The Terrifying True Crimes That Inspired American Horror Story

"American Horror Story" is pretty wild, but it was inspired by some true crimes. For this list, we’ll be looking at the real-life events that reportedly influenced the first 10 seasons of Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk’s hit series. Our countdown includes Richard Speck, H.H. Holmes, Josef Mengele, and more! Which "AHS" true crime freaked YOU out the most? Let us know in the comments!

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MsMojo is a leading producer of reference online video content of Top 10 Lists, Origins, Biographies, Commentary and more on Pop Culture, Celebrity, Movies, Music, TV, Film, Video Games, Politics, News, Comics, Superheroes. Your trusted authority on ranking Pop Culture.

#AmericanHorrorStory #AHS #TrueCrime #RyanMurphy #FX

[lipsmackin]

Just want to say one thing - Evan Peters has some serious talent . Good directors please look after him

[phillylilmermaid]

The first season will always be the best to me. I love a good haunted house story more than anything else.

[latuacantante]

OMG the amount of dark characters Evan Peters has played is insane!

[Angie-Magi-ATIN-Army]

1984 is my favorite because it has a decent ending. They did everything to protect Bobby Richter, love that it has a touch of slasher and family drama. Bobby got his answers, he was reunited with his father, I'm happy with that ending.

[cheriestephenson]

I absolutely love that you used Simon to reference Elizabeth Short The Black Dahlia at point 7:48!!!! His channels are stunningly amazing!!

[feliciajenkins]

The night stalker got a nice introduction to karma in the last neighborhood he tried terrorizing and died slowly on death row.

[WaroftheDonuts]

Way to remind us how good this show once was.

[deaditeera]

Murder House and Apocalypse are my faves, but Evan & Sarah’s performances in Cult are incredible!!

[ashleyheaton]

I love how all the stories are connected

[lylypad]

I love that you included exerpts from Ryan and Shane's Unsolved series

[exileayahika]

I'd love to add a few mentions to the list! Freak Show has many people based on real people. Jimmy (Evan Peters) both had 3 fingers, but the real Lobster Boy, Grady, was also a murderer. Also, Conversion Therapy (Asylum ep. 4) still happens today. Oh I could go on...

[robertwood]

Here's my ranking of American Horror Story seasons
#11 Freak Show Season 4
#10 Roanoke Season 6
#9 Double Feature Season 10
#8 Hotel season 5
#7 Cult season 7
#6 NYC season 11
#5 1984 season 9
#4 Apocalypse season 8
#3 Coven season 3
#2 Asylum season 2
#1 Murder House season 1

[trinaq]

Thanks for the enlightening information, MsMojo. Who knew that AHS could make for an unconventional History lesson?! 😉💟

[briansullivan]

The issue with AHS is they always do something to mess up a perfectly good season. Aliens at the Asylum anyone.

[frenchhens]

If the Axman of New Orleans told everybody to play jazz or be axed, how was he planning to check on an entire city to see if they did?

[breewise]

Asylum into me is hands down the best season of AHS. I watch them all, but this one takes the cake.

[sessionshannah]

Well this is great because Halloween is tomorrow 🎃🎃

[Leanbeeean]

Most fav to least fav for me
#1. coven
#2. asylum
#3. hotel
#4. murder house
#5. apocalypse
#6. freak show
#7. 1984
#8. cult (too political)
#9 Roanoke (even worse)
#10 double feature (the dumbest season of ahs)
Seems like the seasons are getting worse & worse as the years go by lol is nyc any good? Haven’t even attempted to watch it yet.

[xtinafusco]

I stopped watching after Asylum cause it was so disturbing to me! But this makes me want to watch again, maybe certain seasons like Coven or Freakshow.

[kinghype]

I'm just happy she said New Orleans correctly....😊