Several notable movies have been inspired by the crimes and persona of Ed Gein:
- Psycho (1960): Directed by Alfred Hitchcock and based on Robert Bloch's novel, the character Norman Bates was inspired by Gein's obsession with his domineering mother and taxidermy.
- Deranged (1974): A low-budget film closely depicting a character similar to Gein who commits murder and grave robbery following his mother's death.
- The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974): Features the character Leatherface, a cannibalistic killer wearing masks made of human skin, inspired by Gein's crimes.
- The Silence of the Lambs (1991): The fictional serial killer Buffalo Bill, known for kidnapping and skinning women, was based in part on Gein.
- Ed Gein (2000): A direct film about Ed Gein's life starring Steve Railsback.
- Ed Gein: The Musical (2010): A cult film musical exploring Gein's story.
- House of 1000 Corpses (2003): Inspired by The Texas Chain Saw Massacre and Gein's legacy.
- Ed and His Dead Mother (1993): A dark comedy influenced by Gein.
- Child of God (2014): A movie with a character showing necrophilic traits similar to Gein's.
Ed Gein's case has had a lasting influence on horror cinema, shaping characters and themes of madness, death, and macabre artistry in these and other films.
