50 Best Serial Killer TV Shows of All Time

Are you also a psychological thriller fan like me and love to watch slasher where people with twisted minds and even more twisted pasts kill others, or some murder just for fun too; then you are at the right place. Today, we have 50 Best Serial Killer TV Shows for you to binge-watch and be in awe of the writers.

Serial Killer is not a genre per se but comes under psychological thriller, horror drama, and more. It’s a category that amuses and scares you at the same time. It left you astonished at the fact that how a human can be so cruel and can show such inhumane emotions. Some of the series below define the killer’s psychotic mind, and some of them portray that they are who they are.

Terrifying or not, one thing guaranteed is entertainment. Although, some of the shows below are documentaries or are based on real serial killers, which may give you chills and will leave you questioning whether you should walk alone in the streets at night.

Cause you never know who may tap your shoulder from behind. SSPPOOKKKYYY!!! Right?! Well, never mind, just a joke. We give you the 50 Best Serial Killer TV Shows:

50. Wicked City 

Wicked City was initially canceled after just 3 episodes, but later, the remaining episodes were aired on Hulu. Wicked City is an erotic thriller set in 1982 Los Angeles where two police detectives, Jack Roth & Paco Contreras, team up with Karen McClaren, Diver Hawkes & Dianne Kubek to find the serial killer Hollywood Slayer and his partner Betty Beaumontaine.

• Year(s): 2015
• Cast: Jeremy Sisto, Evan Ross, Erika Christensen, Ed Westwick, Taissa Farmiga, Karolina Wydra, Jaime Ray Newman, Anne Winters, Gabriel Luna, Vincent Ventresca, Olivia Moss, Kirk Baltz, Tyson Ritter, Kascee Murdock, Sara Mornell, Lew Temple.
• Special Spperences: Joe Walsh, Heather Mazur, Stephen Pearcy, Sam Adegoke, Haley Strode, Eric Pierpoint, Gabriel Bateman.
• No. of Seasons: 1
• No. of Episodes: 8
• TV Channel: ABC
• Where to Watch: Amazon.com

49. I Know What You Did Last Summer 

We all are familiar with this one, aren’t we? Yes, I Know What You Did Last Summer is adapted from the novel of the same name by Lois Duncan, but it is in the modern era. The slasher show follows a group of friends who are being hunted and killed by a serial killer one year after they accidentally killed someone in a car accident and ran away. 

• Year(s): 2021
• Cast: Madison Iseman, Fiona Rene, Ashley Moore, Brooke Bloom, Ezekiel Goodman, Bill Heck, Cassie Beck, Brianne Tju, Sebastian Amoruso, Sonya Balmores, Victoria Schmidt, Chrissie Fit, Danielle Delaunay, Spencer Sutherland.
• No. of Seasons: 1
• No. of Episodes: 8
• Where to Watch: Amazon Prime Video

48. Ragdoll 

Ragdoll is a crime drama mini-series perfect to binge-watch when you are in the mood for serial killer tv shows but don’t want to watch a series with 5 seasons with 22 episodes of 60 minutes each. How To Watch Night Doctor And Episode Schedule is perfect for people who love the creepy and don’t have their minds blown because of the creepiness the creators offer.

Ragdoll is less of a crime drama and more of a psychological drama. The story is about a hunt for a serial killer who killed six people, dismantled them, and then, again, sewed them together to create a grotesque body.

Not only this, the killer is way ahead of the detectives and investigators and is leaving them with clues and mockery at every step. That really is insane, isn’t it? Someone is killing people and also enjoying the process of it.

• Year(s): 2021
• Cast: Henry Lloyd-Hughes, Ali Cook, Amita Dhiri, Sam Troughton, Michael Smiley, Thalissa Teixeira, Camilla Beeput, Lucy Hale, Phil Davis, Natasha Little, Samantha Spiro, Kobna Holdbrook-Smith, Douggie McMeekin, Angus Wright.
• No. of Seasons: 1
• No. of Episodes: 6
• TV Channel: AMC+, Alibi.
• Where to Watch: Spectrum TV.

47. Indian Predator: The Butcher of Delhi

Indian Predator: The Butcher of Delhi might have received mixed reviews, but it will surely give you one hell of suspense and mystery. The show is an Indian docuseries that is based on reality and real events surrounding the serial killer named Chandrakant Jha, who poured his terror from 1998 to 2007 in Delhi.

At first, he was in jail till 2002, but due to lack of evidence, he got out. But, later, in 2006-2007, he started killing people again and used to put the body outside of Tihar Jail with a mockery note.

• Year(s): 2022
• Cast: Altaf Hussain, Bunny Adhikari, Pankaj Sharma, Manjit Singh, Shivam, Ankit Sharma, Sanjay Bansal, Meenu, Joginder Sharma.
• No. of Seasons: 1
• No. of Episodes: 3
• Where to Watch: Netflix

Also Read: Kingdom: Legendary War: Episode Schedule

46. Freddy’s Nightmares 

To all the horror fanatics, Freddy Krueger is here with some more horror stories in his television series: Freddy’s Nightmares, which is a spin-off of the film series A Nightmare on Elm Street. This American horror compilation is a two-season show filled with the horror of the child slayer.

What makes the story more intriguing and appealing? The two-tier approach of the narrative. Each episode has two sides, the first half of the story builds up around the main character, and the second half of the story switches towards a character that played a supporting or a minor role in the first.

The episodes give eerie vibes and a haunting tale that keeps the viewers engrossed. Although in some episodes, there is a mere mention of Freddy (although he did narrate every episode).

The show was produced by new line cinema, which decided to change the characters rather than mix them up because the antagonist killer would inevitably butcher most of them. The story takes place in the same setting as in ‘A Nightmare on Elm Street, a town of Springwood, Ohio, on Elm street.

Some episodes include references or mini events that would later be the plot of another upcoming or following episode, like the episode Lucky Stiff followed up by the episode Easy Come Easy Go. Although the series wasn’t the best horror series, it was definitely a praised one, especially because of our beloved Robert Englund.                

• Year(s): 1998-1990
• Cast: Sarah Buxton, Robin Antin, Bill Camp, Rosalind Allen, Clifton Collins Jr., Brad Pitt, Tim Russ, Phill Lewis, Robert Englund, Richard Speight Jr., Raymond Cruz, Morris Chestnut, Lori Petty, Glynn Turman, Bill Moseley, Penny Johnson Jerald, Shiri Appleby, Kyle Chandler, Richard Eden, Mariska Hargitay.
• Guest Appearances: Tracey Walter, Susan Oliver, Dick Miller, Paul Regina, Joyce Hyser, Marc Alamio, Timothy Bottoms, Jeff Conaway, Jeffery Combs, Mary Crosby, Tony Dow, Daine Franklin, David Lander.  
• No. of Seasons: 2
• No. of Episodes: 44

45. Rellik 

Rellik is one of the best serial killer TV Show out there. Another perfect show for weekend binge-watch sessions with your partner (or preferably alone). Rellik is actually “Killer,” which is spelled backward. The mini-series has only one season with 6 episodes of a runtime of 60 minutes each. The story is short, crispy, and full of drama.

But again, what makes you hooked to the screen? I mean, it seems like any other serial killer hunts story, right?! The reason to stick to your screens and binge-watch the show in one sitting and crave more seasons is that the story actually takes place backward (that explains the name of the series).

The story is quite simple, per se. A detective, who himself became a victim of a serial killer who attacked with acid, and the detective somehow survives and is now searching for the serial killer. But, all this is happening in reverse, and the time-reversed is shown on your screens too. Well, kudos to the Williams brothers for pulling off such a brilliant idea.

It’s a shame that the show is not known to many people and was that much acclaimed at the start. But, as soon as the last episode aired, it made all the sense, and the show was later critically acclaimed. And, as Williams’ said, it’s an interesting thing to find your way back to the past to explain the way the present is now.

• Year(s): 2017
• Cast: Jodi Balfour, Georgina Rich, Richard Dormer, Shannon Tarbet, Ray Stevenson, Michael Shaeffer, Peterson Joseph, Paul Rhys, Rosalind Eleazar, Richard Cunningham, Reece Ritchie, Tanya Reynolds, Annabel Bates.
• No. of Seasons: 1
• No. of Episodes: 6
• TV Channel: BBC One, Cinemax
• Where to Watch: Roku Channel.

44. The Raincoat Killer: Chasing a Predator in Korea

The Raincoat Killer: Chasing a Predator in Korea is a gripping Netflix docuseries that showcases the disturbing case of South Korea’s most famous serial killer Yoo Young- Chul, aka The Raincoat Killer, who terrorized Seoul from 2003 to 2004.

The series is three-episode docuseries where viewers get to deep-dive into the psychotic mind of the raincoat killer who murdered 20 innocent people with a hammer. Yup, you read that right. He hammered people to death.

The series also shows the efforts of the investigators as they try to connect the dots to identify who he is and also to understand why he is doing the horrific crimes.

We also get to witness the lead investigator Park Du- Seok and his team’s tireless efforts to catch the Raincoat Killer. The series also asks the question do cultural and social factors also contributed to the psyche of the killer as we see Korea as a country have a very rigid social hierarchy.

The Raincoat Killer: Chasing a Predator in Korea did a good job of providing insight into the case, but also, at the same time, it somewhere falls flat and doesn’t leaves a big mark on the audience. It’s good docuseries. It’s not the best true crime docuseries out there, but still, it’s worth a watch and is surely one of the most disturbing shows/docuseries on this list.

• Year(s): 2021
• No. of Seasons: 1
• No. of Episodes: 3
• Where to Watch: Netflix

Also Read: 29 Best Asian Horror Asian Movies On Netflix

43. The Murder Castle 

This show is about H.H. Holmes, who is considered to be the first serial killer in America. He built a castle where he used to murder people and stuff their bodies around the premises. Under the disguise of being a hotel, it was a trap of death consisting of death rooms and a place where all his victims were laid to rest. It was a 3-story building that had 60 rooms with secret passageways and trap doors.

He was faced with more than 50 lawsuits in the Chicago region. Before he was executed by hanging, he committed many crimes like insurance fraud, forging checks, multiple illegal marriages, horse theft, and a string of murders.

He did confess to a total of 27 murders while he was on death row, but he was sentenced to death for only one murder of his business associate Benjamin Pitezel.

• Year(s): 2017
• Cast: Hugh Scully, Shawn Parr, Kate Flanagan, Mackenzie Lansing, Robert Cunnif.
• No. of Seasons: 1
• No. of Episodes: 3
• Where to Watch: Prime Video

42. Slasher 

The name suggests it all. The show has already been renewed for a fourth season with 8 episodes which is definitely news for the fans. Slasher till now has been nominated for 6 awards, of which it won 1.

The story is an anthology and revolves around an unnamed masked psycho serial killer with no motive on the loose. What makes this show worth a while? The amount of suspense and twists it offers you. All four seasons revolve around a different group of people who are being chased by a masked serial killer. 

Seasons-

1. The Executioner (2016).
2. Guilty Party (2017).
3. Solstice (2019).
4. Flesh & Blood (2021).

• Year(s): 2016-Present
• Cast: Katie McGrath, Wendy Crewson, Christopher Jacot, Steve Byers, Joanne Vannicola, Lisa Berry, Brandon Jay McLaren, Enuka Okuma, Jim Watson, Patrick Garrow, Paula Brancati, Sydney Meyer, Dean McDermott, Mary Walsh.
• No. of Seasons: 4
• No. of Episodes: 32
• TV Channel: Chiller
• Where to Watch: Netflix.

41. The Hunt for the Zodiac Killer  

So this miniseries is unlike any other crime series we’ve seen. Those who love to mix history and crime together, this one’s for you. The short show comprises only five episodes and a single season.

The season begins with a team of specialists who decides to decode decades-old letters and codes from the then-notorious serial killer who had caused panic and distress among the citizens. The assassin known as the zodiac killer has perplexed some of the most knowledgeable in cryptology.

He was among history’s most mysterious and distorted killers, with 37 kills during the 1960s-1970s, where only 5 were identified dead, 2 survivors, and the remaining case unsolved. He used threatening letters and cards and used cipher and crypto codes to admit his crimes.

The show focuses on the experts Sal LaBarbera, a retired homicide investigator, Ken Mains, a Marine Corps vet, and Kevin Knight, a crypto analyst, and professor, breaking the codes and bringing the victims justice they deserve.

• Year(s): 2017
• Cast: Mocean Melvin, Kevin Knight, Ryan Garlick, Sal LaBarbera, David Oranchak, Craig p. Bauer, Kenneth Mains.
• No. of Seasons: 1
• No. of Episodes: 5
• TV Channel: History
• Where to Watch: Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, History Channel.

Also Read: 40 Must-See Thriller Movies Based on Real-Life Events

40. Big Sky 

Big Sky is a famous crime drama show that first aired on ABC in 2020. Later, it was added to OTT platforms. The show is an adaptation 2013 novel, The Highway by C.J. BOX.

In the show, we are introduced to the private detective Cassie Dewell & Cody Hoyt, who works in a private detective firm located in Montana. They were given the case of two sisters, Grace and Danielle Sullivan, who were kidnapped while on a road trip in Montana.

While they are investigating missing girls, they discover many disturbing patterns in abduction in the area; because of it, both of them team up with Jenny Hoyt, who is an ex-cop and also Cody’s ex-wife.

The story and plotline are very good, and as the show progress, we are introduced to many characters. They are written in the show with depth and mystery around them, like the Sullivan family, a truck driver with a dark past, and the mysterious person known as The Kleinsasser.

Overall Big Sky is a good crime drama show which keeps viewers engaged with its thrilling storytelling and intricate plotline. The show is filled with a lot of suspense as investigators race against time to save the Sullivan sisters and also uncover the true reason behind their kidnapping; because of these factors, the show gained a lot of followers and is must watch for fans of the crime thriller genre.

• Year(s): 2020-Present
• Cast: Katheryn Winnick, Brian Geraghty, Kylie Bunbury, Valerie Mahaffey, Natalie Alyn Lind, Jade Pettyjohn, Dedee Pfeiffer, Jesse James Keitel, John Carroll Lynch, Jensen Ackles, Ryan Phillippe, Janina Gavaskar, Omar Metwally, Ted Levine, Logan Marshall-Green, Reba McEntire, Jamie-Lynn Sigler.
• No. of Seasons: 3
• No. of Episodes: 47
• TV Channel: ABC
• Where to Watch: Hulu, ABC, Apple TV.

39. The Loch 

The Loch is a British crime drama show that was first aired on ITV in 2017. The plot of the series is set in the fictional Scottish town name Lochnefoy, which is located on the shores of Loch Ness, a well-known body of water famous for its mythical monster Nessie or LochNess monster.

In the show, we are introduced to Detective Annie Redford leading the investigation of the murder of a local piano teacher named Niall Swift, whose dead body was discovered at the bottom of a cliff near the loch.

As the investigation progress, it becomes more complicated as they find more bodies, and many lies and secrets are uncovered within a small community. In the investigation, she is joined by the forensic expert Blake Albrighton; together, they try to solve the mystery behind the murders while also dealing with their own demons.

Overall The Loch is a good crime drama show with a dark atmospheric tone that fits perfectly, bringing the eerie and beautiful Scottish Highlands. The also features some great performances from its cast, especially from Laura Fraser and Don Gilet. The show has a very good plot and holds people’s attention till the very end, and its cinematography is also very well done, and it’s a must-watch for lovers of the crime thriller genre.  

• Year(s): 2017
• Cast: Laura Fraser, Siobhan Finnerman, Ron Donachie, Don Gilet, John Sessions, Gray O’Brien, William Ash, Fraser James, John Hefferman, Alastair Mackenzie, Oliver Greenall, Keiran Gallacher, Jack Bannon, George Anton, Shona McHugh.
• No. of Seasons: 1
• No. of Episodes: 6
• TV Channel: ITV
• Where to Watch: Apple TV.

38. Unmasking a Killer 

In a tremendously terrifying way, Unmasking a Killer moves around the real-life story of one of California’s most prolific serial killers, known as the Golden State killer, who is responsible for the murder of 12 and the rape of 50. Critics had mixed views on this series. However, this series has won two Clio Health Awards in the categories of Short Form Film and Animated Film Technique.

• Year(s): 2018
• Cast: Debbi Domingo, Tony Rackauckas, Paul Balli, Anne Marie Schubett, Jane, Joseph James DeAngelo, Linda Ken Smith, Marcus Knutson, and Paul Holes.
• No. of Seasons: 1
• No. of Episodes: 7
• Where to Watch: Apple TV.

37. Aquarius 

Aquarius is obviously a fictional story but is based loosely inspired by real events and people. Sadly, the show was canceled after two seasons. The story revolves around Sam Hodiak and Brian Shafe, who is from LAPD and are searching for a missing young girl named Emma Karn.

The show closely follows the Manson family and their influence. It also features their belief in Helter Skelter. A fun fact is that Madisen Beaty also featured in Tarantino’s film Once Time a Time in Hollywood, reprising her role as Patty Krenwinkel.

• Year(s): 2015-2016
• Cast: David Duchovny, Brian F. O’Byrne, Madisen Beaty, Gethin Anthony, Cameron Deane Stewart, Emma Dumont, Chance Kelly, Grey Damon, Claire Holt, Ambyr Childers, Jason Ralph, Jodi Harris.
• No. of Seasons: 2
• No. of Episodes: 26
• TV Channel: NBC
• Where to Watch: Netflix, NBC.

36. Professor T. 

Hey! Are you also a fan of a protagonist who is a proclaimed genius but deep down just suffering from a continuous need to have everything in perfect order and alignment? Yes, in this British drama, we will be dealing with a protagonist who is an expert in criminology at the University of Cambridge, and his character has OCD which is the very much-needed cherry on this cake.

Endearing character, right? JUST IMAGINE what will happen when this character is unwillingly made to become a part of the police investigation. JUST IMAGINE what will happen when this character is living with his bossy mother. JUST IMAGINE….. No? You are right enough about imagining… So go watch this beautifully presented crime drama by Matt Baker.

• Year(s): 2021-Present
• Cast: Sarah Woodward, Frances de la tour, Emma Naomi, Juliet Aubrey, Ben Miller, Barney White, Andy Gathergood, Juliet Stevenson, Line Pillet.
• No. of Seasons: 2
• No. of Episodes: 12
• TV Channel: ITV
• Where to Watch: Prime Video, Vudu.

Also Read: Professor T (2021) Season 2 Episode 1: Release Date & How To Watch

35. Perfume

Well, another mini-series on serial killers for you when you want a quick bite and tap into the absurd mind of a devious serial killer. Perfume is a German Tv series based on the book of the same name by Patrick Suskind and the movie Perfume: The Story of a Murderer too.

The story is about the hunt for a serial killer who is leaving a trail of bodies whose hair (be it head hair, pubic, or armpits’) has been removed. The show received positive reviews from critics and the audience.

• Year(s): 2018
• Cast: Friederike Becht, Christian Friedel, Karl Markovics, Valerie Stoll, Wotan Wilke Mohring, Leon Blaschke, August Diehl, Marc Hosemann, Oskar Belton, Juergen Maurer, Ken Duken, Natalia Belitski, Trystan Putter.
• No. of Seasons: 1
• No. of Episodes: 6
• TV Channel: ZDFneo (Germany).
• Where to Watch: Netflix

34. Scream

Scream’s first two seasons revolve around Emma Duval, who is somehow tied t the series of murders that takes place in a town in Lakewood. In the third season, the series was rebooted with a new cast and setting, although it became the last two. The TV Show is a spin-off of the film series of the same name and is undoubtedly one of the best slasher media franchises ever produced.

Scream received positive reviews from critics as well as the audience. It was nominated for 8 awards in total and won 3 out of them at the 2015 TV Guide Awards for Favorite Horror Series, Music Series of the Year, and Favorite Villian (Amelia Rose Blaire).

• Year(s): 2015-2019
• Cast: Carlson Young, John Karna, Willa Fitzgerald, Santiago Segura, Bex Taylor-Klaus, Jason Weil, Tracy Middendorf, Tom Maden, Amadeus Serafini, RJ Cyler, Tyler Posey, Bella Throne, Keke Plamer, Jessica Sula, Tyga.
• No. of Seasons: 3
• No. of Episodes: 30
• TV Channel: MTV, VH1
• Where to Watch: Prime Video

33. The Valhalla Murders 

The Valhalla Murders are based on real-life events and are situated in Iceland. A detective with a hurting and complicated past returns to his native land of Iceland with the intention of helping a police officer find a serial killer.

The plot is majorly the procedure police follow to get to the roots of the murders. The murders are linked to an old photograph along with an old case of how 2 boys were beaten up and abused by the staff of a state-run institution.

• Year(s): 2019-2020
• Cast: Tinna Hrafnsdottir, Aldis Amah Hamilton, Nina Dogg Fillippusdottir, Edda Bjorgvinsdottir, Anna Gunndis Guomundsdottir, Bjorn Thors, Arndis Hronn Egilsdottir, Sigrour Skulason.
• No. of Seasons: 1
• No. of Episodes: 8
• TV Channel: BBC Four
• Where to Watch: Netflix

32. Yorkshire Ripper: The Secret Murders 

This latest series covers the heinous crimes of Peter Sutcliffe, infamously known as the Yorkshire Ripper, who was convicted of 13 murders along with 7 attempted murders. This show explores how the authorities investigated and, in the end, caught up to him.

The authorities claim that he was accountable for 22 other murders, which could not be proven due to a lack of evidence. All of his victims were women, and he used to target prostitutes because they were very vulnerable, and the police didn’t actually give them much attention.

It is thought that his killing spree actually began around 6 years before his first victim, who is acknowledged named Mary Judge. Overall this 2 episode series gives you a thrilling experience in the life of Peter Sutcliffe and the authorities chasing him.

• Year(s): 2022
• No. of Seasons: 1
• No. of Episodes: 2
• Where to Watch: Amazon.com

Also Read: Where Is Our Yorkshire Farm Filmed? All About The Locations

31. Wolf Creek 

Wolf Creek is inspired by the movie of the same name, where a 19-year-old girl Eve goes to Australia for a vacation with her family. Everything turns upside-down when the family is hunted and killed by a serial killer. Eve survives the attack and goes on her mission to find the killer and take revenge. The show has been nominated for 2 awards in total and won 1 out of them for Best Cinematography in Television at AACTA Awards.

• Year(s): 2016-2017
• Cast: Lucy Fry, John Jarratt, Dustin Clare, Matt Day, Tess Haubrich, Deborah Mailman, Eddie Baroo, Chris Haywood, Jason Chong, Maya Stange, Alicia Gardiner, Laura Wheelwright, Felicity Price.
• No. of Seasons: 2
• No. of Episodes: 12
• TV Channel: Stan
• Where to Watch: Amazon.com

30. Chucky 

When we talk about thriller series or movies, there is nothing better than stories about possessed dolls or people with supernatural abilities creating chaos in the streets of America; Chucky is a story of a doll possessed by the soul of a serial killer brought home by a 14-year-old teenager for some Halloween fun. This television series is a sequel set 4 years in the future to the Cult of Chucky.

Filled with satisfactory storylines and intriguing work of the actors, this series is brought to you by Don Mancini. This television series is a complete cocktail of Drama, horror, and Black Comedy, and the level of engagement it offers to its viewers is something that has never been seen in the history of television.

• Year(s): 2021-Present
• Cast: Zackary Aruthur, Brad Dourif, Bjorgvin Arnarson, Teo Briones, Alyvia Alyn Lind, Devon Sawa, Lexa Doig, Fiona Douriff, Michael Therriault, Christine Elise, Lara Jean Chorostecki, Barbara Alyn Woods.
• Special Appearances: Liv Morgan, Billy Boyd, Meg Tilly, Gina Gershon, Joe Pantoliano, Sutton Stracke, Billy Boyd.
• No. of Seasons: 2
• No. of Episodes: 16
• TV Channel: Syfy, USA Network.
• Where to Watch: USA Network.com, Prime Video, SYFY, Peacock.

29. Marcella 

Marcella is the darkest serial killer tv show. It is bigger than a live show and will make you question a lot of things. It definitely taps into the darker side of your brain and leaves you completely stunned. Marcella was created by Hand Rosenfeldt, who created the show The Bridge (which is on our list below). 

The story is about titular Marcella Backland, who is a former detective working for London Metropolitan Police Service. Her life goes upside down when his husband suddenly asked divorce from her after 15 years of their marriage, leaving their children in between. On top of that, she is having some mental issues and blackouts with a serial killer on the loose.

While her husband is asking for a divorce from her, she goes to investigate an old never-solved case involving a serial killer who seems to have returned. This story takes place in two seasons. In the third season, she is working undercover under the identity of Keira Devlin in Northern Ireland, but her mental issues seem to follow her there too.

• Year(s): 2016-Present.
• Cast: Anna Friel, Hugo Speer, Michael Colgan, Ray Panthaki, Sophia Brown, Nicholas Pinnock, Kelly Gough, Jack Doolan, Amanda Burton, Jamie Bamber, Martin McCann, Charlie Covell, Nina Sosanya, Aaron McCusker.
• No. of Seasons: 3
• No. of Episodes: 24
• TV Channel: ITV
• Where to Watch: Netflix

28. The Following 

The Following has a huge cult following, no, I mean literally. The show is about a retired FBI agent Ryan Hardy who is back to duty to help the department capture a serial killer named Joe Carroll. Although Joe has a huge cult following, his minions kidnap his son and finish the mission he started.

The second season is the follow-up, where Hardy’s niece helps him to capture Joe again as he faked his own death before. The show was nominated for 6 awards and won 1 of them.

• Year(s): 2013-2015
• Cast: Kevin Bacon, Natalie Zea, Gregg Henry, James Purefy, Adan Canto, Michael Ealy, Valorie Curry, Tiffany Boone, Nico Tortorella, Shawn Ashmore, Sam Underwood, Kyle Catlett, Annie Parisse, Connie Nielsen.
• No. of Seasons: 3
• No. of Episodes: 45
• TV Channel: Fox
• Where to Watch: WarnerBros.com

27. Night Stalker: The Hunt for a Serial Killer 

To those who are fascinated with some thrilling serial killer true crime documentaries, this mini-series is a perfect fit for you. Based on the story of the American serial killer Richard Ramirez, this is a four-part real crime documentary that portrays a petrifying story of the crimes committed by the notorious murderer and how he was hunted down by the detectives, and the victims were provided with the justice they deserved.

According to the director of the series Tiller Russell, the main focus in the series was the victims and the two detectives point of view while also blemishing the night stalker. This is the story of how the night stalker abused and killed his victims, causing terror among the citizens of LA, and how the killer was finally arrested after a 5-month-long investigation.

The two detectives Gil Carrillo – a cop turned detective at a relatively young age, and Frank Salerno – a veteran detective, were the ones who hunted down Ramirez with their intelligence, skills, and experience.

While the director showed the murders and assaults by Ramirez through crime scene photos, archived footage, and interviews with a few victims of the night stalker, Carrillo, and Frank, along with the media reporters at the time of the actual ongoing case of the night stalker, he also made sure to make the victim’s faces obscure and the amount of blood shown selective to make the series less disturbing but nonetheless terrifying.

The series sets a steady pace throughout but does not drag too much, which keeps the storyline interesting. The night stalker series is fascinating yet disturbing, and the makers did a good job of portraying the story the best they could.

• Year(s): 2021
• Cast: Frank Salerno, Gil Carrillo, Richard Ramirez, Laurel Erickson, Paul Skolnick, Tony Valdez, Zoey Tur, Frank Falson, Linda Arthur, Anastasia Hronas, Judieth Knielding Arnold, Colleen Nelson, Pearl Carrillo, Patty Nelson, Ester Petschar, Don Nelson, Glen Creason.
• No. of Seasons: 1
• No. of Episodes: 4
• Where to Watch: Netflix

Also Read: 31 Best Psychological Thriller Books To Read

26. The Serpent 

The Serpent is based on the serial killer named Charles Sobhraj, who is a descendant of Indo-French. He killed tourists from 1975 to 1976 and was at the height of killing when Herman Knippenberg started investigating and found Charles.

Sobhraj was also known as Bikini Killer, Splitting Killer, or The Serpent (hence the name of the show). Till now, 12 victims have been confirmed by him, but there are possibly 30. He is a drug dealer and thief who sells gems with his girlfriend.

• Year(s): 2021
• Cast: Tahar Rahim, William Brand, Sahajak Boonthanakit, Raphael Roger, Adam Rothenberg, Chicha Amatayakul, Jeena Coleman, Alice Englert, James Gerard, Billy Howle, Ilker Kaleli, Libby Jennings, Ellie Bamber, Tim Mclnnerny, Alyy Khan, Amesh Edireweera, Mathilde Warnier.
• No. of Seasons: 1
• No. of Episodes: 8
• TV Channel: BBC One
• Where to Watch: Netflix

25. Des 

A series from Britain, it provides a story that is neither too short nor too long. The Story moves around Denis Andrew Nilsen, who was a Scottish serial killer and necrophile who brutally murdered at least 12 young men and boys in a time period starting from 1978 and ending in 1983.

He (Denis Nilsen) was proven guilty of six murders and 2 attempts of murder on 4 November 1983 and was sentenced to life imprisonment. David Tennant, who has given one of his performances, has played it well to keep you on your toes.

Critics praised Des for its effort to show the reality of psychopathy that could exist in society. David Tennant got appreciated for his role and achieved the International Emmy Award for Best Actor at the 49th International Emmy Awards.

• Year(s): 2020
• Cast: David Tennant, Daniel Mays, Jason Watkins, Ron Cook, Barry Ward, Ros Anderson, Laurie Kynaston, Jamie Parker, Pip Torrens, Ken Bones, Bronagh Waugh, Ibinabo Jac.
• No. of Seasons: 1
• No. of Episodes: 3
• TV Channel: ITV
• Where to Watch: Prime Video.

24. The Alienist

The admirers of period dramas and serial crimes should check this one out. This psychological thriller is set up in New York City during the mid-1890s. The show is adapted from the novel The Alienist and The Angel of Darkness by Caleb Carr. The show is a bit slow-paced, but it is exactly what makes you come back for more. It’s a perfect blend of suspense, thriller, and some period drama filled with murders.

Although with some killing and luring storyline, the show focuses on other issues like yellow journalism, inequality, corruption, and more in the second season.

The story starts in season 1 in 1896 when Teddy Roosevelt, a police commissioner, calls a criminal psychiatrist and a newspaper illustrator, namely Laszlo Kreizler and John Moore, to help investigate the murders of boy prostitutes in New York. The team is later joined by Sara Howard and Issacson Brothers.

Season 2 has a time leap of one year and follows Sara, who now owns a private detective agency. She and the others again form a joint venture to find the Spanish consul’s daughter, but it is not as easy as it seemed as a killer showed up in between their search. It also enlightened many issues that women and the economy of that era were facing. The show has been nominated for 26 awards in total and won 2 of them.

• Year(s): 2018-2020
• Cast: Robert Ray Wisdom, Matt Lintz, Dakota Fanning, Douglas Smith, Matthew Shear, Luke Evans, Brian Geraghty, Melanie Field, Daniel Brūhl, Q’orianka Kilcher, Rosy McEwen. 
• No. of Seasons: 2
• No. of Episodes: 18
• TV Channel: TNT, HBO Max
• Where to Watch: Google Play, Netflix.

23. Conversation with a killer: The Ted Bundy Tapes 

So, we have all heard about the notorious serial killer Ted Bundy who terrorized America in the 1970s, and if you haven’t, allow me. Ted Bundy was a serial killer accused of killing more than 36 people, out of which he confessed to 30 and was executed in 1989. His victims were mostly college-going girls (creepy, right?!), but the more creepy thing was the fact that he didn’t only kill those girls; he kidnapped and raped them too.

He was also known as ‘The Lady Killer’ or ‘The Campus Killer.’ Well, I don’t get the fact 0f giving the serial killer a name. Why are we even doing that? This is only gonna satisfy him further. Anyways, his reign of terror came to an end in 1978 when he was caught by a police officer in Pensacola, Florida.

Conversation with a Killer: The Ted Bundy Tapes is a four-episode docuseries in which we get to see never seen footage from his case.

This docuseries also features the interview of Bundy’s victim, his family, and friend, and also features some archival footage of Ted Bundy’s police interrogation, which gives you a deep dive into his personality and what kind of a monster and psychopath he was and the fact that he never showed any guilt while talking about his victims.

This series received very bland and mixed reviews from critics, but it was fairly loved by the audiences. Also, Netflix and the makers of this docuseries decided to release this on the exact 30^th anniversary of Ted Bundy’s execution. 

• Year(s): 2019
• No. of Seasons: 1
• No. of Episodes: 4
• Where to Watch: Netflix, Prime Video.

22. Prodigal Son 

Watching a crime drama filled with intensity might get a little boring sometimes, so why not add some dark humor to that intensity, right? I think the creators of this series- Chris Fedak and Sam Sklaver – kept that in their minds while making Prodigal Son, but it’s a shame that the series was called off after season 2.

The protagonist of the series Malcolm Bright is the son of a serial killer Martin Whitly also known as the Surgeon. As a child, Malcolm helped the police arrest his father after discovering his truth and changed his identity to become a whole new person.

Now an FBI profiler and working for the New York police department, Malcolm has to face his father again after ten years to catch another serial killer who is an exact replica of his father.

He has to keep a hold of the mental war within himself and unveil the heinous crimes with his father’s help. It becomes complicated for him when his father is intending to get back into his life. While handling daddy issues, he gets assisted by a lieutenant of the department named Gil, who has been like a father to Malcolm since he answered his call a decade ago.

• Year(s): 2019-2021
• Cast: Halston Sage, Keiko Agena, Michael Sheen, Tom Payne, Aurora Perrineau, Lou Diamond Phillips, Frank Harts, Bellamy Young, Christian Borle, Charlayne Woodard.
• No. of Seasons: 2
• No. of Episodes: 33
• TV Channel: Fox
• Where to Watch: HBO Max, Prime Video.

21. You 

“You” is undoubtedly one of the best psychological thriller serial killer shows out there. It’s a personal favorite, if I may add. What distinguishes You from other shows is the smartly written plot and more smartly executed narrative. The story is well-paced and interesting and is shown from the point of view of the killer, who can justify all his crimes.

The story follows Joe Goldberg and his obsessions with girls who outstand their personalities. He refers to them as “You” and sees them the way he wants. He is a stalker and is willing to go to any extent to keep the girl he wants.

To what extent, you may ask? Well, it’s a serial killer list, isn’t it? So, the extent includes killing someone. The show is based on the novels You (2014), Hidden Bodies (2016), and You Love Me (2021) by Caroline Kepnes.

In the first season, we get introduced to the all-normal bookstore manager of New York, Joe Goldberg, but everything is not as normal as they seem. He becomes obsessed with an aspiring writer until, one day; he kills her.

In the second season, he moves to L.A., leaving his old life and identity behind, although his habits couldn’t leave him. As soon as he enters LA, he finds his next love interest, Love Quinn, although she is even crazier them him, and a whole lot of people die because of them.

Season 3 follows Love and Joe living in Madre Linda and starting a new life with their son Henry but Joe couldn’t help it, couldn’t he? Till now, the full 3 seasons and half fourth season have been released. The second half of the fourth season will be released on March 9, 2023, on Netflix.

The show has received a lot of positive reviews, especially for the storyline and the unique aspect and for Penn Badgley’s performance. You have been nominated for 8 awards till now.

• Year(s): 2018-Present
• Cast: Penn Badgley, Shay Mitchell, James Scully, Jenna Ortega, Elizabeth Lail, Victoria Pedretti, Carmela Zumbado, Tilly Keeper, Tati Gabrielle, Zach Cherry, Dylan Arnold, Luca Padovan, Shalitan Grant, Luckas Gage, Ambyr Childers, Saffron Burrows, Travis Van Winkle.
• No. of Seasons: 4 
• No. of Episodes: 35
• TV Channel: Lifetime (Season 1)
• Where to Watch: Netflix.

Also Read: How To Watch ‘YOU’ Season 4 Episodes? Streaming Guide

20. Mr. Mercedes 

Mr. Mercedes is a thriller crime drama show that aired on Audience Network in 2017. The show is an adaptation of a novel of the same name by legendary author Stephen King. The story follows a retired detective Bill Hodges who is on a hunt for a psychopathic killer who killed many people while driving a stolen Mercedes into a crowd.

Brendan Gleeson is playing the role of a retired detective who is traumatized by the unsolved case from his past. Harry Treadaway portrays the role of the psychotic killer Brady Hartsfield who goes around and kills people with the stolen Mercedes. The show also features good actors like Holland Taylor, who plays Hodges’s neighbor, and Justine Lupe, as Holly Gibney, a young girl who helps Hodges in his investigation.

Mr. Mercedes is a thrilling and suspenseful show with a gripping storyline with well-developed characters that help to keep people on the edge of their seats and also keep them invested in the plot. The show also does a very good job of exploring the motive of the killer, making it very clear that he is a very complex killer and not a mindless monster.

• Year(s): 2017-2019
• Cast: Brendan Gleeson, Kelly Lynch, Harry Treadaway, Scott Lawrence, Jharrel Jerome, Robert Stanton, Breeda Wool, Holland Taylor, Justine Lupe, Mary-Louise Parker, Jack Huston, Gabriel Ebert, Tessa Ferrer, Rarmian Newton, Maximiliano Hernandez.
• No. of Seasons: 3
• No. of Episodes: 30
• TV Channel: Audience Network
• Where to Watch: Prime Video.

19. The Sinner (Season 3) 

Although there are four seasons of the show The Sinner, we are going to talk about Season 3 only as it follows the story of a serial killer, but that doesn’t mean that the other seasons of the show are a flop. They all are worth the watch.

The Sinner is a true crime drama mystery detective show. Season 3 started with a car accident, eventually leading to something bigger than life. The incident disturbed Ambrose (the main character) so much that he retired and went to Maine to clear his head.

The show’s initial idea was taken from the novel of the same name by Petra Hammesfahr, released in 1999. All the seasons have different stories and casts (except Pullman, ofc), so there is no trouble in jumping to season 3 directly. Season 3 was released in 2020 with 8 episodes.

• Year(s): 2017-2021
• Cast: Bill Pullman, Parisa Fitz-Henley, Chris Messina, Jessica Hecht, Matt Bomer, Eddie Martinez.
• No. of Seasons: 4
• No. of Episodes: 32
• TV Channel: USA Network
• Where to Watch: Netflix

18. Monster in My Family 

Ever wondered what happens to the family of a serial killer or their victims’? Well, this TV show brings attention to the relatives of the murderers and their victims and how their lives have been affected.

The Monster in My Family is two season-long documentary featuring different families of serial killers and the survivors along with the victim’s family. The show brings light to the stories unheard and the unimaginable pain, which makes us sympathize with the families and sufferers. The families of the murderers communicate with the victims and their families to grieve and extend their despair and provide their empathy.

• Year(s): 2015-2017
• Cast: Karen Kuzma, Anthony Antonucci, Don Findlay, Melissa Moore, Abraham Luna, Terry Sullivan, Cindy Brown, Chris Peterson, Lee Boyd Malvo, Gil Carrillo, Ryan Pekar, Bill Carns, Rex Julian Beaber, Robert Schug, Joseph Kozenczak, Mike Albrecht, Lisa Noland.
• No. of Seasons: 2
• No. of Episodes: 10
• TV Channel: LMN
• Where to Watch: Amazon Instant Video, ITV, Apple TV, Lifetime. 

17. Dahmer- Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story 

Dahmer- Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story is a biographical drama based on the life of serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer. The show was a huge success and is one of the most-watched series on Netflix. As of February 2023, The show has been nominated for 14 awards in total, out of which 4 are pending and 3 won, including The Bingeworthy Show of 2022 at the People’s Choice Awards. 

The series shows every aspect of Dhamer’s story, from how the police contribute towards his crime to how he became one of the most wanted serial killers to how he executed his crimes to how he was almost caught a lot of times. From 1978-1991 he was convicted of 17 murders.

• Year(s): 2022
• Cast: Evan Peters, Niecy Nash, Michael Learnerd, Molly Ringwald, Richard Jenkins, Michael Beach, Dyllon Burnside, Scott Paophavihanh, Colby French, Dia Nash, Brayden Maniago, Matthew Alan, Khetphet Phagnasay, Cameron Cowperthwaite.
• No. of Seasons: 1
• No. of Episodes: 10
• Where to Watch: Netflix

Also Read: What Happened To Jeffrey Dahmer? Everything To Know

16. American Horror Story 

Well, there are 11 seasons of American Horror Story, and it is the first installment in the American Story media franchise (others are- American Crime Story and Horror Stories). Each season follows a different cast, characters, and storyline. Although some of the actors do appear in more than one season but are playing different characters and are part of different stories.

The Seasons:

1. Murder House (2011).
2. Asylum (2012-2013).
3. Coven (2013-2014).
4. Freak Show (2014-2015).
5. Hotel (2015- 2016).
6. Roanoke (2016).
7. Cult (2017).
8. Apocalypse (2018).
9. 1984 (2019).
10. Double Feature (2021).
11. NYC (2022).

While most of the seasons have based on horror, few of them, like Asylum, are somewhat on serial killers and follow a criminal ideology.

Now 11 seasons have been released, and two more seasons are confirmed. Asylum follows the staff and members of the mental Asylum: Briarcliff Manor, where the past of the patients interjects with the present. Most of them are criminals. One of the nuns, a nightclub dancer before, thinks it’s her destiny to eliminate evil and provide the justice people need.

• Year(s): 211-Present
• Cast: Connie Britton, Dylan McDermott, Evan Peters, Taissa Farmiga, Denis O’Hare, Jessica Lange, Zachary Quinto, Joseph Fiennes, Sarah Paulson, Lily Rabe, Lizzie Brochere, James Cromwell, Frances Conroy, Emma Roberts, Kathy Bates, Michael Chiklis, Patti LuPone.
• No. of Seasons: 11
• No. of Episodes: 123
• TV Channel: FX Networks
• Where to Watch: Disney+Hotstar

15. Millennium 

A show worth watching has a story that revolves around the millennium group, whose evil agenda and power have been explored throughout the series. This series also features Frank Black, who works as a freelance forensic science profiler, who also worked as an FBI agent and also worked for Millennium Group for some time.

He has a unique ability to see the world from the vision of serial killers and murderers, although he says that he is not a psychic.

It gathered the attention of a variety of critics who have given a positive response to it but have criticized it for being a slow-paced series.

It has received many awards since it has been broadcasted, including four American Society of Cinematographers Awards, two Primetime Emmy Awards, three Golden Globe Awards, one People’s Choice Award, and five Young Artist Awards. Also, this series was nominated for a total of 21 nominations.

• Year(s): 1996-1999
• Cast: Lance Henriksen, Megan Gallagher, Klea Scott, Peter Outerbridge, Terry O’Quinn, CCH Pounder, Brittany Tiplady, Allan Zinyk, Sarah-Jane Redmond, Bill Smitrovich, Kristen Cloke, Stephen E. Miller.
• No. of Seasons: 3
• No. of Episodes: 67
• TV Channel: Fox.
• Where to Watch: Hulu.

14. Sharp Objects 

Looking for another limited short series with more drama, mystery, and thrill on television? Well, you should be looking for sharp objects, then. This series contains psychological thriller, drama, and mystery with southern gothic elements like no other. The series has been praised numerously for its direction, acting, visuals, dark humor, and somber atmosphere.

Sharp Objects follows the story of Camille Preaker, who is a crime reporter but has recently been discharged from a psychiatric hospital. Upon arriving at her hometown, she found herself in the midst of the investigation of the murder of two girls.

While facing her own dark thoughts and reality, she had to deal with her mother too. The show received a lot of positive reviews and nominations. It was nominated for 49 awards in total and won 9 of them.

• Year: 2018
• Cast: Chris Messina, Matt Carven, Taylor John Smith, Patricia Clarkson, Eliza Scanlen, Elizabeth Perkins, Sophia Lillis, Amy Adams, Madison Davenport, Henry Czerny, Will chase, Jackson Hurst, Lulu Wilson, Miguel Sandoval.
• No. of Seasons: 1
• No. of Episodes: 8
• TV Channel: HBO max
• Where to watch: HBO, Disney+ Hotstar.

13. Bates Motel 

Bates Motel is a five-season-long tv series that ran on the A&E network from 2013 to 2017. The show Bates Motel is a prequel to the cult classic movie Psycho directed by none other than Sir Alfred Hitchcock in 1960. The Bates Motel is an intense show that shows the dark mind and early stages of famous fictional serial killer Norman Bates and his complex relationship with his family. 

The series shows the teen life of Norman Bates, the motel owner and the notably famous serial killer. The story starts after Norman loses his father and moves to Oregon with his mother, Norma Bates, and there they start their own motel. As the story furthers, they start to discover the town’s secrets.

In this series, we also see the relationship between Norman and his mother, who is too protective of him, which results in him developing strange behavior.

The biggest USP of the show is the acting performance by the leads of the show, Freddie Highmore and Vera Farmiga; the cast was perfect, and the supporting cast also did a fantastic job throughout the five seasons.

• Year(s): 2013-2017
• Cast: Freddie Highmore, Max Thieriot, Olivia Cooke, Vera Farmiga, Kenny Johnson,  Nestor Carbonell, Nicola Peltz.
• No. of Seasons: 5
• No. of Episodes: 50
• TV Channel: A&E Network.
• Where to Watch: Amazon Prime.

Also Read: 40 Best Movies Where the Villain Is the Main Character

12. The Fall 

The Fall takes place in Belfast (Northern Ireland). In the show, we are introduced to Detective Superintendent Stella Gibson, who is on a hunt for serial killer Paul Spector. The series is a psychological cat-and-mouse chase between the detective and the killer.

The thing that made The Fall a fan favorite is the tension built from the first episode of the show, which gets even more as we show progresses. Another aspect that was appreciated by the fans and critics was the character development in which we get to see the personal lives of both the killer and the detective.

Even the overall performance of the leads was very good where. Gillian Anderson did a great job of portraying a cool, calm, and determined detective. On the other hand, Jamie Dornan’s portrayal of a terrifying yet charming serial killer was also very adored.

The show has been nominated for 29 awards in total and won 7 out of them, including three awards at Irish Film and Television Awards for Best Television Drama, Best Lead Actor- Television (Jamie Dornan), and Best Original Score (David Holmes) in 2014. 

• Year(s): 2013-2016
• Cast: Beattie, David Beattie, Archie Panjabi, Colin Morgan, Michael McElhatton, Ben Peel, Bronagh Taggart, Aisling Franciosi, Kelly Gough, Velence Kane, Jonjo O’Neill, Ian McElhinney, Karen Hassan, Richard Clements.
• No. of Seasons: 3
• No. of Episodes: 17
• TV Channel: BBC Two
• Where to Watch: Netflix.

11. Criminal Minds 

A long and entertaining series that will keep you busy when you’d watch it. The story of this series goes on to show you how some senior profiles of the Federal Bureau of Investigation of the United States of America track criminal minds of the US and catch them before doing any crime.

It shows that they do so by using Behavioural Analysis and Profiling techniques of their unit, the Behavioural Analysis Unit(BAU), which help in investigating crimes and finding suspects.

Criminal Minds won many awards, including ASCAP Film and Television Music Awards consecutively eight times for Best Television Series from 2006-13, BMI Film & TV Awards for best TV music in 2008, 09, and 13, and California on Location Award as Location Team of the Year in 2014, Hollywood Music In Media Awards (HMMA)(2010) for Best Score in a TV Show. 

It was nominated for Primetime Emmy Awards three times, Guild of Music Supervisors Awards in 2012, Jimmy Giritlian was nominated for Hollywood Post Alliance, US for Outstanding Editing, Francesca Guadagno was nominated two times for Il Festival Nazionale del Doppiaggio Voci nell’Ombra and many more.

• Year(s): 2005-Present
• Cast: Mathew Gray Gubler, Shemar Moore, A.J. Cook, Thomas Gibsen, Paget Brewster, Kirsten Vangsness, Joe Mantegna, Mandy Patinkin, Zach Gilford, Lola Glaudini, Adam Rodriguez, Aisha Tyler, Daniel Henney, Josh Stewart, Aubrey Plaza, Jennifer Love, Amber Heard, Damon Gupton, Rochelle Aytes.
• No. of Seasons: 16
• No. of Episodes: 334
• TV Channel: CBS
• Where to Watch: Paramount+, Disney+, and Prime Video.

10. The Killing 

Well, you are here for some crime drama filled with mystery and thrill, right?! So, let me introduce you to The Killing, which found its roots in the Danish television series Forbrydelsen. The show was canceled after almost every season by AMC, but after a negotiation with Netflix and Fox, the show was finally concluded in the fourth season. Well, thank god Netflix, or else we would have had another crime series left in suspense.

Who doesn’t love some homicide and investigation shows, right? So here it is, a four-season series featuring the two detectives, Sarah Linden and Stephen Holder, unraveling murder mysteries. The first two seasons revolve around unveiling the murder mystery of a teenager Rosie Larsen, and the Larsen family’s griefs and secrets. Also, there is something going on with a political campaign race and the Seattle Police Department.

The third season took a short time-lapse in the storyline and comes up a year later with detective Stephen holder scavenging a runaway girl and a series of murders linking to Sarah Linden’s previous homicide investigations, which compelled Sarah to come back to detective duties.

The last season brings the fallout of the two detectives and their handling of the consequences, along with another homicide of a family, leaving only one survivor.

• Year(s): 2011-2014
• Cast: Billy Campbell, Jamie Anne Allman, Bex Taylor-Klaus, Mireille Enos, Joan Allen, Kristin Lehman, Max Fowler, Joel Kinnaman, Brent Sexton, Tyler Ross, Eric Ladin, Levi Meaden, Julia Sarah Stone.
• No. of Seasons: 4
• No. of Episodes: 44 
• TV Channel: AMC
• Where to Watch: Netflix, Hulu.

9. Luther

When it comes to psychological crime thriller drama serial killer shows, Luther definitely crosses our mind. The show was a huge success and has been adopted in 5 different versions (American, Russian, Indian, Korean, and French) of it. A follow-up film, Luther: The Fallen Sun, is also released on February 24, 2023, and the movie will be available to stream online on Netflix from March 10, 2023.

The show is about DCI John Luther, who has formed a relationship with Alice Morgan, who is a psychopath killer. Not only has John formed a relationship with her, but he cannot arrest her too but also, and they both solve many crimes and mysteries together. The show has been nominated for 39 awards in total and won 5 out of them, and all of them are written in the name of Idris Elba for Best Actor in Television Mini-Series.

• Year(s): 2010-2019
• Cast: Idris Elba, Dermot Crowley, Michael Smiley, Ruth Wilson, Nikki Amuka-Bird, Patrick Haddock, Saskia Reeves, Sienna Guillory, Steven Mackintosh, Enzo Cilenti, Indira Varma, Warren Brown, Rose Leslie, Paul McGann, Aimee-Ffion Edwards, Pam Dawson.
• No. of Seasons: 5
• No. of Episodes: 20
• TV Channel: BBC One
• Followed By the Film: Luther: The Fallen Sun (2023)
• Where to Watch: Hulu, BBC One, Netflix.

Also Read: 50 Best Lawyer Movies To Watch If You Like Crime Thrillers

8. Happy Valley 

Happy Valley is a crime drama and revolves around a police sergeant Catherine Cawood who lost her daughter eight years ago and is also a divorcee. Season 1 is just like any other crime drama but with a lot of suspense and twists.

Season 2 does follow Catherine hunting down a serial killer, who happens 18 months after the events of the first season. Season 3 takes place 7 years after season 2, where Catherine is really close to her retirement, and that’s when she is called off for a last case. The show has been nominated for 56 awards in total and won 26 of them, mostly for Best drama.

• Year(s): 2014-2023
• Cast: Sarah Lancashire, Charlie Murphy, Vincent Franklin, Con O’Neill, Joe Armstrong, Steve Pemberton, Amelia Bullmore, Katherine Kellym Siobhan Finneran, Karl Davies, Adma Long, George Costigan, Matthew Lewis, Rick Warden, James Norton, Adam Long, Kevin Doyle.
• No. of Seasons: 3
• No. of Episodes: 18
• TV Channel: BBC One
• Where to Watch: Netflix, BBC First.

7. Hannibal 

Hannibal is loosely based on the character of Dr. Hannibal Lecter, written by Thomas Harris. In the show, we follow FBI agent Will Graham as he uncovers much gruesome murder while fighting his own demons; as the show progress, he becomes more entangled with Dr.Lector, and he acts as his mentor as well as an antagonist to him.

The show grabbed many people’s attention because of its great cinematography and great plotline, but the crown jewel of the show was the performance of Mads Mikkelsen, who plays the character of Hannibal Lector so great that he was often compared to Sir Anthony Hopkin’s portrayal of the same character in the movie Silence of the Lambs.

The show also features a great performance from the supporting cast; despite good performances, Hannibal didn’t win any major awards.

Hannibal received a great number of good reviews from critics but couldn’t connect to a large number audience and was canceled after three seasons, but the show surely made a classic cult status among the audiences. It was nominated for a total of 53 awards and won 20 of them, mostly for Best Drama and/or Best Horror Series.

• Year(s): 2013-2015
• Cast: Mads Mikkelsen, Hugh Dancy, Laurence Fishburne, Caroline Dhavernas, Scott Thompson, Hettienne Park, Raul Esparza, Kacey Rohl, Vladimir Jon Cubrt.
• No. of Seasons: 3
• No. of Episodes: 39
• TV Channel: NBC
• Where to Watch: Prime Video

6. Mindhunter 

Mindhunter is undeniably one of the best serial killer tv shows. One of the executive producers of the show is David Fincher; then let me tell you one thing about Mr. Fincher, he is the best in business when you talk about the crime-thriller genre.

He has made many genre-defining movies like Seven (1995), Fight Club (1999), Zodiac (2007), The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008), The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2011), and Gone Girl (2014). 

Now, talking about Mindhunter, the show is based on the true story of FBI agents Holden Ford and Bill Tench; both of them used to interview serial killers in the 1970s to understand the mindset and motives of those serial killers, which the series also shows very accurately.

Mindhunters also greatly portray how these investigations take a huge toll on the personal life of the agents and how it affects their emotional and psychological connection with their family and colleagues.

Throughout the series, these agents interrogate some of America’s most famous serial killers, like Ed Kemper, David Berkowitz, Charles Manson, and many more. The creators of the show have made these episodes in a way that will give a bone-chilling experience but also be very captivating to see the methods these agents use to extract information from them.

The Mindhunter was nominated for many notable awards, but in the span of two seasons, the show only Jonathan Groff won Best Actor in a Drama Series at Satellite Awards in 2018.

When Mindhunter was first released in the year 2017, it became an overnight success, and it was loved by both critics and audiences for its historic accuracy and also gripping storytelling. Because of these factors, Mindhunter became one of the biggest and most watched shows on Netflix.

In the year 2019, when the second season was released, it achieved the same amount of success. Despite this, Netflix canceled the third season in 2020 as it became too expensive for them to produce.

• Year(s): 2017-2019
• Cast: Joseph Cross, Alex Morf, Cameron Britton, Michael Park, George R. Shelly, Marc Kudisch, Duke Lafoon, Peter Murnik, Happy Anderson, Nate Corddry, Zachary Scott Ross, Sonny Valiocenti, Regi Davis, Gareth Williams, Dohn Norwood, Brent Sexton, Drew Seltzer.
• No. of Seasons: 2
• No. of Episodes: 19
• Where to Watch: Netflix

5. The Bridge 

The Bridge is one of the most popular serial killer tv shows. The story starts when a body is found exactly at the center of the Oresund Bridge at the Denmark-Sweden border. Saga Noren and her partner Martin Rohde from the Swedish police department reached the crime scene and discovered that the body was not of one person; it was actually two persons whose bodies had been sewn together.

On further investigation, it was revealed that the upper part of a Swedish politician and the lower part was of a Danish prostitute, which led to the joint venture of the two police departments to find the killer.

In the first two seasons, Martin Rohde was Saga Noren’s counterpart, and in the last two seasons, Henrik Sabroe was Noren’s counterpart. There is a time jump in the series of 13 months at the start of seasons 2 and 3. The show has also been adapted as The Tunnel (UK-France), The Bridge (2013) (USA-Mexico), The Bridge: Russian TV Series (Estonia-Russia), The Bridge (2018) (Malaysia-Singapore), Der Pass (Germany-Austria), I Gefyra (Greece-Turkey).

• Year(s): 2011-2018
• Cast: Sofia Helin, Puk Scharbau, Mikael Birkkjaer, Thure Lindhardt, Lars Simonsen, Kim Bodnia, Ann Petren, Dag Malmberg, Henrik Lundstrom, Rafael Pettersson, Sarah Boberg, Gabriel Flores Jair.
• No. of Seasons: 4
• No. of Episodes: 38
• TV Channel: Sveriges Television, SVT1, BBC Four.
• Where to Watch: Amazon Prime

4. The X-Files 

Did you know that the story of Final Destination was initially written for one of the episodes of The X-Files, but the concept was good; the creators made it into a movie instead of having it for just one episode. Interesting, right?

The show mostly follows supernatural activities and revolves around FBI Special Agent Fox Mulder and Special Agent Scully. Mulder believes in supernatural powers, while Scully, the medical doctor, uses science to explain the activities.

The X-Files has gathered an insane amount of fan following over the years and can form a cult. People cosplay and quote the series. It has also spawned movies and some spin-offs. The show has been nominated for 154 awards in total and won 37 of them, including 3 Primetime Emmy Awards, 13 Creative Emmy Awards, 5 Golden Globe Awards, and more.

• Year(s): 1993-2002, 2016-2018
• Cast: David Duchovny, Annabeth Gish, Gillian Anderson, Mitch Pileggi, Robert Patrick, Chris Owens, James Pickens Jr., William B. Davis, Nicholas Lea, Jerry Hardin, Sheila Larken, Brendan Beiser, Adam Baldwin, Barbara Hershey, Peter Donat, Steven Williams, John Moore, Alan Dale.
• No. of Seasons: 11
• No. of Episodes: 218
• TV Channel: Fox
• Where to Watch: Hulu, Disney+, Amazon.com.

3. Dexter 

So how often do you pay attention to what your parents are telling you to do and, to be more specific, what your father is telling you to do? I am sure they must have told you about the benefits of being disciplined, why it is necessary to be respected, and all this kind of moral sciences stuff.

But have any of your parents ever taught you how to commit a crime and erase the substantial evidence? No? Why not? Oh…Ofc because they don’t want you to get involved in any criminal activities.

Let me surprise you that there exists a father who not only taught his son all this but also led him to make a career out of this. Ladies and gentlemen, and especially the people who are damn bloody crazy about psychotic characters and stories that are scientifically justified and satisfy your curiosity, I present you with Dexter Morgan.

Well, what he is and why he is for that, you need to watch this show called Dexter… BUT BUT BUT one thing that I can tell you about this show is that each and every episode will manage to generate curiosity and as well as satisfy it within its tenure.

Get ready to be punished, guys. You are going to be agreeing with a person who is an outlaw, practicing vigilantism, and, yes, will take very good care of your needs for thrills and will give you chills.

• Year(s): 2006-2013
• Cast: Desmond Harrington, Julie Benz, Geoff Pierson, Michael C. Hall, David Zayas, Jack Alcott, James Remar, Jennifer Carpenter, C. S. Lee, Erik King, Aimee Garcia, Lauren Velez, Christina Robinson, Jaime Murray, Julia Campbell.
• No. of Seasons: 8
• No. of Episodes: 96
• TV Channel: Showtime
• Follow Up: Dexter: New Blood (2021-Present).
• Where to Watch: Voot, Prime Video.

Also Read: 54 TV Shows You Should Watch If You Liked Dexter

2. True Detective 

Now, 3 seasons of True Detective have been released, and the fourth, True Detective: Night Country, is on its way. Each season follows a new set of cast and story with the mutual idea of some detectives solving the cases followed by their inner evil and personal issues. 

What interests us is season 1, which follows a serial killer set in Louisiana where two police detectives from the Louisiana State Police Department hunt a serial killer over the period of 17 years. The first season is the most successful season of all. It has the most views and most positive reviews. Season 1 has been nominated for 29 awards in total and won 12 of them.

• Year(s): 2014-Present
• Cast (Season 1): Matthew McConaughey, Tory Kittles, Michelle Monaghan, Woody Harrelson, Michael Potts, Lili Simmons, Kevin Dunn, Madison Wolfe, Paul Ben-Victor, Jay O. Sanders, Elizabeth Reaser, Shea Whigham, Brad Carter, J. D. Evermore, Joseph Sikora.
• No. of Seasons: 3
• No. of Episodes: 24
• TV Channel: HBO
• Where to Watch: Disney+ Hotstar

1. Death Note 

You all have guessed this one, haven’t you? Death Note is a series made on the story of a Japanese manga series Death Note, created by Tsugumi Ohba and Takeshi Obata; it has been published both as a series and also as a Feature film. Death Note manga has had around 12 volumes. 

Death Note is about Light Turner, a young boy who gets a notebook that has a mysterious power to kill the person who gets written on it. Light Turner uses the notebook to kill all criminals in the world. Death Note is one of the biggest manga media franchises there. It has spawned an animated series, novels, television films, live-action, and video games.

This series has been awarded several awards, which include the Brussels International Festival of Fantasy Film (BIFFF)(2007)’s Pegasus Audience Award, Hochi Film Award(2006), Yokohama Film Festival (2007) Festival Price for best new talent was awarded to Ken’ichi Matsuyama.

It was also nominated for several awards, including Hong Kong Film Award (2006) for best Asian Film, Scream Award(2007) for Best Foreign Film, and Ken’ichi Matsuyama was also nominated for the Award of the Japanese Academy (2007) for best-supporting Actor.

• Year(s): 2006-2007
• Cast: Mamoru Miyano, Nakamura Shidō II, Kappei Yamaguchi, Aya Hirano, Ken’ ichi Matsuyama, Brad Swaile, Kimiko Saitō, Noriko Hidaka, Nozomu Sasaki, Brian Drummond, Vincent Tong, Alessandro Juliani, Naoya Uchida, Kazuya Nakai, Kiyoshi Kobayashi, Keiji Fujiwara, Haruka Kudo, Masaya Matsukaze.
• No. of Seasons: 1
• No. of Episodes: 37
• TV Channel: Nippon TV, Viz Media(in English).
• Where to Watch: Netflix.

Also Read: Death Note Ending Explained: Unnamed Kira Worshiper