17 True Crime Stories That Inspired Fiction
These shocking real-life crimes became the backbone of some of the most unforgettable fictional works.
- Daisy Montero
- 5 min read
Behind some of the most famous books, movies, and TV shows lie chilling real-life events that shaped their stories. Authors and filmmakers have long turned to true crime for inspiration, using real cases to craft unforgettable characters and plots. Here are 17 times crime crossed over into fiction in ways you may not have realized.
1. The Texas Chainsaw Massacre and Ed Gein
Topolgnussy on Wikimedia Commons
The chilling movie was inspired by Ed Gein, a murderer and grave robber whose crimes shocked America. Gein’s obsession with human remains influenced Leatherface’s character. The film exaggerated the gore, but the roots came straight from his real horrors.
2. Psycho’s Norman Bates and Ed Gein
Will Hart on Wikimedia Commons
Robert Bloch based his famous character Norman Bates on Ed Gein as well. Bates’ strange relationship with his mother mirrored Gein’s disturbing home life. Hitchcock’s Psycho turned it into one of the most iconic horror stories ever told.
3. Silence of the Lambs and Multiple Killers
Unknown photographer on Wikimedia Commons
Hannibal Lecter and Buffalo Bill were inspired by several real murderers, including Ed Gein and Ted Bundy. Buffalo Bill’s habit of luring women was directly borrowed from Bundy’s tactics. The mix of real crimes created a terrifying fictional blend.
4. In Cold Blood and the Clutter Murders
Lorie Shaull on Wikimedia Commons
Truman Capote’s masterpiece retold the brutal Clutter family murders of 1959. He combined meticulous research with narrative storytelling. The book blurred the line between journalism and fiction, changing crime writing forever.
5. Zodiac and the Real Killer
Machete kills on Wikimedia Commons
The movie Zodiac was based on the real serial killer who terrorized California in the late 1960s. His coded letters and taunts to the police fascinated Hollywood. The killer was never caught, which added to the mystery.
6. Mindhunter and Real FBI Cases
Netflix on Wikimedia Commons
The series Mindhunter drew directly from real interviews conducted by the FBI Behavioral Science Unit. Agents studied notorious killers like Edmund Kemper and Charles Manson. Their insights created the framework for fictional investigations on screen.
7. Monster and Aileen Wuornos
Naoki Urasawa on Wikimedia Commons
Charlize Theron’s Oscar-winning role in Monster was based on real serial killer Aileen Wuornos. Wuornos targeted men in Florida during the late 1980s and early 1990s. The film told her story with haunting detail.
8. Heavenly Creatures and Parker–Hulme Case
Unknown/not applicable (font) on Wikimedia Commons
Peter Jackson’s Heavenly Creatures was based on the Parker–Hulme murder in New Zealand. Two teenage girls plotted and killed one of their mothers. The film explored their intense friendship and its tragic outcome.
9. Foxcatcher and John du Pont
Cygomezm on Wikimedia Commons
The movie Foxcatcher was based on millionaire John du Pont’s shocking murder of wrestler Dave Schultz. Du Pont’s paranoia and obsession made the story both tragic and bizarre. It revealed the dark side of wealth and control.
10. The Girl Next Door and Sylvia Likens
Scan by NYPL on Wikimedia Commons
The novel The Girl Next Door was inspired by the horrific abuse and murder of Sylvia Likens. It told the story of cruelty hidden in suburban life. The book left readers disturbed by how ordinary people can commit evil.
11. American Horror Story: Murder House and Real Killings
Aniol on Wikimedia Commons
Parts of American Horror Story drew inspiration from actual crimes and haunted houses. The first season mixed ghost stories with echoes of true murders. Its blend of fact and fiction added to the eerie atmosphere.
12. The Strangers and Real Intrusions
Rogue Pictures, Intrepid Pictures, Vertigo Entertainment and Mandate Pictures on Wikimedia Commons
The Strangers was loosely inspired by home invasion cases and the Manson murders. Its horror came from the randomness of violence. The chilling line “because you were home” captured the senselessness of such crimes.
13. Law & Order and Ripped-from-the-Headlines Cases
Universal Television on Wikimedia Commons
Law & Order often used real-life cases as inspiration for its episodes. While names and details changed, viewers could recognize the headlines. This formula kept the show fresh and relatable for decades.
14. The Amityville Horror and the DeFeo Murders
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Platinum Dunes on Wikimedia Commons
The story began with Ronald DeFeo Jr. murdering his family in their Long Island home. The house later became infamous for supposed hauntings. Both fact and myth turned it into a horror phenomenon.
15. The Exorcism of Emily Rose and Anneliese Michel
David Pfister-Senz on Wikimedia Commons
The film was based on Anneliese Michel, a German woman who died after dozens of exorcisms. Her case sparked debate between science and faith. The movie retold it as a courtroom drama with supernatural overtones.
16. Dead Ringers and the Marcus Twins
Raph_PH on Wikimedia Commons
David Cronenberg’s Dead Ringers was inspired by real-life twin gynecologists Stewart and Cyril Marcus. Their strange bond and mysterious deaths fascinated the public. The film fictionalized their story with a disturbing twist.
17. The Boston Strangler and Albert DeSalvo
Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) -Strangler Bureau on Wikimedia Commons
The movie The Boston Strangler dramatized the crimes of Albert DeSalvo. Though his confession was controversial, he became linked to the murders. The story captured the fear that gripped Boston in the 1960s.