The 100+ Best TV Series About Murders, Ranked

Some people unwind with baking shows. Others relax by watching yet another fictional homicide on a rainy Tuesday night.
If you’re in the second group, welcome you’re among friends. Murder-focused TV series have exploded in popularity over
the last two decades, from stylish serial-killer dramas to cozy whodunits and prestige true-crime miniseries.

This guide pulls together rankings and recommendations from major U.S. outlets and fan-voted lists to build a
“100+ best TV series about murders” mega-watchlist. We’ll highlight key standouts, explain why they work so well,
and help you decide what kind of murder show you’re actually in the mood for tonight.

Why We Can’t Stop Watching Murder Shows

Murder TV series tap into that same curiosity that makes us read mysteries, play detective games, and obsess over plot twists.
Critics and psychologists point out that they offer a “safe” space to explore fear, morality, and justice while still
sitting safely on your couch with snacks. Murder mysteries also give us puzzles to solve, which releases a satisfying dopamine
hit when we finally piece everything together.

Modern lists of the best murder shows are dominated by three big flavors:

• Serial-killer and psychological thrillers like Dexter, Mindhunter, and Hannibal that dive into the minds of killers and investigators.
• Detective and murder-mystery dramas such as True Detective, Broadchurch, and The Night Of, where one major case powers the entire season.
• Cozy and character-driven whodunits, including Only Murders in the Building, Murder, She Wrote, Monk, and newer hits like Poker Face.

Add in the rising wave of true-crime shows and docudramas, and it’s easy to build a personal list that goes well beyond 100 titles.

How This Murder TV Series Ranking Works

Instead of inventing a purely personal list, this ranking draws on:

• Large fan-voted lists of serial-killer and murder shows (for example, Ranker’s serial-killer TV rankings).
• Critical roundups of the best murder mysteries and crime dramas from U.S. outlets like Elle, Marie Claire, IndieWire, and others.
• Curated streaming guides from platforms and entertainment sites that highlight top-rated crime and murder series currently available to watch.

We’ve synthesized those sources, then added our own seasoning: how well the show holds up, character depth, rewatch value,
and whether it still sparks conversation years later. Below, you’ll find a “top tier” of 25 essential picks, followed by
categories that easily fill out a watchlist of 100+ murder-themed series.

Top 25 Murder TV Series You Shouldn’t Skip

Here’s a ranked selection of standout shows about murders not every great series ever made, but a strong core to anchor
your bigger 100+ watchlist.

1. Dexter

Dexter flipped the script by making its killer the protagonist a forensic blood-spatter analyst who moonlights
as a vigilante serial killer. Critic and fan lists consistently put it near the top of “best serial killer TV” rankings
thanks to its dark humor, Miami neon vibe, and morally complicated storytelling.

2. Mindhunter

Produced by David Fincher, Mindhunter dramatizes the early days of the FBI’s Behavioral Science Unit.
It’s less about jump scares and more about interviews, psychology, and pattern recognition. Many critics consider this
one of the most sophisticated serial-killer shows ever made, even across just two seasons.

3. True Detective (Season 1)

While later seasons vary, the first season of True Detective is almost always ranked among the best murder TV
seasons of all time. The show blends Southern Gothic atmosphere, philosophical monologues, and an unsettling ritualistic
murder case that spans decades.

4. Broadchurch

This UK import (beloved by U.S. critics and audiences) starts with the death of a boy in a seaside town and spirals into
a community-wide reckoning. It’s frequently cited in “best murder mystery TV” lists for its emotional depth, slow-burn
pacing, and standout performances from David Tennant and Olivia Colman.

5. The Night Of

The Night Of is an intense, limited series that follows one murder case from the night of the crime through
arrest, trial, and aftermath. It’s not just “whodunit” but “what does this do” to everyone involved the accused, the
legal system, and the victim’s family. It’s a regular fixture in crime TV and murder-show recommendations.

6. Hannibal

Visually gorgeous and psychologically rich, Hannibal reimagines the relationship between profiler Will Graham
and Dr. Hannibal Lecter. It’s surreal, operatic, and far more art-house than you’d expect from a network series.
Whenever outlets round up the best psychological thrillers, Hannibal regularly makes the cut.

7. Mare of Easttown

Starring Kate Winslet, this small-town murder mystery balances a deeply human portrait of grief, addiction, and family
with a satisfyingly twisty investigation. Lifestyle and entertainment outlets consistently highlight it as a modern
benchmark for murder-focused limited series.

8. Only Murders in the Building

If you like your murders cozy and podcast-obsessed, this Hulu comedy-drama is for you.
Steve Martin, Martin Short, and Selena Gomez play neighbors who launch a true-crime podcast when a death occurs in their
building. It pops up constantly in “best murder mystery shows” lists for successfully mixing humor, heart, and genuinely
clever plotting.

9. Criminal Minds

Spanning hundreds of episodes, Criminal Minds follows the FBI’s Behavioral Analysis Unit as they profile serial offenders.
Fan rankings of serial-killer shows almost always place it near the top, thanks to its high body count, creepy cases, and
endlessly rotating villains-of-the-week.

10. Fargo

Each season of Fargo tells a different, darkly comic crime saga involving murder, questionable decisions, and
the chaos that follows. Inspired by the Coen brothers’ film, it’s become a critical darling, often recommended as one of
the best crime and murder anthologies on TV.

11. The Fall

Gillian Anderson and Jamie Dornan face off in this tense cat-and-mouse thriller about a Belfast serial killer and the
detective pursuing him. It’s a regular entry in best psychological thriller and serial-killer TV roundups because it
spends as much time on the predator’s double life as on the investigation.

12. Sherlock

The modernized adaptation of Sherlock Holmes blends clever mysteries, murders, and kinetic cinematography.
While not every episode involves a homicide, many of its best-known adventures from “A Study in Pink” to “The Reichenbach Fall”
are essentially high-stakes murder puzzles, making it a staple on detective and mystery lists.

13. Luther

Idris Elba’s John Luther is a brilliant but haunted London detective who attracts some of the most disturbing criminals
imaginable. Its rough edges and intense murder cases keep it in heavy rotation on “best serial killer” and “best detective”
show lists alike.

14. Poker Face

Created by Rian Johnson, Poker Face is a modern “howcatchem” mystery in the spirit of Columbo.
Each episode features a murder we see upfront, then watches Natasha Lyonne’s human-lie-detector character unravel
what really happened. Critics highlight it as a standout new twist on classic murder-of-the-week TV.

15. Murder, She Wrote

Before your favorite podcast hosts were solving fictional crimes, Jessica Fletcher was doing it in Cabot Cove.
Murder, She Wrote remains a cozy-classic staple on murder-mystery lists, proving that sometimes the deadliest
thing on TV is a kindly novelist with an intuitive sense of plot holes.

16. Monk

Monk mixes murder, mystery, and mental health challenges as it follows an obsessive-compulsive detective solving
intricate cases. It appears frequently in “best detective shows” rankings and doubles as a comforting watch even when
the subject matter is dark.

17. Top of the Lake

This haunting miniseries centers on the disappearance of a pregnant 12-year-old girl and the detective determined to
uncover the truth. Praised in murder-mystery surveys for its atmosphere and themes, it’s less about shock value and
more about power, trauma, and secrets in isolated communities.

18. The Breakthrough

One of the most acclaimed recent additions to the true-crime genre, The Breakthrough dramatizes a real Swedish
double murder and the 16-year investigation that followed. U.S. coverage has praised it as a standout example of
“Scandi noir” that focuses on victims, investigators, and forensic innovation rather than glorifying the killer.

19. American Crime Story (Assassination of Gianni Versace)

This season of American Crime Story uses the murder of designer Gianni Versace to explore identity, celebrity,
and the unsettling path of his killer. It’s widely mentioned in best true-crime and murder-drama lists for its bold
narrative structure and performances.

20. Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story

This controversial dramatization of Jeffrey Dahmer’s crimes sparked significant conversation about ethics in true-crime
storytelling. Love it or hate it, it’s undeniably influential in how current TV portrays real-world serial murder and
is often referenced in modern roundups of serial-killer series.

21. You

You turns the “nice guy” trope inside out by making its charming narrator a stalker and killer who frames his
actions as romantic gestures. Pop-culture sites and rankings frequently highlight it as one of the most bingeable modern
murder thrillers.

22. CSI: Crime Scene Investigation

The original CSI franchise pioneered the glitzy, forensic-heavy approach to solving homicides on TV.
Its early seasons helped spark the real-life “CSI effect” jurors expecting elaborate forensic displays in trials and
it remains a foundational murder-procedural on many lists.

23. NCIS

While it’s officially a naval-investigation series, NCIS spends much of its time untangling murders within
military and federal settings. Its massive episode count and enduring popularity keep it high in crime and murder-show
rankings, especially on streaming platforms.

24. The Killing

Based on a Danish original, The Killing takes a single murder case and stretches it across entire seasons,
digging deeply into family, politics, and the emotional cost of violent crime. Critics still cite it as a turning point
for slow-burn murder dramas.

25. Bates Motel

A contemporary prequel to Psycho, Bates Motel explores how Norman Bates became, well, Norman Bates.
U.S. rankings of psychological thriller shows routinely praise its performances and its chilling blend of family drama
and creeping violence.

Beyond the Top 25: Filling Out Your 100+ Murder TV Watchlist

Once you’ve worked through the heavy-hitters, it’s surprisingly easy to build your way up to 100+ murder-centric series.
Use these categories as a roadmap:

Cozy & Classic Whodunits

Shows like Columbo, Agatha Christie’s Poirot, Vera, and Grantchester give you the
satisfaction of solving murders without relentless grimness. Many critics highlight these as “comfort mysteries” yes,
there’s a death, but there are also tea, tweed coats, and a detective who always figures it out.

Modern Murder Mysteries & Limited Series

Recent lists showcase shows like The Residence, The Afterparty, and other ensemble mysteries, alongside
limited series such as Mare of Easttown and The Night Of. These are perfect when you want a fully
contained murder story with a clear beginning, middle, and end.

True Crime & Docudramas

If you prefer your murder stories ripped from headlines, you can add dozens more titles: The Vow,
Unbelievable, The Dropout, The Watcher, A Friend of the Family, and more.
Recent guides highlight these as some of the most compelling true-crime shows to binge right now.

International Noir

To push your watchlist past 100, branch out into international crime dramas. Scandinavian noir like The Bridge (Bron/Broen),
British hits like Broadchurch and Happy Valley, and European series such as The Breakthrough
add cultural depth and new storytelling rhythms to your murder lineup.

How to Pick the Right Murder Show for Your Mood

With over 100 options, “What should I watch?” can become a bigger mystery than the murder itself. A few quick filters help:

• Need something light? Choose Only Murders in the Building, Monk, or older classics with gentle tone.
• Want deep psychological tension? Go for Mindhunter, The Fall, True Detective (Season 1), or Hannibal.
• Craving a single big mystery? Pick limited series like Mare of Easttown, The Night Of, Top of the Lake, or The Breakthrough.
• In the mood to binge for weeks? Long-runners like Criminal Minds, CSI, and NCIS will keep the murders (fictional ones!) coming.
• Prefer real stories? Explore docudrama seasons of American Crime Story or acclaimed miniseries based on real cases.

What It’s Really Like to Binge 100+ Murder TV Series

Let’s be honest: once you fall down the murder-TV rabbit hole, it can become a whole lifestyle. Finishing yet another
“one more episode” at 2 a.m. while mumbling, “I can definitely solve this before the detective does,” is practically
a personality type.

The first thing you notice when you watch a lot of murder shows is how quickly you become an armchair investigator.
After a few seasons of Broadchurch, True Detective, or The Night Of, you start spotting
red herrings and motive patterns like a pro. Someone hesitates for half a second when asked about their alibi?
Suspicious. A minor character gets one oddly specific line about the victim? Extremely suspicious. That random neighbor
walking a dog in episode one? Definitely coming back in the finale.

Another side effect is that you begin to appreciate how different tones can completely change the murder-story experience.
Binge something heavy and atmospheric like Mindhunter or The Fall for too long and you may start
craving the relief of something lighter like Only Murders in the Building or Monk. That contrast keeps
your watchlist feeling fresh instead of just grim. Many veteran viewers deliberately alternate: one dark show, one cozy
whodunit, maybe a true-crime docuseries as a palate cleanser.

The more you watch, the more you also notice recurring themes. Murder TV often doubles as social commentary
tackling small-town politics, systemic injustice, class divides, or failures of institutions. Shows like
Mare of Easttown and The Breakthrough aren’t just about catching a killer; they’re about grief, community,
and the long shadow a violent crime casts over everyone involved. Paying attention to those layers makes the genre feel
richer than “who stabbed whom” and turns the viewing experience into something more thoughtful and emotionally engaging.

There’s also the communal fun. Murder shows are perfect for group watching because they invite theories. One person
always latches onto the wrong suspect with unshakable confidence, while another quietly notices tiny details and then
smugly announces, “I knew it,” at the reveal. Whether you’re texting friends during Only Murders in the Building
or having weekly watch nights for a limited series, half the joy comes from arguing over clues and endings.

That said, binging too many murder stories back-to-back can be emotionally heavy. Season-long arcs about loss, trauma,
and injustice can stick with you after the credits roll. Experienced fans usually know when to step back, toss on a
sitcom, and remind themselves not every creak in the house is ominous foreshadowing. Building in breaks or switching
to lighter mystery shows helps keep the genre enjoyable instead of draining.

If you’re just starting your journey into these 100+ murder series, think of it less like a race and more like a long,
twisty road trip. Some nights you’ll want the scenic, atmospheric route of a slow-burn mystery; other nights you’ll want
the fast lane of a procedural that wraps everything up in 42 minutes. Either way, with this many great shows out there,
you’ll never be short on cleverly written crimes to solve from the comfort of your couch.

Conclusion: Build Your Own Killer Ranking

The “best” murder TV series list will always be a little personal. Maybe you’re drawn to forensic details, maybe you love
puzzle-box narratives, or maybe you just enjoy watching a smart detective calmly destroy a smug suspect’s alibi.
By starting with the top-tier shows above, then branching into cozy classics, international noir, and true-crime dramas,
you can easily build a curated list of 100+ murder-focused series that fits your tastes and your tolerance for darkness.

And remember: the ultimate ranking is yours. The fun part is arguing about it, revising it, and discovering a new
under-the-radar murder series that immediately earns a place in your personal top ten.

meta_title: The 100+ Best TV Series About Murders, Ranked

meta_description: Explore 100+ of the best TV series about murders, from iconic thrillers to cozy whodunits, plus tips for building your ultimate watchlist.

sapo: Looking for your next addictive murder show? This in-depth guide ranks the best TV series about murders, from iconic serial-killer thrillers like Dexter and Mindhunter to cozy whodunits such as Only Murders in the Building and classic favorites like Murder, She Wrote. Drawing on major critic roundups, fan-voted lists, and streaming guides, we highlight essential titles, suggest how to build a 100+ show watchlist, and share what it’s really like to binge this darkly fascinating genre without spoiling a single twist.

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