Unspeakable Times

Lists of the best shows & movies about illicit transgressions and those who can't be constrained by the confines of the law, from pencil-pushing embezzlers to crooks on the lam.

Breakin' the Law

Entertainment

If you&#39;ve ever watched a movie or television show about con artists, odds are you thought to yourself that you could have seen the con coming. That&#39;s what&#39;s fun about TV shows about con artists: throwing ourselves into the situation and considering how we would handle things. Would we be fooled by such an obvious trick or could we pull off the con ourselves? These questions are the reason TV shows about con artists and similar <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/crime-shows-and-movies/ranker-entertainment" target="_blank">crime dramas</a>&nbsp;are so much fun to watch and also why there are so many to choose from.

A television show that&nbsp;features a con artist as the main character offers a significant challenge for the writers and, when they pull it off, it&#39;s almost a con itself. Series like&nbsp;White Collar&nbsp;create a dynamic relationship between the <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/greatest-con-artist-characters-in-film/ranker-characters" target="_blank">con artist character</a> and the FBI agent who brought him to justice only to find themselves working together once a certain expertise is needed. Other series like&nbsp;American Gods&nbsp;hide the con behind characters like Wednesday whose entire purpose seems to be to con the main character,&nbsp;Shadow, into doing something he wouldn&#39;t normally do. In short, there&#39;s a long list of good shows about con artists, but which is the best? Cast your votes below.&nbsp;

What are television&#39;s best scammer shows? If you&#39;re simply seeking recommendations for some con artists TV shows, browse this list for some great ideas. Vote up the shows about con artists you think are the best and see where your favorite shows rank.

The Greatest TV Shows About Con Artists

TV Program

The 20+ Best TV Shows About Con Artists, Ranked by Votes

Ranker TV

Pics of people who got caught and were asked to mug for the camera.

Say Cheese

More celebrities have been arrested than you'd imagine – just look at this list of celeb mug shot photos as proof. What celebrities have mug shots? The singers, athletes, actors, and famous politicians on this celebrity mug shot list prove that fame can't prevent running afoul of the law.This is a complete list of the most popular celebrities who have been arrested and have celebrity mugshots somewhere on the internet. Details of the charges are included beneath each of these famous mugshots.

Notable Celebrity Mug Shots

Person

Celebrity Mug Shots | List of Celebrities Who Have Been Arrested

Celebrity Insider

Amateur sleuths and Internet detectives: Now's your chance to prove your skills. Solve these real unsolved cases, then alert the police so they can put these babies to bed.

Can You Solve These Mysteries?

In the summer of 1974, the vibrant Cape Cod community of Provincetown, MA, was shocked by the discovery of a woman's body near one of its&nbsp;famous beaches. Her remains went undiscovered for over&nbsp;a week before she was found, and the culprit purposefully obscured her identity, meaning police were unable to determine who she was or what happened to her. She was nicknamed "The Lady of the Dunes," and her case has haunted&nbsp;law enforcement, locals, and observers ever since.For nearly half a century, none of the myriad theories attempting to explain the woman's identity - some people believed she was the target of a notorious serial killer, and others think she was an extra in&nbsp;Jaws&nbsp;- offered any definitive proof for their claims. Then, in October 2022, the FBI announced they had at last identified the mystery woman: Her name was Ruth Marie Terry. In August 2023, authorities identified her killer.Here is the baffling&nbsp;story of the Lady of the Dunes, one of the most notorious formerly cold cases in recent memory.

The 'Lady Of The Dunes' Was Unidentified For Nearly 50 Years, But That Changed In 2022

General

Who Was The Lady Of The Dunes?

Jim Rowley

In the entertainment industry, shows and movies about cops and lawyers are considered especially great. These are their stories.

Book 'Em, Danno

In a golden age of&nbsp;TV options, shows about murders and murder investigations spread all over the networks and streaming services. And why wouldn&#39;t they? For decades, television audiences have been fascinated by&nbsp;the criminal mind, especially where murder is concerned. If we&#39;re all very lucky, we won&#39;t ever have to deal with these situations in real life, which may be why we are so drawn to them on television. Considering this, what do you think are the best TV shows about murders?

In terms of murder TV shows, there&#39;s quite the variety to choose from. Shows like&nbsp;Dexter&nbsp;deal with murder from the perspective of the person committing the crimes. The titular antihero is fascinating and we can&#39;t help but root for him even though he&#39;s committing atrocious acts. Other series like&nbsp;Law &amp; Order&nbsp;cover murders from the point-of-view of law enforcement and create believable scenarios the audience has found fascinating for years. Then you have docu-series like Making a Murderer, which explores the true story of a potentially-wrongfully-convicted killer&mdash;complete with in-depth interviews and more insight that&#39;s since come to light. Whether it&#39;s <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/true-crime-tv-shows-and-series/reference" target="_blank">true crime shows</a> you&#39;re after or something along the lines of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/best-current-crime-drama-tv-shows/ranker-tv" target="_blank">top crime dramas</a>, there&#39;s a long list of shows about murders you&#39;re sure to enjoy.&nbsp;

What are television&#39;s best shows about murder? Vote up the murder and murder investigation shows you think are the best and see where the murder shows you love to watch rank.

The Greatest TV Shows About Murders

The Best TV Shows About Murders, Ranked by Fans

“Murderers are not monsters, they are men. And that's the most frightening thing about them.” - Alice Sebold

Killer Entertainment

There&#39;s something about a serial killer that deeply fascinates and terrorizes all of us... except maybe serial killers. Watching a truly deranged person commit acts that would otherwise be unthinkable is just one of those things people want to see, and Hollywood has answered the call in both film and television.&nbsp;On the small screen, TV <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/unknown-serial-killer-documentaries/megan-summers" target="_blank">shows about serial killers</a> have found a way to depict these monsters as either demons who must be stopped or even as anti-heroes the viewer can&#39;t help but cheer on in their endeavors - or become <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/hot-fictional-villains/mick-jacobs" target="_blank">fascinated by</a>, like with Joe Goldberg in You. Whatever your preference in watching serial killers, there are plenty of amazing series to watch on television.

Shows like Showtime&#39;s&nbsp;Dexter&nbsp;offered a deep and personal look into the mind of the titular character. Dexter was presented as an anti-hero who hunted down others like him while shows like&nbsp;The Following&nbsp;feature a look into both the minds of the killer(s) and the people hunting them down. The list goes on from here, featuring some great and thrilling series&mdash;and that&#39;s excluding the bounty of <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/best-serial-killer-movies/all-genre-movies-lists" target="_blank">serial killer movies</a> out there.

For more recommendations, browse this list and vote up the shows about serial killers you think are the best and see where your favorite serial killer shows rank.

The Greatest TV Shows About Serial Killers

The 30+ Best TV Shows About Serial Killers, Ranked by Votes

Lists about real people who were held against their will, the monsters who tormented them, and the grisly details of what went on during those dark times.

Human Captives

It&#39;s every parent&#39;s greatest fear and every adult&#39;s biggest nightmare: kidnapping. TV shows about kidnapping&nbsp;tear at our hearts and make us want to see what happens next. Will the kidnapped ever get free and will their captors get what&#39;s coming to them? Whether or not a kidnapping is central to the plot of a TV series or it becomes a major issue within a season, TV shows about kidnapping make for some compelling television. While some of the best shows about kidnapping&nbsp;are typically <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/best-current-crime-drama-tv-shows/ranker-tv" target="_blank">popular crime dramas</a>, abduction shows span other genres.

Of the many shows about kidnapping, most of the truly harrowing ones are about adult kidnappings instead of kids. Shows like NBC&#39;s Kidnapped tracks a new kidnapping each season with the people behind law enforcement working tirelessly to solve the crime. Then you have <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/best-current-crime-shows/ranker-tv" target="_blank">top crime shows</a> like&nbsp;Sherlock&nbsp;that aren&#39;t always about kidnapping, but&nbsp;do often center them&nbsp;heavily in the plot. Whatever your interest in the genre, there&#39;s definitely a recommendation or two on this list you will enjoy watching.&nbsp;

For more recommendations on good kidnapping&nbsp;TV shows, browse this list - then vote up the kidnapping shows you think are the best of the decade and see where your favorite shows about abduction rank.

The Greatest TV Series About Abduction & Kidnapping

The Best Kidnapping TV Series, Ranked by Votes

Lists for fans who can't get enough of that sweet, sweet T.C.

True Crime on Screen

Underrated

The following underrated true crime movies are guaranteed to keep you hooked. Actual crimes have influenced movies for decades. They're tricky to pull off, because if done without sensitivity, they can be exploitative or sensationalistic. That, in turn, proves disrespectful to the victims. Doing it right, on the other hand, sheds important light onto the mindset of criminals and the devastating impact of the crimes.&nbsp;Each of the following films handles its true story properly. They have strong performances, deft direction, and, perhaps most importantly, carefully crafted screenplays that try to provide illumination. Many of them are directly based on real events, whereas a couple were merely inspired by something that actually occurred. No matter which approach is taken, these compelling movies are perfect the next time you want to delve into a true crime story.&nbsp;

Underrated Movies Based On Real-Life Crimes

Film

The Most Underrated True Crime Movies

Mike McGranaghan

There are killers, and then there are those who cross all lines of human decency by consuming the flesh of their victims. Here are the grisly details.

People Who Eat People

Drawing attention to the most overlooked, underloved spooky & scary movies that deserve more attention.

Horrifically Underrated Horror

Cannibalism is one of the oldest and strongest cultural taboos we possess - and as such, it has been a ripe subject for storytelling and filmmaking for as long as stories have been told and films have been made. The cannibalism subgenre has given rise to plenty of classic films and long-running franchises, from The Texas Chain Saw Massacre to the debonair cannibal antagonist of The Silence of the Lambs, Dr. Hannibal Lecter, and everything in between. The cannibal clan of The Hills Have Eyes, possibly inspired by the real-life stories of Sawney Bean, have been the basis of two separate franchises, while the hillbilly cannibals of Wrong Turn have kept their franchise going strong for a half-dozen films or more. Italian filmmakers have turned this particular subgenre into a cottage industry, with flicks like Cannibal Holocaust so notorious that they need no introduction.Alongside these well-known classics, however, there are plenty of other movies about cannibalism that are less famous but no less deserving of attention. Vote up the human-eating films that you think are worthy of a second course.

18 Underrated Movies About Cannibalism

Underrated Movies About Cannibalism

Orrin Grey

Lists that rank the most fascinating, most trusted documentaries on every subject, from poverty and addiction to Wall Street and the oil industry.

Documentaries You Need to See

There are a number of documentaries out there that detail the different aspects and <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/behind-the-scenes-of-movie-fantasy-creatures/thomas-west?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">behind the scenes</a> crime footage about psychopaths, including criminal profiling of serial killers like Jeffrey Dahmer, taking an in-depth look at the psychology of a psychopath and looking at historical aspects of what turns a person into a criminal in the first place. What are the best documentaries about psychopaths?&nbsp;Without having information, it&rsquo;s hard to understand what can turn an ordinary person into a criminal mastermind, and how a person can feel no remorse for killing multiple people afterwards. These films take a closer look at these issues, as well as additional aspects of a psychopath. 
&nbsp; 
This list discusses the best documentary films discussing psychopaths, including: Most Evil: Up Close, America&rsquo;s <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/remorseless-killers/harrison-tenpas?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">Most Brutal Serial Killers</a>, and Making a Killing.&nbsp;Vote up those you recommend, and please add any that we missed.

Aileen: Life and Death of a Serial Killer

The Best Documentaries About Psychopaths

The Best Psychopath Documentaries, Ranked By Fans

Ranker Film

Strange True Stories

An infamous photograph from 1970 shows Keith Sapsford falling from a departing plane. On February 22 of that year, 14-year-old Keith Sapsford, a resident of Sydney, Australia's Randwick suburb, climbed into the wheel well of a Tokyo-bound Douglas DC-8. This was the last decision he ever made.As the plane lifted off, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.historydefined.net/keith-sapsford-the-14-year-old-stowaway/">Keith Sapsford</a> fell from the wheel well and plunged some 200 feet onto the tarmac below. He didn't survive. An amateur photographer who happened to be taking photos at the airport that day captured the dramatic image of Keith Sapsford falling from the plane, immortalizing a tragedy that many still remember today.Though the photo doesn't show Keith Sapsford's face, it nonetheless captures his last moments with chilling clarity. But what was his story, and how did he come to meet such an untimely end?

The Scary Story Of Keith Sapsford: The Falling Stowaway

Suits

While most long-running TV shows are known for their memorable characters, fewer stand out for having a truly dynamic duo. On Suits, Mike and Harvey are one such pairing. <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/moments-from-suits/tpetersccc">Over nine seasons</a>, the big-time “closer” attorney and his brilliant protégé develop chemistry that's unique, endearing, and (for superfans of the show) enduring, as well.As you scroll ahead, make sure to vote up the Mike and Harvey moments that make them one of the best TV duos of all time.

18 Moments From 'Suits' When Mike And Harvey Were Our Favorite TV Duo

T.J. Peters

Lists about infamous repeat murderers to chill your blood and remind you to lock your doors and windows and maybe keep a knife under your pillow.

Real Serial Killers

Historical Entertainment

On this list of the best serial killer biopics, you’ll find chilling films detailing gruesome murders and desperate manhunts. Many of the most famous serial killers of all time have had their stories told on the silver screen: Jeffrey Dahmer, Ted Bundy, John Wayne Gacy, and more. One of the greatest serial killer biopics is Zodiac, starring Jake Gyllenhaal as the San Francisco cartoonist involved in the manhunt for the infamous Zodiac killer. Directed by David Fincher, the film garnered positive reviews and kept audiences on the edge of their seats. The actual case of the Zodiac killer remains one of the most notorious unsolved cases in America. For those that think serial killing is a man’s game, Charlize Theron is here to prove you wrong. In the 2003 blockbuster Monster, Theron portrays real-life serial killer Aileen Wuornos, tried and convicted for the murders of six men. For her performance, Theron won both the Academy Award and the Golden Globe for Best Actress. Vote up the best serial killer biopics below, and be sure to let us know what you think in the comment section.&nbsp;

Nightstalker

The Best Serial Killer Biopics

Serial Killer Biopics | List of Biographical Films About Murderers

For some reason, people have always been fascinated with serial killers. Ask anyone to name their &quot;favorite&quot; serial killer and they will likely drop named like Ted Bundy and Aileen&nbsp;Wuornos. Granted, that&#39;s real life and you may be hard pressed to find&nbsp;many people with more than a passing knowledge on the subject, but ask them about their <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/best-fictional-serial-killers/mark" target="_blank">favorite serial killers from movies and television</a> and you will likely hear names like Dexter Morgan and Hannibal Lecter&nbsp;right away. In short, there&#39;s a load of <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/best-tv-shows-about-serial-killers/ranker-tv?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">serial killer TV</a>&nbsp;shows and movies&nbsp;out there that are both creepy and captivating, and some have become true classics.&nbsp;

People have always loved stories about these mentally unstable monsters who prey on unsuspecting people, which is why some of the best movies ever made are about serial killers. Classics like&nbsp;The Silence of the Lambs&nbsp;and&nbsp;Se7en&nbsp;are obvious choices for cinephiles, but for the people who enjoy watching serial killers on their TV screens, shows like&nbsp;Dexter&nbsp;and&nbsp;The Following&nbsp;offer unique and interesting depictions of these killers from their perspective. From new movies about serial killers and recent shows to must-see films, you&#39;ll find plenty of great options here.

Which <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/best-serial-killer-movies/all-genre-movies-lists" target="_blank">serial killer movies</a> and shows deserve the top spots on this list? Help decide by giving your favorites a thumbs up and adding any good movies or series missing from the list.

The Best Shows &amp; Movies About Serial Killers, Ranked

Best Movies & TV Shows About Serial Killers, Ranked by Votes

Ranker Recs

Movies, by definition, allow us to safely escape into the realms of the unknown. When the lights are out and the house begins to creak, it can be fun to put yourself inside the twisted mind of a serial killer, murderer, movie monster, or sexy slasher. Some of the <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/pretty-good-monster-movies-on-netflix/mariel-loveland?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">best movies on Netflix</a> are slasher flicks or serial killer films, and we&#39;ve put together a list of the best of them. Warning: you may not sleep at night after viewing any number of these.&nbsp;

The best gory slashers and serial killer movies on Netflix offer a comprehensive catalog of terror - often of the bloody and gruesome variety. The <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/the-best-slasher-movies/ranker-film?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">best slasher movies</a> share many of the same characteristics. Get ready to be terrified.

On this list, you&#39;ll find cult-classics,&nbsp;sociopaths, and serial killers, definitely watch with the lights on!&nbsp;So, lock your doors, don&rsquo;t answer the phone, hit play, and brace yourself. Vote up the best slashers and serial killer movies on Netflix below.&nbsp;

The Best Slashers and Serial Killers Movies on Netflix

The Best Gory And Slasher Movies On Netflix, Ranked

Ranker Streaming

If you love a good thriller with suspense and a little (or a lot of) blood, check out some of the best serial killer movies of all time. From Alfred Hitchcock's classic film Psycho to modern horror like The Silence of the Lambs and American Psycho, these movies have kept us on the edge of our seats with gripping performances and unforgettable imagery.&nbsp; Serial killers make for some of the scariest villains: they’re unpredictable, deadly, and often shrouded in mystery. But it’s this very same thrill that has made them such an enduring presence on the silver screen for decades . Whether it’s through psychological exploration or simply offering up intense scares, these movies have captivated audiences since their release with stories about twisted minds and grisly crimes committed by seemingly normal people. And while there will always be debates over which movie about serial killers is the very best, plenty that deserve recognition as some of cinema's most unforgettable works featuring truly terrifying characters.Do they wish to seek what makes the minds of these warped individuals tick? What could have possibly made them become this way? Who are they going to target next? All of these questions excite and horrify the everyday filmgoer, and it is these exact questions that made this seemingly bizarre subgenre in horror.So now it is up to you to decide the answers to these questions, and vote up the best serial killer movies, and be sure to check out <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/best-goriest-movies-ever-made/ranker-horror">the goriest horror movies ever made</a>!

Copycat

The Greatest Movies About Serial Killers, Ranked

Serial Killer Movies | List of the Best Serial Killer Films

The Shawshank Redemption, The Green Mile, The Great Escape, and Cool Hand Luke are the most revered and popular films set inside prisons. If you've seen all of them yet still crave a good story set in the Big House, check out one of the following underrated prison movies. Some are little-known titles, others movies that got noticed upon their original release, only to see their status fade over time. All of them are guaranteed to absorb you.What makes people want to spend time watching films about prisons and penitentiaries? Most likely it's because none of us would want to spend time in such places. Viewing movies about them allows us to vicariously face things that would terrify us in real life. Jails are inherently dramatic locations, anyway, where riots, hostage situations, and occasional abuses of authority occur. These underrated examples of prison cinema utilize those elements and more to give audiences a potent experience.

20 Underrated Prison Movies That Deserve To Break Out

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