Looking for a thriller movie to watch? If you’re in the mood for a complete brain-flip, these films cover crime investigations, courtroom cases, prison escapes, dangerous relationships, and people caught in situations where one decision can change everything.
From No Country for Old Men and Zodiac to Basic Instinct and The Talented Mr. Ripley, here are thriller movies to add to your watchlist. The best news? All of these movies are available on Paramount+ with any subscription.
Thriller movies to watch on Paramount+
- No Country for Old Men
- Wardriver
- Zodiac
- Primal Fear
- Kiss the Girls
- The Firm
- Gravity
- Fatal Attraction
- Sisters
- Ruined
- Incision
- The Talented Mr. Ripley
- Basic Instinct
- Love Marry Kill
- Escape From Alcatraz
- The Infernal Machine
- Marathon Man
- September 5
- Til Death Do Us Part
1. No Country for Old Men
What it’s about: After Llewelyn Moss (Josh Brolin) finds $2 million at the site of a drug deal gone wrong, he decides to take the money. Who cares who it actually belongs to, right? Wrong. Anton Chigurh (Javier Bardem) tracks him across Texas to get his coins back while Sheriff Ed Tom Bell (Tommy Lee Jones) investigates the violence in his wake.
Why you should watch it: The Coen brothers (Joel and Ethan Coen) adapt Cormac McCarthy’s novel with a focus on the pursuit between Moss and Chigurh. Bardem won the Academy Award® for Best Supporting Actor, and the film won Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Adapted Screenplay. Yeah, it’s that good.
WATCH NOW: No Country for Old Men
2. Wardriver
What it’s about: In this crime thriller, a hacker (Dane DeHaan) uses wardriving, the practice of searching for vulnerable wireless networks, as part of his criminal work. When another criminal (Mamoudou Athie) notices his skills, he forces him to perform a job that exposes a mob boss – a big no-no that puts him in a dangerous situation.
Why you should watch it: Wardriver puts hacking and digital surveillance at the center of its thriller plot, giving the movie a technology-driven setup built around cybercrime. The fact that the hacker works from his car just, ahem, really drives the tech-fueled storyline home.
WATCH NOW: Wardriver
3. Zodiac
What it’s about: David Fincher’s film follows journalists and investigators – Jake Gyllenhaal as San Francisco Chronicle cartoonist Robert Graysmith, Robert Downey Jr. as reporter Paul Avery, and Mark Ruffalo as Inspector Dave Toschi – trying to identify the Zodiac Killer, who terrorized Northern California in the late ‘60s and ‘70s by sending coded letters to newspapers about his murderous deeds.
Why you should watch it: The film follows the case over years, and focuses on evidence, coded messages, and suspects. Graysmith’s growing fixation with the case and the killer makes the investigation itself the story.
WATCH NOW: Zodiac
4. Primal Fear
What it’s about: Defense attorney Martin Vail (Richard Gere) represents Aaron Stampler (Edward Norton), an altar boy accused of murdering a Catholic archbishop. As Vail prepares the case, he uncovers information that changes his understanding of his client.
Why you should watch it: The case gives the movie a clear courtroom structure while Vail’s conversations with Aaron steadily change its direction. Norton’s performance earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor.
WATCH NOW: Primal Fear
5. Kiss the Girls
What it’s about: Forensic psychologist Alex Cross (Morgan Freeman) travels to North Carolina after his niece disappears. His investigation connects her case to other missing women and a kidnapper known as Casanova, who is behind the missing faces on the milk cartons. (If you know, you know. And if you don’t, watch the movie.)
Why you should watch it: The movie pairs Cross with Kate McTiernan (Ashley Judd), a physician who escapes captivity and helps him investigate the man responsible. Their search turns the story from a missing-person case into a hunt for the serial kidnapper and the doctor supplying him with drugs. Bonus: There’s a fun ‘90s-era cameo from Tao Bo creator Billy Blanks, who plays Kate’s kickboxing coach.
WATCH NOW: Kiss the Girls
6. The Firm
What it’s about: Mitch McDeere (Tom Cruise), a Harvard Law School graduate, accepts a well-paid job at a Memphis firm. He soon learns that the firm’s work has connections to organized crime and that leaving could put him in danger – but he has to try.
Why you should watch it: Based on John Grisham’s novel, The Firm builds its thriller around client records, FBI pressure, legal ethics, and the undeniable talents of Tom Cruise.
WATCH NOW: The Firm
7. Gravity
What it’s about: In this space thriller, medical engineer Ryan Stone (Sandra Bullock) is on her first space mission when debris destroys the shuttle and leaves her stranded in orbit with veteran astronaut Matt Kowalski (George Clooney).
Why you should watch it: Director Alfonso Cuarón keeps the story focused on Stone’s attempts to move between spacecraft and find a route back to Earth. Their journey will keep you glued to your seat, no G-forces required. Need proof? The film won seven Academy Awards®, including Best Director.
WATCH NOW: Gravity
8. Fatal Attraction
What it’s about: Attorney Dan Gallagher (Michael Douglas) has an affair with editor Alex Forrest (Glenn Close). But when Dan tries to end the relationship, Alex begins inserting herself into his home and family life. A stage 5 clinger with deadly intent? Yikes.
Why you should watch it: The consequences of Dan’s affair drive the plot as Alex’s behavior becomes increasingly threatening. Close earned an Academy Award® nomination for her performance, and the film received six nominations overall, including one for Best Picture.
WATCH NOW: Fatal Attraction
9. Sisters
What it’s about: Reporter Grace Collier (Jennifer Salt) witnesses what appears to be a murder in a neighboring apartment and begins investigating. Her search leads her to Danielle Breton (Margot Kidder) and questions surrounding Danielle’s twin sister. But can Grace prove that what she saw actually happened?
Why you should watch it: Director Brian De Palma uses split screens and competing points of view to show different parts of the investigation at the same time. Sisters – released in 1973 – marks the first of several de Palma films that use the technique.
WATCH NOW: Sisters
10. Ruined
What it’s about: Olivia “Liv” Richards (Annie Ilonzeh) consults a marriage counselor when her relationship with her husband, Landon (Chris Warren), hits a hurdle. Little does she know, her therapist – played by singer and actress Keri Hilson – is her husband’s old flame who blames Liv and Landon for ruining her life.
Why you should watch it: The movie builds its thriller plot around trust, motive, and the information Liv discovers about the people she loves. The psychological twists and turns those closest to her put her through are almost inconceivable… almost.
WATCH NOW: Ruined
11. The Infernal Machine
What it’s about: Bruce Cogburn (Guy Pearce) is a reclusive author whose novel, The Infernal Machine, allegedly inspired a mass shooter to act. When he begins receiving letters from an obsessed reader, he becomes obsessed himself and starts investigating who is contacting him and why.
Why you should watch it: Cogburn’s search forces him to revisit the history of his book and his own past. Each new piece of information changes his understanding of the person behind the letters and, as you watch, your perception as to why he went into hiding may change as well.
WATCH NOW: The Infernal Machine
12. The Talented Mr. Ripley
What it’s about: Tom Ripley (Matt Damon) travels to Italy after a wealthy businessman asks him to convince his son Dickie Greenleaf (Jude Law) to return to the United States. Ripley becomes attached to Dickie’s lifestyle and begins lying about his identity. Ripley’s deceptions become harder to maintain as Marge Sherwood (Gwyneth Paltrow) and others question his story.
Why you should watch it: With The Talented Mr. Ripley, you get late ‘90s Matt Damon, Jude Law, and Gwyneth Paltrow all dressed impeccably and plopped into delicious Italian scenery. If accolades are more your thing, know that filmmaker Anthony Minghella’s adaptation of Patricia Highsmith’s novel earned five Academy Award® nominations.
WATCH NOW: The Talented Mr. Ripley
13. Basic Instinct
What it’s about: When San Francisco detective Nick Curran (Michael Douglas) investigates the murder of a rock star, the case leads him to novelist Catherine Tramell (Sharon Stone), whose writing contains details that resemble the crime. It’s unclear whether Catherine is a suspect or a witness, but what is clear is that she’s manipulating Nick.
Why you should watch it: Michael Douglas and Sharon Stone give fabulous performances in this film. It actually catapulted Stone into global stardom – and not just because of that scene.
WATCH NOW: Basic Instinct
14. Love Marry Kill
What it’s about: The death of a socialite leads her best friend – and, conveniently, a forensic pathologist –Jordan Toussaint (Monique Coleman) back home to Louisiana for the funeral. New Orleans is a city of mystery, so it’s no surprise when Jordan senses something is awry and begins an investigation.
Why you should watch it: How much do you really know about your bestie? The thriller centers on what its characters think they know about the people closest to them and how those assumptions change as information about the crime comes to light.
WATCH NOW: Love Marry Kill
15. Escape From Alcatraz
What it’s about: Frank Morris (Clint Eastwood), an inmate at Alcatraz, begins planning an escape with fellow prisoners John and Clarence Anglin. Over six months, the men secretly create tools, elaborate dummy heads, and a raft, and find their way out of the maximum-security prison.
Why you should watch it: The 1979 film is based on the real 1962 Alcatraz escape. Much of the story follows the practical work behind the plan, including how the prisoners dug through cell walls and concealed their preparations from guards.
WATCH NOW: Escape From Alcatraz
16. Incision (2024)
What it’s about: Characterized as a horror film, Incision gets a place on this list of thrillers thanks to the lead character’s need to persuade her antagonists… or else. After her sister’s death, medical resident London Pierce (Brandee Evans) goes undercover in an illegal organ harvesting ring to find answers. She must figure out how to tear this criminal underworld apart from the inside, even as a hitman tracks her.
Why you should watch it: Incision could be described as an escape room on screen. London is caught in close quarters with the people responsible for the deaths of her sister and so many others, and it’s interesting to watch her path.
WATCH NOW: Incision
17. Marathon Man
What it’s about: Graduate student Thomas “Babe” Levy (Dustin Hoffman) becomes caught in a conspiracy involving his brother (Roy Scheider) and Nazi war criminal Christian Szell (Laurence Olivier). Things escalate when Babe has to determine why Szell believes he has information he wants… before Szell tortures him to death.
Why you should watch it: The movie moves from Babe’s life as a student into a conspiracy involving stolen diamonds, secret identities, and Szell’s attempts to recover his fortune. Olivier received an Academy Award® nomination for his performance. “Is it safe?” No, no, it is not.
WATCH NOW: Marathon Man
18. September 5
What it’s about: September 5 follows an American television sports crew covering the 1972 Munich Olympics when members of the Israeli team are taken hostage. The crew suddenly finds itself reporting on a developing international crisis from inside the Olympic complex.
Why you should watch it: The story stays largely with the broadcast team as they decide what they can verify, what they should (and should not) put on live television, and how to cover events unfolding nearby. The film was nominated for the Academy Award® for Best Original Screenplay.
WATCH NOW: September 5
19. Til Death Do Us Part (2017)
What it’s about: Annie Ilonzeh (Ruined) also stars in this psychological thriller as Madison Roland, a woman who thinks she has the perfect marriage to Michael (Stephen Bishop). But things aren’t what they seem, as Michael becomes controlling to a violent degree. To get out of the situation, Madison fakes her own death and starts a new life, only for Michael to find her and attempt to drag her back into their terrible union.
Why you should watch it: It’s empowering to see a woman take control of her situation, and Madison does this several times throughout the film. The movie also features Taye Diggs, who serves as a producer on the project.
WATCH NOW: Til Death Do Us Part
Watch more thrillers on Paramount+
If you’re a glutton for punishment and crave even more head-spinning thrillers, check out the Peak Screaming collection on Paramount+. You’ll find movies and series ranging from the delightfully spooky to the downright horrifying. Enjoy!
Peak Screaming
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