Great introduction! Here’s a countdown of films that delve into the morbidly fascinating stories of the world’s most notorious criminals:
### Top 10 Crime Films About Notorious Criminals
**10. "Summer of Sam" (1999)**
- Directed by Spike Lee, this film explores the paranoia and chaos that gripped New York City during the infamous Son of Sam killings in the summer of 1977.
**9. "Monster" (2003)**
- Charlize Theron delivers an Oscar-winning performance as Aileen Wuornos, a serial killer whose tragic life and crimes are depicted in this harrowing film.
**8. "The Iceman" (2012)**
- Based on the life of Richard Kuklinski, a contract killer who led a double life as a devoted family man, this film stars Michael Shannon in a chilling portrayal.
**7. "Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile" (2019)**
- This film offers a unique perspective on the crimes of Ted Bundy, focusing on his relationship with his longtime girlfriend, played by Lily Collins, with Zac Efron as Bundy.
**6. "My Friend Dahmer" (2017)**
- A disturbing look at the early life of Jeffrey Dahmer, one of America's most infamous serial killers, based on the graphic novel by his high school friend.
**5. "The Boston Strangler" (1968)**
- This film recounts the true story of Albert DeSalvo, the man believed to be responsible for the gruesome Boston Strangler murders in the early 1960s.
**4. "Goodfellas" (1990)**
- Martin Scorsese's masterpiece based on the life of mobster Henry Hill and his involvement with the Lucchese crime family, featuring iconic performances by Ray Liotta, Robert De Niro, and Joe Pesci.
**3. "Zodiac" (2007)**
- Directed by David Fincher, this gripping film follows the investigation into the Zodiac Killer, a mysterious figure who terrorized the San Francisco Bay Area in the late 1960s and early 1970s.
**2. "Se7en" (1995)**
- Another David Fincher classic, this film follows detectives played by Brad Pitt and Morgan Freeman as they track down a serial killer who uses the seven deadly sins as his modus operandi.
**1. "The Silence of the Lambs" (1991)**
- This iconic film features Anthony Hopkins as Hannibal Lecter, a brilliant but terrifying cannibalistic serial killer, and Jodie Foster as FBI trainee Clarice Starling, who seeks his help to catch another killer.
### Honorable Mentions
- **"American Psycho" (2000)**
- Christian Bale stars as Patrick Bateman, a wealthy New York City investment banker who leads a double life as a psychopathic killer.
- **"The Snowtown Murders" (2011)**
- This Australian film tells the true story of the Snowtown murders, a series of gruesome killings that took place in the 1990s.
- **"The Texas Chain Saw Massacre" (1974)**
- While a fictional story, this horror classic was inspired by the real-life crimes of Ed Gein, whose gruesome acts influenced many films.
Which of these movies had you sleeping with the lights on? Tell us down in the comments!
