ho) and Cho (Kim Roi-ha) are two simple-minded detectives assigned to a double murder investigation in a South Korean province. But when the murderer strikes several more times with the same pattern, the detectives realize that they are chasing the country's first documented serial killer. Relying on only their basic skills and tools, Park and Jo attempt to piece together the clues and solve the case in this thriller based on true events.
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  • Bundy: An American Icon
    18

    Bundy: An American Icon

    Kane Hodder, Corin Nemec, Kristen De Luca
    17 votes
    Bundy: An American Icon is a 2008 horror film depicting the criminal career of American serial killer, Ted Bundy. It was directed by Michael Fein serial killer biopics, and starred Corin Nemec from Parker Lewis Can't Lose.
  • The Killer Inside Me
    19

    The Killer Inside Me

    Casey Affleck, Kate Hudson, Jessica Alba
    14 votes
    An encounter with an aggressive prostitute (Jessica Alba) brings a Texas lawman's (Casey Affleck) homicidal tendencies screaming to the surface.
  • Artik
    20

    Artik

    Chase Williamson, Jerry G. Angelo, Lauren Ashley Carter
    9 votes
    Artik is a 2019 American horror action film directed by Tom Botchii Skowronski. A boy befriends a mysterious stranger who threatens to reveal his family's horrible secret.
  • Funny Games
    21

    Funny Games

    Naomi Watts, Tim Roth, Michael Pitt
    19 votes
    Funny Games, a suspenseful psychological thriller, pulls you into the chilling world of a serene vacation gone horribly wrong. The film stars Naomi Watts and Tim Roth as Ann and George, who along with their son Georgie (Devon Gearhart), find themselves terrorized by two seemingly polite young men, played by Michael Pitt and Brady Corbet. The family's tranquil holiday retreat quickly spirals into a nightmarish struggle for survival as they're subjected to a series of sadistic games. Directed by acclaimed filmmaker Michael Haneke, this movie won't let you forget its unnerving narrative long after the credits roll.
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  • Confessions
    22

    Confessions

    Takako Matsu, Masaki Okada, Ai Hashimoto
    14 votes
    Confessions is a 2010 Japanese drama film directed by Tetsuya Nakashima, based on Kanae Minato's 2008 novel of the same name. The story follows a grieving mother turned cold-blooded avenger with a twisty master plan to pay back those who were responsible for her daughter's death.
  • Lady Vengeance
    23

    Lady Vengeance

    Lee Young-ae, Song Kang-Ho, Choi Min-sik
    15 votes
    Lady Vengeance is a 2005 South Korean psychological thriller film directed by Park Chan-wook, and the third installment in the Vengeance Trilogy. After being wrongfully imprisoned for thirteen years and having her child taken away from her, a woman (Lee Young-ae) seeks revenge through increasingly brutal means.
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  • Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance
    24

    Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance

    Song Kang-ho, Bae Doona, Han Bo-bae
    9 votes
    Deaf-mute Ryu (Shin Ha-kyun) has just been fired from his job in a Seoul, South Korea, factory, and the timing couldn't be worse. His sister (Im Ji-eun) is suffering from kidney trouble, and she needs a transplant that Ryu himself can't provide. Ryu and his girlfriend (Bae Doona) then kidnap the daughter of wealthy tycoon Park (Song Kang-ho) to raise the money, but an unexpected disaster strikes, and Park launches a bloody quest for revenge that leaves many dead and puts Ryu's life in danger.
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  • The Chaser
    25

    The Chaser

    Kim Yoon-seok, Ha Jung-woo, Seo Young-hee
    10 votes
    The Chaser is a 2008 South Korean action thriller film directed by Na Hong-jin. A disgraced ex-policeman who runs a small ring of escorts finds himself in a cat-and-mouse game with a serial killer.
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