16 of the Best True Crime Movies That Will Have You on the Edge of Your Seat
Because there's always more true crime content to dive into.
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Whether it's in the form of a podcast, documentary, or suspenseful thriller, there's no denying that true crime stories are equal parts terrifying and entertaining. Some people say that the way your heart drops when you finally crack the "who dunnit" of each true crime case is similar to the adrenaline rush you'd get while riding a roller coaster.
When it comes to true crime, you may think of infamous high-profile serial killers like Ted Bundy and Jeffrey Dahmer, but murder cases only scratch the surface of what's out there. So many other lesser-known crimes have made their way to movie theaters. True stories like the Bling Ring's slew of celebrity robberies in 2009 have transformed into exaggerated silver screen hits over the years, and real cases have also inspired fictional flicks like Room and The Lovely Bones.
If you're crime-obsessed like the Only Murders in the Building trio, then you're probably searching for the next case that'll send chills down your spine. From documentaries to blockbuster reenactments of the wildest cases out there, we've got you covered with a variety (and streaming links!) so you don't miss a beat. Here are 16 of the best true crime movies that'll have you on the edge of your seat.
Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile
In this biographical crime drama, Zac Efron tackles the role of Ted Bundy, one of the most notorious serial killers of all time. Lily Collins also stars as Ted's former girlfriend, Elizabeth Kendall.
The Bling Ring
This Sofia Coppola-directed flick is based on the true story of fame-obsessed teenagers who tracked celebrities' whereabouts in order to rob their Hollywood homes. The real-life Bling Ring — Alexis Neiers, Rachel Lee, Nick Prugo, Courtney Ames, and Diana Tamayo — stole nearly $3 million in cash and belongings from celebs like Lindsay Lohan, Paris Hilton, and Audrina Patridge in 2008 and 2009.
Mommy Dead and Dearest
If you've watched the scripted series The Act on Hulu, then you may already be familiar with the true story of Gypsy Rose Blanchard and the rocky relationship she had with her mom. Gypsy's mom had Munchausen by proxy, a mental illness that caused her to make up fake symptoms so it appeared like Gypsy was sick. This doc goes into detail about their relationship and what led to the murder of Gypsy's mom.
Scream
Believe it or not, the iconic Scream franchise is actually inspired by a slew of real-life killings that took place in Gainesville, Florida in 1990. If you want to have a movie marathon, there are five (!) other movies in the Scream franchise, and the most recent stars teen queen Jenna Ortega.
Dark Crimes
Jim Carrey swaps comedy for true crime in this drama based on The New Yorker article "True Crime: A Postmodern Murder Mystery," which was written about fiction writer-turned-murderer Krystian Bala in 2008.
The Lovely Bones
While the after-life portion of The Lovely Bones isn't real, Susie Salmon's case is based on true events that happened to a young girl who was kidnapped in Norristown, Pennsylvania in the 1970s.
House of Gucci
Lady Gaga went full-on method actor when it came to playing former socialite and convicted criminal Patrizia Reggiani in Ridley Scott's House of Gucci. The movie is inspired by real events that happened in 1995, when Patrizia hired a hitman to kill her ex-husband, Maurizio Gucci, in hopes of taking over his fashion empire.
My Friend Dahmer
My Friend Dahmer is a biographical psychological drama that follows the life of serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer, who is played by Chilling Adventures of Sabrina star Ross Lynch.
I, Tonya
Margot Robbie plays olympian Tonya Harding in this sports mockumentary black comedy. The movie follows figure skater Tonya Harding and how she was potentially connected to the 1994 attack on her biggest rival, Nancy Kerrigan.
Room
Brie Larson plays a young girl who is sexually assaulted and held captive in a 1-room shed, where she raises her son. Room is based on the novel of the same name by Emma Donoghue, who told The Guardian that she was inspired by the true story of Elisabeth Fritzl, a woman who was held captive by her own father for 24 years.
Perfect Sisters
Perfect Sisters is based on the novel The Class Project: How to Kill a Mother, which follows two sisters as they plot to murder their own mom as her alcoholism and string of abusive boyfriends affects their lives. The novel was also based on the real-life murder of Linda Andersen.
Lost Girls
Based on the book Lost Girls: An Unsolved American Mystery by Robert Kolker, this movie tells the story of a mom who will stop at nothing to find her missing daughter. In turn, her personal investigation leads the police to unsolved cases of murdered sex workers.
I Love You, Now Die: The Commonwealth v. Michelle Carter
This two-part documentary film dives deep into the death of Conrad Roy, a teenager who was pressured to kill himself by his own girlfriend, Michelle Carter. This real-life case also inspired a mini-series starring Elle Fanning, The Girl from Plainville.
A Model Daughter: The Killing of Caroline Byrne
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This movie is based on the alleged murder of model Caroline Byrne when she was found at the base of a cliff at The Gap, a notorious suicide spot in Sydney, Australia, on June 8, 1995.
Amanda Knox
This documentary follows an American exchange student who was convicted and eventually acquitted for the 2007 murder of another student, Meredith Kercher.
Abducted in Plain Sight
When you think this documentary can't get any crazier, it does. Based on true events that occurred in the '70s, this doc tells the story of an Idaho teen named Jan Broberg Felt who was abducted by her family friend and neighbor Robert Berchtold two separate times.
Sam is an assistant news editor at Cosmo, covering all things pop culture, entertainment, and celebrity news. She previously covered those same topics along with health, lifestyle, and beauty at Seventeen. When she isn't draping her cheeks in blush, you can probably find her live-tweeting awards shows or making SwiftToks.
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