Top 10 Maniac Thriller Films

Description: This film is a cornerstone of the maniac thriller genre, featuring the iconic Hannibal Lecter. It's a psychological duel between a young FBI agent and a brilliant but cannibalistic psychiatrist, with a serial killer on the loose.

Fact: Jodie Foster won an Oscar for Best Actress for her role as Clarice Starling. The film is one of only three to win the "Big Five" Academy Awards.

Description: A dark, gritty tale about two detectives hunting a serial killer who uses the seven deadly sins as his modus operandi. The film's ending is one of the most talked-about in thriller history.

Fact: The film's title is intentionally stylized with a "7" instead of "seven." The role of John Doe was offered to several high-profile actors before Kevin Spacey accepted.

Description: A forensic psychologist and a detective team up to hunt down a serial kidnapper who targets women, leading to a tense game of cat and mouse.

Fact: The film was based on the novel by James Patterson, and Morgan Freeman reprised his role as Alex Cross in a sequel, "Along Came a Spider."

Description: A quadriplegic ex-cop and a rookie policewoman team up to catch a serial killer who leaves forensic clues at his crime scenes. It's a battle of wits and a race against time.

Fact: The film was based on the novel by Jeffery Deaver, and Denzel Washington's character was inspired by a real-life forensic expert.

Description: A psychologist enters the mind of a comatose serial killer to find where he's hidden his latest victim, blending psychological horror with surreal visuals.

Fact: The film's dream sequences were inspired by the works of Salvador Dalí and H.R. Giger.

Description: Based on the true story of the Zodiac Killer, this film meticulously follows the investigation, offering a chilling look at the impact of a maniac on society and the relentless pursuit to catch him.

Fact: David Fincher, known for his attention to detail, used real-life locations and even had actors wear the same clothes for continuity over the film's long production.

Description: Based on the true story of Robert Hansen, a serial killer who hunted his victims in the Alaskan wilderness, this film pits a determined cop against a cunning killer.

Fact: Nicolas Cage and John Cusack both underwent physical transformations for their roles, with Cage losing weight and Cusack gaining it.

Description: The first film to feature Hannibal Lecter, albeit under a different name, this film focuses on an FBI profiler hunting a serial killer known as the Tooth Fairy.

Fact: Brian Cox's portrayal of Lecter was the inspiration for Anthony Hopkins' later performance in "The Silence of the Lambs."

Description: A criminal psychologist, who has become agoraphobic after a traumatic event, must help the police catch a serial killer who is copying famous murderers.

Fact: The film was one of the first to explore the concept of a serial killer copying other killers, a theme that would become more common in later thrillers.

Description: A home invasion thriller where a burglar finds himself trapped in a house with a family and a maniac who has set up deadly traps to catch them all.

Fact: The film was originally conceived as a prequel to "Saw," but it evolved into its own unique story.