The show, “To Catch a Predator,” positioned itself as a mission to protect children from those who would harm them. Yet, its widespread appeal may have also been fueled by the public’s enjoyment in playing the role of judge, jury, and executioner from the comfort of their living rooms. Though the show was canceled nearly 20 years ago, it has recently seen a resurgence in cultural attention, with a fictional film adaptation titled Primetime set to debut in late September 2026. The film, starring Robert Pattinson as the show’s host, Chris Hansen, comes after the release of Predators, a 2025 documentary that explored the show’s impact and legacy. As researchers in American culture and criminology, we have studied the enduring popularity of “To Catch a Predator” and its related programs. These shows are part of a larger trend in American entertainment that glorifies vigilantism—the idea that ordinary people should take the law into their own hands when they feel the government is failing to protect society. “To Catch a Predator” took this concept to new heights by focusing on a particularly taboo subject: men who sought sexual contact with minors online. The show not only exposed these individuals but also celebrated the public spectacle of their humiliation, an approach that has since influenced politics, social media, and popular culture. Vigilantism has a long and troubling history in the United States, often linked to racial and ethnic violence, such as lynching in the 19th and early 20th centuries. While such violent acts have declined, the idea of taking justice into one’s own hands remains a powerful theme in American media. From comic books like Batman to films like Dirty Harry and Death Wish, popular culture has long offered audiences the fantasy of punishing criminals outside the bounds of the legal system. Politicians have also capitalized on this sentiment, pushing for harsher criminal laws and encouraging citizens to monitor their communities through initiatives like neighborhood watch programs. When “To Catch a Predator” first aired in 2004, it tapped into a new fear: the danger of online strangers. The show capitalized on public anxiety about children being exposed to predators through the internet, a concern that had grown as more people came online. By exposing men who attempted to meet minors for sexual purposes, the show created a new form of public shaming that blurred the line between justice and entertainment. It also sparked a broader conversation about the ethics of such programming, as well as the real-world consequences of its actions, including tragic outcomes such as the suicide of a man targeted by the show in 2006.