Nail-Biting Entertainment: Exploring the Best Thriller Movies on Netflix

Unlocking a world of heart-pounding suspense, Netflix has become a treasure trove for thriller enthusiasts. With its vast library of captivating films, the streaming giant offers a multitude of pulse-racing experiences that keep viewers on the edge of their seats. From mind-bending mysteries to spine-chilling psychological dramas, the platform boasts an impressive collection of the best thriller movies available for your streaming pleasure. You may also check out Best Thriller Movies on Disney Plus.

In this article, we delve into the thrilling realm of Netflix and unveil a hand-picked selection of the best thriller movies on Netflix that are guaranteed to ignite your senses. Prepare to embark on a rollercoaster ride of intense storytelling, gripping plot twists, and unforgettable moments of nail-biting tension.

So, dim the lights, silence your phone, and prepare to be thoroughly engrossed as we present the ultimate guide to the best thriller movies streaming on Netflix. Get ready for a cinematic journey that will keep you on the edge of your seat and leave you yearning for more thrilling adventures.

15 Best Thriller Movies on Netflix

We have selected the 15 best thriller movies that are currently available to stream on Netflix. In the table below. We have arranged these movies in the order of their IMDb ratings

Nocturnal Animals:

Nocturnal Animals is a psychological thriller directed by Tom Ford. The movie revolves around an art gallery owner named Susan Morrow (Amy Adams), who receives a manuscript from her ex-husband (Jake Gyllenhaal), a disturbing thriller titled Nocturnal Animals. As Susan delves into the manuscript, she becomes consumed by its dark and violent story, which reflects their past relationship. The film blurs the boundaries between reality and fiction, creating a tense and gripping narrative that explores revenge, guilt, and redemption themes.

• Director: Tom Ford
• Starring: Amy Adams, Jake Gyllenhaal, Michael Shannon
• Release Date: November 4, 2016
• Runtime: 1 hour and 56 minutes

Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery:

During the COVID-19 pandemic, billionaire Miles Bron hosts a murder mystery game at his mansion on a Greek island, inviting five friends and detective Benoit Blanc. Blanc quickly realizes that all the guests have motives to kill Miles. When Duke dies after drinking from Miles’s glass, the group suspects Andi. As the power goes out, Blanc discovers Andi’s dead body and deduces that Miles killed her and framed Duke. With the help of Andi’s twin sister Helen, Blanc investigates further and uncovers Miles’s deceit and the group’s complicity. As the mansion is destroyed, Helen and Blanc watch the arrival of the police boats, ready to testify against Miles and expose his crimes.

• Director: Rian Johnson
• Starring: Daniel Craig, Edward Norton, Janelle Monáe
• Release Date: December 23, 2022
• Runtime: 2 hours and 19 minutes

Extraction 2:

Tyler Rake, a former mercenary, is approached to rescue the sister and children of his ex-wife from a dangerous crime syndicate in Georgia. The family is trapped in a prison where Ketevan’s husband, a crime boss, is serving a sentence. Tyler recruits a team and infiltrates the prison during a riot. They manage to escape but face relentless pursuit from the syndicate. Sandro, Ketevan’s son, betrays the team, leading to a deadly confrontation. Tyler and his remaining team retreat to his cabin, where he reunites with his ex-wife. Tyler seeks redemption for leaving their son before his death. In the final showdown, Tyler confronts the crime boss and saves Sandro from his uncle’s control. In the end, Tyler and his partner Nik are imprisoned but given another mission together, affirming their loyalty and partnership.

• Director: Sam Hargrave
• Starring: Chris Hemsworth, Golshifteh Farahani, Adam Bessa
• Release Date: June 16, 2023
• Runtime: 2 hours and 2 minutes

The Platform:

The Platform is a Spanish science fiction horror film directed by Galder Gaztelu-Urrutia. The movie takes place in a vertical prison where prisoners are placed on different levels. Each day, a platform filled with food descends from the top floor, but as it moves down, the food becomes scarce, leading to a brutal struggle for survival. The film serves as an allegory, exploring themes of inequality, greed, and human nature. With its intense and thought-provoking storyline, The Platform offers a chilling critique of societal hierarchies and the lengths people will go to survive.

• Director: Galder Gaztelu-Urrutia
• Starring: Ivan Massagué, Zorion Eguileor, Antonia San Juan
• Release Date: November 8, 2019
• Runtime: 1 hour and 34 minutes

If you are into horror thriller movies, you should check out the Best Horror Movies on Netflix

It Follows:

It Follows is a supernatural horror film directed by David Robert Mitchell. The story follows a teenager named Jay (Maika Monroe), who becomes the target of a relentless supernatural entity after a sexual encounter. Haunted by the entity, which can take the form of any person, Jay and her friends must find a way to escape or face a gruesome fate. With its atmospheric tension and unique premise, It Follows offers a fresh take on the horror genre, exploring themes of fear, sexuality, and the consequences of one’s actions.

• Director: David Robert Mitchell
• Starring: Maika Monroe, Keir Gilchrist, Olivia Luccardi
• Release Date: February 4, 2015
• Runtime: 1 hour and 40 minutes

The Pale Blue Eye:

In October 1830, retired detective Augustus Landor is asked by the military to investigate the suspicious hanging of Cadet Leroy Fry at West Point. Landor, an alcoholic widower, discovers a note fragment clutched in Fry’s hand, leading him to suspect murder. With the help of fellow cadet Edgar Allan Poe, they decipher the note’s summons and uncover a connection to black magic rituals. As more cadets go missing and are found mutilated, Landor and Poe suspect Dr. Daniel Marquis’s family, particularly his son Artemus and daughter Lea. Landor rescues Poe from a ritual sacrifice, but a fire breaks out, resulting in the deaths of Lea and Artemus. Later, Poe realizes Landor’s handwriting matches the note and deduces that Landor sought revenge for the rape and suicide of his daughter, Mattie. Poe destroys evidence but lets Landor face the painful truth as he stands at the cliff where Mattie jumped, bidding her farewell.

• Director: Scott Cooper
• Starring: Christian Bale, Harry Melling, Gillian Anderson
• Release Date: January 6, 2023
• Runtime: 2 hours and 10 minutes

Operation Mincemeat:

Operation Mincemeat is a historical war drama directed by John Madden. Based on true events, the film tells the story of a covert mission during World War II. British intelligence concocts a plan to deceive the Nazis by planting false information on a dead body, hoping to mislead the enemy about the Allies’ next move. As the operation unfolds, the stakes rise, and the characters must navigate the complexities of war and espionage. With its blend of suspense and wartime intrigue, Operation Mincemeat offers a captivating portrayal of strategic deception and the human cost of war.

• Director: John Madden
• Starring: Colin Firth, Matthew Macfadyen, Kelly Macdonald
• Release Date: 11 May 2022
• Runtime: 2 hours and 8 minutes

Bird Box:

In the post-apocalyptic thriller Bird Box, directed by Susanne Bier, the world is plagued by an unseen force that drives people to commit suicide if they look at it. The story centers on Malorie (played by Sandra Bullock), who embarks on a treacherous journey with her two children to find a sanctuary while blindfolded to avoid the deadly force. The film explores themes of survival, motherhood, and the lengths one would go to protect their loved ones. With its suspenseful plot and strong performances, Bird Box offers a gripping and intense viewing experience.

• Director: Susanne Bier
• Starring: Sandra Bullock, Trevante Rhodes, John Malkovich
• Release Date: December 21, 2018
• Runtime: 2 hours and 4 minutes

Oxygen:

In the sci-fi thriller Oxygen, directed by Alexandre Aja, a young woman (played by Mélanie Laurent) wakes up in a cryogenic pod with no memory of who she is or how she got there. As her oxygen levels dwindle and panic sets in, she must find a way to escape before time runs out. With its claustrophobic setting and intense atmosphere, Oxygen takes viewers on a suspenseful journey of self-discovery and survival. The film delves into themes of identity, memory, and the human will to survive against all odds.

• Director: Alexandre Aja
• Starring: Mélanie Laurent, Mathieu Amalric, Malik Zidi
• Release Date: May 12, 2021
• Runtime: 1 hour and 40 minutes

Gerald’s Game:

Gerald’s Game is a psychological horror film directed by Mike Flanagan. Based on the novel by Stephen King, the movie follows Jessie (played by Carla Gugino) and her husband Gerald (Bruce Greenwood) as they retreat to a remote lake house to rekindle their marriage. However, a harmless game quickly turns into a nightmare when Gerald dies unexpectedly, leaving Jessie handcuffed to the bed. Trapped and isolated, she must confront her inner demons while battling physical and psychological challenges. With its gripping narrative and powerful performances, Gerald’s Game explores themes of trauma, survival, and the strength of the human spirit.

• Director: Mike Flanagan
• Starring: Carla Gugino, Bruce Greenwood
• Release Date: September 29, 2017
• Runtime: 1 hour and 43 minutes

I Care A Lot:

I Care A Lot is a dark comedy thriller directed by J Blakeson. The film follows Marla Grayson (played by Rosamund Pike), a cunning and unscrupulous legal guardian who exploits the elderly for her own gain. When she targets a wealthy woman with no family, she soon finds herself in a dangerous game with a dangerous gangster (Peter Dinklage). As the stakes rise, Marla’s cunning is put to the ultimate test. With its twisted premise and standout performances, I Care A Lot offers a satirical take on the legal system and the depths people will go to for money and power.

• Director: J Blakeson
• Starring: Rosamund Pike, Peter Dinklage, Eiza González
• Release Date: February 19, 2021
• Runtime: 1 hour and 58 minutes

Apostle:

Apostle is a horror thriller directed by Gareth Evans. Set in the early 1900s, the film follows Thomas Richardson (played by Dan Stevens), who infiltrates a remote island cult to rescue his sister, who has been kidnapped for ransom. However, he soon discovers a dark and supernatural secret lurking beneath the surface of the cult. As Thomas delves deeper into the island’s mysteries, he faces unimaginable horrors and must confront his own demons. With its atmospheric setting and intense storytelling, Apostle offers a chilling and visceral experience that delves into themes of faith, sacrifice, and the price of salvation.

• Director: Gareth Evans
• Starring: Dan Stevens, Lucy Boynton, Michael Sheen
• Release Date: October 12, 2018
• Runtime: 2 hours and 10 minutes

Berlin Syndrome:

Berlin Syndrome is a psychological thriller directed by Cate Shortland. The film follows Clare (played by Teresa Palmer), an Australian photographer who travels to Berlin and becomes involved in a passionate encounter with a local man named Andi (Max Riemelt). However, what initially seems like a romantic adventure soon turns into a nightmare when Clare realizes she is being held against her will in Andi’s apartment. As she fights for her survival and attempts to escape, the psychological power play between Clare and Andi intensifies. With its tense atmosphere and compelling performances, Berlin Syndrome explores themes of obsession, captivity, and the dark side of human nature.

• Director: Cate Shortland
• Starring: Teresa Palmer, Max Riemelt
• Release Date: May 25, 2017
• Runtime: 1 hour and 56 minutes

Creep:

Creep is a found-footage horror film directed by Patrick Brice. The movie follows Aaron (played by Patrick Brice), a videographer who responds to a Craigslist ad and travels to a remote cabin to film a mysterious man named Josef (Mark Duplass). However, as the filming progresses, Aaron begins to sense something deeply unsettling about Josef’s behavior. What initially appears to be an innocent project turns into a chilling and disturbing experience as the lines between reality and madness blur. With its minimalist approach and unnerving atmosphere, Creep delivers an unsettling psychological horror experience that keeps viewers on the edge of their seats.

• Director: Patrick Brice
• Starring: Patrick Brice, Mark Duplass
• Release Date: June 23, 2014
• Runtime: 1 hour and 17 minutes

1922:

1922 is a psychological horror film based on the Stephen King novella of the same name. Directed by Zak Hilditch, the movie tells the story of Wilfred James (played by Thomas Jane), a struggling farmer who manipulates his son into helping him murder his wife. The crime sets off a series of haunting events as guilt, paranoia, and supernatural forces begin to unravel Wilfred’s life. Set against the backdrop of the rural Midwest, 1922 explores themes of guilt, remorse, and the destructive power of secrets. With its atmospheric cinematography and compelling performances, the film offers a haunting and atmospheric viewing experience.

• Director: Zak Hilditch
• Starring: Thomas Jane, Molly Parker, Dylan Schmid
• Release Date: October 20, 2017
• Runtime: 1 hour and 42 minutes

Final Thoughts

In the ever-expanding realm of streaming platforms, Netflix stands tall as a haven for suspense and thrills. With a treasure trove of gripping narratives and heart-pounding moments, it truly delivers some of the best thriller movies on Netflix. From psychological mind-benders to intense, action-packed stories, these films have the power to captivate and leave audiences on the edge of their seats. Whether you’re a fan of twists and turns or prefer heart-racing suspense, Netflix has you covered. So, buckle up and immerse yourself in a world of gripping tales because the best thriller movies on Netflix are ready to take you on an unforgettable journey.