The 7 Best Thriller Movies Streaming in 2024 & Where to Watch Them

The 7 Best Thrillers to Watch in 2024 Ranked

While we all enjoy a suspenseful move from time to time, choosing the best thrillers can be subjective. However, there’s something for everyone in the following list. Let’s get straight to the best thrillers to watch, alone or with friends. Don’t forget the popcorn.

7. Gone Girl

Gone Girl is a masterfully crafted thriller based on the popular novel by Gillian Flynn, which keeps you guessing from the beginning to the end. The film delves deep into the dark side of marriage, unraveling a story filled with deceit, manipulation, and hidden secrets that will leave you questioning everything.

With a gripping plot that twists and turns in unexpected ways, the film showcases a chilling performance by Rosamund Pike, whose portrayal of Amy Dunne is both mesmerizing and unsettling.

Ben Affleck adds to the tension with his complex portrayal of Nick Dunne, a man caught in a web of lies and suspicion.

The film’s tense atmosphere is heightened by its sharp dialog and an eerie score that perfectly complements its dark themes. Gone Girl is a riveting exploration of the darker sides of human nature, making it a must-watch for anyone who loves a psychological thriller that lingers long after the credits roll.

For those who can’t watch this riveting thriller due to geo-blocking, a VPN like NordVPN is the perfect way to get around this. VPNs can help you bypass geo-blocked content and access movies and shows from around the globe straight from the comfort of your couch.

🤔 Did You Know?

Being a die-hard Red Sox fan, Ben Affleck refused to wear a Yankees cap in one scene even though he was asked to do so. A compromise was made where he wears a Mets cap instead.

6. No Country for Old Men

No Country for Old Men is a tense and atmospheric thriller that delves into the brutal nature of fate and violence. The film centers on a relentless cat-and-mouse chase across the stark landscapes of Texas, where morality is blurred and survival is uncertain.

With minimal dialogue and stark visuals, it creates a haunting world that keeps you gripped from the very beginning.

Javier Bardem delivers an unforgettable performance as the chilling hitman Anton Chigurh, whose mere presence brings an overwhelming sense of dread.

Tommy Lee Jones plays a weary sheriff trying to make sense of the chaos, while Josh Brolin is a man on the run, both adding depth to the story. The deliberate pacing builds suspense without relying on typical action, keeping you on the edge throughout.

More than just a thriller, No Country for Old Men is a meditation on the randomness of violence and the changing nature of the world. With its haunting performances and excellent direction, the film challenges you to confront unsettling truths beneath its tense and gripping surface.

🤔 Did You Know?

A group of psychiatrists identified 126 psychopathic characters in 400 movies and determined that Javier Bardem’s portrayal of Anton Chigurh was the most clinically accurate portrayal of a psychopath.

5. Shutter Island

Shutter Island is a mind-bending psychological thriller that plunges you into a world of mystery and paranoia. Leonardo DiCaprio plays U.S. Marshal Teddy Daniels, who arrives at a remote mental institution to investigate a patient’s disappearance.

What starts as a straightforward investigation quickly spirals into something far more unsettling as dark secrets begin to surface, and the line between reality and illusion blurs.

DiCaprio delivers a gripping performance, masterfully capturing Teddy’s unravelling mental state with both intensity and nuance. The film’s eerie atmosphere, enhanced by a haunting score, contributes to a growing sense of unease that lingers throughout.

What’s more, each twist adds new layers of suspense and psychological tension, keeping you on the edge as the mystery grows more complex.

This film is a deep dive into the mind, blurring the boundaries between reality and illusion. Director Martin Scorsese weaves a fully immersive experience that makes you question what’s real and imagined, resulting in a haunting film that stays with you.

🤔 Did You Know?

‘Shutter Island’ is an anagram for ‘truths and lies’ and ‘truths/denials’.

4. Prisoners

Prisoners is an intense thriller that delves into how far people will go to protect their loved ones. When two young girls go missing, their families are left shattered, and the desperate search for answers begins.

Hugh Jackman delivers an excellent performance as Keller Dover, a father driven to extremes who takes matters into his own hands when the investigation stalls.

His desperation contrasts with Detective Loki, played by Jake Gyllenhaal, who works relentlessly to solve the case as Keller crosses moral lines in pursuit of justice.

The film’s tension is palpable, with every clue leading to more uncertainty and fear. Prisoners is a dark exploration of human desperation, morality, and the psychological toll of tragedy, leaving you questioning how far you would go in the face of such a nightmare.

🤔 Did You Know?

Jake Gyllenhaal watched 100 hours of police interrogations to prepare himself for the role of Detective Loki.

3. Joker

Joker is a dark and unsettling character study that reimagines the origin story of one of cinema’s most iconic villains. The film follows Arther Fleck, a struggling comedian brilliantly portrayed by Joaquin Phoenix, as he navigates the harsh and unforgiving streets of Gotham City.

Isolated and tormented by society, Arthur’s descent into madness is both tragic and terrifying, culminating in his transformation into the infamous Joker.

Joaquin Phoenix delivers an intense and haunting performance. He captures Arther’s slow demise with raw emotion and depth, making his journey as captivating as it is disturbing.

The film’s grim atmosphere is enhanced by a haunting score and striking visuals, creating an unsettling yet mesmerizing experience. Joker explores themes of mental illness and societal neglect, blurring the lines between victim and villain.

🤔 Did You Know?

This film held the record for the highest-grossing R-rated movie of all time until Deadpool & Wolverine, released in 2024.

2. The Departed

The Departed is a crime thriller that masterfully blends suspense, deception, and explosive action. The story centers on two men on opposite sides of the law, each engaged in a dangerous game of cat and mouse where the stakes couldn’t be higher.

Leonardo DiCaprio plays an undercover cop who infiltrates the mob, while Matt Damon portrays a mole within the police force who secretly works for the same criminal organization.

As both men race to uncover each other’s identities, a tense and unpredictable showdown breaks out, keeping you hooked from the very beginning.

The film features stellar performances from an all-star cast, including Jack Nicholson as a ruthless mob boss, and Mark Wahlberg, who adds intensity to every scene he’s in.

The Departed explores the depths of loyalty, identity, and moral ambiguity, making it a thrilling ride from start to finish.

🤔 Did You Know?

Half of the budget, which was around $90 million, was spent on the actor’s salaries.

1. Parasite

Parasite is an excellently crafted social thriller that delves deep into class divisions with unsettling intensity. The film follows the struggling Kim family as they gradually infiltrate the lives of the wealthy Park family, pretending to be highly skilled workers.

What begins as a clever con soon spirals into something far more dangerous, revealing hidden tensions and secrets that threaten both families.

The storytelling in Parasite is exceptional, paired with stunning cinematography that seamlessly blends humor, suspense, and some truly shocking twists. Every scene is meticulously crafted to draw you deeper into the unfolding chaos.

Other than its gripping plot, the film serves as a biting social commentary on inequality, greed, and the human condition. Parasite challenges you to examine the invisible lines that divide us, offering profound themes that resonate long after the film is finished.

It’s a thriller that not only entertains but also makes you think deeply about the world around you.

Don’t forget that while geo-blocking could pose a problem in some regions, the best VPNs, like NordVPN, can help you bypass these problems and give you uninterrupted access to the best streaming services, regardless of your location.

🤔Did You Know?

Parasite is the first Korean film ever to win the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival.

Noteworthy Classic Suspense Movies to Watch in 2024

If you prefer more classic films, we’ve put together a list of some of the best classic thriller movies out there. Take a look:

1. The Silence of the Lambs

• 🗓️ Release Date: 1991
• 🏅 Rating: IMDb – 8.6/10
• ➡️ Where to Watch: SlingTV, Philo TV, Amazon Prime Video
• 📝 Synopsis: An FBI trainee, Clarice Starling (Jodie Foster), consults imprisoned cannibal Dr. Hannibal Lecter (Anthony Hopkins) to catch a serial killer, leading to a tense psychological game.

2. Seven

• 🗓️ Release Date: 1995
• 🏅 Rating: IMDb – 8.6/10
• ➡️ Where to Watch: SlingTV, Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV
• 📝 Synopsis: A gripping crime thriller where two detectives, Somerset (Morgan Freeman) and Mills (Brad Pitt) hunt a serial killer who uses the seven deadly sins as his modus operandi (MO).

3. Memento

• 🗓️ Release Date: 2000
• 🏅 Rating: IMDb – 8.4/10
• ➡️ Where to Watch: Peacock, Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV
• 📝 Synopsis: Leonard Shelby (Guy Pearce) suffers from short-term memory loss and uses Polaroids and tattoos to hunt for his wife’s killer. This film challenges you to piece together the truth, as Leonard’s memory is unreliable.

4. Jaws

• 🗓️ Release Date: 1975
• 🏅 Rating: IMDb – 8.1/10
• ➡️ Where to Watch: HBO Max, Hulu, SlingTV
• 📝 Synopsis: This film follows a marine biologist, a sheriff, and a shark hunter as they look for a great white shark that terrorizes a small holiday town.

Can I Watch The Top Thrillers for Free?

Yes, you can watch the best thrillers for free. Firstly, you can take advantage of the various free trials available on the different streaming platforms.

While these trials vary in length from 3 days (Hulu) up to 30 days (Amazon Prime Video), if you stagger these trials, you can watch many of the best thrillers for free. Don’t forget to cancel your subscription if you don’t want to be charged once your trial ends.

The next way to watch these films for free is to use one of the best VPN services, something like NordVPN, coupled with the best Pirate Bay alternatives to torrent these movies.

Keep in mind that torrenting has its own risks, which is why it is vital that you use a VPN to keep your internet activity anonymous.

What to Do if a Movie or Platform isn’t Accessible in Your Region

If you find yourself struggling to access a streaming platform or movie in your region, it could be because that particular platform or movie has been geo-blocked, which would prevent you from gaining access.

A simple yet effective way around this is to subscribe to a VPN service. This would allow you to bypass geo-blocks and gain access to just about every streaming service, regardless of your location.

When you subscribe to a VPN service, you can connect to a server in a country where the film or platform is available. This essentially ‘tricks’ the platform into thinking you are in that region and therefore gives you access. You might even find a better, more cost-effective subscription streaming service, depending on the region you’ve connected to.

The Best VPNs for Streaming and Torrenting the Top Thriller Films

Below are some of the best VPNs for streaming, with NordVPN being number one thanks to its vast server fleet, among other notable features.

Final Thoughts

While this list contains some of the best thrillers and where to watch them, everyone has their own unique tastes. Therefore, we’ve tried to include a little bit of everything, including some excellent classic films.

For those on a budget, we’ve highlighted the various free trials available, which allow you to watch many of these films for free.

If you’re located in a geo-blocked region, using a VPN service can be a simple yet effective way around this. Depending on your connected server, you could even get access to more cost-effective content.

Speaking of servers, NordVPN has one of the biggest fleets, which means it gives you access to a broader range of content from around the world straight from the comfort of your own couch.

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