Loved “Shutter Island?” Well, we all did. As a matter of fact, very few people criticize and dislike the film, and almost all of them are in complete awe of the career-defining performances and excellent cinematography. This 2010 Martin Scorsese psychological thriller is the kind of film that keeps you up at night. You may try your hardest to put together the pieces of the extremely complex plot of the film, but you’ll end up more confused than before.
The human mind is so fond of closure you try to make sense of it all, only to find yourself more confused, distraught, and wrapped up in it all. It is the sort of film that opens the floodgates for all kinds of interpretations by the viewer.
Directed by none other than the master of filmmaking himself, Martin Scorsese, the mind-bending and twisted thriller follows Edward Daniel, played by Leonardo DiCaprio, a Deputy US Marshall who is sent into a mental asylum on a remote island to investigate the case of a missing patient.
This neo-noir psychological thriller has stood the test of time and challenges the psyche in the best ways possible. This is one of those films that feels fresh, and you end up discovering something new each time. The gripping scenes and heart-breaking consequences at the end of the film make it a true tragedy.
Though the masterpiece did not win any Oscar nomination, it is twisted, chilling, disturbing and intense, all-in equal proportions. Besides this, Leo won great praise from critics for showcasing his versatile acting skills.
The realistic portrayal of a flawed and mysterious protagonist made “Shutter Island” Scorsese’s second highest-grossing film of all time. If you are on the lookout for more gripping and spine-chilling films, you have come to the right place. Here are our top picks for similar movies like “Shutter Island”:
1. The Girl on the Train
The film stars Emily Blunt as Rachel Watson, who, from the window of her train, watches a seemingly perfect couple, Scott and Megan, daily on her way to work. Rachel almost envies the couple and how perfect their lives look on the outside, but things are not as picture-perfect as they seem to be.
She informs the authorities that Megan is missing and feared dead as she witnesses a horrible incident take place in their backyard. Unable to trust her own memory completely because of her amnesia, she begins investigating the assumed murder herself. This gripping tale of an inwardly troubled woman who tries to make sense of what is unfolding in her world is sure to captivate the audience.
- Released in: 2016
- IMDB Score: 6.5
- Runtime: 1h 52m
- Cast: Emily Blunt, Rebecca Ferguson, Haley Bennett, Justin Theroux, Lisa Kudrow, and Luke Evans
- Directed By: Tate Taylor
- Streaming Platform: Amazon Prime Video
2. Secret Window
The film is based on Stephen King’s novella called “Secret Window, Secret Garden” and revolves around the writer, Mort Rainey, played by Johnny Depp, as he tries to deal with the heartbreak of his wife, Maria Bello, cheating on him.
To deal with the crushing divorce, Rainey resorts to a secluded lakeside cabin in search of peace and solitude only to find John Shooter, played by John Turturro, a farmer turned psychotic stalker blaming him for plagiarizing his work. The simple-looking premise of the film is much deeper when you choose to dive into the twisted and sinister plotlines.
- Released in: 2004
- IMDB Score: 6.5
- Runtime: 1h 36m
- Cast: Johnny Depp, John Turturro, Maria Bello, Charles S. Dutton, and Timothy Hutton
- Directed By: David Koepp
- Streaming Platform: Amazon Prime Video
Also Read: 45 Most Popular Johnny Depp Movies and TV Shows Recommendations
3. Changeling
This 2008 Clint Eastwood thriller is set in 1928 Los Angeles, where single mother, Christine Collins, played by Angelina Jolie, arrives home to find her son, Walter, missing. She prays day and night for his return, and finally, her prayers are answered as he is found in Illinois five months later.
To Christine’s horror, the boy who comes home to her fits her son’s description but is not her son. Christine’s claims are disregarded by the authorities, but a clergyman, played by John Malkovich, sees the twisted case as an opportunity to expose the corruption in the LAPD.
- Released in: 2008
- IMDB Score: 7.8
- Runtime: 2h 22m
- Cast: Angelina Jolie, John Malkovich, Jason Butler Harner, Gattlin Griffith, and Devon Conti
- Directed By: Clint Eastwood
- Streaming Platform: Apple TV
4. Identity
This gruesome 2003 mystery thriller follows ten storm-stranded strangers in a desert in Nevada. The group seeks shelter in an isolated motel, but amongst them is present a vicious serial killer, Malcolm Rivers, played by Pruitt Taylor Vince.
The group soon realizes that something sinister is taking place as the group diminishes in size, and its members get killed one by one. Determined to stay alive, a limo driver, Ed Dakota, played by John Cusack, tries to reveal the murderer’s identity in this mind-bending movie.
- Released in: 2003
- IMDB Score: 7.3
- Runtime: 1h 30m
- Cast: John Cusack, Ray Liotta, Amanda Peet, Pruitt Taylor Vince, and John C. McGinley
- Directed By: James Mangold
- Streaming Platform: Apple TV
5. Inception
This 2010 Christopher Nolan sci-fi thriller revolves around Dom Cobb, played by Leonardo DiCaprio, a thief with the rare ability to enter people’s subconscious and steal sensitive and confidential information through their dreams.
This quality of his is greatly sought after by corporations but has cost him everything he ever loved. He is offered a chance to have his criminal record completely erased from existence if he is willing to perform an act of inception by planting an idea into a person’s mind. The thick plot and mysterious storylines, and compelling characters make the movie an unmissable one.
- Released in: 2010
- IMDB Score: 8.8
- Runtime: 2h 28m
- Cast: Leonardo DiCaprio, Elliott Page, Cillian Murphy, Joseph Gordon Levitt and Marion Cotillard
- Directed By: Christopher Nolan
- Streaming Platform: Amazon Prime Video
6. Memento
This innovative and intellectually challenging tale, directed by the master storyteller Christopher Nolan, follows Leonard Shelby, played by Guy Pearce, as he embarks on a mission to avenge his wife by tracking down the man who raped and murdered her. This is made increasingly difficult as he suffers from a rare memory loss condition called anterograde amnesia.
Because of this, he can only remember the wretched incident that happened with his beloved wife but does not remember events of the recent past, for which he takes the help of notes and tattoos to hunt the killer. The fractured narrative and compelling story are sure to keep you glued to the screen for the entirety of the film.
- Released in: 2001
- IMDB Score: 8.4
- Runtime: 1h 34m
- Cast: Guy Pearce, Carrie Anne Moss, Joe Pantoliano, Stephen Tobolowsky, and Jorja Fox
- Directed By: Christopher Nolan
- Streaming Platform: Amazon Prime Video
7. Jacob’s Ladder
This 1990 horror/thriller follows the story of war veteran Jacob Singer, played by Tim Robbins, and his slow but eventual descent into madness. The singer is haunted by disturbing visuals of his experiences in the Vietnam War and the heavy loss of his now-dead son.
All the people around him, including his ex-wife, current girlfriend, and his chiropractor friend, try to help him and bring back his sanity but to no avail. The fascinating but horrifying visuals of the film are bound to keep you on the edge of your seat.
- Released in: 1990
- IMDB Score: 7.4
- Runtime: 1h 53m
- Cast: Tim Robbins, Elizabeth Pena, Pruitt Taylor Vince, Evan O’Meara, and Matt Craven
- Directed By: Adrian Lyne
- Streaming Platform: Paramount Plus
8. The Game
This 1997 Michael Douglas and Sean Penn thriller revolves around Nicholas Van Orton, a successful and wealthy merchant banker who receives an odd birthday present from his estranged brother, Conrad, a voucher for participation in a personalized real-life game experience.
Reluctant at first, Van Orton agrees to check this “game” out for himself, only to find that he is trapped in it. He eventually loses all his money, and his main aim now is to survive the game at any cost. The film is a fine specimen of David Fincher’s grip on master storytelling and is undoubtedly a must-watch.
- Released in: 1997
- IMDB Score: 7.7
- Runtime: 2h 9m
- Cast: Michael Douglas, Sean Penn, Harris Savides, Deborah Kara Unger, and James Rebhorn
- Directed By: David Fincher
- Streaming Platform: Netflix
Also Read: 50 Most Disturbing Movies Of All Time
9. Diabolique
This 1996 remake of a classic French thriller revolves around the murder plot of a cruel headmaster of a boy’s school, Guy Baran, played by Chazz Palminteri. The plan is hatched by his wife, played by Mia Baran, and his mistress, played by Sharon Stone, their motive being the mutual hatred that they bear for him.
Everything seems to go according to plan when his body disappears mysteriously, despite the well-executed plan and strategic dumping of the body.
- Released in: 1996
- IMDB Score: 5.4
- Runtime: 1h 47m
- Cast: Sharon Stone, Chazz Palminteri, Kathy Bates, and Isabelle Adjani
- Directed By: Jeremiah S. Chechik
- Streaming Platform: Apple TV+
10. Predestination
This Ethan Hawke starrer follows the story of a temporal agent and time traveler whose final assignment is to travel back in time to 1975 New York and prevent a vicious criminal from executing a bombing that could potentially kill thousands of people.
The hunt for the terrorist, however, seems impossible, and the responsibility of saving the lives of innocent people now rests on his shoulders. This 2015 sci-fi thriller is indeed an example of fine craftsmanship.
- Released in: 2014
- IMDB Score: 7.4
- Runtime: 1h 37m
- Cast: Ethan Hawke, Noah Taylor, Sarah Snook, Madeleine West, Elise Jansen, and Olivia Sprague
- Directed By: Michael Spierig and Peter Spierig
- Streaming Platform: Apple TV
11. Gone Girl
Adapted from Gillian Flynn’s novel of the same name, this crime thriller follows former New York-based writer Nick Dunne, played by Ben Affleck, and his breathtakingly phenomenal wife Amy, played by Rosamund Pike. The couple seems to be perfectly happy in the public eye, but their relationship is anything but that. When Amy disappears on the day of their fifth wedding anniversary, Nick automatically becomes the prime suspect for the cause of her disappearance.
Their image gradually crumbles as the public’s obsession with the case slowly grows and raises questions about who Nick and Amy really are and what really goes on in their lives. This incredibly intelligent and dark adaptation of Flynn’s novel really challenges you to think beyond what you perceive with your eyes.
- Released in: 2014
- IMDB Score: 8.1
- Runtime: 2h 29m
- Cast: Ben Affleck, Rosamund Pike, Emily Ratajkowski, Carrie Coon, and Kim Dickens
- Directed By: David Fincher
- Streaming Platform: HBO Max
12. Black Swan
This 2010 mind-bending drama is written around Nina, played by Natalie Portman, whose ambition for dance rules every aspect of her life. The young ballerina is chosen to play the White Swan, Princess Odette, in an adaptation of the widely famous play “Swan Lake.” We, the audience, follow Nina as she descends into madness due to her obsession with playing the White Swan when she faces competition and is replaced by Lily, played by Mila Kunis.
The rivalry between the two dancers forces Nina’s dark side to emerge in this intensely passionate and wildly melodramatic film featuring some of the most career-defining performances by Portman and Kunis, with masterful direction by Darren Aronofsky.
- Released in: 2010
- IMDB Score: 8
- Runtime: 1h 48m
- Cast: Natalie Portman, Mila Kunis, Vincent Cassel, Winona Ryder, and Barbara Hershey
- Directed By: Darren Aronofsky
- Streaming Platform: Google Play Movies
13. The Machinist
This 2004 psychological thriller revolves around Trevor Reznik, played by Christian Bale, an insomniac lathe operator who has insomnia so severe that it seems to hinder his work and personal life. His condition seemingly worsens as he causes an accident at work and unintentionally injures a co-worker, played by Michael Ironside.
Both his physical and mental health deteriorate at an alarming pace. His paranoia eventually gets the best of him as he claims to see a strange man called Ivan, played by John Sharian, blaming his condition on him. Things seem to take a turn for the worst when he says that the entity is following him around, but the people around him are unable to understand Trevor’s enigmatic figment of imagination.
- Released in: 2004
- IMDB Score: 7.7
- Runtime: 1h 41m
- Cast: Christian Bale, Jennifer Jason Leigh, John Sharian, Michael Ironside, and Lawrence Gilliard Jr.
- Directed By: Brad Anderson
- Streaming Platform: Netflix
14. Mulholland Drive
The 2001 surrealist neo-noir mystery film is written around Rita, a dark-haired woman played by Laura Elena Harring. An accident turns her into an amnesiac, and she is left to wander the streets of Los Angeles before seeking refuge in an apartment.
Here she is discovered by Betty, played by Naomi Watts, a charismatic Midwestern blonde with the dream of becoming a successful actress. The duo embarks on a journey to discover Rita’s true identity.
- Released in: 2001
- IMDB Score: 7.9
- Runtime: 2h 27m
- Cast: Naomi Watts, Laura Harring, Ann Miller, Justin Theroux, and Billy Ray Cyrus
- Directed By: David Lynch
- Streaming Platform: Amazon Prime Video
15. Dark City
This stylishly gloomy sci-fi thriller is some of director Alex Proyas’ best work. Dark City revolves around John Murdoch, played by Rufus Sewell, as he awakens alone in a hotel room only to discover that he is wanted for a series of gruesome murders of which he has no recollection whatsoever.
His journey to uncover the truth leads him down a strange path where he learns about a society of ominous creatures that refer to themselves as “The Strangers” that are responsible for controlling the entire city. This might not be everyone’s cup of tea, but it is surely an incredibly fine and phenomenal work of art.
- Released in: 1998
- IMDB Score: 7.6
- Runtime: 1h 40m
- Cast: Rufus Sewell, Jennifer Connelly, Kiefer Sutherland, Melissa George, and William Hurt
- Directed By: Alex Proyas
- Streaming Platform: Apple TV
16. American Psycho
This gory 2000 satirical horror film was directed by Mary Harron, who co-wrote the screenplay with Guinevere Turner, a major part of the film’s cast. Based on the 1991 novel by Bret Easton Ellis, the film is set in 1987 in New York City and follows Patrick Bateman, played by Christian Bale, a wealthy NYC investment banker by day and a vicious serial killer by night. Bateman is an impressionable character with his handsome charm and crisp, urban professional looks.
Christian Bale almost ended up refusing to take up the role for fear of being defined by the unreasonably cruel character. The film features Willem Dafoe as the detective who’s after Bateman, Reese Witherspoon as the fiancé, Samantha Mathis as his mistress, Jared Leto as the co-worker, and Chloë Sevigny as the secretary. The film closely examines all the themes that bring out the true monster in a man and, believe it or not, is a perfect blend of satire, comedy, and horror.
- Released in: 2000
- IMDB Score: 7.6
- Runtime: 1h 42m
- Cast: Christian Bale, Jared Leto, Willem Dafoe, Reese Witherspoon, Guinevere Turner, and Chloe Sevigny
- Directed By: Mary Harron
- Streaming Platform: Hulu+
17. Se7en
This 1995 gritty crime thriller is what put David Fincher on the map. The plot is weaved around police detective William Somerset, played by Morgan Freeman, who takes up a final case before retiring. He works in close collaboration with newly-transferred David Mills, played by Brad Pitt.
The case takes a dark turn when they realize that the elaborate murders are being strategically planned by the killer so that all represent the seven deadly sins. The cast also includes Gwyneth Paltrow, who plays Mills’ wife.
She is pregnant and understandably afraid to raise her child in such a crime-riddled world. With its top-notch direction, excellent music, and set design, the movie is regarded as a part of the pinnacle of the greatest films ever made. It consists of some of the grisliest murder scenes making it one of the best crime thrillers out there.
- Released in: 1995
- IMDB Score:
- Runtime: 2h 7m
- Cast: Brad Pitt, Morgan Freeman, Kevin Spacey, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Andrew Kevin Walker
- Directed By: David Fincher
- Streaming Platform: HBO Max
18. Fight Club
This 1999 thriller is another fine specimen of David Fincher’s solid directorial capabilities. Based on the 1996 novel by Chuck Palahniuk follows the life of an unnamed protagonist, played by Edward Norton, who suffers from severe insomnia. Unhappy and bored with his capitalistic lifestyle, he teams up with a soap salesman named Tyler Durden, played by Brad Pitt, to start an underground fight club in order to fight other men who are bored with their white-collar jobs.
The seemingly harmless venture spirals and becomes sinister after their partnership starts to fray at the edges. The star-studded cast also includes Helena Bonham Carter, who plays Marla, a fellow support group member. In all, Fight Club is a wild ride, with some seriously solid acting and elaborate direction and production.
- Released in: 1999
- IMDB Score: 8.8
- Runtime: 2h 19m
- Cast: Edward Norton, Brad Pitt, Helena Bonham Carter, Jared Leto, and Holt McCallany
- Directed By: David Fincher
- Streaming Platform: Amazon Prime Video
19. The Truman Show
This 1998 Peter Weir film may seem like a comedy at first, but it actually is a satirical psychological drama revolving around the life of an insurance salesman, Truman Burbank, played by Jim Carrey, who is not aware of the fact that his entire life is being documented through the aid of hidden cameras.
He is actually just a character on a TV show called “The Truman Show,” and his family members are all mere actors of the same. Executive producer Christof, played by Ed Harris, orchestrates the show and tries to control every aspect of his life, even replacing his love interest at one point.
As Truman discovers the underlying truth, he decides to escape his meaningless “life.” The Truman Show is by far one of the most thought-provoking films ever made, and its vision was certainly ahead of its time. The comedic approach of the movie provokes reflective analysis for the audience and our insatiable hunger for the private details of strangers with ordinary lives.
- Released in: 1998
- IMDB Score: 8.2
- Runtime: 1h 43m
- Cast: Jim Carrey, Laura Linney, Ed Harris, Natascha McElhone and Noah Emmerich
- Directed By: Peter Weir
- Streaming Platform: Netflix
20. The Prestige
Based on the 1995 fantasy novel by British writer Christopher Priest that goes by the same name, The Prestige tells the story of two friends and 19th-century magicians, Alfred Borden, played by Christian Bale, and Rupert Angier, played by Hugh Jackman. The two men soon become bitter enemies as they battle for supremacy and power.
Their prolonged rivalry blinds them to such an extent that they become obsessed with the idea of destroying each other. Another dazzling venture by Nolan, this period piece never fails to captivate the audience. The film was written by Nolan and his brother and also included Scarlett Johansson, Michael Caine, and Rebecca Hall as cast members.
- Released in: 2006
- IMDB Score: 8.5
- Runtime: 2h 10m
- Cast: Christian Bale, Scarlett Johansson, High Jackman, Rebecca Hall, Michael Caine, and Piper Perabo
- Directed By: Christopher Nolan
- Streaming Platform: Netflix
21. Fargo
The Coen brothers deserve all the praise for this 1996 critically acclaimed dark comedy that went on to win a nomination at the Academy Awards for Best Picture. It is based on a true case that occurred in 1987 in Minnesota and followed the story of Jerry Lundegaard, played by William H. Macy, a struggling car salesman.
He is under heaps of debt and is so desperate for money that he hatches a plan to get his own wife kidnapped in order to extract some money from his wealthy father-in-law, played by Harve Presnell. He hires two thugs, played by Steve Buscemi and Peter Stormare, and agrees to pay them a portion of the money, but things go haywire as the two criminals shoot a state trooper.
The story of a kidnapping gone wrong, “Fargo,” does not disappoint. The Coen brothers and their storytelling shine through in this underrated crime thriller, with an incredible performance by Frances McDormand.
- Released in: 1996
- IMDB Score: 8.1
- Runtime: 1h 38m
- Cast: Frances McDormand, Steve Buscemi, William H. Macy, Peter Stormare, and Kristin Rudrud
- Directed By: Ethan Coen and Joel Coen
- Streaming Platform: Hulu
Also Read: 50 Crime Movies On Netflix To Watch
22. The Sixth Sense
This 1999 spine-chilling M. Night Shyamalan film is based on the story of a young boy named Cole Sear, played by Haley Joel Osment, who is haunted by his ability to see ghosts. These ghosts convince him to help them in some way. Frustrated that nobody understands his anguish, Cole tries to tell a child psychologist named Dr. Malcolm Crowe, played by Bruce Willis, about his worries. Cole, in turn, helps Dr. Crowe reconcile with his estranged wife, who is now dead.
His supernatural capabilities alter become threatening to both the doctor and his patient. Joining the cast are Toni Collette as Cole’s mother, Lynn Sear, and Olivia Williams as Anna Crowe, Dr. Crowe’s wife. This rare piece of art is something that cannot be easily outdone. The concept is absolutely fresh, but the horrors seem almost real somehow. It is a truly twisted ghost story turned into a modern horror flick.
- Released in: 1999
- IMDB Score: 8.2
- Runtime: 1h 48m
- Cast: Haley Joel Osment, Toni Collette, Bruce Willis, Mischa Barton, Olivia Williams, and Donnie Wahlberg
- Directed By: M. Night Shyamalan
- Streaming Platform: Paramount+
23. Requiem for a Dream
This 2000 Darren Aronofsky film revolves around the parallel stories of four individuals whose lives are destroyed simultaneously due to addictions and personal emotional voids. They are linked together by the lonely widow Sarah Goldfarb, played by Ellen Burstyn, who becomes obsessed with the idea of losing weight for a TV program that is supposed to be a national broadcast. She starts taking pills but quickly becomes addicted, which proves to be quite dangerous for her mental health.
Her aimless son, Harry, played by Jared Leto, and his girlfriend, Marion Silver, played by Jennifer Connelly, become involved in the drug business, which later becomes the reason for their downfall, with Harry eventually losing an arm due to a drug overdose. The brutal imagery and bleak visuals are hard to forget once you’ve watched the film. Requiem for a Dream is a social commentary on people’s need to love and be loved and the lengths that we are willing to go for the same.
- Released in: 2000
- IMDB Score: 8.3
- Runtime: 1h 42m
- Cast: Jennifer Connelly, Jared Leto, Ellen Burstyn, Marlon Wayans, and Christopher McDonald
- Directed By: Darren Aronofsky
- Streaming Platform: Netflix
24. Now you see me
This 2013 Jesse Eisenberg tells the tale of his character Atlas, a street magician who leads and trains a team of talented fellow magicians called “The Four Horsemen” to execute bank heists. The stolen money belongs to the corrupt upper classes and is funneled to their audience as a reward.
Soon a federal agent named Dylan Rhodes, played by Mark Ruffalo, teams up with a debunker, Thaddeus, played by Morgan Freeman, to put an end to this ordeal. The film truly makes you want to suspend your beliefs, just for a little while. The plot is well thought out and relies heavily on the protagonist’s occupation, which is sleight of hand.
- Released in: 2013
- IMDB Score: 7.2
- Runtime: 1h 55m
- Cast: Jesse Eisenberg, Mark Ruffalo, Woody Harrelson, Morgan Freeman, Michael Caine, and Dave Franco
- Directed By: Louis Leterrier
- Streaming Platform: Netflix
25. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
“The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo” is based on a psychological thriller novel published posthumously by Swedish author and journalist Stieg Larsson of the same name. It quickly became an international bestseller after being translated in 2008.
The film, however, revolves around Mikael Blomkvist, played by Daniel Craig, a disgraced financial reporter, and his investigation into a woman’s case who has been missing for forty years and presumed dead at this point after being hired by the woman’s uncle, a wealthy Swedish industrialist, Henrik Vanger. Vanger believes his niece, Harriet, was killed by a member of their family.
Blomkvist takes up the job in a desperate attempt to redeem his honor and hires Lisbeth Salander, played by Rooney Mara, a computer hacker, to solve the mystery of the woman. The two soon realized that the case was more twisted than they had initially anticipated. Craig and Mara have given incredibly impressionable performances, and David Fincher’s fine cinematography is the cherry on top of the cake.
- Released in: 2011
- IMDB Score: 7.8
- Runtime: 2h 38m
- Cast: Daniel Craig, Rooney Mara, Robin Wright, Stellan Skarsgard, and Christopher Plummer
- Directed By: David Fincher
- Streaming Platform: Amazon Prime Video
26. Donnie Darko
This 2001 sci-fi fantasy drama is based on Donnie Darko, an awkward teenager, played by Jake Gyllenhaal, who, after surviving a fatal car crash, starts questioning what it means to be alive. In the process, he befriends Frank, an enigmatic figure in a large bunny suit only Donnie can see. Frank informs Donnie that the world will end in precisely 28 days, 6 hours, 42 minutes, and 12 seconds. He successfully manipulates the troubled teen to commit a series of crimes.
The cast also includes Drew Barrymore, Seth Rogen, Patrick Swayze, Jena Malone, and Maggie Gyllenhaal. The film is Kelley’s daring directorial debut, packed with jarring concepts and mind-altering realities.
- Released in: 2001
- IMDB Score: 8
- Runtime: 1h 53m
- Cast: Jake Gyllenhaal, Drew Barrymore, Seth Rogen, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Jena Malone, and Patrick Swayze
- Directed By: Richard Kelley
- Streaming Platform: Apple TV
27. Split
This 2017 thriller horror film is centered around Kevin, played by James McAvoy, who is suffering from dissociative identity disorder and has roughly 23 alter egos. He kidnaps three teenage girls, one of whom is Casey Cooke, played by Anya Taylor Joy. She is determined to help her fellow captives and to escape before a more frightful 24th personality of her captor emerges.
McAvoy gives the performance of a lifetime as he plays multiple different people trapped in one body, one of them being a little boy. The film is definitely a must-watch as it challenges the mind in the best ways possible and educates the audience about dissociative identity disorder without stigmatizing it.
- Released in: 2017
- IMDB Score: 7.3
- Runtime: 1h 57m
- Cast: James McAvoy, Anya Taylor Joy, Haley Lu Richardson, Jessica Sula, and Betty Buckley
- Directed By: M. Night Shyamalan
- Streaming Platform: Amazon Prime Video
28. Disturbia
This 2007 American neo-noir psychological thriller directed by D. J. Caruso is set around the story of a young boy named Kale, played by Shia LaBeouf, who is sentenced to 3 months of house arrest.
Boredom gets the best of him, and he is compelled to spy on his neighbors, but he soon realizes that he has become a witness to a serial killer on the loose. A subtle thriller with a solid script and genuine, noteworthy performances are what make the film unmissable, to say the least.
- Released in: 2007
- IMDB Score: 6.8
- Runtime: 1h 45m
- Cast: Shia LeBeouf, Sarah Roemer, David Morse, Aaron Yoo and Carrie Anne Moss
- Directed By: D. J. Caruso
- Streaming Platform: Amazon Prime Video
29. Pulp Fiction
This 1994 crime drama directed by Quentin Tarantino stars John Travolta as Vincent Vega and Samuel L. Jackson as Jules Winnfield. The titular characters are both hitmen whose stories become intertwined with Marsellus Wallace, their gangster boss, played by Ving Rhames, and his actress wife Mia, played by Uma Thurman.
The plot is set in 90s Los Angeles, California, and features some of the most grotesque and violent crime scenes. Other characters in the film include a struggling boxer named Butch Coolidge, played by Bruce Willis, a master fixer named Winston Wolfe, played by Harvey Keitel, and a pair of armed robbers, played by Amanda Plummer and Tim Roth. Possibly one of the most influential films ever made in cinematic history, the movie holds up to the hype.
- Released in: 1994
- IMDB Score: 8.9
- Runtime: 2h 34m
- Cast: Quentin Tarantino, John Travolta, Samuel L. Jackson, Uma Thurman and Bruce Willis
- Directed By: Quentin Tarantino
- Streaming Platform: Apple TV
30. Suspiria
This 2018 supernatural horror thriller is directed by Luca Guadagnino with a screenplay by David Kajganich and is inspired by Dario Argento’s 1977 Italian film by the same name. The film is set in 1970s Berlin and takes us through the story of young American dancer Suzy Bannion, played by Dakota Johnson, who wants to audition for the world-famous Helena Markos Dance Company. Suzy quickly becomes the lead dancer because of her talent. This angers the woman who was previously holding that position. In a fit of rage, she accuses the company’s directors of witchcraft.
An inquisitive psychotherapist and a member of the troupe team up to uncover the company’s dark and sinister secrets whilst stumbling across the studio’s hidden underground chambers. The all-female star-studded cast includes some of the finest actors, including Tilda Swinton, Jessica Harper, Mia Goth, Chloe Grace Moretz, and Doris Hick. Suspiria is truly a fever dream and is as trippy as a movie gets.
- Released in: 2018
- IMDB Score: 6.7
- Runtime: 2h 32m
- Cast: Dakota Johnson, Mia Goth, Tilda Swinton, Jessica Harper, Doris Hick, and Chloe Grace Moretz
- Directed By: Luca Guadignino
- Streaming Platform: Amazon Prime Video
31. Marrowbone
This 2018 horror mystery thriller is centered around Jack Marrowbone, played by George MacKay, who is desperate to conceal the fact that her mother is dead in order to keep his younger siblings safe. The family moves from England to Maine and seeks refuge in their ancestral home, only to discover they are not the only ones living there.
They are haunted by a rather sinister entity, and the responsibility of protecting his younger siblings, Jane, played by Mia Goth, Billy, Charlie Heaton, and Sam, played by Matthew Stagg, is now on George’s shoulders. The film is a true hidden gem, and the unpredictable ending is sure to catch you off guard.
- Released in: 2017
- IMDB Score: 6.7
- Runtime: 1h 50m
- Cast: George MacKay, Mia Goth, Matthew Stagg, Anya Taylor Joy, and Charlie Heaton
- Directed By: Sergio G. Sánchez
- Streaming Platform: Apple TV
32. The Butterfly Effect
This 2004 American science fiction film narrates the story of college student Evan Treborn, played by Ashton Kutcher, who suffers from headaches so severe that he blacks out every time he has one. He has the ability to travel back in time and alter the past for himself as well as for his friends.
However, what he does not realize is that changing the past can drastically alter the present. As a result, Evan finds himself in nightmarish realities with difficult truths. Evan intends to do the best he can and tries to help the people around him, but he ends up regretting some of the decisions that he makes along the way. The cast includes Amy Smart and Logan Lerman as well. With an intriguing premise, the movie is certainly an underrated thriller.
- Released in: 2004
- IMDB Score: 7.6
- Runtime: 1h 53m
- Cast: Ashton Kutcher, Amy Smart, Logan Lerman, Ethan Suplee, and John Patrick Amedori
- Directed By: Eric Bress and J. Mackye Gruber
- Streaming Platform: Netflix
33. The Silence of the Lambs
This 1991 American psychological horror film, directed by Jonathan Demme and written by Ted Tally, was adapted from Thomas Harris’ novel of the same name. It follows the story of Clarice Starling, played by Jodie Foster, a student at the FBI training academy, who seeks aid from Dr. Hannibal Lecter, played by Anthony Hopkins, a brilliant former psychiatrist and psychopathic serial killer who has done time for his various acts of murder and cannibalism.
Her main aim is to apprehend another serial killer on the loose who seems to claim only female victims. The extremely gruesome “Hannibal Lecter” character featured in the film was ranked the number one movie villain of all time by the American Film Institute. The film is a true masterpiece and an undeniable classic.
- Released in: 1991
- IMDB Score: 8.6
- Runtime: 1h 58m
- Cast: Jodie Foster, Anthony Hopkins, Brooke Smith, Scott Glenn, and Ted Levine
- Directed By: Jonathan Demme
- Streaming Platform: HBO
34. 10 Cloverfield Lane
This 2016 American science fiction psychological horror film happens to be director Dan Trachtenberg’s directorial debut. The film follows the story of Michelle, played by Mary Elizabeth, who decides to escape an underground bunker of sorts after she finds herself trapped in it with a man who informs her that the Earth is now left uninhabitable after a life-threatening accident and she has nowhere to go.
The film starts off with a violent car crash, and the tone of it is set right here. Solidly crafted and intensely set, the palpable tension and outstanding cast are what make “10 Cloverfield Lane” worth watching.
- Released in: 2016
- IMDB Score: 7.2
- Runtime: 1h 45m
- Cast: Mary Elizabeth, John Goodman, Bradley Cooper, John Gallagher Jr., and Suzy Cryer
- Directed By: Dan Trachtenberg
- Streaming Platform: Apple TV
35. Source Code
This 2011 sci-fi action thriller starring Jake Gyllenhaal, Michelle Monaghan, Vera Farmiga, and Michael Arden is the story of army pilot Colter Stevens who is recruited for a top-secret operation and wakes up in someone else’s body.
He becomes part of a government experiment where he needs to track down the bomber of a Chicago commuter train, that too within 8 minutes. If you are looking for some good old adrenaline rush, then this film might be for you.
- Released in: 2011
- IMDB Score: 7.5
- Runtime: 1h 33m
- Cast: Jake Gyllenhaal, Michelle Monaghan, Vera Farmiga, Jeffrey Wright, and Michael Arden
- Directed By: Duncan Jones
- Streaming Platform: Amazon Prime Video
36. Get Out
Jordan Peele’s directorial debut, “Get Out,” is a 2017 American psychological horror mystery written and co-produced by Peele himself. The film follows Chris, played by Daniel Kaluuya, an African-American man who decides to visit his Caucasian girlfriend, Rose Armitage, played by Allison Williams, and her parents for the weekend in their family estate.
Everything seems quite normal at first, and the family seems warm and welcoming, but Chris soon discovers that there is something sinister lurking beneath the surface at the Armitage estate. He is not prepared for the horrors he will have to face. The film is both thought-provoking and scarily effective in equal proportions.
- Released in: 2017
- IMDB Score: 7.7
- Runtime: 1h 44m
- Cast: Daniel Kaluuya, Allison Williams, LaKeith Stanfield, Catherine Keener, Caleb Landry Jones, and Lil Rel Howery
- Directed By: Jordan Peele
- Streaming Platform: Amazon Prime Video
Also Read: American Psycho Filming Locations: Where Was The Thriller Filmed?
37. Us
This 2019 psychological horror revolves around Adelaide Wilson, played by Lupita Nyong’o, and her husband Gabe, played by Winston Duke, as they decide to go on a serene beach vacation to Adelaide’s childhood beachfront home. Haunted by a past traumatic experience, she is convinced that something bad is going to ensue.
The getaway turns chaotic, and Adelaide’s worst fears turn into reality when they are attacked by mysterious figures dressed in red. The Wilsons are met with the shocking realization that their exact lookalikes are hunting them down. Jordan Peele’s second directorial venture, “Us,” is a nail-biting, dark, intuitive commentary on the horrors of identity and reflection.
- Released in: 2019
- IMDB Score: 6.8
- Runtime: 2h 1m
- Cast: Lupita Nyong’o, Winston Duke, Jordan Peele, Evan Alex, and Elisabeth Moss
- Directed By: Jordan Peele
- Streaming Platform: Netflix
38. Enemy
This 2013 mystery thriller tells the story of Adam, played by Jake Gyllenhaal, a history professor who is much intrigued when he sees his doppelganger in a movie, Anthony. He tracks him down in an attempt to confront him.
The two soon exchange places and start living each other’s lives secretly. He soon becomes so engrossed in his private affairs that it begins to complicate matters in his own life. An uncommonly adventurous dystopian movie with a deeper hidden meaning.
- Released in: 2013
- IMDB Score: 6.9
- Runtime: 1h 30m
- Cast: Jake Gyllenhaal, Sarah Galdon, Isabella Rossellini, Alexis Ulga and Josua Peace
- Directed By: Denis Villeneuve
- Streaming Platform: Amazon Prime Video
39. Side Effects
A 2013 American psychological crime thriller, “Side Effects” stars Rooney Mara as Emily. She is a troubled woman who is haunted by hopelessness and abandonment issues that leave her unsure as to how she should proceed further in her life. She seeks help from a psychiatrist, Jonathan Banks, played by Jude Law, who prescribes her a new drug to lessen her troubles.
Things take a turn for the worse as the new drug has severe side effects on Emily’s mental state. Soon, her husband, played by Channing Tatum, ends up dead, and Dr. Banks’ career is on the verge of being ruined forever. A cleverly written film with twists at every corner.
- Released in: 2013
- IMDB Score: 7.1
- Runtime: 1h 46m
- Cast: Rooney Mara, Jude Law, Channing Tatum, Catherine Zeta-Jones and Ann Dowd
- Directed By: Steven Soderbergh
- Streaming Platform: Apple TV
Also Read: 35 Best Thriller Movies Like Acrimony To Watch
40. Devil
The film begins with five strangers as they are about to begin their regular work day. They are all riding the elevator together in a Philadelphia office tower when out of nowhere, it gets stuck, leaving the five individuals in each other’s company. What seems to be a matter of minutes now becomes considerably longer as they soon realize that one of them is Lucifer himself.
Things take a dark turn when they are forced to face the consequences of their sins and transgressions. This 2010 American supernatural horror has one of the most fiendishly promising premises and is bound to keep you up at night.
- Released in: 2010
- IMDB Score: 6.3
- Runtime: 1h 20m
- Cast: Logan Marshall-Green, Chris Messina, Jenny O’Hara, Bojana Novakovic, and Caroline Dhavernas
- Directed By: John Erick Dowdle
- Streaming Platform: Apple TV
41. The Hateful Eight
“Django Unchained” director Quentin Tarantino’s “The Hateful Eight” borrows heavily from John Carpenter’s “The Thing.” The story is set in post-Civil War Wyoming. John “The Hangman” Ruth, played by Kurt Russell, and his fugitive prisoner, played by Jennifer Jason Leigh, meet another bounty hunter, played by Samuel L. Jackson, who claims to be a sheriff. They soon meet other travelers, all desperate to find shelter in the snowstorm.
The eight strangers begin their journey, but it is evident that none of them trust each other as a murder plot gradually emerges. They are soon met with the harsh truth that they may not reach their desired destination after all. Combining Tarantino’s powerful storytelling with his characteristic over-the-top gun violence, the film is surely a classic.
- Released in: 2015
- IMDB Score: 7.8
- Runtime: 3h 7m
- Cast: Samuel L. Jackson, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Channing Tatum, Tim Roth, and Walton Goggins
- Directed By: Quentin Tarantino
- Streaming Platform: Netflix
42. Edge of Tomorrow
The 2014 Emily Blunt and Tom Cruise starrer is a powerfully written sci-fi action film that tells the story of Major William Cage, played by Tom Cruise, who attempts to save the Earth and the entire human race from an alien invasion. He is caught in a time loop and therefore has to relive the same day over and over again.
He seeks help from warrior Rita Vrataski, played by Emily Blunt, for his heroic mission. The movie was adapted from Hiroshi Sakurazaka’s 2004 novel “All you need is Kill.” If you are looking for an action-packed thriller with some specks of light-hearted humor, then “Edge of Tomorrow” might be the right fit for you.
- Released in: 2014
- IMDB Score: 7.9
- Runtime: 1h 53m
- Cast: Tom Cruise, Emily Blunt, Bill Paxton, Charlotte Riley, and Tony Way
- Directed By: Doug Liman
- Streaming Platform: Netflix
Also Read: Tom Cruise Net Worth: The Richest Actor In Hollywood
43. Crimson Peak
This 2015 Guillermo del Toro gothic romance revolves around a young heiress, Edith Cushing, played by Mia Wasikowska, who falls in love with a mysterious British aristocrat, Sir Thomas Sharpe, played by Tom Hiddleston. Her father, Lord Carter Cushing, played by Jim Beaver, warns her against marrying the stranger, but she does it anyway, and the two decide to move in together in the Sharpe mansion, Sir Thomas Sharpe’s ancestral home.
She soon realizes that her husband has an abundance of secrets that she was never aware of. She thinks she is alone in the mountain-top, blood-red-colored property, but the house is teeming with a supernatural presence. The delightfully creepy atmosphere might make it seem as though the movie is a straight-up horror film, but it actually draws heavily from movies like “Rebecca” and “Emma.”
- Released in: 2015
- IMDB Score: 6.5
- Runtime: 1h 59m
- Cast: Mia Wasikowska, Tom Hiddleston, Jessica Chastain, Charlie Hunnam, and Jim Beaver
- Directed By: Guillermo del Toro
- Streaming Platform: Amazon Prime Video
44. Cape Fear
This 1991 Martin Scorsese American psychological thriller is a remake of the 1962 film of the same name, which was based on the 1957 psychological thriller suspense John D. MacDonald’s novel “The Executioners.” The film is based around Sam Bowden, played by Nick Nolte, an attorney who possesses evidence that could help acquit violent sex offender Max Cady, played by Robert De Niro, of rape charges. Cady ends up completing his sentence of 14 years and is released from prison.
He soon learns about Bowden’s betrayal and makes stalking and destroying the Bowden family his only aim in life. Sam decides to resort to methods outside the law in order to protect his wife and daughter in this nail-biting masterpiece of a film. Scorsese, once again, proves to be the master of the art of film direction, and the cast is nothing short of remarkably brilliant. One of the very few films that stand the test of time and does not seem to get old no matter how many times you watch it.
- Released in: 1991
- IMDB Score: 7.3
- Runtime: 2h 8m
- Cast: Robert De Niro, Nick Nolte, Juliette Lewis, Jessica Lange, and Gregory Peck
- Directed By: Martin Scorsese
- Streaming Platform: Amazon Prime Video
Also read: 56 Movies like Tell it Like a Woman That You Can’t-Miss
