20 Best Thriller Movies of All Time

Thriller movies are a popular choice for movie fans as they provide an exhilarating and gripping viewing experience. They achieve this by combining a captivating plot, setting, music, and storyline that keeps your heart racing, much like the excitement of a roller coaster ride.

The essence of a thriller movie lies in its ability to astonish the audience with thrilling and awe-inspiring moments. To illustrate this, consider the article below, which highlights the intense emotions that the best thriller movies, from the 1990s to the present, can evoke. These movies are known for delivering the most suspenseful experiences to their audiences. Take a look at the list!

1. Plane

Brodie Torrance (Gerard Butler) works as a pilot for TrailBlazer airline. One New Year's Eve, he's on duty with the rest of the crew, scheduled for a flight from Singapore to Honolulu. However, shortly after takeoff, their plane is struck by lightning, forcing them to make an emergency landing on an unfamiliar and enigmatic island.

This island, as it turns out, is none other than Jolo Island, a perilous place under the control of militant groups with a strong aversion to the government. Brodie and his fellow crew members find themselves in a precarious situation, with their lives hanging in the balance. Alongside them is Louis (Mike Colter), a criminal being extradited to Canada. In this dire circumstance, they must join forces to rescue the passengers and ensure everyone's safety.

2. AKA

Meet Adam Franco (Alban Lenoir), an undercover special operations agent working for the French government. His mission: to eliminate a notorious Sudanese warlord named Al Tayeb (Kevin Layne). To achieve this objective, Adam infiltrates a criminal organization headed by the gangster Victor Pastore (Eric Cantona).

Adam goes to great lengths to earn Victor's trust, proving his loyalty. He forges a strong friendship with one of the gang members and forms a bond with Victor's son.

As he delves deeper into the criminal underworld, Adam stumbles upon a shocking revelation. The very senator who tasked him with eliminating Al Tayeb is involved in some wrongdoing. Faced with this moral quandary, Adam must decide what course of action to take.

3. Missing

June (Storm Reid) is an 18-year-old girl who shares a somewhat strained relationship with her mother, Grace (Nia Long). This tension emerged because Grace chose to date Kevin (Ken Leung), following the passing of her husband. Despite the discord, June still deeply cares for her mother.

One day, Grace and Kevin decided to embark on a vacation to Colombia. However, on the day they were supposed to return home, June was unable to locate her mother and Kevin. Overwhelmed with worry, June embarks on a search for her mother's whereabouts, utilizing her technological skills and social media prowess. Will June ever be reunited with her mom?

4. Bullet Train

On a lightning-fast bullet train in Tokyo, a tragedy unfolds as a Yakuza's child meets a tragic end. This heart-wrenching loss ignites a relentless desire within the Yakuza to uncover the truth behind his son's death.

Meanwhile, within the same bullet train, a group of cunning hitmen board with a singular mission: to seize a rumored suitcase filled with money. Among these enigmatic assassins is Ladybug (Brad Pitt).

As chaos erupts onboard, Ladybug finds himself compelled to protect not only himself but also his fellow hitmen, including Lemon (Brian Tyree Henry) and Tangerine (Aaron-Taylor Johnson). With the threat of the Yakuza looming large as the train hurtles towards Kyoto, Ladybug faces a race against time to make a daring escape before the Yakuza can eliminate any surviving assassins.

5. Old

Guy (Gael García Bernal) and Prisca (Vicky Krieps) are in the midst of a divorce. Concerned about shielding their children from the emotional impact of their separation, they opt for a family vacation at the serene Anamika Resort. Upon arriving at the resort, their first destination is a hidden beach, where they join other vacationers.

Tragically, a terrible incident unfolds. As they enjoy their time swimming and exploring the beach, something inexplicable occurs: they begin aging rapidly. Their children, once young, suddenly have the bodies of adults while retaining the innocence of youth.

Stranded on the beach with no way to escape, they are left bewildered and desperate for answers. The mystery of this bewildering transformation unfolds as they grapple with the bizarre reality that has befallen them.

6. The Hunt

A formidable woman named Athena (Hilary Swank), leads a group of well-heeled individuals in America. These jetsetters are itching for some twisted recreation, seeking vengeance against those who have tarnished Athena's reputation with malicious rumors.

A select group of individuals is chosen and forcibly taken to the residence of the group. Dozens of people are eventually released, only to find themselves mercilessly hunted by their sadistic captors.

However, the hunters make a grave miscalculation: among the hunted, there's one person named Crystal (Betty Gilpin) who possesses the strength and resilience to not only survive but also mount a relentless counterattack against her tormentors. The tables have turned, and Crystal is determined to bring the hunters to justice.

7. Fractured

After enjoying a Thanksgiving meal, Ray (Sam Worthington), his wife Joanne (Lily Rabe), and their daughter Peri (Lucy Capri) set out on their journey back home. Tragically, their trip takes a nightmarish turn when Peri tumbles into a concrete trench while Ray attempts to protect her from a menacing wild dog.

Ray and Joanne swiftly rush Peri to the hospital for urgent medical attention. However, a puzzling and unsettling twist unfolds: as Ray is separated from Joanne and Peri, he suddenly loses sight of them. To his bewilderment, they seem to have vanished without a trace, and Ray is left confounded as to why they aren't listed as patients at the hospital.

Desperate to locate his family, Ray embarks on a frantic search, only to be met with hospital staff who insist that Joanne and Peri were never admitted or recorded as patients. The mystery deepens as Ray grapples with the unsettling question of what truly happened to his wife and daughter.

8. Get Out

Chris (Daniel Kaluuya) and Rose (Allison Williams) are deeply in love. After dating for a while, Rose invites Chris to meet her parents. Upon their meeting, Chris initially believes that the overwhelming attention he receives from them is simply their way of coping with their daughter's interracial relationship.

However, as time passes, Chris becomes increasingly uneasy. The discomfort begins when he notices that the household staff at the Rose family estate is comprised entirely of black people.

A series of bizarre and unsettling revelations follow, ultimately leading Chris to uncover a shocking truth concealed by the Rose family: they have long been providing black bodies for their sinister cult.

Now armed with this horrifying knowledge, Chris endeavors to escape the clutches of his lover's family, as his own safety and well-being are gravely jeopardized as a black man. Will Chris manage to make a safe exit? To uncover the answer, watch Get Out and prepare for a gripping and suspenseful journey.

9. World War Z

As Gerry (Brad Pitt) embarks on the routine task of taking his son to school, he and his wife Karin (Mireille Enos) find themselves ensnared in an interminable traffic jam. However, what initially appears to be a mere inconvenience rapidly devolves into utter chaos. People begin to viciously attack one another, transforming into uncontrollable aggressors who even resort to biting one another.

In the midst of this danger, a large-scale evacuation effort is initiated, and Gerry and his family miraculously survive the harrowing ordeal. Subsequently, Gerry is approached by the government and implored to assist in unraveling the mystery behind these disturbing events.

Soon, Gerry embarks on a crucial mission alongside military comrades, leading him to a chilling revelation: a zombie virus is relentlessly sweeping through humanity, threatening its very existence. Gerry must now confront this nightmarish reality and join the fight against the impending apocalypse.

10. Paranormal Activity 2

When Daniel (Brian Boland) and Kristi's (Sprague Grayden) house falls victim to a burglary, a series of inexplicable events begins to haunt their residence. Initially, they dismiss these odd events, attributing them to mere coincidences. However, the tide turns when their housekeeper delivers a spine-chilling message – their home is infested with malevolent entities.

Alarmed by this revelation, Ali (Molly Ephraim), the couple's eldest child, takes it upon herself to unravel the mystery. Soon, Ali unravels a terrifying truth – an evil entity is fixated on targeting their family. The situation takes a dire turn when Kristi becomes the victim of possession.

With Kristi's life hanging in the balance, Daniel makes a frantic call to their housekeeper, hoping that an exorcism will save his wife. Little do they know that their well-intentioned effort will plunge them into utter chaos. As the malevolent forces close in, the question that lingers is the fate of Daniel's family in the face of a relentless and sinister threat.

11. Wolf Creek

In the year 1999, three British tourists—Liz Hunter (portrayed by Cassandra Magrath), Kristy Earl (played by Kestie Morassi), and Ben Mitchell (performed by Nathan Phillips)—embarked on a journey to explore various locations in Australia. However, their adventure took an unsettling turn when their car encountered mechanical issues. Fortunately, a stranger named Mick (depicted by John Jarratt) came to their aid.

Grateful for Mick's assistance, they accepted his invitation to visit his camp in Wolf Creek Park. Little did they realize that this decision would prove to be a grave mistake. Unbeknownst to them, Mick was a deranged psychopath. After being drugged, their nightmare commenced with sadistic torture.

12. The Pledge

Jerry Black (Jack Nicholson) is a retired detective. Right after he attends his retirement celebration, he is approached to look into a child's murder. Jerry promptly takes on the case.

During his investigation, a suspect with a disability confesses to the crime but tragically takes his own life. However, Jerry is uneasy about the situation and decides to reexamine the case.

Gradually, Jerry uncovers that the earlier suspect was innocent. Determined to find the actual perpetrator, Jerry embarks on a relentless quest, but his fixation soon spirals out of control, wreaking havoc on his life.

13. The Blair Witch Project

Heather Donahue, Joshua Leonard, and Michael C. Williams are students studying film. They embark on a journey to a small town with a unique mission: to gather documentary footage about the fabled Blair Witch. This project is a crucial part of their college coursework.

Over the course of several days, they engage with the locals, interviewing them about the legend of the murderous witch and seeking any related information. However, their quest for evidence to validate the witch's tale takes a chilling turn. The trio finds themselves entangled in a terrifying ordeal when they become disoriented in the woods and begin encountering horrifying experiences.

14. Daylight

Kit Latura (Sylvester Stallone) is a former Chief of New York City Emergency Medical Services, now working as a private driver. One fateful day, as he drops off his passengers and approaches the Holland River underpass tunnel, a colossal explosion rocks the tunnel, sealing both entrances and trapping those inside.

This devastating explosion results from a collision involving thieves being pursued by the police, inadvertently striking a hazardous material. With the government scrambling to find a solution, Kit takes it upon himself to attempt a daring rescue of the survivors.

However, the task is nothing short of monumental, as he races against time to evacuate everyone before the tunnel succumbs to flooding and collapse. Will Kit's heroic efforts prove successful?

15. Johnny Mnemonic

Johnny Mnemonic (Keanu Reeves) has an unusual profession as a data courier. His job entails transporting highly classified information implanted directly into his brain. There's a catch: if this data isn't extracted within 48 hours, Johnny faces a grim fate, as the information will cause his demise to prevent any potential leaks.

One fateful day, a gang of criminals led by Shinji (Denis Akiyama) and a businessman named Takahashi (Takeshi) discovers the valuable data stored within Johnny's mind. They embark on a relentless pursuit to acquire it, setting off a high-stakes chase.

Johnny must summon all his resources to escape their clutches and urgently find a means to retrieve the data from his brain before the ticking clock runs out.

16. Speed

On a sunny day, an inner-city bus with the number 2525 receives a chilling message: a bomb has been planted onboard by the notorious bomber Howard Payne (Dennis Hopper). Jack Traven (Keanu Reeves), a member of the NYPD, is no stranger to dealing with Payne's threats. He immediately springs into action, racing to intercept the bus before disaster strikes.

The bomb is rigged to detonate when the bus reaches a speed of 50 km/h. However, the stakes are high; if the bus drops below this speed, the bomb will explode. Jack, managing to board the bus, must now find a way to save all the passengers, including Annie (Sandra Bullock) who aided him. It's a desperate struggle against time to ensure the safety of everyone on board.

17. Jurassic Park

John Hammond (Richard Attenborough) is a multi-billionaire who constructs an extraordinary sanctuary on an island known as Isla Nublar. This sanctuary is a shelter for a diverse array of dinosaurs, brought back to life through genetic modifications using DNA extracted from ancient fossils.

Paleontologists Alan Grant (Sam Neill), Ellie Sattler (Laura Dern), and mathematician Ian Malcolm (Jeff Goldblum) receive an invitation to visit the sanctuary. Their mission is to assess its safety and ensure that it's a secure environment. However, a catastrophic error occurs, leading to the dinosaurs escaping their enclosures and unleashing chaos across Isla Nublar as they hunt down the island's inhabitants.

18. Patriot Games

Jack Ryan (Harrison Ford) is a retired CIA analyst. In the past, he successfully thwarted a terrorist plot in London, taking down one of the attackers and even identifying the leader of the terrorist group. This action, however, incurred the wrath of the terrorists, who vowed revenge.

The vengeful plot is orchestrated by Sean Miller (Sean Bean). Miller is determined to exact his revenge on Jack Ryan and plans further attacks, including targeting Ryan's family. Faced with this perilous threat, Ryan makes the decision to rejoin the CIA in order to apprehend the terrorists and protect his loved ones. Will Ryan succeed in his mission to stop the danger?

19. Sleeping with The Enemy

Laura Burney (Julia Roberts) finds herself trapped in a tumultuous marriage with Martin (Patrick Bergin). Martin's cruel treatment pushes Laura to her limits, prompting her to take drastic action. She stages her own death to break free from his control, fleeing to Iowa and assuming a new identity.

In her fresh start, Laura strives to adapt to her unfamiliar surroundings. As she begins to settle into her new life, she unexpectedly finds herself drawn to a local teacher named Ben Woodward (Kevin Anderson).

However, Martin soon discovers evidence that Laura is still alive and embarks on a relentless quest to locate her. The story unfolds as the past collides with the present, raising questions about the ultimate fate of Laura and the complex web of their entangled lives.

20. Misery

Paul Sheldon (James Caan) is a famous novelist. During one of his journeys, he experiences a car accident. Fortunately, he receives assistance from Annie Wilkes, a former nurse (Kathy Bates), who also happens to be an avid fan of Paul's work. Annie promptly takes Paul to her home for medical care.

However, Annie's behavior takes a terrifying turn as she discovers that Paul plans to kill off her beloved characters from his bestselling novels. Paul is left in shock as Annie's demeanor transforms into that of a sadistic psychopath. Fearing for his life, he urgently devises a plan to escape before Annie unleashes more of her madness upon him.

Creating a tense and suspenseful atmosphere in every film is a challenging endeavor for filmmakers. However, based on the ten movies discussed above, it's clear that these thriller films were skillfully crafted by filmmakers, delivering a compelling and captivating experience for us as movie enthusiasts. Enjoy the thrill!