You know a Ryan Murphy project when you see one. The prolific director, writer, and producer has a rich, signature approach to world building and character creation (not to mention six Emmys, a Tony, and two Grammy nominations). Horror, thriller, drama, satire, dark comedy, camp, musical, and a mix of all of the above — Murphy has done them all. And you’re in luck, because many of his riveting projects can be found right here. Looking for a bone-chilling true-crime series? Monster: The Ed Gein Story sounds right up your alley. In the mood for a tenderhearted documentary? Give A Secret Love a watch. Or just read on for a tour through the Ryan Murphy Collection, which boasts all his original Netflix TV series, feature films, and documentaries.
The third and latest installment of Ryan Murphy and Ian Brennan’s Monster anthology series zeroes in on notorious serial killer and grave robber Ed Gein (chillingly portrayed by Charlie Hunnam). Set in 1950s rural Wisconsin, the series retraces how Gein stalked the frozen fields of Plainfield, murdering women and desecrating their bodies in ways so grotesque that they went on to inspire modern horror classics like Psycho, The Texas Chain Saw Massacre, and The Silence of the Lambs. Monster: The Ed Gein Story is more than a true-crime retelling — it’s a haunting reminder that monsters aren’t born, they’re made.
Monster’s first chapter was a psychological deep dive into the life and crimes of infamous serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer. The series was an immediate hit, reaching the No. 1 spot within a week of its 2022 release, and passing a billion views by early December, making it one of the most-watched series on the platform.
DAHMER features powerful performances from Niecy Nash-Betts as Dahmer’s neighbor, Glenda (who repeatedly tried to warn the authorities about his behavior), and Richard Jenkins as his father, Lionel. And then there’s Evan Peters, who earned a Golden Globe for his immediately and enduringly disturbing portrayal of Dahmer. It’s a visceral watch, but DAHMER is a gripping exploration of what, and who, makes a monster — and a dissection of the societal structures (in this case, racism and homophobia) that allow them to terrorize for so long without consequence.
Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story, the second installment of the Monster anthology series, chronicles the case of the real-life brothers who were convicted in 1996 for the murders of their parents, José and Mary Louise “Kitty” Menendez. While the prosecution argued they were seeking to inherit their family fortune, the brothers claimed –– and remain adamant to this day, as they serve life sentences without the possibility of parole –– that their actions stemmed out of fear from a lifetime of physical, emotional, and sexual abuse at the hands of their parents. Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story dives into the historic case that took the world by storm, paved the way for audiences’ modern-day fascination with true crime, and in return asks those audiences: Who are the real monsters?
Based on a story by Stephen King, produced by Murphy, and directed by John Lee Hancock (The Blind Side), the film introduces us to Craig (Jaeden Martell) and Mr. Harrigan (Donald Sutherland). The two become unlikely friends when Harrigan, a reclusive billionaire with failing eyesight, hires the teenaged Craig to read to him. Their relationship is sweet, and Craig ends up buying Harrigan an iPhone. While Harrigan warns against the dangers of giving up reality in favor of a smartphone, he eventually falls victim to its charms (just like the rest of us). When he dies, a heartbroken Craig sneaks Harrigan’s phone into his coffin — and then things start to get freaky. First, Craig receives a message from the phone. Though he dismisses it as a bug, he proceeds to call Harrigan’s number whenever he gets upset, and while the dead man doesn’t answer, he seems to answer: Mysterious tragedies befall those who have wronged Craig, and what unfolds is a captivating morality tale about technology, justice, revenge, and very impressive phone reception.
Dean and Nora Brannock (Bobby Cannavale and Naomi Watts) and their two children, Ellie (Isabel Gravitt) and Carter (Luke David Blumm), just moved into a new home that’s both gorgeous and ginormous. (“It’s America. Everyone buys a home they can’t afford,” says Dean.) But soon after settling in, they start receiving strange letters from someone calling themselves “The Watcher,” implying the house is haunted. As the letters become increasingly unsettling, Dean and his family become entwined in a suburban whodunit, trying to figure out who’s behind them. One of their off-kilter neighbors (Mia Farrow, Richard Kind, Terry Kinney, Margo Martindale)? Supernatural forces?
Inspired by a true story, creators Murphy and Brennan (alongside executive producer Eric Newman) take a thought-provoking approach to the series. Amongst the haunting piano score and jump scares are laugh-out-loud lines from everyone in the cast — especially Jennifer Coolidge as the country-clubbing real estate agent Karen (yes, that’s literally her name in the show). Couldn’t we all do with more Coolidge-watching in our lives?
You know Jackie Kennedy’s iconic pink pillbox hat? That was Halston. As a biographical miniseries based on the life of the famous fashion designer, Halston joins the long list of visually enrapturing period dramas that Murphy does so well. This time, we’re treated to the styles and scenes of the ’60s, ’70s, and ’80s.
The man himself, Roy Halston Frowick, known simply as Halston, is portrayed by Ewan McGregor. The actor brings Halston’s larger-than-life personality to the screen, portraying the man’s decadent highs and his spiraling-out-of-control lows. Oh, and Liza Minnelli is here — played by Broadway star Krysta Rodriguez, whose pipes and charisma have a powerful draw of their own.
For almost 70 years, Terry Donahue and Pat Henschel kept their romantic relationship hidden, telling everyone they were best friends and roommates. Finally, in suburban Chicago over some rum and Cokes, Terry and Pat came out to their families. As nephew Chris Bolan listened to their incredible love story, with all its secrets and sacrifices, he immediately knew it had to be shared. So for five-plus years, he worked to create and direct this documentary about their life together, and Murphy agreed to produce it. Honest, heartwarming, and full of historical context, A Secret Love is a deeply moving tribute to Terry, Pat, and the universal experience of devoting your life to another person — whatever it takes.
It’s been more than 50 years since the debut of Mart Crowley’s groundbreaking gay drama, but The Boys in the Band still packs a poignancy that stays with you after the credits roll. Murphy served as a producer of the Boys’ 2018 Broadway revival and this film adaptation, which were both directed by Joe Mantello and feature a stellar ensemble cast: Jim Parsons, Zachary Quinto, Matt Bomer, Andrew Rannells, Charlie Carver, Robin de Jesús, Brian Hutchison, Michael Benjamin Washington, and Tuc Watkins.
The story takes place in 1968 New York City, where Michael (Parsons) plans to host a group of friends to celebrate Harold’s (Quinto) birthday. Out of nowhere, Michael receives a call from his old Georgetown roommate (Hutchison) and ends up inviting him to the party — and as the night goes on, the men find themselves reckoning with unspoken feelings and buried truths. Once you’ve finished the movie, check out the accompanying documentary in which Crowley joins the cast and crew to reflect on his story’s enduring legacy.
Barry and Karen Mason owned and operated Circus of Books from 1982 to 2019. “Can you say what Circus of Books is?” their daughter, Rachel Mason, asks them on camera within the first few minutes of this documentary, which is directed by her and executive produced by Murphy. Karen glances at Barry. Barry avoids eye contact. Eventually, Karen tells us that Circus of Books is “a bookstore and a hardcore gay, adult business.” But CoB wasn’t just a porn shop. It was a hallmark of gay LA — a safe place where men could explore their sexuality, meet others in the community, and find queer literature that wasn’t readily available elsewhere. The film’s hour-and-a-half run time is rounded out with interviews from customers, employees, LGBTQ+ rights activists, and a few famous faces.
Set in post-World War II Los Angeles, this drama miniseries from co-creators Murphy and Brennan imagines what a more inclusive film industry could’ve looked like in the 1940s. Make no mistake — the Hollywood in Hollywood is still racist, misogynistic, and homophobic, but a little less so. And so we see what might’ve happened if society’s most marginalized communities had hopes of making their showbiz dreams come true.
The series follows a cadre of outsiders (played by Darren Criss, David Corenswet, Jeremy Pope, Laura Harrier, and Jake Picking) as they attempt to make a mainstream film written by a Black gay screenwriter and starring a Black leading lady. Other highlights? Broadway superstar Patti LuPone plays the neglected wife of a studio exec, and Murphy-verse veteran Dylan McDermott plays the head of a pump station that services cars and their drivers, if you know what we mean. (It’s called Golden Tip Gasoline, because of course it is.)
Murphy, no stranger to high school stories or musical theater fans (looking at you, Gleeks!), stepped behind the camera for this film adaptation of the Tony-nominated Broadway musical of the same name. In The Prom, Emma (Jo Ellen Pellman) just wants to go to the big dance with her girlfriend (Ariana DeBose), but the PTA in her small Indiana town would rather cancel the event than let that happen.
Meanwhile, in New York City, four down-on-their-luck actors (James Corden, Nicole Kidman, Andrew Rannells, and Meryl Streep) are looking for some positive PR to turn their careers around — and decide that championing Emma’s cause is just the thing. Thus, they set off for the Midwest, but soon find that they need Emma just as much as she needs them. The songs are catchy, the choreography is strong, and the story is soul-stirring — a journey of love, personal growth, and self-acceptance you’ll want to RSVP for.
Murphy favorite Sarah Paulson brings to life Mildred Ratched, a psychiatric nurse as stylish as she is sinister. Most know Nurse Ratched as the antagonist of the Ken Kesey novel One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest and its 1975 film adaptation starring Jack Nicholson and Louise Fletcher as Ratched. This series, co-created by Murphy and Evan Romansky, gives Nurse Ratched what all of our greatest villains deserve: a backstory.
In 1947, Mildred Ratched starts working at Lucia State Hospital, run by Dr. Hanover (Jon Jon Briones, another Murphy alum). She finds an adversary in Nurse Bucket (Judy Davis), and it’s difficult to determine who’s more ruthless at any given moment. Paulson’s studied performance gives viewers a deep dive into the notorious nurse’s life and psyche, while the show’s arresting visuals — its color palette, sets, and costumes — make the sinister parts of the story that much harder to look away from.
Another master class in costuming and visuals is this comedy series featuring Ben Platt, Lucy Boynton, Zoey Deutch, and a host of other bright young leads. Created by Murphy, Brennan, and Brad Falchuk, The Politician follows Payton Hobart (Platt) on his alleged pathway to the American presidency. In Season 1, he’s running for student body president of his elitist high school. In Season 2, he’s up for a seat in the New York State Senate. In both seasons, Payton’s stop-at-nothing ambition makes for great TV. With a tone that shifts seamlessly between darkly humorous, satirical, and earnest, you’ll find yourself loving, then hating, then loving these characters on loop throughout all 15 episodes. Speaking of people you’ll love — Jessica Lange, Judith Light, Bette Midler, and Gwyneth Paltrow also star.
Additional reporting by Meena Jang.
