The love for mystery stories, murder novels, crime thrillers, etc is never-ending and there are many movies that can satisfy your need for thrill. Here are the top 15 of them.
No matter how many genres are out there for movies and series; one common ground where everyone likes to spend more time is the mystery/thriller genre. It is captivating and also questions human instincts to find answers. There is a maddening feeling that goes inside viewers when they are unable to know what is going to happen next and that suspense is what the movie lovers crave. Whether it is a terrifying small-town psychological thriller or a Sci-Fi thriller taking place in the space; every type of thriller movie has its own essence and style that can be differentiated from others.
The hunger for suspense thriller and mystery movies started quite early, from the early stages of cinema. Starting from Alfred Hitchcock’s classics to David Fincher Movies and new movies on Netflix and Prime; thriller movies might have changed their style and visual appearance; but the essence of the movies is still the same. If you are willing to enjoy some of the best thriller/mystery movies; here is a list of the top 15 films that you need to watch.
- Murder on the Orient Express (2017)
A good thriller movie can be only made when there is a strong story and a plot and novel adaptation are the best options in this case. When it comes to mystery novels; Agatha Christie stays at the top of the list and ‘Murder on the Orient Express’ is perhaps one of the best stories. In the film Adaptation, Penelope Cruz, Michelle Pfeiffer, Kenneth Branagh, and Johnny Depp; offered an enticing experience to enjoy.
- Available on– Disney+
- See How They Run (2022)
Agatha Christie wrote many exciting mystery stories and See How They Run is one of the notable of them. The film adaptation of the novel came out in 2022. However, the storyline is set in 1950s London. In the story, the writer’s play ‘The Mousetrap’ is celebrated for its 100th performance and something terrible happens as the director of the play is found dead under the stage. It goes without saying that Sam Rockwell and Saoirse Ronan did an amazing job as the Inspector and his new recruit.
- Available on– Hulu
- The Wonder
Based on the flavors of psychological thriller and rural mysteries, The Wonder offers a lush set with plenty of dark elements that revolve around the mind. Florence Pugh played the role of the nurse who was sent to investigate a mysterious girl who was renowned as the “fasting girl”. The rumor was spread this young woman could survive without even eating anything. But how is that even possible? Well, you have to watch to unveil the mystery and perhaps, you will not see the climax coming.
- Available on – Netflix
- The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo (2011)
David Fincher is a master of crime-thriller and each of his movies is the greatest example of that. In the movie, Daniel Craig plays the role of Reporter Mikael Blomkvist who was hired by Swedish industrialist Henrik Vanger (Christopher Plummer) in order to re-open and investigate the 40-year-old murder of Vanger’s niece. Blomkvist joins forces with Lisbeth Salander to find out the truth. Does he finally solve it?
- Available on– Prime Video
- Donnie Darko (2001)
Some movies never tend to grow old and Donnie Darko is one of them. This classic Sci-fi thriller is a rollercoaster of emotions, bizarre and greatly satisfying. Jake Gyllenhaal did a remarkable job in this movie playing the central role of Donnie Darko. He meets a demon-like rabbit-headed person named Frank who tells him that the world is going to end in 28 days. Reaching home, he finds out that his room has been destroyed by a jet engine crash. What does Donnie do while all these events take place? Did the World really end? Find out!
- Available on– Prime Video
- Prisoners (2013)
Jake Gyllenhaal is a dynamic actor and somehow he proves that again in the film ‘Prisoners’. In this movie, he plays the character of Detective Loki who was assigned to investigate a case of two little girls going missing on the walk. One father, Keller Dover, played by Hugh Jackman, insists that the owner of an RV is responsible for kidnapping his daughter. However, Loki finds no evidence from the RV. Instead of leaving, Loki takes the case into his own hands and searches for the truth.
- Available on – Netflix
- Gone Girl (2014)
If you want to see the dark side of wrong marriage, welcome to David Fincher’s ‘Gone Girl’. It is perhaps Rosamund Pike’s best performance that played the character of Amy Dunne, a psychopathic wife who goes missing. Is she kidnapped? Did somebody kill her for money? While the possibilities are many; the director made sure to show what you can never imagine. Ben Affleck as the husband Nick also did a good job.
- Available on– Prime Video
- Knives Out (2019)
This film offers a complete punch of drama, thriller, and mystery which is dark, comedic at times, and greatly satisfying for all kinds of viewers. The movie is directed by Rian Johnson, who made sure it is one of the best detective movies in the modern era. The story revolves around a dysfunctional wealthy family vying for their shares in the property. Detective Benoit Blanc, played by Daniel Craig, was appointed to find out the murderer of Harlan, and then; the story proceeds with plenty of twists and turns.
- Available on– Prime Video
- Get Out (2017)
Daniel Kaluuya is one of the best actors in the modern era and it reflects even more through the film ‘Get Out’. He played the character of photographer Chris Washington who visits his white girlfriend’s family. Jordan Peele showed his true creative spirit through this layered horror film that defines the deeply unsettling examination of race and Black experience in America.
- Available on– Prime Video
- Arrival (2016)
Do you like sci-fi thriller? Well, Arrival is the kind of movie that can keep you hooked in thoughts even when the credits are rolling. This movie is based on an intriguing concept of communication between extraterrestrial organisms or aliens and humans. The film has received a total of eight Academy Award nominations and it definitely deserves it. Amy Adams’s acting and immersive cinematography offer an immersive experience to captivate everyone.
- Available on– Prime Video
- Memento (2000)
Christopher Nolan is well revered for his mind-bending movies and ‘Memento’ offers the beginning of it. In this movie, a man desperately searches for his wife’s murderers and wants to track them down. However, it gets only more difficult as he has short-term amnesia where he forgets everything that happened in the last 15 minutes. Somewhere between his long-term memory and short-term memories; the man reaches his destination.
- Available on– Prime Video
- Annihilation (2018)
Based on a novel, this sci-fi thriller movie is a treat to watch. Natalie Portman, Tessa Thompson, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Gina Rodriguez, and Tuva Novotny played the characters of five scientists who get into a quarantine zone called shimmer, which is separated from the world. It is the effect of a mysterious alien presence that is causing everyone to change. Bizarre and fascinating; this movie is a treat for all.
- Available on – Netflix
- The Prestige (2006)
What could be better than magic and mystery being together? The Prestige is one of those movies that will make you watch it again just to get the idea again. Hugh Jackman and Christian Bale played the characters of two rival magicians namely Robert Angier and Alfred Borden. After the death of Robert Angier’s wife, both of the magicians tried even harder to prove their skills but Angier was at the edge of insanity, desperately looking for the trick of teleportation. Did he find something from Tesla? Watch to find out.
- Available on – Prime Video
- Sherlock Holmes (2009)
When it comes to detectives, one name buzzes in every mind and that is none but the Sherlock Homes. In this movie, Robert Downing Jr. plays the role of Holmes along with Jude Law as partner Dr. John Watson. In this movie, they prevent the murder of a woman by the villain, Lord Henry Blackwood. However, this success took them into an even bigger plot.
- Available on – Prime Video
- Seven (1995)
Seven is one of the most haunting yet beautifully crafted movies by David Fincher that emphasizes the deadly sins namely, gluttony, greed, lust, sloth, wraith, envy, and pride. Brilliantly made, this movie is not for the people with a faint of heart. Morgan Freeman and Brad Pitt have played the characters of the detectives who finally reach the killer. However, the fate keeps changing for all.
- Available on – Prime Video
Some of the other honorable mentions are, Shutter Island, Collateral, Zodiac, The Sixth Sense, Inception, Vengeance, Kiss the Girls, The Girl on the Train, and the list goes on. With each passing year, hundreds of new thriller movies hit the box office; waiting for true-crime lovers like you.
