Find a good seat because you’re about to be on the edge of it—we have found the best thrillers on Netflix. Whether you’re looking for a classic spine-tingling movie or a hot-off-the-press series, you’ll find something on this list that will keep your eyes locked on the screen until the final credits roll.
That’s enough suspense — let’s dive into the best thrillers on Netflix
Flightplan
When this Jodie Foster classic first came out in 2005, the Guardian called it an “enjoyable if wildly implausible aeroplane thriller”. In a nutshell, it follows a recently widowed aircraft engineer who is flying with her young daughter (plus her husband’s body, as you do). When she wakes up to find her daughter is missing, the flight crew tell her she never boarded. What follows is a tense and chaotic rescue mission rife with conspiracies, a healthy dose of gaslighting, and a daring escape attempt. Though it’s only just been added to Netflix Australia, the movie is 20 years old… so set your expectations accordingly and you’re in for a thrilling ride.
Rebel Ridge
If you’re looking for a refreshingly different kind of action thriller, look no further than Rebel Ridge. The story follows a man whose life savings are seized by corrupt local police in a small town. Little do they know that this man is Terry Richmond—an ex-marine with a particular set of skills (to quote another great action thriller!). Incensed by the injustice and in a bid to retrieve his money, Terry pretty much single-handedly takes on an entire police force, uncovering all sorts of sinister activity along the way. If you prefer your action movies more character-driven than excessively stunt-filled, this Emmy-nominated movie is worth a watch.
Dept. Q
We loved this one so much, we put it on our Best Netflix Crime Shows and our Best Netflix Shows lists—so you know you’re in for a treat. It follows a brilliant yet emotionally complicated detective as he heads up the Edinburgh police force’s new cold-case division. While trying to solve the mystery of who shot him in the face (yes, that’s a thing!), he simultaneously works on the unsolved disappearance of a local prosecutor. The result is a thrilling ride full of twists, turns, and plenty of suspense. Enjoy—we certainly did!
Squid Game
Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the past few years, you’ve at least heard of Squid Game! For those who have no idea what it’s about, it follows a bunch of financially desperate people who are lured into a competition where they play childhood games with a deadly twist for a huge cash prize. As the games get increasingly brutal, the contestants’ behaviour—and betrayals—become utterly savage. This fan favourite is as twisted as it is thrilling, but it’s definitely not for the faint-hearted. You can smash all three seasons of Squid Game now. And, if you want more Korean goodness, you can check out our list of Best Korean Shows too.
The Platform
This Spanish dystopian thriller has a crazy-good concept and it plays out even better on the screen. In a large industrial tower called the Vertical Self-Management Center, prisoners are fed from a moving platform, with those at the top fed first, while those on lower platforms receive whatever is left. There’s a lot of gruesome violence, so here is your trigger warning, but The Platform is an entertaining and gory exploration of race and class, and is well-worth a watch.
Bird Box
This post-apocalyptic thriller will keep you hooked with a mysterious but terrifying enemy, strong character development and general spooky vibe. Bird Box follows Malorie (Sandra Bullock) as she tries to save her kids from a force that is driving people to commit suicide when they see it. The story is tense and will leave you on edge as they struggle, while blind, trying to survive.
El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie
A 2019 crime thriller part of the Breaking Bad franchise, this one has been described as an extended finale to the viral franchise. It continues the story of Jesse Pinkman, but also sees several Breaking Bad characters return, including Walter White (Bryan Cranston). In the film we see Jesse on the run from police, trying to start a new life while reconciling with his past. El Camino not a must-watch for Breaking Bad fans, but it’s a seriously good time.
Gone Girl
This movie is so iconic there is now a concept of being a ‘Gone Girl’, with its own entry on Urban Dictionary (no, it’s not a good thing). The plot follows Nick Dunne (Ben Affleck) who becomes a suspect in his wife Amy’s (Rosamund Pike) disappearance. But everything is—gasp—not as it seems. Seriously though, this film has a bunch of twists and turns, and it’s a fascinating watch as the storyline plays out. If you don’t know anything about the plot twist, try and keep it that way before you watch.
Carry On
Apparently there is something scarier than flying. Carry On is an entertaining thriller that sees a TSA agent caught up in a terrorist plot. While certain aspects of the plot were somewhat unrealistic, you can forgive it for the action-packed storyline and fun, thrilling ride you’re taken on. Plus, it’s set at Christmas, so you can save it for a December watch right after Die Hard if you prefer.
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Parasite
This Korean thriller had the world in a chokehold when it premiered in 2019, and took home Oscars, BAFTAs, Academy Awards, Golden Globes, and more. So, it’s a pretty good watch. Parasite follows the Kims, a poverty-stricken family who try to scam their way into working for a wealthy family. Their scam is upended by a series of events that explore themes of class and power. The film is a slow burn that really ramps up, and you won’t see the ending coming. It’s a bit of a depressing watch and the story will stay with you long after it ends.
The Town
This classic starring Ben Affleck, Jon Hamm and Blake Lively is like a crime movie, thriller and romance all rolled into one. What starts out as a standard bank robbery starts to get complicated when one of the robbers falls in love with the victims. The plot is jam packed with tense, gritty action but the romance between Doug (Affleck) and Claire (Rebecca Hall) adds another layer and really drives the story forward.
Woman Of The Hour
As if the dating scene wasn’t enough of a nightmare! This film is based on the true story of a woman meeting a serial killer on a 1970s dating show, with the plot weaving between both Rodney (Daniel Zovatto) and Sheryl’s (Anna Kendrick) lives leading up to them appearing on the show. The way the story is told builds the tension and really adds to the creepy vibe of the entire film. You know what’s coming, but your eyes will be glued to the screen the whole time.
Main image credit: Netflix
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