If you’re someone who loves to scroll through Netflix to find the right movie that keeps you on the edge of your seat, you’re in the right place.
The best thriller movies on Netflix cover psychological and action thrillers, and finding the best ones can feel like a huge task. Don’t worry, I’ve done that work for you. Below are seven Netflix thriller films that are worth your time on any day.
Best Thriller Movies on Netflix Right Now
1. Carry-On (2024)
- Genre: Action Thriller | Director: Jaume Collet-Serra
- ⭐ Ratings: 88% on Rotten Tomatoes | IMDb: 6.6/10
When I started watching Carry-On, I expected a standard airport thriller, but was shocked after witnessing the epic thriller that barely lets you breathe.
The film follows Ethan Kopek, a TSA officer at LAX, who is blackmailed into allowing a nerve agent onto a Christmas Eve flight carrying 250 passengers.
Jason Bateman as the villain sets the tone for a perfect evening entertainer. The tension between Taron Egerton and Jason Bateman is the heart of the film. It’s the kind of movie where you forget about the time when you started watching it. You can now stream Carry-On on Netflix.
2. Hit Man (2023)
- Genre: Crime Comedy Thriller | Director: Richard Linklater
- ⭐ Ratings: 95% on Rotten Tomatoes | IMDb: 6.8/10
Hit Man starts with a comedic tone but over time turns out to be one of the cleverest psychological thrillers on Netflix in years.
The story revolves around a college professor who worked undercover as a fake hitman for the New Orleans Police Department. Glen Powell’s work in this movie has multiple character layers, which is something I liked the most about it.
I watched this one twice — the first time to enjoy the thriller ride, and the second to notice every detail I missed earlier. The film premiered at the Venice International Film Festival before coming to Netflix in June 2024, where it became a critics’ favourite.
3. Rebel Ridge (2024)
- Genre: Action Thriller | Director: Jeremy Saulnier
- ⭐ Ratings: 95% on Rotten Tomatoes | IMDb: 6.8/10
Rebel Ridge is one of the rare Netflix original thrillers that feels like it was made by someone who wants to say something.
The film revolves around a former Marine named Terry, whose money is seized by corrupt local cops when he tries to pay bail for his cousin, forcing him into a war against the entire police force of a small town.
Director Jeremy Saulnier chose to depict awkward fighting with unpolished choreography so the scenes feel natural. After finishing the movie, I sat still for a while, struck by the weight of its subject matter.
4. Leave the World Behind (2023)
- Genre: Psychological Thriller | Director: Sam Esmail
- ⭐ Ratings: 73% on Rotten Tomatoes | Metacritic: 68/100 | IMDb: 6.4/10
Leave the World Behind is one of the best thriller movies on Netflix because it stays with you, leaving a ton of questions in the viewer’s mind.
The film follows a family vacation that descends into chaos when a massive cyberattack cripples technology, forcing two stranger families to share a single roof and confront the distrust between them.
Produced by Barack and Michelle Obama through their Higher Ground Productions banner, the film carries significant weight behind its story. Julia Roberts and Mahershala Ali are excellent in their roles.
Leave the World Behind garnered over 136 million views in its first 52 days on Netflix, making it one of the most-watched thriller movies on the platform.
5. Wind River (2017)
- Genre: Crime Thriller | Director: Taylor Sheridan
- ⭐ Ratings: 87% on Rotten Tomatoes | IMDb: 7.7/10
Wind River is a crime thriller that picks up pace as the camera rolls. The film stars Jeremy Renner as a US Fish and Wildlife Service tracker who joins a rookie FBI agent (Elizabeth Olsen) to investigate the murder of a young woman on the Wind River Reservation in Wyoming.
The writing of the movie is what sets it apart from the usual crime thrillers available on Netflix. It’s a film that examines all angles of grief, justice, and systemic failure — and doesn’t resolve any of them easily.
Conclusion
Not every thriller movie on Netflix is worth watching, but the ones mentioned in this list deserve your attention. The best thriller movies on Netflix cover every mood and the kind of thrill you’re looking for. From the Oscar-nominated Sicario to the airport tension of Carry-On, there’s something for everyone.
If you ask me, I’d suggest starting with Hit Man and then continuing with Sicario for the best thriller experience.
I hope you find these Netflix movies to be the right thrill ride for your weekend plans. See you soon with another movie guide for Netflix.
