Society has a deep-rooted interest in serial killers, with their disturbing stories and crimes inciting both terror and fascination in the masses. Delving into the minds of these notoriously frightening figures is often difficult to stomach, but many documentarians set out to educate people on the atrocities these criminals have committed in an attempt to gain answers and perspective. Witnessing these depraved and violent individuals and learning about their backgrounds, heinous crimes, and innocent victims, can be an intense and heart-heavy journey for many viewers.
From Ted Bundy to Jeffrey Dahmer, “Killer Clown” John Wayne Gacy, and America’s first serial killer H.H. Holmes, filmmakers have provided insightful and disturbing profiles on these vile murderers. These are the best of those serial killerdocumentaries.
Updated on August 18th, 2023 byFederico Furzan:This article has been updated with additional content to keep the discussion fresh and relevant with even more information and new entries.
17World’s Most Evil Killers (2017-Present)
World’s Most Evil Killers(a sister show toBritain’s Most Evil Killers) as suggested by the title, focuses on the most disturbing serial killers society has come across. The series that started off in 2017 is still going strong. The interesting element of this particular show is how it brings in numerous lawyers, criminologists, writers, and forensic scientists to analyze the stories of these killers.
From the crimes committed to the evidence collected and the backgrounds of these killers, the show attempts to give an overall examination and analysis of each selected murderer. For someone who is interested in a version of Ted Bundy’s or Velma Barfield’s story, this show is the ideal segue. Also, since the ending of the episode draws in what happened to the killer at the end, there is a conclusion to almost every story in thistrue crime series.
16The Ripper (2020)
The case of Jack The Ripper is a well-known mystery around the globe. The killer that went on a murder rampage in the late 1880s was never identified. However,The Ripperis NOT about Jack The Ripper. Rather, it is about serial killer Peter Sutcliffe, who has taken notes fromJack The Ripper’s murders. He is named the Yorkshire Ripper.
By bringing in investigators, journalists, family members of the victims, and the survivors, the series tracks down Sutcliffe’s murders, which were predominantly sex workers in red-light districts. The show also focuses on the possible negligence on the part of the police, which caused many debates about this particular case. In a way,The Ripperis not only focused on a serial killer but on society as a whole, making it an intriguing watch that leaves a lot to think about.
15Killers Behind Bars: The Untold Story (2012-2013)
Yet another British TV Documentary series that focuses on several serial killers. However, unlike many other serial killer documentaries,Killers Behind Bars: The Untold Storybrings in professor of Criminology for help in clarifying the cases.
David Wilson, who used to teach at Birmingham City University, uses his expertise in the field and knowledge to analyze the evidence and clues gathered during the investigations of several infamous serial killers in England. Thus, the show focuses on unraveling certain missing parts of several murder cases as the show does not merely spit facts but instead illustrates how these cases are handled or could have been handled.
14I’ll Be Gone in the Dark (2020-2021)
The 2020 true crime documentary seriesI’ll Be Gone in the Darkis based on the Michelle McNamara novel of the same name, in which the late author examines the unsolved crimes of the notorious Golden State Killer who caused widespread panic and fear in San Francisco during the ‘70s and ‘80s.
The show also focuses heavily on the dedicated efforts of McNamara, as she immerses herself in the horrific crimes carried out by the murderer when writing her book. The novelist died in 2016 and her husband (actor and comedian Patton Oswalt), researcher Paul Haynes, and true crime writer Billy Jensen joined forces to complete her work in McNamara’s honor. She coined the name Golden State Killer in 2013, and when Californian authorities arrested Joseph James DeAngelo in 2018, authorities used the name McNamara conceived.
13Murder in the Bayou (2019)
Five episodes are enough. More would be unbearable.Murder in the Bayoutells the story of a series of murders in a rural town in Louisiana that no one’s been convicted for. The case reeks of police corruption and involvement, and the documentary sheds light on the probable culprits, some of which are featured in the series.
It isn’t very hard to suspect who may have been involved with the murders, but the docuseries does a great job at leaving everything to doubt without being unbiased. This is a very disturbing show that will probably leave you scarred and afraid of some parts of the state of Louisiana.
Related:Best Serial Killer Movies Based on or Inspired by True Stories
12Night Stalker: The Hunt For a Serial Killer (2021)
Netflix’sNight Stalker: The Hunt For a Serial Killerdepicts how the infamous serial killer Richard Ramirez was captured and brought to justice, chronicling the valiant efforts of homicide investigator Frank Salerno and detective Gil Carrillo to identify and apprehend the murderer.
The four-part program examines the Night Stalker case through the use of crime scene photos, archival footage, and candid interviews with Salerno and Carrillo, as well as the media who covered the frightening crimes at the time. The documentary not only addresses Ramirez’s grisly murders but also the sexual assault and child abduction cases that would later be tied to him, and shines a light on the methods, knowledge, and experience the detectives used in order to put an end to Ramirez’s violent killing spree.
11H.H. Holmes: America’s First Serial Killer (2004)
Exploring the life and crimes of con artist and serial killer H.H. Holmes and the lore surrounding his “Murder Castle,” the 2004 biographical documentaryH.H. Holmes: America’s First Serial Killerdetails the horrific exploits of the 19th-century murderer at his Chicago hotel, where he allegedly carried out his chilling atrocities. At the time, the yellow press had labeled the building as Holmes’ “Murder Castle,” claiming that the site was a deadly labyrinth equipped with secret trap doors and torture chambers, yet these claims were proven false.
Though Holmes confessed to 27 murders, he was convicted and sentenced to death for only one, that of his business partner and former accomplice Benjamin Pitezel. The gripping feature sheds light on the realities surrounding Holmes’ crimes while debunking the long-established myths, and features footage of his childhood home, expert interviews, and reenactments.
10Ted Bundy: Falling for a Killer (2020)
Recounting the heinous murders, trial, and eventual execution of serial killer Ted Bundy through the eyes of his long-time girlfriend Elizabeth Kendall and her daughter Molly, the 2020 true crime docuseriesTed Bundy: Falling for a Killerprovides audiences with riveting interviews with surviving victims, reporters, and police officials involved in the case.
After having retreated from the public eye for nearly 40 years in an effort to distance themselves from the notorious murderer, Elizabeth and Molly share their personal experiences with Bundy and provide insight into the mind of the man suspected of killing more than 36 women. The serial killer series garnered praise for its refreshing focus on Bundy’s victims.
9The Raincoat Killer: Chasing a Predator in Korea (2021)
Netflix’s docuseriesThe Raincoat Killer: Chasing a Predator in Koreais cut with the same model the streaming services use for all its documentaries. There’s no question about it. However, there’s a dreadful atmosphere with this chronicle.
It dives into the evil acts of a horrible monster in South Korea who had killed, raped, and eaten some of his victims. He had a very unnerving view of the world, feeling special hatred for women and rich people.
8The Jeffrey Dahmer Files (2012)
The Jeffrey Dahmer Fileschronicles the summer of 1991 in which serial killer and sex offender Jeffrey Dahmer was apprehended and arrested in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The 2012 independent documentary features fictionalized reenactments.
The Jeffrey Dahmer Filesalso included deeply detailed interviews with the case’s lead detective Patrick Kennedy, as well as medical examiner Jeffrey Jentzen and one of Dahmer’s neighbors, Pamela Bass.
