News

While it can occasionally be fun to dive into the origin story of your favorite superhero or see the Muppets as little babies or whatever, a prequel is by definition an unnecessary story. Unlike sequels, which can just keep depicting gripping adventures forever, a prequel takes place before anything interesting happens, otherwise they’d have started the original earlier. That’s especially true for…

5 Elphie

Following the release of the Wicked movie, the author of the book it’s based on, Gregory Maguire, published Elphie, which tells the story of “prickly young Elphaba” as she’s “shaped and molded by the behaviors” of her parents, “suffers ordinary childhood jealousies” of her siblings, “first encounters the mistreatment of the Animal populations of Oz” and “thrashes through her first bruising attempts at friendship.” Sounds a lot like… Wicked. Which is already a prequel. How far is this gonna go? Elphaba in the womb?...

When you purchase through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

This April, Tubi is bringing you a lot of entertainment, from the thrilling crime action film Play Dirty to the beloved animated series The Looney Tunes Show. However, for this article, we are only including the films that are coming to Tubi in the next month and have an 80% or higher Rotten Tomatoes score. So, check out the thirteen best movies coming to Tubi in April 2025 with an 80% or higher Rotten Tomatoes score.

Kill Bill: Volumes 1 & 2 (April 1) Rotten Tomatoes Scores: 85% & 84% Credit – Miramax Films

Kill Bill is a two-part martial arts action film written and directed by Quentin Tarantino. The 2003 and 2004 films follow an assassin known as the Bride who wakes up from a coma and swears revenge against the people who tried to kill her and her unborn child. Kill Bill stars Uma Thurman, Lucy Liu, Vivica A. Fox,...

Though The Silence of the Lambs is a landmark film — the first horror film to win a Best Picture Oscar — the film also represents a seismic shift in policing, realistically depicting modern FBI investigatory methods. This movie was only possible due to the work of a pioneering FBI agent named John Douglas, who struggled to sort and classify the patterns and tendencies of convicted killers. The FBI team he joined, which became known as "profilers," ambitiously sought to predict which personalities were the most likely to commit heinous acts of violence. Culminating in what is possibly the creepiest road trip in history, Douglas picked the brain of every scumbag in prison, helping shape such fictional sociopaths as Hannibal Lecter and Buffalo Bill.

Agent Douglas devised the system alongside fellow Behavioral Science Unit agent Robert Ressler in the mid-'70s at FBI HQ in Quantico, Virginia. Their research would build a...

Better Call Saul and The Mandalorian star Giancarlo Esposito is known for playing villainous roles to perfection, but he still has yet to reach the "deepest, darkest" part of himself to play a character. One role that would allow him to go to that level is Hannibal Lecter, the fictional cannibal portrayed by Anthony Hopkins in The Silence of the Lambs.

In a new interview with Empire, Esposito was asked about previous comments he'd made in 2019 about how he'd "fight to the death to play Hannibal Lecter." It's a feeling that still holds true for Esposito, who has since gotten to meet Hopkins personally. While the two didn't speak about the Hannibal character, Esposito feels that Hopkins would approve of him taking on that role. It may not be a project that's actually in the works, though Esposito clarified he's up for it it he were to get the opportunity.

On Halloween of 2022, it was announced that original Friday the 13th screenwriter Victor Miller – fresh off winning the U.S. copyright to the 1980 film after a lawsuit that stretched on for years – was teaming up with his lawyer Marc Toberoff, franchise rights holder Rob Barsamian, production company A24, the Peacock streaming service, and showrunner Bryan Fuller (whose credits include Hannibal and Pushing Daisies) to develop a new Friday the 13th streaming series called Crystal Lake. Things were moving ahead at a good pace, filming was expected to begin this July, but then the project hit a speed bump at the end of April with the firing of Fuller and his frequent collaborator Jim Danger Gray. Things got back on track in late August with the hiring of a new showrunner – and that person is Brad Caleb Kane, who also serves as co-showrunner and executive producer of It: Welcome to Derry,...

When you purchase through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Happy Face is a true crime drama series created by Jennifer Cacicio. Based on the 2018 podcast of the same name by Meissa Moore and Moore’s 2009 autobiography Shattered Silence, the Paramount+ series follows Melissa Jesperson-Moore, who discovered that her father is the notorious serial killer Happy Face Killer at the age of 15. Now, she is contacted by her father, who promises to tell her about his unknown victims. Happy Face stars Annaleigh Ashford, James Wolk, Dennis Quaid, Tamera Tomakili, Khiyla Aynne, and Benjamin Mackey. So, if you loved the psychologically thrilling mysteries, intense story, and compelling characters in Happy Face, here are some similar shows you should check out next.

Mindhunter (Netflix) Credit – Netflix

Mindhunter is a psychological crime thriller drama series created by Joe Penhall. Based on the 1995 true-crime book Mindhunter: Inside the FBI’s Elite...

When Beyond the Gates and General Hospital star Jon Lindstrom announced his thrilling new gig, fans were excited to check out his novel Hollywood Hustle. The book, about a washed up movie star who must team up with a stuntman and disgraced cop to rescue his kidnapped daughter, was a hit with fans. Lindstrom even mused that if it ever got made into a film, he envisioned Kevin Bacon as its star. Well, that dream is getting closer to a reality as the book has been optioned by a production company.

He’ll Be More Than Just the Writer

According to Deadline, the rights to turn Lindstrom’s first novel into a film have been acquired by production company and distributor Aeth Entertainment. Lindstrom’s representatives, Independent Artist Group and Gilbertson Entertainment in conjunction with literary agency Liza Royce Associates, worked with the Gersh talent agency, which represents Aeth, to seal the deal.

When you purchase through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Hannibal is a psychological crime thriller drama series created by Bryan Fuller. Based on the Hannibal novels by Thomas Harris, the NBC series follows FBI special investigator Will Graham, who has an exceptional talent for getting into the minds of the killers, which takes a heavy toll on his psyche. To get psychological treatment, he frequently consults forensic psychiatrist Dr. Hannibal Lecter, but what Will doesn’t know is that Hannibal is a notorious serial killer. Hannibal stars Hugh Dancy, Mads Mikkelsen, Caroline Dhavernas, Hettienne Park, Laurence Fishburne, Scott Thompson, Aaron Abrams, and Gillian Anderson. So, if you loved the dark psychological stories, thrilling mysteries, and compelling characters in Hannibal, here are some similar shows you should check out next.

Mindhunter (Netflix) Credit – Netflix

Mindhunter is a psychological crime thriller drama series created by Joe Penhall. Based on...

Manhunter, the serial killer thriller by Michael Mann, is streaming for free on both Pluto TV here and on Prime Video here, and it will be moving to Tubi on March 31. Fans of the thriller genre know that this is not only one of the best thrillers of the '80s, but of all time, and introduced many people to the iconic character, Hannibal 'The Cannibal' Lecter. Other titles arriving on Tubi at the end of the month include the Michael Shannon masterpiece Take Shelter, Sarah Polley's recent acclaimed drama Women Talking, and the Best Picture winner The Hurt Locker, among others.

Manhunter follows Will Graham, a retired FBI agent who used to work as a criminal profiler before having a mental breakdown during his pursuit and arrest of Dr. Hannibal Lecktor. Graham's former boss, Jack Crawford, seeks the profiler's help when the Tooth Fairy, a new serial killer on the rise,...

When you purchase through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

This March, Tubi is bringing you a lot of entertainment, from the brilliant comedy-drama series Loudermilk to the beloved sci-fi drama series Timeless. However, for this article, we are only including the films that are coming to Tubi in the next month and have a 90% or higher Rotten Tomatoes score. So, check out the five best movies coming to Tubi in March 2025 with a 90% or higher Rotten Tomatoes score.

Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory (March 1) Rotten Tomatoes Score: 92% Credit – Warner Bros.

Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory is a musical fantasy film directed by Mel Stuart from a screenplay by Roald Dahl. Based on Dahl’s 1964 novel Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, the 1971 film follows Charlie, a poor young boy who gets a chance to explore a famous but mysterious chocolate factory run by the eccentric Willy Wonka.

Dr. Hannibal Lecter has been part of our pop-culture consciousness since 1981 when author Thomas Harris invented him in the pages of his psychological horror novel, Red Dragon. Since then, Dr. Lecter's appearances have crisscrossed different mediums, including film and television, turning this serial killer with a taste for human flesh into one of the most memorable villains of the modern-day era.

Most general audiences will know Hannibal Lecter best, thanks to the Academy Award-winning The Silence of the Lambs. Anthony Hopkins took home the Oscar for his incredible performance in that film as the deranged sociopath toying with the young FBI trainee Clarice Starling under the pretense of helping her catch the equally menacing Buffalo Bill. As good as that film unquestionably is, the unique nature of Hannibal Lecter's depravity has led to other successful adaptations.

Updated on February 25, 2025, by Robert Vaux: The possibility of a fourth season for the...

In recent decades, American society has developed an obsession with serial killers. Reaching an apex in the early 1990s, the American media significantly contributed to turning serial killers such as Jeffrey Dahmer, Ted Bundy, and John Wayne Gacy into celebrities. Oliver Stone's highly controversial film Natural Born Killers put a spotlight on America's obsession with serial killers and the role the media played in this phenomenon.

Currently, one of the most popular entertainment mediums is true crime television shows and documentaries, many of which revolve around serial killers. Cinema, going as far back as the silent era, has always been fascinated with portraying serial killers. Psycho, The Silence of the Lambs, and Se7en rank among the best serial killer movies ever made.

Related10 Best Gangster Movies From the 1930s, Ranked

Gangster movies have been thrilling audiences for decades and the 1930s created some truly special gangster movies.

Se...

Quick LinksWhat Is 'The Silence of the Lambs' About?The Ending of 'The Silence of the Lambs'Lecter's Deleted Monologue Would Have Changed His Character

Nearly 35 years after its release, Jonathan Demme's sweeping Academy Award masterpieceThe Silence of the Lambsremains one of the best movies ever recorded. The psychological crime thriller is still the third in history and the last movie to win the Oscar Awards' Big Five - including Best Picture, Director, Actor, Actress, and Original Screenplay. Of course, the Best Actor honor was given to Anthony Hopkins, who brilliantly played Dr. Hannibal Lecter with chilling menace and highly intelligent guile.

Yet, Hopkins' indelible turn could have been much different had Demme kept one emotional scene involving Dr. Lecter and FBI Agent Clarice Starling (Jodie Foster) in the film. As it is, Lecter functions as an enigmatic cipher who taunts and teases Clarice with crucial intel on serial killer Buffalo Bill,...

On Halloween of 2022, it was announced that original Friday the 13th screenwriter Victor Miller – fresh off winning the U.S. copyright to the 1980 film after a lawsuit that stretched on for years – was teaming up with his lawyer Marc Toberoff, franchise rights holder Rob Barsamian, production company A24, the Peacock streaming service, and showrunner Bryan Fuller (whose credits include Hannibal and Pushing Daisies) to develop a new Friday the 13th streaming series called Crystal Lake. Things were moving ahead at a good pace, filming was expected to begin this July, but then the project hit a speed bump at the end of April with the firing of Fuller and his frequent collaborator Jim Danger Gray. Things got back on track in late August with the hiring of a new showrunner – and that person is Brad Caleb Kane, who also serves as co-showrunner and executive producer of It: Welcome to Derry,...

Sometimes, a popular thing is popular simply because it really is that good. And in the case of author Lee Child's Jack Reacher book series... Well, they really are that good. Call them beach reads or airport novels if you must, but few novels are guaranteed to deliver a more entertaining time at the beach or airport than these. When asked to describe them by movie fans, I tell them they're like Michael Mann making Arnold Schwarzenegger's "Commando." 

If you've seen the Tom Cruise movies or the Alan Ritchson TV series, you know the drill: Jack Reacher is a former military police officer who now wanders the United States of America as. homeless vagrant, solving mysteries and righting wrongs and avenging those in need whenever he stumbles across an injustice. He's 6' 4" and 250 pounds of pure muscle. He's good at breaking arms. He loves coffee. He's smarter than you and always correct.

Winning an Oscar is a dream for many filmmakers, actors, and writers. But most celebrated films and talented artists go their entire careers without being able to fulfill that dream. However, lucky are those who have managed to earn a place in the elite category of films that have achieved something truly extraordinary—the Big 5.

Well, this term refers to movies that win the five most prestigious Academy Awards: Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Actress, and Best Screenplay (either Original or Adapted). Throughout the long history of the Oscars, only three films have managed to pull off this rare feat. So today, we’re ranking these legendary movies based on their impact and lasting legacies.

3. It Happened One Night (1934) AwardWinner Best Picture It Happened One NightBest Director Frank CapraBest ActorClark Gable Best ActressClaudette ColbertBest Adapted ScreenplayRobert Riskin

Winning an Oscar is an extraordinary achievement, but winning five of...

Hannibal Lecter, pop culture's most popular cannibal, may soon be heading back to the big screen. It's been reported that a new feature film featuring the iconic character is in the works,

According to film industry insider Daniel Richtman, Universal is "developing a new Hannibal Lecter movie." However, it's currently unclear if Anthony Hopkins will return to reprise the role. No additional details about the project were shared, so it's also not known if the film is intended to be a reboot or a new sequel to the previous Universal films about the character. No filmmakers or cast members were noted to be attached to the project as of this time, and Universal has not yet offered an official comment.

Related 1 of the Best 90s Horror Films Is Getting a Remake 27 Years Later

The director of a recent horror hit will next reimagine Josh Hartnett's sci-fi horror classic.

The...

The Valentine’s Day-set slasher movie Heart Eyes is set to reach theatres on February 7th – but that’s not the only horror movie that Cinemark theatres will be celebrating the holiday with. The cinema chain has revealed that they’ll be running a series called “Love You to Death” from February 1st through the 5th, bringing The Silence of the Lambs, Bram Stoker’s Dracula, Midsommar, the 1981 slasher classic My Bloody Valentine, and Shaun of the Dead back to the big screen!

On the Love You to Death page, Cinemark writes, “Got a bleeding heart for horror? Our lineup of frightful flicks is swoon-worthy, with plenty of tortured love—and actual torture—to satisfy the most die-hard fans.“

The Silence of the Lambs will be showing in Cinemark theatres on February 1st. Directed by Jonathan Demme from a screenplay by Ted Tally and based on a novel by Thomas Harris,...

Everyone loves a good villain. Without scenery-chewing, dastardly antagonists for our heroes to fight, things just aren't much fun. Sometimes villains become cultural icons in their own right, like Michael Meyers from the "Halloween" movies or even Jeremy Irons as Scar in "The Lion King." Of course, one of the greatest villains of them all is Hannibal Lecter. Created by author Thomas Harris, "Hannibal the Cannibal" was the baddie in the novels "Red Dragon" in 1981, "The Silence of the Lambs" in 1988, "Hannibal" in 1999, and "Hannibal Rising" in 2006, and his well-mannered eccentricity and fierce bloodlust makes him as alluring as he is terrifying. These books have since been adapted into several Hannibal Lecter movies and an NBC television series, with four different actors having portrayed the aristocratic Lithuanian serial killer, each with their own unique spin. 

But who did it best? No one person cast as the clever cannibal was ever truly bad in the role,...

Mads Mikkelsen’s Hannibal, as a character, always leaves the viewers wanting more. Regardless of how much information they find out about him, they are always consumed with questions, as though they may never truly understood him. As though a personification of the dark, no matter how well one learns to navigate the darkness, it is impossible to fully see in it.

Hugh Dancy and Mads Mikkelsen in a still of Hannibal | Credit: NBC

The show is somewhat similar, leaving its audience with a mountain of questions, be it about specific character motivations, or plot points as a whole. Due to this, Fannibals have been demanding that the series get another season after it was canceled after a three-season run.

While the demand for another season is very loud, there is also a different part of the fandom that does not want more of the story, and their reasoning is quite interesting.

When you purchase through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

The Hunting Party is a police procedural mystery crime drama series created by JJ Bailey. The NBC series follows Rebecca “Bex” Henderson, an FBI Special Agent who is recruited to lead a small team of investigators to hunt down and capture some of the most dangerous killers in the world after they escape from a top-secret prison. The Hunting Party stars Melissa Roxburgh, Patrick Sabongui, Sara Garcia, Josh McKenzie, and Nick Wechsler. So, if you loved the thrilling mystery, dangerous criminal cases, and compelling characters in The Hunting Party, here are some similar shows you should check out next.

The Blacklist (Netflix & Rent on Prime Video) Credit – NBC

The Blacklist is a mystery action crime thriller drama series created by Jon Bokenkamp. The NBC series follows Raymond Reddington, an international criminal who is FBI’s one of the most wanted fugitives.

The most complimentary thing you can say about Jonathan Demme is that he's nearly impossible to rigidly define as a director. One of the most versatile filmmakers in recent memory, the late Demme seamlessly shifted between exploitation thrillers, social dramas, broad comedies, horror, and music documentaries for over thirty years. Only someone with an innate sense of genre mechanics and an eye for humanism toward disregarded people could direct The Silence of the Lambs and Philadelphia back-to-back in the early '90s. While his Best Picture-winning adaptation of the Thomas Harris Hannibal Lecter novel elevated him to the class of prestige directors occupied by his contemporaries who emerged from the Roger Corman school of independent filmmaking, his 1986 black comedy/crime caper, Something Wild, is the definitive Demme movie for a director modeled after an amorphous oeuvre, as this groundbreaking film is a masterclass in genre and tonal shifting.

Few fictional characters have grabbed the public's attention more than Hannibal Lecter. From the cold and calculating first appearance as portrayed by Brian Cox in Michael Mann's Manhunter to the Academy Award-winning performance of Sir Anthony Hopkins in Silence of the Lambs, Hannibal Lecter's impact is virtually unmatched. As with any fictional character with a larger-than-life persona, the public sometimes demands more. As such, author Thomas Harris has kept the character alive in multiple novels, though these have diminished levels of quality, with some not being as captivating as their predecessors. The same can be said regarding the number of films that have emerged since Silence of the Lambs.

From Hannibal, Red Dragon, and Hannibal Rising to the Hannibal television series, something of a double-edged sword has attached itself to the various adaptations. In some regards, Hannibal Lecter's various appearances satisfy the public's love for the anti-hero. However, the...

Peacock subscribers will soon be able to witness Anthony Hopkins' final turn as Hannibal Lecter. Red Dragon, based on the 1981 novel of the same name by Thomas Harris, is heading to the streaming service this January.

Directed by Brett Ratner, Red Dragon is a prequel to 1991's The Silence of the Lambs and features the final performance of Hopkins as cannibal serial killer Hannibal Lecter. The movie will become available to stream on Peacock beginning Jan. 1. Released in 2002, the psychological thriller sees FBI agent Will Graham (played by Edward Norton) enlisting the help of serial killer Hannibal Lecter to catch another killer, Francis Dolarhyde (Ralph Fiennes). Although not as critically acclaimed as The Silence of the Lambs, Red Dragon — which was penned by Silence screenwriter Ted Tally — was seen as an improvement over 2001's Hannibal. The prequel was also a box office success, grossing $209 million worldwide against a $78 million budget.

On Halloween of 2022, it was announced that original Friday the 13th screenwriter Victor Miller – fresh off winning the U.S. copyright to the 1980 film after a lawsuit that stretched on for years – was teaming up with his lawyer Marc Toberoff, franchise rights holder Rob Barsamian, production company A24, the Peacock streaming service, and showrunner Bryan Fuller (whose credits include Hannibal and Pushing Daisies) to develop a new Friday the 13th streaming series called Crystal Lake. Things were moving ahead at a good pace, filming was expected to begin this July, but then the project hit a speed bump at the end of April with the firing of Fuller and his frequent collaborator Jim Danger Gray. Things got back on track in late August with the hiring of a new showrunner – and that person is Brad Caleb Kane, who also serves as co-showrunner and executive producer of It: Welcome to Derry,...

Bryan Fuller’s Hannibal is notoriously dark, gruesome, and violent, exactly what one would expect from a show about a murderous cannibal. This spin-off of Red Dragon’s addition to the Hannibal timeline received critical acclaim and, despite low ratings, was well-loved by fans. Its moody tone, beautiful cinematography, and all-star cast were some of the most appreciated attributes of the series. But what no one talks about is how humorous this gory crime drama could be until its untimely cancelation before Hannibal season 4.

In addition to great murder mysteries, Hannibal offered a colorful selection of quirky characters: Hugh Dancy’s reserved but consistently sassy portrayal of criminal profiler Will Graham, Mads Mikkelsen’s witty and subtle interpretation of Dr. Hannibal Lecter, Raúl Esparza’s extra flamboyant Dr. Frederick Chilton, and more. Each character brings some element of weirdly unexpected humor to Hannibal, and these hysterical moments greatly made the series.

Brian Cox reveals that he and Anthony Hopkins agreed not to talk about both playing Hannibal Lecter in Manhunter (1986) and The Silence of the Lambs (1991), respectively. Based on the Thomas Harris novels, Hanniba's first movie appearance was in Michael Mann's Manhunter, which follows FBI profiler Will Graham (William Petersen) as he consults with Lecter as he chases a killer dubbed the "tooth fairy." Jonathan Demme's Silence of the Lambs features a similar setup, with Jodie Foster's Clarice Starling working with Lecter to catch serial killer Jame Gumb (Ted Levine).

During a recent interview with THR in which he looks back at his decades-long career, Cox reflects on playing Hannibal in Manhunter only a few years before Hopkins would take on the same role in The Silence of the Lambs to much greater acclaim. The actor says that Hopkins played the character "brilliantly," but reveals that he had...

The following article contains themes of suicide, suicidal ideation, violence, animal death, and psychological abuse.

Bryan Fuller’s Hannibal (2013-2015) is undeniably dark and violent, which is no big surprise coming from a crime drama centered around a cannibalistic serial killer. This psychological horror series boasts complex character arcs, beautiful cinematography, and plenty of heavy themes even beyond murder and cannibalism. Drawing from Thomas Harris’ first novel in the series, Red Dragon, the show remains largely faithful to the source material with just a few key deviations (such as the choice not to explore Mads Mikkelsen's Dr. Hannibal Lecter’s backstory).

While it may be unexpected for a show of this nature to also be a tear-jerker, the NBC Hannibal series has hit fans right in the feels on plenty of occasions, and not just because the series was prematurely canceled before Hannibal season 4 could happen. Now, a full decade later,...

When you purchase through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

This November, Tubi is bringing you a lot of entertainment from the time-travel mystery thriller series 11.22.63 to a dark medical drama series Nip/Tuck. However, for the purposes of this article, we are only including the films that are coming to Tubi this month and have a 90% or higher Rotten Tomatoes score. So, check out the 10 best films that are coming to Tubi in November 2024 with a 90% or higher Rotten Tomatoes score.

Licorice Pizza (November 1) Credit – United Artists Releasing Rotten Tomatoes Score: 90%

Licorice Pizza is a romantic comedy-drama film written and directed by Paul Thomas Anderson. The 2021 film is set in 1973 and it follows the relationship between Gary Valentine, a teen actor, and Alana Kane, a directionless young woman as they try to grow up and fall in love in California’s San Fernando Valley. Licorice Pizza stars Alana Haim,...

Quick Links The Plot of 'Red Dragon' and 'Manhunter' 'Red Dragon's' Visual Palette Induces More Dread Than the Look of 'Manhunter' Hannibal Lecter's Connection to Will Graham Is More Established in 'Red Dragon'

Thomas Harris' 1981 novel, Red Dragon, has been adapted for the screen twice in two wildly different versions, each worthy of respect, but with one reining as the superior iteration. Director Michael Mann took on the source material first with 1986's Manhunter, with its stylized visuals adding a bit of spice to the more mundane procedural aspects of its story. Even though the film has earned a cult following over the years, some forget that it debuted to mixed reviews and subpar box office returns.

The second time Red Dragon was given the big screen treatment, it offered a unique opportunity. Even though Brian Cox portrayed the infamous Hannibal Lecter in Manhunter,...

When you purchase through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Cross is a detective fiction crime thriller drama series created by Ben Watkins. Based on the Alex Cross novel series by James Patterson, the Prime Video series is set in Washington D.C. and it follows Alex Cross, a police detective, forensic psychologist, and a family man who goes head to head against a wealthy psychopathic killer, who has been killing people for a mysterious reason. Cross stars Aldis Hodge in the lead role with Isaiah Mustafa, Juanita Jennings, Alona Tai, Samantha Walkes, and Caleb Elijah. So, if you loved the thrilling mysteries, nail-biting drama, and compelling characters in Cross here are some similar shows you should check out next.

Luther Credit – BBC

Luther is a British psychological crime thriller drama series created by Neil Cross. The BBC One series follows John Luther, a brilliant homicide detective with...

Your browser does not support the video tag. Quick Links Who Was Hannibal Lecter Based On? How Are Hannibal Lecter and Alfredo Ball Trevio Similar? Who were are some of the most notable other real life serial killers that inspired Hannibal Lecter? Who was the inspiration for Hannibal's distinctive cell? Harris Was Such a Sponge for Information, There Could be Untold Influences on Lecter

This article discusses disturbing themes. Reader discretion is advised.

Hannibal Lecter is one of the most iconic and terrifying villains in cinematic history. Debuting in the 1981 book Red Dragon, he would later become world-famous after the release of 1991's The Silence of the Lambs with Anthony Hopkins' demented and diabolical portrayal of the doctor. Between his sociopathic behavior and his tendency to eat his victims, the character charismatically creeped out an entire generation of audiences. Hopkins' version of Lecter won the actor an Oscar and...

When you purchase through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Before is a psychological thriller drama miniseries created by Sarah Thorp. The Apple TV+ series follows Eli, a recently widowed child psychologist who meets his next patient and soon figures out that the young boy has a haunting connection to his past. Their unconventional bond deepens as Eli tries to figure out the mystery behind the boy. Before stars Billy Crystal, Jacobi Jupe, Maria Dizzia, Ava Lalezarzadeh, Rosie Perez, and Judith Light. So, if you loved the intense story, psychologically thrilling mystery, and compelling characters in Before here are some similar shows you should check out next.

The Patient (Hulu) Credit – FX

The Patient is a psychological thriller miniseries created by Joel Fields and Joe Weisberg. The FX series follows Alan Strauss, a grieving therapist who is held prisoner by a patient who reveals himself to be a...

The Silence of the Lambs, the 1991 film by Jonathan Demme, and the only pure horror film in history to win an Academy Award for Best Picture, will hit a streaming platform this week. The movie that started the Hannibal Lecter craze in the early 90s will be added to Peacocks library of movies starting November 1, via Comic Book.

While its not the first time itll be available on streaming, The Silence of the Lambs arrives just in time to creep out horror fans as the spooky season ends and the industry enters its holiday stages of Thanksgiving and Christmas. Regardless, this one fits any season because it hasnt lost a bit of its power to make an impact beyond the tropes of the horror genre. It is an unsettling piece, but at the same time, there are no arguments against its ability to engage the audience on all sides.

In The Silence of the Lambs,...

The real Buffalo Bill in The Silence of the Lambs is based on a series of real-life serial killers. Although it's Dr. Hannibal Lecter (Anthony Hopkins) who is most memorable in Jonathan Demme's 1991 masterpiece, it's Buffalo Bill (Ted LeVine) who Clarice Starling (Jodie Foster) is an tasked with cracking the case of. As a deranged serial killer who kidnaps and skins women in order to wear them, he's among horror's truly terrifying human villains, and is made even scarier by the true story underpinning the character.

To have a film make a lasting impression on the world, filmmakers often take real-life inspirations for the movie's villain to add an element of authenticity to its horror. In The Silence of the Lambs: Magic in the Making documentary, screenwriter Ted Tally opens up about some inspirations for Hannibal Lecter and Buffalo Bill, citing Ted Bundy and Gary Heidnik as reference points.

When it comes to iconic horror names, the name Hannibal Lecter likely stands as one of the most iconic. Author Thomas Harris wrote four novels about the diabolical cannibal: 1981's Red Dragon, 1988's The Silence of the Lambs, 1999's Hannibal, and 2006's Hannibal Rising. These four novels have served as the basis for five movies based on Hannibal Lecter, along with a TV series many believe to be the best Lecter adaptation.

Updated October 22, 2024: This list has been updated with additional information regarding the Hannibal Lecter film series, as well as some details about the television series for those looking to check out the franchise this Halloween season.

Red Dragon was adapted twice to the screen. First, director Michael Mann's film Manhunter was based on Harris Red Dragon. There were no sequels, but five years later the next adaptation, The Silence of the Lambs, was so popular with...

Month Two Take-Aways.

It’s been a month filled with bangers on Bloody FM’s Murder Made Fiction Podcast. Joe and I have spent spooky season digging into films that have little in common to the naked eye, but they’re all based on the life of a quietly disturbed and dangerous man from rural Wisconsin. Ed Gein’s gruesome crimes not only shocked the nation, they would inspire some of the genre’s most beloved texts.

We kicked off the month with a mini-primer on Gein‘s backstory, beginning with his complicated relationship with mother Augusta leading to a series of unthinkably grisly crimes. Content warnings abound as we discuss necrophilia, cannibalism, taxidermy, and a real life house of dismembered corpses.

We followed this gruesome episode with a docuseries featuring newly discovered audio of Gein’s multi-hour confession tapes. Psycho: The Lost Tapes of Ed Gein allows us to...

When you purchase through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

The Irrational is a police procedural crime thriller drama series created by Arika Mittman. The NBC crime thriller series follows the story of the world-renowned behavioral science professor Alec Mercer, who uses his unique expertise in psychology, body language, and emotional, and facial cues to solve the most twisted and high-stakes cases. The Irrational stars Jesse L. Martin, Molly Kunz, Maahra Hill, Travina Springer, and Ella Cannon. So, if you loved thrilling cases of the week, interesting mysteries, and compelling characters in The Irrational here are some similar shows you should check out next.

The Mentalist Credit – CBS

The Mentalist is a police procedural mystery crime thriller drama series created by Bruno Heller. The CBS series follows Patrick Jane, an independent consultant for the California Bureau of Investigation (Cbi) as he works with his colleagues to solve various crimes around California.

Ridley Scott's 2001 horror thriller "Hannibal" was a long-in-the-tooth sequel to "The Silence of the Lambs," both of them based on the works of author Thomas Harris. "Silence of the Lambs" was a boffo blockbuster when it came out in 1991, winning many Oscars and making millions. Anthony Hopkins took the world by storm with his lip-smacking performance as Dr. Hannibal Lecter, a brilliant psychiatrist with a penchant for mutilating, killing, and often eating his victims. At the end of "Lambs," Hannibal escapes his high-security prison and proceeds to wreak havoc in the world.

In "Hannibal," however, we learn that Dr. Lecter left one of his victims alive. Mason Verger (Gary Oldman) was a child stalker who, years ago, fell into Lecter's psychiatric care. Lecter, being a brilliant manipulator of minds, convinced Mason to use his autoerotic asphyxiation noose while slicing off his own face and feeding it to nearby dogs.

It's technically the third film in the franchise, so how does Hannibal Lecter's outing Red Dragon fit into the series timeline? Despite the huge success of The Silence Of The Lambs - including winning Oscars for Best Picture, Best Actor and Best Actress - it once seemed there would be no sequels. Production on any follow-up was delayed until author Thomas Harris completed his sequel novel, Hannibal. Harris is famously not the most prolific of writers (having penned six novels total since his 1975 debut Black Sunday), which means it took nearly a decade for Hannibal to arrive.

It was something of a polarizing novel too, with Jodie Foster even turning down the Hannibal movie. At the very least, it convinced Anthony Hopkins to return to the role of Lecter, with the actor being a hammy delight. After years of waiting, the sequel reinvigorated the series, with two more movies following soon after.

The Hannibal movies, in order, helped turn the doctor into one of cinema's most charismatic villains, Dr. Hannibal Lecter. Through creepy yet captivating dialogue, viewers get acquainted with his grisly acts of violence, his chilling intellect, and his criminal history. The character was created by author Thomas Harris, and his Hannibal Lecter books have all been adapted into series and movies with confusing timelines. To make matters worse, some actors appeared in multiple Hannibal Lecter movies playing different parts.

The combined popularity of the novels along with Hopkins' Oscar-winning portrayal inspired further onscreen depictions of the cannibal's origins. As more movies and series followed, a breakdown was necessary to understand and separate the release date from the chronological unfolding of events in Hannibal Lecter's life. For fans interested in the series kicked off by The Silence of the Lambs, this is the way to watch the Hannibal Lecter movies in order.

America's fascination with serial killers has been an exploitable cultural phenomenon since long before the term was coined in the 1970s. People read books, wrote plays, and followed newspaper coverage of notorious murderers like Jack the Ripper, Charles Starkweather, and Richard Speck. A cold-blooded murder in any capacity is baffling enough to normal or normal-ish people; going on a wanton killing spree for kicks or because the lunar cycle is in the proper alignment is just bananas. How and why do minds break like this?

When a (one-time) master novelist like Thomas Harris or a naturalist like John McNaughton is asking these questions, there can be great value in examining the minds of monsters. When Jonathan Demme is adapting the former, there is also the opportunity to make a rewatchable, Oscar-winning classic of a film. When Ryan Murphy is at the helm, you're going to wind up with a lot...

Within the pantheon of legendary cinematic villains, few are as towering as Dr. Hannibal Lecter, who originated as a character in a series of novels written by Thomas Harris. The first film Lecter featured in was an adaptation of the first novel he appeared in: 1986s Manhunter, which was adapted from the 1981 novel Red Dragon. Brian Cox was the first actor to play Lecter (though he was named Lecktor in that film), but it was ultimately Anthony Hopkins who became most well-associated with the role, initially playing Lecter in 1991 and doing so two more times once for a prequel, and once for a sequel in the early 2000s. Since then, Mads Mikkelsen also put his spin on the character during the Hannibal TV series, and Gaspard Ulliel played a younger version of Lecter in 2007s Hannibal Rising.

The Silence of The Lambs is a towering achievement within the horror genre. Directed by famed auteur Jonathan Demme, the film set the modern template for todays serial killer thrillers. Anthony Hopkins brilliant portrayal of Hannibal Lecter made him an icon, sparking a franchise further exploring the cannibalistic psychiatrist. Ripley Scotts Hannibal and Brett Ratners Red Dragon both tried to re-capture that same lighting in a bottle. However, neither work lived up to The Silence of the Lambs. Demmes film casts a shadow over all other Hannibal media, yet it wasnt Dr. Lecters true cinematic debut. Unbeknownst to many, Micheal Mann introduced audiences to the congenial cannibal in his cult-classic thriller begging to be re-discovered.

Released in 1986, Manhunter was an adaptation of Thomas Harris first novel Red Dragon. CSIs William Petersen stars as FBI profiler Will Graham, while Successions Brian Cox provides the first portrayal of Hannibal Lektor on the big screen.

Brian Cox's portrayal of Hannibal Lecter in Manhunter remains the most unnerving, adding to the character's calculating nature. Manhunter focuses on criminal profiling and deduction, adding suspense and detail to the narrative. Multiple adaptations of Harris' source material have led to diminishing returns, revealing too much about Hannibal Lecter and removing his mystique.

For many people, Silence of the Lambs was their first exposure to Hannibal Lecter. The creation of author Thomas Harris was portrayed brilliantly by Sir Anthony Hopkins. Hannibal Lecter represented a different type of villain. The psychiatrist turned sociopathic cannibal had an undeniable charisma, not to mention a level of intelligence that made him smarter than his adversaries and pursuers. Other adaptations based on Harris' books have followed since, with varying levels of quality and success. However, before Silence of the Lambs was even put into production, Hannibal Lecter was brought to life in Manhunter by way of Brian Cox.

Evil is a supernatural horror drama series created by Robert and Michelle King. The CBS and Paramount+ series follows Psychologist Kristen Bouchard as he reluctantly teams up with David Acosta, a priest in training to investigate unusual occurrences that have no logical explanation. Evil stars Katja Herbers and Mike Colter in the lead roles with Michael Emerson, Christine Lahti, Andrea Martin, Maddy Crocco, Aasif Mandvi, Peter Scolari, and Patrick Brammall starring in supporting roles. So, if you loved the thrilling story, horror elements, and compelling characters in Evil here are some similar shows you should check out next.

The Exorcist Credit – Fox

The Exorcist is a supernatural horror drama series created by Jeremy Slater. Based on the 1971 horror novel of the same name by author William Peter Blatty, the Fox series serves as a sequel to the 1973 film of the same name and it follows two priests as they team...

Bloody Disgusting has teamed up with Lionsgate to release seven modern horror favorites on Blu-ray + Digital in limited edition SteelBook packaging, available exclusively at Walmart today.

The line includes Wolf Creek, Hannibal Rising, I Spit on Your Grave, You’re Next, Sinister, Texas Chainsaw, and Leatherface.

Priced at $22.96, each title features brand new artwork by Bond.

Wolf Creek is written and directed by Greg McLean. John Jarratt, Nathan Phillips, Cassandra Magrath, and Kestie Morassi star.

In the 2005 film, a trio of stranded backpackers in remote Australia fall prey to a psychopathic local, who takes them captive and tortures them.

Wolf Creek special features:

Unrated Cut of the Film Audio Commentary by Director Greg McLean, Executive Producer Matt Hearn, and Actors Cassandra Magrath and Kestie Morassi The Making Of Wolf Creek Deleted Scene Theatrical Trailer

Hannibal Rising is directed by Peter Webber and written by Thomas Harris, based on his own novel.

On Halloween of 2022, it was announced that original Friday the 13th screenwriter Victor Miller – fresh off winning the U.S. copyright to the 1980 film after a lawsuit that stretched on for years – was teaming up with his lawyer Marc Toberoff, franchise rights holder Rob Barsamian, production company A24, the Peacock streaming service, and showrunner Bryan Fuller (whose credits include Hannibal and Pushing Daisies) to develop a new Friday the 13th streaming series called Crystal Lake. Things were moving ahead at a good pace, filming was expected to begin this July, but then the project hit a speed bump at the end of April with the firing of Fuller and his frequent collaborator Jim Danger Gray. Now, Deadline reports that Crystal Lake is getting back on track with the hiring of a new showrunner – and that person is Brad Caleb Kane, who also serves as co-showrunner and executive producer of It: Welcome to Derry,...

Mads Mikkelsen’s portrayal of Hannibal Lecter in Hannibal is often hailed as one of his most compelling performances on television. The actor brought a chilling yet sophisticated charm to the role, further captivating audiences. However, the creators of the show faced numerous challenges in their quest to reinvent Lecter for a modern audience.

Mads Mikkelsen in a still from Hannibal || NBC

One decision, in particular, could have derailed the character’s potential. But the showrunners cleverly navigated this hurdle and saved Mikkelsen’s portrayal from turning into a forgettable interpretation.

How Hannibal Showrunners Prevented Mads Mikkelsen’s Role From Falling Flat?

Hannibal is a gripping psychological thriller that draws inspiration from Thomas Harris’ novels Red Dragon, Hannibal, and Hannibal Rising. The show centers around the intricate dynamic between FBI agent Will Graham (Hugh Dancy) and brilliant forensic psychiatrist Dr. Hannibal Lecter, played by Mads Mikkelsen. Despite being Graham’s greatest adversary,...

Now that Democrats have coalesced around Vice President Kamala Harris as their presumptive nominee in the 2024 election, the party has been free to use a line of attack on Donald Trump that he and Republicans had leveled at President Biden: He’s too old, he’s in cognitive decline, and he’s lost touch with reality.

A normal candidate might try to counter those claims by staying on message and avoiding any mention of mental asylums. Trump is apparently uninterested in such a strategy, and has therefore continued to include...