Serial killers are real-life nightmares.

Some of the most fascinating people are the evilest. Serial killers have been a widespread phenomenon and dominating news stories for decades. The intrigue of learning the stories behind these renowned criminals has continuously drawn audiences in. With the popularity of Netflix’s Dahmer and books like Helter Skelter, there’s no question that people are hungry for more—and there’s plenty to choose from. 

There are an array of shows, books, documentaries, and more about serial killers real and fictionalized. Read about Jack the Ripper’s anonymous rampage through London in the 1880s or how they finally discovered the identity of the Zodiac Killer in recent years. If you’re a fan of true crime in any capacity, there’s something out there about serial killers for you.

Here are some chilling places to start: 

Peruse the stories before for even more unsettling facts about serial killer.

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Murder He Wrote: Vlado Taneski May Have Been More Than a Crime Reporter

How did Taneski know so much about the murders in his hometown? Police say it’s because he was the killer.

Gone in the Dark: The 40-Year Hunt for the Golden State Killer

Michelle McNamara’s obsessive search for the man who terrorized California during the 1970s and ‘80s is chronicled in her book, I’ll Be Gone in the Dark

Uncovering the Truth Behind One of the Bayou Strangler’s Victims

Investigative journalist Fred Rosen interviews a woman who was close to one of the Strangler’s earliest victims: Oliver LeBanks. 

Serial Killer Survivors: 5 People Who Lived to Tell Terrifying Tales

Imagine beating the odds after being attacked by one of America's most notorious serial killers. These five victims lived to tell about the tale.

The Smiley Face Killer: If He Exists, He’s One of the World’s Most Prolific Murderers

At least 45 deaths of young men are attributed to the Smiley Face Killer, but most police departments say he doesn’t exist.