35 Best Thriller Movies of All Time, Ranked According to IMDb

Whether it’s mixed with action, crime, or even sci-fi, thrillers are meant to get viewers on the edge of their seats, waiting (or dreading) to see what happens next. The established genre definitely has countless fans who enjoy the suspense and tension that often accompany the twisty narratives from the greatest thriller movies.

IMDb – a platform for film buffs – has made it easy for fans of the genre who are looking for must-see thrillers. The highest-rated thriller movies on the site are almost always award-winning classics that represent the best that the genre has to offer. These top thriller movies include genre-defining classics like Psycho, international hits like Parasite, and even gritty superhero movies like The Dark Knight. Fans who have gone through the top 10 thriller movies as voted by users on IMDb and are looking for more heart-pounding flicks to watch only need to go a bit further down the list to find more classic, critically acclaimed, and essential thrillers.

35 ‘Die Hard’ (1988)

IMDb Rating: 8.2/10

In terms of action-thrillers that manage to be as tense and high-stakes as they are exciting and high-energy, few films are as iconic and influential to the genre as a whole as the original Die Hard. The film sees Bruce Willis as John McClane, a New York City policeman who finds himself at the center of a hostile takeover when visiting the headquarters of a business that his estranged wife works for. With little help from outside the building, McClane becomes the only person who can put a stop to the vicious terrorists and save the hostages.

Die Hard is one of the most influential thrillers of the 80s, with John McClane being an iconic figure in action filmmaking and propelling Bruce Willis as one of the most recognizable actors in action. Especially with its increasing legacy as an unexpected Christmas classic, the film constantly finds itself in the conversation as one of the most recognizable and timeless thrillers of all time. Even after the various Die Hard sequels that have been released over the years, none of them hold a candle to the inherent mastery and genius of the original film. — Robert Lee

34 ‘The Secret in Their Eyes’ (2009)

IMDb Rating: 8.2/10

The Secret in Their Eyes is an Argentinian crime thriller that was able to make massive waves across the world with its exceptional pacing and engaging central story, even winning the Academy Award for Best International Film. The film follows retired criminal investigator Benjamin Esposito, who in an attempt to finally put the past of a grueling case behind him, decides to write a novel based on the unsolved mystery of a newlywed’s rape and murder. As he delves deeper into the past of the case, he attempts to finally find some solace and truth of what actually happened.

Crime procedurals always make for engaging and gripping thriller experiences, with The Secret in Their Eyes having a fundamental understanding of pacing and timing to make each reveal and revelation that much more impactful. The film is incredibly approachable and universal in scope despite being spoken in a foreign language, with anyone being able to instantly understand and connect with the characters and their struggles. — Robert Lee

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33 ‘Dial M for Murder’ (1954)

IMDb Rating: 8.2/10

One of many masterful thrillers from the master of suspense himself, Alfred Hitchcock, Dial M for Murder is one of the most legendary films in his entire filmography, a crime thriller that would revolutionize the entire genre. The film follows retired tennis pro Tony Wendice, who after hearing word that his wife has been having an affair with a crime-fiction writer, begins to plot the murder of his own wife to inherit her fortune. However, the plan ends up being screwed up, leaving his wife alive and forcing him to weasel his way out of this conundrum, outwitting the police and doing everything he can to hide his crime from being brought to light.

Hitchcock is a master when it comes to rising suspense and keeping audiences guessing and on edge as to what will happen next, with Dial M for Murder being one of the director’s most legendary titles and one of the most influential mystery thrillers of all time. Even 70 years later, the film still works wonders thanks to the timeless direction from Hitchcock, with many of the classic conventions of thrillers and mysteries that are still used today being executed perfectly within this all-time classic. — Robert Lee

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32 ‘The Sixth Sense’ (1999)

IMDb Rating: 8.2/10

While director M. Night Shyamalan has had a shaky and largely mixed filmography over the years, it is near-unanimously considered that his original foray into the thriller genre created a modern masterpiece of thrills and twists. The Sixth Sense is a psychological thriller that follows the perspective of Malcolm Crowe (Bruce Willis), a child psychologist who after a painful event in his past, finds himself caring for Cole Sear (Haley Joel Osment), a nine-year-old who reminds him of a patient he failed in the past. However, as the supernatural occurrences surrounding Cole appear to have some truth behind them, Malcolm is forced to face his demons in order to be able to help Cole fight his own.

The Sixth Sense is the type of masterful thriller where everything comes together to create a cinematic opus of suspense, mystery, and emotion; everything one would want from a thriller. The film blends together its deeper psychological themes with its spooky, ghostly premise to be the perfect supernatural thriller, making the most of multiple genres an experience that anyone could get hooked on. The duo of performances from Willis and Osment is the final piece of the puzzle that brings everything together, as they elevate the already great material into all-time status. — Robert Lee

31 ‘Shutter Island’ (2010)

IMDb Rating: 8.2/10

Director Martin Scorsese has a lot of experience bringing to life genre-defying thrillers that continue to leave meaningful impacts on audiences well after the credits roll, with Shutter Island being one of the best examples. The film follows the story of WWII soldier turned Marshal Teddy Daniels (Leonardo DiCaprio), who has been tasked with solving the disappearance of a patient from a hospital for the criminally insane. However, as he gets closer and closer to the truth, several seemingly unexplainable visions begin to haunt Teddy, seemingly fighting to keep him away from the harsh truth.

Shutter Island is the type of film where the majority of conversation around it revolves around its masterful final act twist, one that completely recontextualizes the entire film and places it in a new light. Even outside this iconic twist, Shutter Island‘s ability to keep the audience on edge and second-guessing themselves up until the moment the twist is revealed is what makes it such a compelling and rewatchable thriller. Scorsese is a master of tension and character building, with Shutter Island being the type of story that allows him to fully explore the horrors and limitless possibilities of psychosis. — Robert Lee

30 ‘Jurassic Park’ (1993)

IMDb Rating: 8.2/10

Steven Spielberg‘s Jurassic Park is a thrilling sci-fi masterpiece that follows paleontologists Dr. Alan Grant (Sam Neill) and Dr. Ellie Sattler (Laura Dern) on a thrilling adventure. Invited by billionaire John Hammond (Richard Attenborough) to preview his theme park populated by cloned dinosaurs, the scientists suddenly have to fight for their survival when the park’s security system fails.

Jurassic Park wasn’t just a blockbuster, it was a game-changer. Several factors contributed to its enduring success. For one, Spielberg’s masterful direction builds suspense with iconic scenes like the T-Rex attack. Secondly, the film boasted groundbreaking special effects for its time. These effects created incredibly realistic dinosaurs that captivated audiences with their terrifying grandeur. It revolutionized filmmaking with its use of CGI and sparked a renewed fascination with dinosaurs, influencing countless movies, video games, and theme park attractions to this day.

29 ‘No Country for Old Men’ (2007)

IMDb Rating: 8.2/10

The unforgiving Texas landscape sets the stage for a brutal game of cat and mouse in No Country for Old Men. In the movie, Josh Brolin delivers a captivating performance as Llewelyn Moss, a man who makes a fateful decision that throws his life into chaos. He becomes the target of Anton Chigurh (Javier Bardem), a chillingly methodical hitman. As Moss desperately tries to outrun his pursuer, weary Sheriff Ed Tom Bell (Tommy Lee Jones) wrestles with the violence that engulfs his once-peaceful jurisdiction.

The movie seamlessly blends action sequences with moments of quiet contemplation. One particularly memorable scene features Llewelyn’s desperate run through a deserted Texas border town. The silence is shattered by bursts of violence, leaving the audience on the edge of their seats, unsure of what horror awaits Moss around every corner. No Country for Old Men’s dark elements are presented without judgment, leaving viewers to grapple with their own existential dread.

28 ‘Kill Bill: Vol. 1’ (2003)

IMDb Rating: 8.2/10

Quentin Tarantino‘s masterpiece, Kill Bill: Vol. 1 offers a blood-soaked good time for thriller fans. In it, a vengeful heroine named the Bride (Uma Thurman), wakes up from a coma with one thing on her mind: payback. Her hit list includes the formidable O-Ren Ishii (Lucy Liu), the Yakuza boss who favors a katana, and the cunning Elle Driver (Daryl Hannah), whose weapon of choice is poison. But eliminating them is only part of the mission — the Bride’s ultimate goal is to find her former lover, the architect of her suffering.

Kill Bill: Vol. 1 offers viewers an original story and action-packed visuals as it is the director’s first audacious approach to the revenge thriller genre. The film cleverly pays tribute to classic martial arts and film noir, which is further elevated by Thurman’s captivating performance as the Bride. The movie’s stylized violence, sharp dialogue, and unforgettable soundtrack have contributed to the film’s instant cult classic status.

27 ‘L.A. Confidential’ (1997)

IMDb Rating: 8.2/10

L.A. Confidential is a neo-noir movie based on James Ellroy‘s acclaimed novel. It takes viewers on a thrilling ride through a city brimming with corruption and violence, following three LAPD officers who find themselves at the center of a brutal murder investigation. However, the detectives soon find that they’re in the middle of a conspiracy that threatens to bring the entire department down.

The movie successfully gets under the viewers’ skin with its juxtaposition of classic noir elements with heart-pounding action sequences, keeping viewers on the edge of their seats. But beyond the thrills, the film offers a nuanced exploration of human nature. A powerful scene featuring Exley’s (Guy Pearce) confrontation with Lynn Bracken (Kim Basinger) exposes the darkness lurking beneath the glamorous facade of 1950s Los Angeles. L.A. Confidential’s eerie cinematography and meticulous production design will transport viewers right back to a dark and captivating era.

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26 ‘Prisoners’ (2013)

IMDb Rating: 8.2/10

Prisoners is a gripping abduction thriller movie by director Denis Villeneuve. The protagonist of the movie is Keller Dover (Hugh Jackman), a man whose world crumbles when his daughter and her friend disappear. Detective Loki (Jake Gyllenhaal) leads the investigation, but with no leads, frustration grows. Facing an unyielding police force and a seemingly hopeless situation, Keller takes drastic measures, driven by his unwavering love for his child.

The film is filled with suspenseful moments, like the brutal interrogation of Keller by the prime suspect. Another turning point arrives when Loki unearths a key piece of evidence, setting the stage for a revelation that has shocked viewers. Prisoners transcends the typical thriller genre by refusing to offer easy answers and instead presenting a morally complex scenario that will surely stay with viewers.

25 ‘Double Indemnity’ (1944)

IMDb Rating: 8.3/10

Director Billy Wilder‘s Double Indemnity is a classic crime thriller and standard-setting film noir that stars Fred MacMurray as insurance salesman Walter Neff. The film follows the protagonist as he is ensnared in a deadly web of deceit after meeting the seductive Phyllis Dietrichson (Barbara Stanwyck). Together, they come up with a plan to murder her husband and claim a hefty insurance payout through a double indemnity policy.

A quintessential example of the film noir genre, Double Indemnity has a timeless appeal bolstered by moody cinematography, morally ambiguous characters, and suspenseful atmosphere. While it’s more noir than thriller, it undeniably falls into both categories and is a fantastic example of old films that have held up well.

24 ‘North by Northwest’ (1959)

IMDb Rating: 8.3/10

North by Northwest is a gripping spy thriller movie that fully explores a story of mistaken identity. One of the best Alfred Hitchcock movies of all time, it revolves around Roger Thornhill (Cary Grant), an advertising executive who is mistaken for a government agent and thrust into a perilous world of espionage and intrigue.

As the protagonist attempts to clear his name and survive a relentless pursuit, viewers are taken along for the wild ride, featuring some iconic American landmarks. Setting a new benchmark for the thriller genre, Hitchcock’s meticulous craftsmanship shines through in every scene, from the iconic crop-dusting sequence to the thrilling climax on Mount Rushmore. It’s a wild ride from start to finish, and one that must be seen to be believed.

23 ‘M’ (1931)

IMDb Rating: 8.3/10

M is a chilling and groundbreaking classic German thriller that stars Peter Lorre as Hans Beckert, a child murderer in a German city. It follows the relentless pursuit of Beckert by both the police and the criminal underworld, where his heinous actions have earned him a bad reputation among other criminals.

Directed by Fritz Lang, the film combines elements from the suspense, thriller, and mystery genres to weave its absorbing manhunt-centered story. It was notable for being Lang’s first sound film and for its cinematographic innovations like long tracking shots, which is a technique that’s still used today. Its controversial topic was also groundbreaking for its time, lending the film a dark and intriguing vibe that garnered it attention from both curious viewers and critics.

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22 ‘Vertigo’ (1958)

IMDb Rating: 8.3/10

A classic psychological thriller by director Alfred Hitchcock, Vertigo follows former police detective John “Scottie” Ferguson (James Stewart), whose fear of heights has led to his retirement from the force. When he’s hired by an acquaintance to investigate his wife, Madeleine (Kim Novak), things start to get strange. What’s initially supposed to be an easy investigation turns into a mind-bending mystery that begins to play with his mind.

Known for its iconic visual effects, the 1958 film originated the famous “vertigo effect” that was achieved with a dolly zoom. This perfectly complements Vertigo‘s twisty story and dreamlike sequences, which seamlessly create a wholly unique and Hitchcock-ian viewing experience (one that is still regarded among his very best).

21 ‘Reservoir Dogs’ (1992)

IMDb Rating: 8.3/10

Director Quentin Tarantino’s 1992 feature-length directorial debut, Reservoir Dogs, is a visceral neo-noir crime thriller that left an indelible mark on cinema, and would hint at his massive success and recognizable trademarks in the future. This ensemble crime film revolves around a group of criminals, each identified by a color-coded alias, who are brought together for a heist. However, when the robbery goes awry and trust issues emerge, the film turns into a suspenseful whodunit between the thieves.

Tarantino’s unique directorial style is already obvious in the movie, with its razor-sharp dialogue and intensely violent scenes likely being familiar to the filmmaker’s fans. It has earned its cult classic status for its offbeat portrayal of the criminal underworld, making it a must-see for those who want something a bit different from the thriller genre.

20 ‘Oldboy’ (2003)

IMDb Rating: 8.3/10

Oldboy, the director’s most infamous film, helped establish Park Chan-wook’s reputation for creating disturbing movies with unexpected twists and turns. Oh Dae-su (Choi Min-sik), the protagonist of the neo-noir action film, has just been released from jail when he discovers that he is enmeshed in an extensive plot that is being manipulated by unknown influences.

It is in viewers’ best interest to walk into this film with as little prior information as possible about the complicated and provocative events that have contributed to the film’s notoriety. Oldboy offers viewers the opportunity to experience a seamless integration of heart-wrenching drama paired with flawlessly choreographed action sequences, all of which contribute to the film’s status as an engrossing one that no remake will ever be able to replicate.

19 ‘High and Low’ (1963)

IMDb Rating: 8.4/10

Directed by the legendary Akira Kurosawa, High and Low is a police procedural crime thriller centered on a kidnapping that targets a wealthy man’s family. It gets even more complicated when the target, Kingo Gondo (Toshiro Mifune), realizes that the kidnapper has taken the wrong kid, abducting his chauffeur’s child instead.

The rest of the movie, which is based on the 1959 novel King’s Ransom by Ed McBain, is a nail-biting display of the family and authorities’ attempts at safely retrieving the victim. At the same time, it’s one of the best crime thriller movies because it tackles the antagonist’s motivation, which is inextricably linked to the wealth gap in the country. Every second of the film’s runtime benefits from Kurosawa’s masterful direction, as there’s not a line, visual aspect, or action out of place.

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18 ‘Witness for the Prosecution’ (1957)

IMDb Rating: 8.4/10

Based on the eponymous 1953 play by Agatha Christie, Witness for the Prosecution is a classic legal mystery thriller that depicts a twisty trial centered on Leonard Vole (Tyrone Pole). Set in the Old Bailey in London, the film follows his case after he’s accused of murder, with the talented lawyer Sir Wilfrid Robarts (Charles Laughton) choosing to defend him.

Aside from being a surprisingly heart-pounding thriller, Witness for the Prosecution also has elements of film noir and black comedy to go with its well-written story. It’s a masterpiece from the ’50s that set the standard for many tropes seen in modern legal thrillers, with its characters influencing notable roles in recent times. That just means that for any cinephile, the 1957 film is one that’s worth seeing again today.

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17 ‘The Lives of Others’ (2006)

IMDb Rating: 8.4/10

The Lives of Others marked an important moment in German cinematic history, as it was the first film to tackle the fall of the Berlin Wall with a serious tone. Directed by Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck, the film is set in 1983 East Berlin and follows the experiences of Stasi officer Gerd Wiesler (Ulrich Mühe), who is tasked with spying on a couple suspected to be traitors to the Communist Party. In the process, he begins to become sympathetic towards them.

A slow-paced thriller, The Lives of Others doesn’t rely on action sequences to induce nervousness and fear in viewers. Instead, it looks at the very real consequences of situations outside of individuals’ control (like the political climate) on an intimate scale, and how, in the end, humanity can transform hopeless circumstances.

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16 ‘Memento’ (2000)

IMDb Rating: 8.4/10

In the neo-noir psychological thriller film Memento, the main character, Leonard Shelby (Guy Pearce), is a man who lives with anterograde amnesia, which means he is unable to form new memories. The former insurance investigator goes on a complicated journey after being brutally assaulted by two assailants who also took his wife’s life, which is what prompted him to go on a mission to exact revenge.

The unconventional narrative of Christopher Nolan’s mind-bending film is presented in a non-linear form, and the film’s two seemingly unrelated tales are meant to symbolize the protagonist’s fractured point of view. As Leonard stitches together evidence via his method, which involves the use of Polaroid images and tattoos, since it is the only way for him to recall what he discovers about the assailant, they ultimately start to make more sense.