Horror films featuring serial killers — where the monster is disturbingly human.
Serial Killer Horror Movies — 68 entries in the movies category, sortable by Title, Year, Director. Every row is ranked by community votes, giving you a crowd-sourced perspective you won't find on Wikipedia or IMDb.
Browse the full list below, cast your own votes, or download the raw data as CSV, JSON, or Excel.
When larcenous real estate clerk Marion Crane goes on the lam with a wad of cash and hopes of starting a new life, she ends up at the notorious Bates Motel, where manager Norman Bates cares for his housebound mother.
I Saw the Devil
2010
Kim Jee-woon
7.8
Thriller, Horror
South Korea
144
Kyung-chul is a dangerous psychopath who kills for pleasure. Soo-hyeon, a top-secret agent, decides to track down the murderer himself. He promises himself that he will do everything in his power to take vengeance against the killer, even if it means that he must become a monster himself.
Halloween
1978
John Carpenter
7.6
Horror, Thriller
United States of America
91
Fifteen years after murdering his sister on Halloween Night 1963, Michael Myers escapes from a mental hospital and returns to the small town of Haddonfield, Illinois to kill again.
The Black Phone
2022
Scott Derrickson
7.5
Horror, Thriller
United States of America
103
Finney Blake, a shy but clever 13-year-old boy, is abducted by a sadistic killer and trapped in a soundproof basement where screaming is of little use. When a disconnected phone on the wall begins to ring, Finney discovers that he can hear the voices of the killer’s previous victims. And they are...
Scream
1996
Wes Craven
7.4
Crime, Horror, Mystery
United States of America
112
A year after the murder of her mother, a teenage girl is terrorized by a masked killer who targets her and her friends by using scary movies as part of a deadly game.
Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me
1992
David Lynch
7.4
Drama, Mystery, Horror
United States of America
135
In the questionable town of Deer Meadow, Washington, FBI Agent Desmond inexplicably disappears while hunting for the man who murdered a teen girl. The killer is never apprehended, and, after experiencing dark visions and supernatural encounters, Agent Dale Cooper chillingly predicts that the culp...
Funny Games
1997
Michael Haneke
7.3
Drama, Horror, Thriller
Austria
109
Two psychotic young men take a mother, father, and son hostage in their vacation cabin and force them to play sadistic "games" with one another for their own amusement.
Pearl
2022
Ti West
7.2
Horror, Thriller
United States of America
102
Trapped on her family’s isolated farm, Pearl must tend to her ailing father under the bitter and overbearing watch of her devout mother. Lusting for a glamorous life like she’s seen in the movies, Pearl’s ambitions, temptations, and repressions collide.
Saw X
2023
Kevin Greutert
7.2
Horror, Mystery
United States of America
118
Between the events of 'Saw' and 'Saw II', a sick and desperate John Kramer travels to Mexico for a risky and experimental medical procedure in hopes of a miracle cure for his cancer, only to discover the entire operation is a scam to defraud the most vulnerable. Armed with a newfound purpose, the...
The House That Jack Built
2018
Lars von Trier
7.1
Drama, Horror, Crime, Thriller
Denmark
152
Failed architect, engineer and vicious murderer Jack narrates the details of some of his most elaborately orchestrated crimes, each of them a towering piece of art that defines his life's work as a serial killer for twelve years.
Red Dragon
2002
Brett Ratner
7
Crime, Thriller, Horror
Germany
124
Former FBI Agent Will Graham, who was once almost killed by the savage Hannibal 'The Cannibal' Lecter, now has no choice but to face him again, as it seems Lecter is the only one who can help Graham track down a new serial killer.
Scream VI
2023
Matt Bettinelli-Olpin
7
Horror, Thriller, Crime
United States of America
123
Following the latest Ghostface killings, the four survivors leave Woodsboro behind and start a fresh chapter.
Trick 'r Treat
2007
Michael Dougherty
7
Horror, Comedy
United States of America
82
Four interwoven stories that occur on Halloween: an everyday high school principal has a secret life as a serial killer; a college virgin might have just met the one guy for her; a group of teenagers pull a mean prank, and a bitter old recluse receives an uninvited guest.
I See You
2019
Adam Randall
7
Horror, Thriller, Mystery
United States of America
98
When a 10-year-old boy goes missing, lead investigator Greg Harper struggles to balance the pressure of the investigation and troubles with his wife, Jackie. Facing a recent affair, great strain is put on the family that slowly gnaws away at Jackie's grip on reality. But after a malicious presenc...
Manhunter
1986
Michael Mann
7
Crime, Horror, Thriller
United States of America
120
FBI Agent Will Graham, who retired after catching Hannibal Lecktor, returns to duty to engage in a risky cat-and-mouse game with Lecktor to capture a new killer.
The Hitcher
1986
Robert Harmon
7
Horror, Action, Thriller
United States of America
98
On a stormy night, young Jim, who transports a luxury car from Chicago to California to deliver it to its owner, feeling tired and sleepy, picks up a mysterious hitchhiker, who has appeared out of nowhere, thinking that a good conversation will help him not to fall asleep. He will have enough tim...
Summer of 84
2018
Yoann-Karl Whissell
6.9
Drama, Horror, Mystery
Canada
106
After suspecting that their police officer neighbor is a serial killer, a group of teenage friends spend their summer spying on him and gathering evidence, but as they get closer to discovering the truth, things get dangerous.
Terrifier 3
2024
Damien Leone
6.8
Horror, Thriller
United States of America
125
Five years after surviving Art the Clown's Halloween massacre, Sienna and Jonathan are still struggling to rebuild their shattered lives. As the holiday season approaches, they try to embrace the Christmas spirit and leave the horrors of the past behind. But just when they think they're safe, Art...
Totally Killer
2023
Nahnatchka Khan
6.8
Horror, Comedy, Science Fiction
United States of America
104
When the infamous "Sweet Sixteen Killer" returns 35 years after his first murder spree to claim another victim, 17-year-old Jamie accidentally travels back in time to 1987, determined to stop the killer before he can start.
Hush
2016
Mike Flanagan
6.7
Horror, Thriller
United States of America
82
A deaf woman is stalked by a psychotic killer in her secluded home.
X
2022
Ti West
6.7
Horror, Thriller
United States of America
106
In 1979, a group of young filmmakers set out to make an adult film in rural Texas, but when their reclusive, elderly hosts catch them in the act, the cast find themselves fighting for their lives.
Scream
2022
Tyler Gillett
6.7
Horror, Mystery
United States of America
114
Twenty-five years after a streak of brutal murders shocked the quiet town of Woodsboro, a new killer has donned the Ghostface mask and begins targeting a group of teenagers to resurrect secrets from the town’s deadly past.
Child's Play
1988
Tom Holland
6.7
Horror
United States of America
87
After being shot in a toy store, a serial killer transfers his soul into a Good Guy doll. A mother then gifts it to her 6-year old son Andy, which unleashes terror upon the city.
The Devil's Rejects
2005
Rob Zombie
6.7
Drama, Horror, Crime
Germany
111
The murderous, backwoods Firefly family take to the road to escape the vengeful Sheriff Wydell, who is not afraid of being as ruthless as his target.
Saw II
2005
Darren Lynn Bousman
6.6
Horror
United States of America
93
The chilling and relentless Jigsaw killer returns to terrorize the city once again. When a gruesome murder victim emerges with unmistakable traces of Jigsaw's sinister methods, Detective Eric Matthews is thrust into a high-stakes investigation. To his surprise, apprehending Jigsaw seems almost to...
Halloween
2018
David Gordon Green
6.6
Horror, Thriller
United States of America
106
Laurie Strode comes to her final confrontation with Michael Myers, the masked figure who has haunted her since she narrowly escaped his killing spree on Halloween night four decades ago.
Funny Games
2008
Michael Haneke
6.6
Thriller, Horror
United States of America
111
When Ann, husband George, and son Georgie arrive at their holiday home they are visited by a pair of polite and seemingly pleasant young men. Armed with deceptively sweet smiles and some golf clubs, they proceed to terrorize and torture the tight-knit clan, giving them until the next day to survive.
Halloween II
1981
Rick Rosenthal
6.6
Horror, Thriller
United States of America
92
After failing to kill stubborn survivor Laurie and taking a bullet or six from former psychiatrist Dr. Sam Loomis, Michael Myers has followed Laurie to the Haddonfield Memorial Hospital, where she's been admitted for Myers' attempt on her life. The institution proves to be particularly suited to ...
Freaky
2020
Christopher Landon
6.6
Horror, Comedy
United States of America
102
A mystical, ancient dagger causes a notorious serial killer to magically switch bodies with a 17-year-old girl.
Scream 2
1997
Wes Craven
6.5
Horror, Mystery
United States of America
120
Two years after the Woodsboro murders, Sidney Prescott acclimates to college life while someone donning the Ghostface costume begins a new string of killings.
Scream 4
2011
Wes Craven
6.5
Horror, Mystery
United States of America
111
Fifteen years after the original Woodsboro murders, Sidney Prescott returns home to promote her new book about surviving trauma, only for a new Ghostface killer to emerge, targeting a new group of teens.
The Hills Have Eyes
2006
Alexandre Aja
6.5
Horror, Thriller
France
107
Based on Wes Craven's 1977 suspenseful cult classic, The Hills Have Eyes is the story of a family road trip that goes terrifyingly awry when the travelers become stranded in a government atomic zone. Miles from nowhere, the Carter family soon realizes the seemingly uninhabited wasteland is actual...
Longlegs
2024
Osgood Perkins
6.5
Crime, Horror, Mystery
Canada
101
FBI Agent Lee Harker is a gifted new recruit assigned to the unsolved case of an elusive serial killer. As the case takes complex turns, unearthing evidence of the occult, Harker discovers a personal connection to the merciless killer and must race against time to stop him before he claims the li...
Thanksgiving
2023
Eli Roth
6.5
Horror, Mystery
United States of America
106
After a Black Friday riot ends in tragedy, a mysterious Thanksgiving-inspired killer terrorizes Plymouth, Massachusetts - the birthplace of the holiday. Picking off residents one by one, what begins as random revenge killings are soon revealed to be part of a larger, sinister holiday plan.
Watcher
2022
Chloe Okuno
6.5
Horror, Mystery, Thriller
United Arab Emirates
96
As a serial killer stalks the city, Julia — a young actress who just moved to town with her husband — notices a mysterious stranger watching her from across the street.
Friday the 13th
1980
Sean S. Cunningham
6.4
Horror
United States of America
95
Camp counselors are stalked and murdered by an unknown assailant while trying to reopen a summer camp that was the site of a child's drowning.
Halloween Kills
2021
David Gordon Green
6.4
Horror, Thriller
United States of America
105
Michael manages to free himself from Laurie Strode's trap to resume his ritual bloodbath. As she fights for her life from injuries from their last encounter, she inspires her daughter Karen, her granddaughter Allyson, and all of Haddonfield to rise up against the unstoppable monster.
Child's Play 2
1990
John Lafia
6.4
Horror, Thriller
United States of America
84
Chucky is reconstructed by a toy factory to dispel the negative publicity surrounding the doll, and tracks young Andy Barclay to a foster home where the chase begins again.
Creep
2014
Patrick Brice
6.4
Horror, Thriller
United States of America
82
Looking for work, Aaron comes across a cryptic online ad: “$1,000 for the day. Filming service. Discretion is appreciated.” Low on cash and full of naiveté, he decides to go for it. He drives to a cabin in a remote mountain town where he meets Josef, his cinematic subject for the day. Josef is si...
The Final Girls
2015
Todd Strauss-Schulson
6.4
Comedy, Horror
United States of America
91
A young woman grieving the loss of her mother, a famous scream queen from the 1980s, finds herself pulled into the world of her mom's most famous movie. Reunited, the women must fight off the film's maniacal killer.
Free to explore · No signup needed
Loading community rankings...
Frequently asked questions
How is the Serial Killer Horror Movies list ranked?
The Serial Killer Horror Movies list is ranked by community votes. Every visitor can pick one option over another in head-to-head matchups, and the running totals determine the order you see. No editors or algorithms — just real people voting.
How many entries are in this Serial Killer Horror Movies dataset?
This dataset contains 68 entries, each with multiple sortable, filterable columns. The full table is visible on this page and can be downloaded as a CSV, JSON, or Excel file.
Can I download the Serial Killer Horror Movies data?
Yes. The download buttons at the top of the page give you the full 68-row dataset as CSV, JSON, or Excel. Use of the data is permitted under a Creative Commons Attribution license — credit dtbse.com when you republish.
