The 100+ Best Psychological Thriller TV Shows, Ranked

Helmed by David Fincher, Mindhunter takes places in the early days of criminal profiling. FBI Agents Holden Ford and Bill Tench are joined by psychologist Wendy Carr as they interview imprisoned serial killers to learn more about what makes them tick. Based on a book by a former FBI Agent and featuring depictions of real life serial killers, the series has earned critical acclaim for its meticulous attention to detail and gripping exploration of the darkest corners of the human mind.

The stylist and well constructed Hannibal was an instant hit with audiences and critics. The series revolves around investigator Jack Crawford's hunt for prolific serial killer Hannibal Lecter. Hugh Dancy and Mads Mikkelsen's indescribable relationship as criminal profiler and serial killer marks the focal point of this psycho killer series.

What if there was a serial killer that killed serial killers? Dexter was irreparably damaged at age three, causing lifelong urges he couldn't quell. To satisfy them yet remain “good", he becomes a forensic analyst for the Miami PD and moonlights as a vigilante killer. Showtime's Dexter is a dark and suspenseful psychological thriller that balances intense drama with dark humor, making Dexter one of TV’s most compelling anti-heroes.

An anthology miniseries consisting of two mind-bending TV shows so far, The Haunting of Hill House manages to be terrifying and heart-wrenching at the same time. Season one features the Crain family, who grew up in a house with paranormal activity and reunite after going on different strikingly different paths in life. Season two is actually an adaptation of Henry James's The Turn of the Screw and follows an au pair who begins to see apparitions at the manor. This show is a blend of horror and psychological thriller, weaving haunted house scares with hidden clues and Easter eggs for a chilling, multi-watch experience.

Black Mirror took the world by storm when it first aired. Each episode of the British TV series functions independently and tells dystopian stories, often with a cruel ending. Sometimes the focus of the episode is politics, sometimes love, sometimes revenge - but the running theme is the double-edged sword of an increasingly digital society. Black Mirror's ability to suck the audience into their tech-obsessed worlds before twisting a knife into their hearts has made this one of the most acclaimed and influential series of the 2010s.

Bates Motel is set in modern day and is essentially a prequel to the infamous Psycho. The series chronicles the childhood of Norman Bates, answering questions as to what made him the way he was. Through psychological manipulation, fear tactics, and an in-depth look at way-too-close familial bonds, Bates Motel makes sure audiences can't look away.