16 Best Documentaries About Serial Killers

Serial killers have always been intriguing to people. Their motives, their interests, and their patterns have always left us wanting to know more.

It's no surprise, therefore, that documentaries about serial killers have become increasingly popular in recent years. In this blog post, we will take a deep dive into some of the best true-crime documentaries about the most notorious serial killers of our time.

1. Don't F**k With Cats (2019)

Don't F**k With Cats is a Netflix documentary that tells the story of a group of online detectives who track down a serial killer who posts videos of himself killing cats online. As the story unfolds, the investigation leads them to a man who escalates his crimes to murder, leaving the detectives struggling to stop him.

This fast-paced documentary will keep you on the edge of your seat as you follow the online sleuths and their pursuit of justice.

Don't F**k With Cats on Factual America

2. The 12th Victim (2023)

The Charles Starkweather killing spree is a shocking story has been told in many movies, books and documentaries, but this 2015 documentary still delivers a bone-chilling dissection of the crimes that shook America in the 1950s.

Interviews with those affected, including Caril Ann Fugate herself, paint a picture of a seemingly ordinary boy who turned into a ruthless killer, leaving a trail of blood and destruction in his wake.

The 12th Victim on Factual America

👉 Watch The 12th Victim on Amazon Prime

👉 Buy The 12th Victim as DVD on Amazon

3. The Ripper (2020)

The Ripper is a Netflix documentary that explores the case of the Yorkshire Ripper, a serial killer who terrorized northern England in the late 1970s.

The film takes an in-depth look at the police investigation, the media frenzy surrounding the case, and the impact the killings had on the local community. This documentary also provides insight into the gender and class issues that were prevalent during the time when the Ripper committed his heinous crimes.

The Ripper on IMDb

4. Night Stalker: The Hunt For a Serial Killer (2021)

Night Stalker is a Netflix documentary that tells the story of Richard Ramirez, a serial killer who was active in California during the mid-1980s.

The film takes a deep dive into the killer's psyche, his modus operandi, and the impact his murder spree had on the state. This documentary is also unique in that it features interviews with detectives and survivors, providing an intimate look into the mind of a killer and the investigation that ultimately led to his capture.

Night Stalker: The Hunt For a Serial Killer on IMDb

5. Conversations With A Killer: The Ted Bundy Tapes (2019)

Conversations With A Killer is a Netflix documentary that tells the story of Ted Bundy, one of the most notorious serial killers of all time.

The film is unique in that it includes interviews with Bundy himself, providing insight into his psyche and allowing viewers to see him not just as a monster, but as a person as well. This documentary also provides a lot of detail about Bundy's crimes, his trial, and his eventual execution.

Conversations With A Killer: The Ted Bundy Tapes on IMDb

6. Killers Behind Bars: The Untold Story (2012)

Produced by National Geographic in 2012, this documentary pulls back the curtain on life inside some of the world's most secure facilities, where notorious killers like Robert Pickton, Ted Kaczynski and Richard Ramirez-L.A's notorious Night Stalker- served their life sentences.

It's as close as most of us will ever want to get to seeing the dark underbelly of the criminal justice system.

Killers Behind Bars: The Untold Story on IMDb

7. Conversations With A Killer: The John Wayne Gacy Tapes (2022)

This Netflix documentary series makes use of audio interviews between Ted Bundy's FBI profiler, Robert Ressler, and one of America's most infamous murderers, John Wayne Gacy, aka "The Killer Clown."

While the interviews took place in the 1990s, they have never been heard publicly until now. This documentary explores the mind of one of America's most prolific serial killers and how he kept up a public persona contrasted with his underground activities.

Conversations With A Killer: The Wayne Gacy Tapes on IMDb

8. The Sons Of Sam: A Descent Into Darkness (2021)

This Netflix series is a deep-dive into the case of David Berkowitz, aka The Son of Sam, who terrorized New York City in the '70s with a series of killings.

But rather than being a simple analysis of the case, The Sons of Sam explores the theory that Berkowitz was not working alone and part of a larger conspiracy. This documentary takes a fresh look at a case that left the nation shaken for years.

The Sons Of Sam: A Descent Into Darkness on IMDb

9. Tales Of The Grim Sleeper (2014)

This HBO documentary from 2014 follows the case of Lonnie Franklin Jr., a man who carried out a series of killings in South LA over 25 years.

Interviews with his victims, friends and family offer an insight into the man who was known as "The Grim Sleeper" and the community shocked into fear by his reign of terror.

👉 Watch Tales Of The Grim Sleeper on Amazon Prime

10. John Wayne Gacy: Devil in Disguise (2021)

John Wayne Gacy was a notorious American serial killer who sexually assaulted and murdered at least 33 young men and teenagers.

The documentary "John Wayne Gacy: Devil in Disguise" takes an in-depth look at his life and the crimes he committed. The documentary features interviews with his friends, family, and victims' families, providing an emotional insight into the mind of a killer.

John Wayne Gacy: Devil in Disguise on IMDb

11. The Confession Killer (2019)

The Confession Killer is a Netflix documentary that chronicles the life of Henry Lee Lucas, a man who confessed to killing over 600 people.

He became one of America's most infamous serial killers, but later, it was discovered that almost all of his confessions were lies. The documentary explores how Lucas was able to manipulate the criminal justice system and make false confessions.

The Confession Killer on IMDb

12. The Raincoat Killer: Chasing A Predator In Korea (2021)

The documentary "The Raincoat Killer: Chasing A Predator In Korea" tells the story of a notorious South Korean serial killer, Yoo Young-chul, who was responsible for the murders of at least 21 people.

The documentary highlights the challenges faced by the South Korean police in catching the killer and how they eventually brought him to justice.

The Raincoat Killer: Chasing A Predator In Korea on IMDb

13. The Jinx: The Life and Deaths Of Robert Durst (2015)

This six-part series follows New York real estate heir Robert Durst, who was suspected of three separate murders over the years. The documentary reunites key people involved in each case to give their side of the story, allowing viewers to decide for themselves whether Durst is guilty or not.

It also highlights the legal circus that happens when wealthy suspects have the resources to prolong prosecution. The show is a thought-provoking look into how such criminals often evade justice due to connections, money, and corrupt practices in law enforcement.

👉 Watch The Jinx: The Life and Deaths Of Robert Durst on Amazon Prime

👉 Buy The Jinx: The Life and Deaths Of Robert Durst as DVD on Amazon

14. This Is The Zodiac Speaking (2008)

The Zodiac Killer is one of the most notorious murderers in the United States of America. This In-depth documentary features interviews with victims' family members, reporters, and investigators who delved deep into the case to catch the killer.

The film takes viewers through the investigation, analyzing the letters sent by the killer and scrutinizing any potential evidence that may lead to his identification. The emphasis on the emotional turmoil of those left behind is also noteworthy. The documentary successfully captures the fear and panic that ran in the mind of people, including the victims and their families.

This Is The Zodiac Speaking on IMDb

15. Conversations With A Killer: The Jeffrey Dahmer Tapes (2022)

This two-part Netflix documentary series chronicles the life of the infamous cannibal killer Jeffrey Dahmer, who preyed on young men in Milwaukee in the late 1980s.

The series includes never-before-seen footage of Dahmer's confession tapes and interviews with the people who worked on the case. What sets the documentary apart is that the video footage offers a unique glimpse into Dahmer's life and how he operated. The director's focus on the effects of single parenting and its impact on Dahmer's development is also eye-opening.

Conversations With A Killer: The Jeffrey Dahmer Tapes on IMDb

16. World's Most Evil Killers (2017)

This is a British true-crime series that delves deep into the gruesome world of serial killers. The show covers some of the most well-known and devastating murderers, including John Wayne Gacy, the Green River Killer and The Hillside Strangler.

The documentary uses dramatic recreations of the crimes, interviews with criminal specialists, and countless archived images and footage that gives the viewer a vivid understanding of the mechanics behind the mind of a serial killer.

👉 Watch World's Most Evil Killers on Amazon Prime

Conclusion

In conclusion, these documentaries offer an engrossing look into the minds of some of the most notorious serial killers of our time. They explore the psychology of these killers, the impact their crimes had on society, and the efforts of law enforcement to bring them to justice.

However, they are also cautionary tales that serve as a reminder of the dangers that lurk in the world around us. If you're a true-crime enthusiast or simply someone who wants to learn more about this complex and disturbing subject matter, these documentaries will definitely not disappoint.