The 10 Best Thriller Movies Of All Time, According To Letterboxd

Nothing beats the suspense and excitement audiences get from well-made thriller movies, and there are countless incredible ones to choose from. Thankfully, fans on Letterboxd – a popular social platform for film enthusiasts – have chosen the best thriller movies ever made through their ratings.

From the profound film with bold social commentary, Parasite, to the gritty superhero picture that revitalized the genre, The Dark Knight, the films that get the highest scores on the platform are almost always critically-acclaimed masterpieces. Most of the movies featured as the best thrillers on the site are considered classics, and should be essential viewing for fans of the genre.

10 Pulp Fiction (1994) – 4.31

• Available to rent on Apple TV

The hallmarks of the best Quentin Tarantino movies are all in the cult classic, Pulp Fiction. Arguably the film that thrust the director into the spotlight, it has a weird and winding narrative, well-written quirky dialogue, and distinctive art style that all make it immediately iconic.

The way it has influenced cinema as a whole is still obvious today, as its genre-defining elements are still used and continue to inspire similar and more recent movies. Most would agree that it’s the director’s magnum opus and is a movie that’s just as thrilling to rewatch decades after its initial release.

9 The Silence Of The Lambs (1991) – 4.31

• Available to stream on Amazon Prime

It’s hard to believe that director Jonathan Demme’s The Silence of the Lambs wasn’t immediately a blockbuster back when it was first released. The sleeper hit gained more momentum in the following years, with critics and audiences eventually paying attention to the unique and truly horrifying narrative it depicts.

A large part of what makes it such an engrossing (and disturbing) movie is its legendary villain, Dr. Hannibal Lecter. Viewers likely can’t help but root for Clarice as she delves into the horrific way his mind works, all the while working on an urgent case about another serial killer.

8 Le Trou (1960) – 4.32

• Available to stream on The Criterion Channel

Le Trou is director Jacques Becker’s love letter to classic French cinema that still influences the industry today. Becker’s last crime film is not only inspired by true events, but even features someone who was actually part of the daring escape from prison.

While the subject may have been depicted numerous times on the big screen already, the director puts his own spin on it by casting mostly non-actors to play the main roles. The intimate atmosphere and believable friendship between the inmates make it feel like a genuinely unique movie, as it breathes life into the old formula by paring down the genre to its necessary basics.

7 Rear Window (1954) – 4.32

• Available to rent on Apple TV

Director Alfred Hitchcock invites audiences to sit down and observe the neighbors through its protagonist Jeff’s window. Rear Window tells the story of what the injured photographer sees while he recovers, which ranges from a talented pianist to an enigmatic man who murders his wife. He soon has his girlfriend Lisa join him as he investigates from his room.

It’s an exhilarating mystery thriller with perfect pacing and visual storytelling, not to mention stellar one-liners from its endearing characters. The engrossing film gives viewers one frustrating clue after another, all of which build towards a satisfying conclusion.

6 Perfect Blue (1997) – 4.35

• Available to rent on Apple TV

Audiences will not be able to take their eyes off the screen when they meet Perfect Blue’s intriguing protagonist, Mima. Director Satoshi Kon crafts an enthralling main character, who’s a singer-turned-actor surrounded by mysterious circumstances.

Watching Mima lose her grip on reality is a genuinely astonishing process that will give fans an unforgettable viewing experience. As audiences struggle to tell apart which gruesome murders are real and which ones happen in Mima’s mind, they’ll find themselves wanting answers almost as badly as she does.

5 The Handmaiden (2016) – 4.36

• Available to stream on Amazon Prime

The Handmaiden is a hugely underrated Korean movie by acclaimed director Park Chan-wook. Set in 1930s Korea, the erotic psychological thriller revolves around a young woman’s experience when she moves away from the city to work for an elite family. Her ulterior motives and detailed plan are soon transformed when unexpected connections emerge within the house.

The disturbing film is definitely not for everyone, but those who enjoy a good revenge flick will likely fall in love with its dark humor, brutal scenes, and shocking twists.

4 Woman In The Dunes (1964) – 4.36

• Available to rent on Apple TV

There’s something mesmerizing about the way the sand seems to be constantly shifting and breathing around the characters in director Hiroshi Teshigahara’s Woman in the Dunes (also known as Woman of the Dunes). It tells the story of an entomologist who’s taken prisoner by a group he encounters on his trip.

The artistic and often perplexing world in the movie makes it an immersive thriller that transports viewers to otherworldly (often unsettling) scenarios. It’s not a film for the faint of heart, as its profound and disturbing narrative are meant to be thought-provoking representations of the best and worst aspects of humanity.

3 The Dark Knight (2008) – 4.43

• Available to stream on HBO Max

Director Cristopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight is the second (and best) installment in the popular trilogy. More than just a series of impressive actions sequences, the film boldly delves into the gray areas between good and evil, exploring themes of identity and morality.

Its unforgettable special effects like those behind the explosions in Chicago and its thrilling chase scenes only punctuate the movie’s darker and more intimate scenes. The flawless action choreography pushes its characters to their limits in the one-of-a-kind gritty superhero movie, which elevates the oversaturated genre.

2 High And Low (1963) – 4.46

• Available to rent on Apple TV

Yet another masterpiece from director Akira Kurosawa, High and Low is centered on a riveting story of kidnapping, extortion, and betrayal. It allows viewers to watch the narratives unfold from three different perspectives, with each one being more convincing than the last.

It feels as if the movie is separated into three parts, with each one telling a complete story all on its own. When it starts to seem like it may be an anthology, however, Kurosawa masterfully weaves all the storylines together to create the only ending that makes sense.

1 Parasite (2019) – 4.59

• Available to stream on Hulu

The international sensation, Parasite, is the thrilling film that made director Bong Joon-ho a household name. The movie unapologetically tackles heavy themes related to class structure and inequality, through the perspective of its cunning main characters who infiltrate a rich family’s home by posing as skilled workers.

Of course, it’s the shocking twist that changes everything towards the middle of the film. It’s a movie that’s better seen without much information about its truly unique narrative, and is one that’s a must-see for any fan of the thriller genre.

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