Must-watch films and TV shows about stalkers

What is a stalker?

A stalker is someone who obsessively follows and harasses another person, leaving the victim terrified. These characters often appear in movies and TV shows, like in 'Baby Reindeer' (see photo), recently released on Netflix. Check out more great depictions in the gallery, and where you can watch them streaming!

Photo: Netflix

'The Invisible Man' (2020) / Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube

The film follows Cecilia (Elisabeth Moss) as she escapes her abusive, millionaire scientist boyfriend Adrian (Oliver Jackson-Cohen). After his supposed suicide, she suspects he’s not dead but invisible, stalking her in a terrifying way.

Image: Universal Pictures

'Swarm' (2023) / Prime Video

Originally titled 'Enxame,' this series follows Dre (Dominique Fishback), who is obsessed with pop star Ni'jah (Nirine S. Brown) and becomes a dark stalker. Creator Donald Glover says the story is inspired by Beyoncé’s fan club, the Beyhive.

Image: Prime

'You' (2018-2024) / Netflix

In this Netflix series now in its third season, Joe Goldberg is a charming, educated man who is also an obsessive and violent stalker, willing to kill anyone he sees as an obstacle to his love.

Image: Netflix

'Pretty Little Liars' (2010-2017) / Max, Prime Video

A group of friends starts receiving anonymous threatening messages. Initially, they think it’s a prank by their missing leader, but soon realize a stalker is watching them, revealing the dark secrets of their small town.

Image: Freeform

'Single White Female' (1992) / Prime Video

After a fight with her fiancé, Allison Jones (Bridget Fonda) shares her apartment with Hedra Carlson (Jennifer Jason Leigh). At first, things are calm, but Hedra soon shows her true colors, becoming violent and wanting to become Allison herself.

Image: Prime

'Fatal Attraction' (1987) / Netflix, Google Play, Prime Video, Apple TV

In this suspense classic, lawyer Dan Gallagher (Michael Douglas) has a one-night stand with executive Alex Forrest (Glenn Close), who then stalks him, determined to be a part of his life at any cost.

'Obsessed' (2023) / Netflix

This film stars Beyoncé as Sharon and Idris Elba as Derek, a VP at a large company. He rejects the advances of new intern Lisa (Ali Larter), leading to her stalking him and endangering his family.

Image: Netflix

'Night Stalker: The Hunt for a Serial Killer' (2021) / Netflix

This documentary series recounts the real-life crimes and capture of Richard Ramirez, one of America’s most notorious serial killers, known as the "Night Stalker."

Image: Netflix

'I Know What You Did Last Summer' (1997) / Prime Video, YouTube, Google Play, Apple TV

Four young people are involved in a fatal accident and decide to hide the body. The following summer, they receive mysterious threats and are stalked by someone who knows their secret.

Image: Columbia Pictures

'Watcher' (2022) / Telecine, Prime Video, Shudder

Julia (Maika Monroe) moves to Romania with her husband, Francis (Karl Glusman). Feeling isolated, she realizes a neighbor is watching her, and things take a dark turn from there.

Image: IFC Films/ Prime Video

'Greta' (2019) / YouTube, Prime Video, Google Play, Apple TV

Frances (Chloë Grace Moretz) moves to Manhattan and befriends Greta (Isabelle Huppert) after returning her lost bag. However, Greta's obsessive behavior soon turns their relationship into a nightmare.

Image: Focus Features/ YouTube

'Can I Tell You a Secret?' (2024) / Netflix

This British miniseries tells the true story of stalker Matthew Hardy, who harassed 62 women over a decade with calls, messages, and emails. He always began contact with the phrase that gives the series its name.

Photo: Netflix

'Sleeping with the Enemy' (1990) / Disney+

Sara (Julia Roberts) seems to have a perfect life with Martin (Patrick Bergin), but in reality, she’s constantly abused by him. Faking her own death, she escapes, but Martin soon suspects she’s alive and starts stalking her.

Image: 20th Century Fox

'Stalk' (2020) / Prime Video, Max

This French series follows young computer genius Lucas "Lux" (Théo Fernández), who, after being humiliated by popular students at his elite engineering school, hacks into the school’s system and becomes a stalker.

Image: France.tv

'Lover, Stalker, and Murderer' (2024) / Netflix

This documentary tells the real story of divorcee Dave Kroupa, whose new relationships with Shanna and Cari Farver lead to a terrifying ordeal of stalking, harassment, and threats. The plot is full of twists and is truly chilling.

Photo: Netflix

'I Am a Stalker' (2022) / Netflix

This documentary series features terrifying cases of stalking, with firsthand accounts from convicted stalkers and their survivors, sharing harrowing stories of harassment, assault, and other crimes.

Image: Netflix

Taxi Driver (1976) / Max

Taxi driver Travis Bickle (Robert De Niro), a lonely Vietnam War veteran, becomes obsessed with saving a young prostitute, Iris (Jodie Foster), from her pimp, leading to a dangerous and violent crusade.

'Stalker' (2014-2015) / Google Play

This series follows detectives Jack Larsen (Dylan McDermott) and Beth Davis (Maggie Q), who specialize in investigating stalking crimes, voyeurism, cyber harassment, and romantic fixation. Interestingly, Lt. Beth Davis has also been a stalking victim.

Photo: Outerbanks Entertainment

'The Bodyguard' (1992) / Max, Prime Video, Google Play, YouTube

Frank Farmer (Kevin Costner) is hired to protect singer and actress Rachel Marron (Whitney Houston), who has been receiving anonymous threatening letters from a stalker. Along the way, a romantic tension develops between them.

Image: Warner Bros

'I Can Make You Love Me' (1993) / YouTube

Based on a true story, Richard Farley (Richard Thomas) becomes obsessed with his co-worker Laura Black (Brooke Shields), leading to relentless stalking. His obsession culminates in a workplace massacre, which prompted the creation of anti-stalking laws in the U.S.

Image: CBS

'The Watcher' (2022) / Netflix

Couple Nora (Naomi Watts) and Dean Brannock (Bobby Cannavale) move into their dream home, only to receive threatening letters from someone called "The Watcher," leading to a tense and creepy situation.

Photo: Netflix

'Unsane' (2018) / Prime Video, Google Play, Apple TV

Sawyer Valentini (Claire Foy) seeks therapy to overcome past trauma but is involuntarily committed to a psychiatric institution where she confronts her worst fear — her stalker.

Image: 20th Century Fox

'Fear' (1996) / Prime Video, Netflix/ Youtube/ Apple TV

In this thriller, a young woman named Nicole Walker (Reese Witherspoon) falls for the charming David McCall (Mark Wahlberg). Their passionate romance takes a dark turn as David becomes increasingly possessive and violent, stalking Nicole and terrorizing her family.