20 Serial Killer Movies You Must See Before You Die

20. Manhunter (1986)

Directed by Michael Mann, 1986's Manhunter - based on the novel Red Dragon by Thomas Harris - has long been dwarfed by Jonathan Demme's serial killer classic The Silence of the Lambs (also based on a Thomas Harris novel, though the films are unconnected). When people think about Hannibal Lecter, they think Anthony Hopkins, but almost a decade before Hopkins became tied to the cannibalistic character, he was brought to the screen by Brian Cox in Mann's underrated and atmospheric picture - one that sees FBI agent Will Graham (William Petersen) returning to the job and enlisting the help of the very man who forced him into retirement: Dr. Hannibal Lecktor (and that odd spelling is intentional). Manhunter was a huge flop upon its original release, but is now considered to be something of an underrated gem; a stylish and gripping thrill ride made most interesting due to how it shows the mental toll that tracking down a serial killer has on its protagonist.