If your kind of weekend involves popcorn paired with spine-tingling suspense and heart-racing thrillers, we're sorting you out with this curated list of the top suspense thriller movies. No more spending hours deciding what to watch (or re-watch). From mind-bending dreams to psychological showdowns, these cinematic gems have seduced audiences with their gripping plots and unforgettable twists. So, fasten your seatbelts and keep reading!
14 Best Suspense Thrillers Movies That Will Make Your Heart Race Faster
Shutter Island (2010)
This one's a psychological masterpiece starring Leonardo DiCaprio. Set in a mysterious asylum on a remote island, it delves deep into the human psyche, unravelling a puzzle of paranoia and dark secrets. Leonardo aka Edward Teddy Daniels, is a U.S. Marshal investigating the disappearances on this island housing a psychiatric facility, only to realise a secret that is hard for him to come to terms with.
IMDb rating: 8.2/10
Where to watch: Netflix
Seven (1995)
Detective duo Brad Pitt and Morgan Freeman embark on a chilling cat-and-mouse chase with a sadistic serial killer in David Fincher's Seven. Gritty, intense, and packed with shocking twists, this dark masterpiece will leave you breathless as the detectives uncover each macabre piece of the puzzle.
IMDb rating: 8.6/10
Where to watch: Prime Video
Split (2016)
James McAvoy delivers an unforgettable performance as a man with multiple personalities in M. Night Shyamalan's Split. This chilling thriller will keep you guessing until the very end, as secrets are unveiled, and a psychological battle unfolds between the troubled protagonist and his captives.
IMDb rating: 7.3/10
Where to watch: Jio Cinema
Gone Girl (2014)
Directed by David Fincher, Gone Girl is a psychological thriller that delves into the intricacies of a troubled marriage and explores the depths of human deceit, manipulation, and the sinister games that love can play. The story is about the mysterious disappearance of Amy (Rosamund Pike) and her husband's (Ben Affleck) journey to find her. As the media frenzy intensifies and suspicion mounts, secrets from their past unravel, painting a disturbing portrait of their relationship. Amy's diary entries and a series of shocking twists challenge the audience's perceptions, blurring the line between victim and perpetrator.
IMDb rating: 8.1/10
Where to watch: Netflix
Drishyam (2015)
Drishyam is a gripping tale of a common man pushed to extraordinary lengths to protect his family. Vijay Salgaonkar, portrayed by Ajay Devgn, is a simple cable operator and a loving family man. When his family becomes entangled in a tragic incident, Vijay navigates a web of lies and cover-ups to protect his loved ones from the clutches of the law. Using his astute intelligence and keen observation skills, he constructs an intricate alibi to thwart the investigation led by a determined police officer, played by Tabu. It's a cat-and-mouse chase that keeps you gripped for the entire duration of the movie.
IMDb rating: 8.2/10
Where to watch: Disney+Hotstar
Inception (2010)
Directed by renowned Christopher Nolan, Inception blurs the line between reality and illusion. In the movie, Dom Cobb (Leonardo DiCaprio) leads a team of skilled thieves who enter the subconscious of their targets to steal their secrets. However, their latest mission challenges everything they know as they attempt the seemingly impossible—planting an idea in someone's mind rather than extracting one. As they delve deeper into layered dreams, reality becomes a malleable canvas where perceptions warp and the line between illusion and truth blurs.
IMDb rating: 8.8/10
Where to watch: Netflix
Gerald’s Game (2017)
Stephen King's masterful storytelling takes centre stage in Gerald's Game. When a harmless kinky game turns into a horrifying nightmare, one woman must confront her deepest fears while fighting for survival. With Carla Gugino's captivating performance, this psychological thriller will leave you in awe and terror.
IMDb rating: 6.5/10
Where to watch: Netflix
Kahaani (2012)
Set in Kolkata, this thriller follows a gripping portrayal of a pregnant woman (Vidya Balan) who travels from London to Kolkata in search of her missing husband, unravelling secrets, conspiracies and a mystery that keeps the audience guessing until the end. Ghosh's deft direction and the atmospheric setting of the city add depth to the narrative, elevating Kahaani to a thrilling and emotionally resonant cinematic experience.
IMDb rating: 8.1/10
Where to watch: Prime Video
M3gan (2021)
Exploring the dangers of advanced technology, M3gan delves into the dark side of artificial intelligence. When a brilliant roboticist creates an eerily lifelike doll named M3GAN, the line between human and machine blurs, leading to terrifying and unpredictable consequences.
IMDb rating: 6.4/10
Where to watch: Jio Cinema
The Sixth Sense (1999)
M. Night Shyamalan's, The Sixth Sense remains an ethereal masterpiece that haunts its viewers to this day. Bruce Willis, in a compelling portrayal, plays a child psychologist helping a young boy with an eerie gift to see the dead. The film's sublime storytelling, clever twists, and palpable tension envelop the audience. Its spine-tingling revelation in the finale forever solidifies its position as a timeless suspense thriller, leaving us with an indelible mark that questions the line between the living and the departed.
IMDb rating: 8.2/10
Where to watch: Disney+Hotstar
Talaash
Talaash is a psychological thriller that delves into loss, guilt, and the uncanny. Inspector Surjan Singh Shekhawat (Aamir Khan), a tortured police officer investigating the strange death of a popular actor. He encounters a woman (Kareena Kapoor Khan) during his investigation who claims to be able to connect with the dead.
IMDb rating: 7.2/10
Where to watch: Jio Cinema
The Prestige (2006)
The Prestige is a bewitching labyrinth of deception and rivalry. Christian Bale and Hugh Jackman, as duelling magicians, captivate with their performances while revealing the dark obsession that drives them. The film's enigmatic narrative, coupled with its visually sumptuous cinematography, ensures a spellbinding experience.
IMDb rating: 8.5/10
Where to watch: Prime Video
Memento (2000)
Memento, another of Christopher Nolan's masterpieces, is a mind-bending cinematic marvel that disorients and amazes. The protagonist, who suffers from anterograde amnesia, is unable to form new memories while on the journey of locating his wife's killer. Armed with Polaroid photos and cryptic tattoos, he pieces together his past, encountering allies and foes along the way. The movie is in reverse chronology and takes you on an enthralling journey, where every scene is a puzzle piece in the grand design.
IMDb rating: 8.4/10
Where to watch: Prime Video
Prisoners (2013)
Hugh Jackman and Jake Gyllenhaal deliver searing performances in Prisoners, a story of desperation and moral ambiguity. As a father searching for his kidnapped daughter, Jackman's raw intensity collides with Gyllenhaal's relentless detective, creating an enthralling clash of wills.
IMDb rating: 8.1/10
Where to watch: Prime Video
