Let’s get something straight: David Fincher doesn’t just make shows; he creates full-blown experiences. The kind that mess with your head, drag you into pitch-black corners of the human psyche, and make you say “just one more episode” until it’s 3 a.m. and you’re questioning everything.
Most people know Fincher from his legendary movies—Se7en, Fight Club, and Gone Girl. But if you’ve only seen his films, you’re missing out on a seriously underrated part of his legacy: his work in television.
David Fincher doesn’t treat TV like a step down from film; he treats it like a sandbox with more time to play—and wow, does he play dirty!
Whether he's behind the camera or pulling strings as an executive producer, his shows always carry that unmistakable vibe: sleek, shadowy visuals; characters who are one bad choice away from disaster; and stories that never quite go where you expect.
There’s a real craftsmanship to how David Fincher tells stories, and TV has given him room to stretch out and let those dark, twisted narratives breathe a little.
So, whether you're a longtime Fincher fan or just someone looking for something intense to binge, here’s every David Fincher TV project—ranked from the ones that grab you and won’t let go to the ones that slowly sneak into your brain and refuse to leave.
David Fincher's TV shows, ranked
1) Mindhunter (2017 - 2019)
If you’ve never watched Mindhunter, you’re missing a masterpiece. It’s a psychological crime drama set in the late '70s, following two FBI agents who start interviewing serial killers to figure out what makes them tick. And spoiler: what makes them tick is deeply unsettling.
David Fincher didn’t just produce this show—he directed multiple episodes and set the entire tone. The pacing is slow but deliberate, like a trap being set. The killers aren’t caricatures; they’re terrifyingly calm, intelligent, and real...after all, they’re based on actual murderers.
What’s wild is how much tension the show creates with just conversation—no flashy chase scenes, no courtroom drama. Just intense, often quiet interviews in small rooms that leave you completely transfixed.
The acting is phenomenal, especially Cameron Britton’s performance as Ed Kemper, which is unnerving in a way that sticks with you.
You’re not here for action—you’re here for the psychology, for the darkness that bubbles just under the surface, and for the creeping dread that builds, episode after episode. Mindhunter is pure Fincher—sharp, cerebral, and absolutely unforgettable.
2) House of Cards (2013 - 2018)
Before politics started imitating House of Cards, this show felt like an edgy fantasy—and now it just feels...prophetic. David Fincher helped launch Netflix’s very first major original series, directing the first two episodes and setting the show's now-iconic tone.
Frank Underwood (Kevin Spacey) is charming, ruthless, and completely unbothered by morality. He talks directly to the viewer like you’re his co-conspirator—which, let’s be honest, makes it even more disturbing when he does something awful...which happens a lot.
The early seasons are political thrillers at their best: power plays, betrayals, and backroom deals—all shot with Fincher’s cold elegance. Even the stillness in this show speaks volumes. The way characters pause, the way a single line can shift the power dynamic in a room—it’s all very deliberate.
The show made politics feel like chess, and Frank Underwood was always three moves ahead. Even if the later seasons lose steam, the first few are addictive. And that’s the real danger of the show: it makes you root for someone you know you shouldn’t. The line between protagonist and villain...is blurred beyond recognition!
3) Love, Death & Robots (2019 - 2024)
This isn’t a David Fincher series in the traditional sense. It’s an animated anthology, and he’s one of the executive producers. That means he helped bring it to life, and his influence pops up more than once—especially in the absolutely brilliant episode he directed called “Bad Travelling.”
Imagine a creepy sea monster, a doomed ship, and a captain forced to make horrific choices—it’s gritty, morally messy, and totally Fincher. The way the story unfolds—full of ethical ambiguity and quiet menace...—feels like a short story he might’ve written in secret.
The series as a whole is a mixed bag—some episodes are jaw-dropping, others are a bit meh. But when it hits...it really hits! Think Black Mirror with more animation and even more existential dread. The stories explore everything from AI apocalypse to alien rituals to interstellar warfare—all in stylish, bite-sized chunks.
Even if you're not an animation person, this is worth checking out. You never know what you're going to get, and that unpredictability is half the fun.
4) Voir (2021)
Voir is...different—no drama, no killers, and no backstabbing politicians. It’s actually a series of short video essays about movies and why they matter. David Fincher produced it, and while he didn’t direct, the whole thing feels like something he’d recommend over coffee and a cigarette.
Each episode dives into a different idea—from the thrill of revenge flicks to the weird comfort of growing up on violent films. One episode even breaks down how Jaws changed the game, not just in terms of filmmaking but in how audiences responded to suspense.
It’s reflective, personal, and, at times, oddly emotional—you get a real sense that this series was made by people who live for cinema. It’s not about trivia or flashy analysis; it’s about how movies become part of who we are.
This one won’t have you biting your nails, but it will stick with you. If you love film or even just want to hear smart people talk about what makes movies powerful, this is a hidden gem. No blood, but plenty of heart!
Conclusion
David Fincher’s TV work might not be as vast as his filmography, but the quality is unmatched. Every show he’s touched carries that signature blend of beauty and unease. Whether it’s a true-crime deep dive, a political thriller, or a series of animated fever dreams, he brings the same intensity and craft every time.
So if you're in the mood for something smart, stylish, and a little unsettling, you now know where to start. Just don’t expect to sleep easy afterward!