Introduction
Thrillers are one of the most popular genres of films, as they offer suspense, mystery, and excitement. Whether you’re looking for a fast-paced action flick or a psychological drama, there is something out there to satisfy every taste. But with so many great films to choose from, it can be difficult to decide which one to watch. To help you make your decision, we’ve compiled a list of the best thriller movies to watch right now.
A Review of the Top 10 Thrillers to Watch Right Now
When it comes to deciding which thriller to watch, it’s important to consider both recent releases and classic favorites. Here are our picks for the top 10 thrillers to watch right now:
- Knives Out (2019)
- Parasite (2019)
- Gone Girl (2014)
- The Silence of the Lambs (1991)
- The Sixth Sense (1999)
- Rear Window (1954)
- Psycho (1960)
- Se7en (1995)
- Shutter Island (2010)
- The Usual Suspects (1995)
Let’s take a closer look at each of these films to better understand why they made our list.
Knives Out (2019): This modern whodunit follows a detective as he attempts to solve a mysterious murder in an old-fashioned country estate. The film features an all-star cast and an intriguing plot full of twists and turns. Critics praised Knives Out for its witty dialogue and clever storytelling.
Parasite (2019): This South Korean film follows a poor family as they try to infiltrate a wealthy household and steal their fortune. Parasite has been praised for its dark humor and social commentary, and it won the Academy Award for Best Picture in 2020.
Gone Girl (2014): This psychological thriller follows a man whose wife mysteriously disappears on their fifth wedding anniversary. As the story unfolds, viewers are left guessing who is responsible and what happened to the missing woman. Gone Girl was a critical and commercial success, earning multiple awards and nominations.
The Silence of the Lambs (1991): This classic horror film follows an FBI trainee as she seeks help from a notorious serial killer to catch another murderer. The Silence of the Lambs won five Academy Awards, including Best Picture, and it has become one of the most iconic films of all time.
The Sixth Sense (1999): This supernatural thriller follows a child psychologist as he attempts to help a young boy who claims to see ghosts. The Sixth Sense has been hailed as one of the best horror films of all time, and it earned six Academy Award nominations.
Rear Window (1954): This Alfred Hitchcock classic follows a photographer who suspects his neighbor of committing a murder. Rear Window has become a classic of the suspense genre, and it is widely regarded as one of Hitchcock’s greatest films.
Psycho (1960): This iconic horror film follows a secretary who stops at a secluded motel and encounters a deranged killer. Psycho is considered one of the greatest films of all time, and it has had a lasting impact on the horror genre.
Se7en (1995): This neo-noir thriller follows two detectives as they attempt to catch a serial killer who bases his murders on the seven deadly sins. Se7en was a critical and commercial success, and it has become one of the most iconic films of the 90s.
Shutter Island (2010): This psychological thriller follows a U.S. Marshal as he investigates a mysterious disappearance at a psychiatric hospital. Shutter Island was a box office hit, and critics praised its gripping story and compelling performances.
The Usual Suspects (1995): This crime thriller follows a group of criminals who are interrogated by the police after a major heist. The Usual Suspects was a critical and commercial success, and it won two Academy Awards.
Ranking the Best Thrillers from the Last 5 Years
Now that we’ve reviewed some of the best thrillers of all time, let’s take a look at the top 5 thrillers from the last 5 years:
- Knives Out (2019)
- Parasite (2019)
- Gone Girl (2014)
- Gravity (2013)
- Get Out (2017)
To determine the ranking of these films, we used a combination of critical acclaim, box office success, and audience ratings. Here’s how each film fared:
Knives Out (2019): This film was praised for its witty dialogue and clever storytelling, and it earned over $311 million at the box office. On Rotten Tomatoes, the film has an approval rating of 97%.
Parasite (2019): Parasite received universal acclaim from critics, and it won the Academy Award for Best Picture. The film earned over $265 million at the box office, and it has an approval rating of 99% on Rotten Tomatoes.
Gone Girl (2014): This film was a critical and commercial success, earning multiple awards and nominations. It grossed over $369 million at the box office and has an approval rating of 87% on Rotten Tomatoes.
Gravity (2013): This sci-fi thriller was praised for its visual effects and performances. It earned over $723 million at the box office and has an approval rating of 96% on Rotten Tomatoes.
Get Out (2017): This horror-comedy was a critical and commercial success, earning four Academy Award nominations. The film grossed over $255 million at the box office and has an approval rating of 99% on Rotten Tomatoes.
An Overview of the Most Popular Thriller Movies of All Time
In addition to reviewing the best thrillers from the last 5 years, we also looked at the most popular thrillers of all time. Here are our picks for the top 10 most popular thrillers of all time:
- The Silence of the Lambs (1991)
- Psycho (1960)
- The Sixth Sense (1999)
- Rear Window (1954)
- Se7en (1995)
- The Usual Suspects (1995)
- The Shining (1980)
- Jaws (1975)
- The Ring (2002)
- Alien (1979)
So what makes these films so popular? Let’s take a closer look at each of them to find out.
The Silence of the Lambs (1991): This classic horror film combines elements of suspense, horror, and psychological drama to create a truly unforgettable experience. Its complex characters, intense atmosphere, and shocking plot twists have made it a timeless classic.
Psycho (1960): Alfred Hitchcock’s masterpiece is a masterclass in suspense and tension. Its iconic shower scene, memorable characters, and shocking twist ending have made it one of the most influential films ever made.
The Sixth Sense (1999): This supernatural thriller features a simple yet gripping premise and some of the best acting performances of the 90s. Its twist ending has become legendary, and it has had a lasting impact on the horror genre.
Rear Window (1954): This Hitchcock classic is a testament to the power of suspense. Its slow-burn approach and clever use of camera angles create a sense of tension that keeps viewers on the edge of their seats until the very end.
Se7en (1995): This neo-noir thriller features a unique premise, excellent performances, and a gripping story. Its twist ending has become one of the most iconic moments in cinema history.
The Usual Suspects (1995): This crime thriller features a brilliant script and an all-star cast. Its twist ending is one of the most memorable in film history, and it has become an iconic moment in cinema.
The Shining (1980): Stanley Kubrick’s adaptation of Stephen King’s novel is a masterpiece of horror cinema. Its creepy atmosphere, unsettling score, and iconic imagery have made it a classic.
Jaws (1975): Steven Spielberg’s classic is one of the greatest blockbusters of all time. Its tense atmosphere, nail-biting suspense, and thrilling action sequences make it a must-see for any fan of the genre.
The Ring (2002): This Japanese horror film is a modern classic. Its creepy atmosphere, disturbing visuals, and horrifying plot twists have made it one of the most iconic horror films of all time.
Alien (1979): Ridley Scott’s science fiction masterpiece is a masterclass in suspense and tension. Its iconic creature design, intense atmosphere, and chilling score have made it a classic.
Exploring the Genre: What Makes a Great Thriller Movie?
Now that we’ve reviewed some of the best and most popular thriller films, let’s take a closer look at the genre itself. What makes a great thriller movie?
According to a study published in the journal Perspectives on Psychological Science, there are several key elements that contribute to a great thriller. These include a strong narrative structure, believable characters, and an unpredictable plot. Additionally, the study found that viewers prefer “surprise endings” and “unexpected twists.”
Other factors that contribute to the success of a thriller include an engaging protagonist, a compelling antagonist, and a high stakes situation. Additionally, suspenseful music and effective editing can add to the tension and keep viewers on the edge of their seats.
An Evaluation of the Best Thriller Films of the Decade
Finally, let’s take a look at the best thriller films of the decade. Here are our picks for the top 10 thrillers of the 2010s:
- Gone Girl (2014)
- Get Out (2017)
- The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo (2011)
- Argo (2012)
- Bird Box (2018)
- Prisoners (2013)
- Wind River (2017)
- Nightcrawler (2014)
- Shutter Island (2010)
- 10 Cloverfield Lane (2016)
To determine the ranking of these films, we used a combination of critical acclaim, box office success, and audience ratings. Here’s how each film fared:
Gone Girl (2014): This film was a critical and commercial success, earning multiple awards and nominations. It grossed over $369 million at the box office and has an approval rating of 87% on Rotten Tomatoes.
Get Out (2017): This horror-comedy was a critical and commercial success, earning four Academy Award nominations. The film grossed over $255 million at the box office and has an approval rating of 99% on Rotten Tomatoes.
The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo (2011): This psychological thriller was praised for its gripping story and compelling performances. It grossed over $232 million at the box office and has an approval rating of 84% on Rotten Tomatoes.
Argo (2012): This political thriller was a critical and commercial success, earning three Academy Awards. The film grossed over $232 million at the box office and has an approval rating of 95% on Rotten Tomatoes.
Bird Box (2018): This post-apocalyptic thriller was a box office hit, earning over $263 million worldwide. On Rotten Tomatoes, the film has an approval rating of 63%.
Prisoners (2013): This crime thriller was praised for its gripping story and powerful performances. The film grossed over $122 million at the box office and has an approval rating of 81% on Rotten Tomatoes.
Wind River (2017): This neo-noir thriller was praised for its gripping story and powerful performances. The film grossed over $50 million at the box office and has an approval rating of 88% on Rotten Tomatoes.
Nightcrawler (2014): This dark comedy was praised for its unique premise and captivating performances. The film grossed over $50 million at the box office and has an approval rating of 93% on Rotten Tomatoes.
Shutter Island (2010): This psychological thriller was a box office hit, and critics praised its gripping story and compelling performances. The film has an approval rating of 79% on Rotten Tomatoes.
10 Cloverfield Lane (2016): This science-fiction thriller was praised for its suspenseful story and thrilling action sequences. The film grossed over $108 million at the box office and has an approval rating of 79% on Rotten Tomatoes.
A Guide to Finding the Perfect Thriller Film for Your Mood
With so many great thrillers to choose from, it can be difficult to decide which one to watch.
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