Your palms start to get sweaty, your heart races and then you see red. It's almost Valentine's Day. If you see one more cutesy Valentine's Day-related post on your social media accounts, you might just snap. And while some people plan on watching as many rom-coms as they can during the month of February, this genre may not be your cup of tea. Instead, nothing is more entertaining than getting to play detective as you stream nail-biting true-crime films.

You've bought yourself a box and chocolates and devoured Netflix's Making a Murderer, and now you are left wanting more. But don't worry, true crime addicts and anti-Valentine's Day viewers, there are plenty more documentaries that are offered specifically for your taste. These include the true tales of some of the most infamous serial killers throughout history such as America's first known mass murderer, H.H. Holmes, as well as the ruthless psychopath Aileen Wournos. Get inside their minds to see how they tick, and follow their bloody trails, because these films will surely leave crime buffs satisfied.

Here are the best serial killer documentaries to stream on Netflix.

 

Manson's Missing Victims (2008)

Director: Neil Rawles
Stars: Vincent Bugliosi, Paul Dostie, Bill Gleason

Start your serial killer streaming marathon off with learning more about the notorious murderer Charles Manson. Manson's Missing Victims explores the possibility that there are more victims that may have died on Manson's "family" home known as the Barker Ranch. These disappearances could be linked to the fact that these were former cult members.

Aileen Wuornos: The Selling Of A Serial Killer / The Life And Death Of A Serial Killer

Director: Nick Broomfield
Stars: Aileen Wuornos Nick Broomfield, Cannonball

When we think of soulless serial killers, our perception is that men are typically responsible for these murder sprees. But woman can be just as deadly. Aileen Wuornos: The Selling of a Serial Killer follows the story of the first known female serial killer in the U.S., a prostitute who claimed she murdered men who raped her. The documentary features interviews with Wuornos, and brings light to the fairness of her trial.

Those who enjoy this film can then stream the follow-up, The Life and Death of a Serial Killer, which shows the declining mental state of Wuornos and ultimately her execution.

H.H. Holmes: America's First Serial Killer (2004)

Director: John Borowski
Stars: Tony Jay, Harold Schechter, Thomas Cronin

If any title on this list is worth watching, it's this one. This documentary by serial killer filmmaker John Borowski looks at the twisted life of H.H. Holmes, who designed a murder castle that opened as a hotel during Chicago's World Fair in the late 1800s. Inside the house of horrors were hidden torture chambers that included acid vats and death devices, as well as a chute to dump the bodies in the basement, where he would then dispose of his victims. Holmes went by many aliases, fooling people into believing he was a charming doctor while preying on women venturing out for the first time on their own.

Serial Killer Culture (2014)

Director: John Borowski
Stars: Steve Giannangelo, Rick Staton, Rich Hillen Jr.

We can't help but wonder why these evil individuals carry out their heinous crimes, and we aren't alone. Serial Killer Culture is a documentary that follows musicians and artists who use these slayers as inspiration for their work, as well as the collectors who believe their artifacts are a piece of history.

The Galapagos Affair: Satan Came To Eden (2013)


Directors: Daniel Geller, Dayna Goldfine
Stars: Cate Blanchett, Sebastian Koch, Thomas Kretschmann

The Galapagos Affair: Satan Came to Eden is one of those intriguing films that will leave the viewer feeling unnerved. It's about a group of people looking for a simpler life who relocate to the Galapagos island of Floreanna in the 1930s. However, they mysteriously disappear, leaving many to wonder who orchestrated their tragic end.

Carl Panzram: The Spirit Of Hatred And Vengeance (2012)


Director: John Borowski
Stars: John DiMaggio, Tom Lodewyck, David Salmonson

In an unlikely friendship, jail guard Henry Lesser convinces imprisoned criminal Carl Panzram to write an autobiography about his senseless series of murders. While Panzram writes about his rapes and killings in shocking detail, this documentary brings his words to life.

Nova: Mind Of A Rampage Killer (2013)


Director: Miles O'Brien
Stars: Miles O'Brien, Jeff Williams, Andy Williams

This documentary TV series takes a more scientific approach to understanding what causes people to commit crimes, and if the brain can reveal that some people are more at risk for violence. The filmmaker dives into the minds of notorious mass murderers, using their stories and mental health states to see why they act on their irrational thoughts.

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