It sometimes seems like true cinematic thrillers have gone out of fashion lately. Perhaps the genre has been taken over by television and true-crime documentaries. Those are great, but sometimes you want a suspenseful, fictional story in two hours or less. Luckily,Maxhas a ton of thrilling movies for you to watch or rewatch as many times as you want. The following entries represent just a small sampling of thrillers the streaming service currently has to offer.
Don’t see what you’re looking for? Check out our list of the besthorrorfilms ordramason the platform or the best movies across all genres onMax.
Editor’s note: This article was updated in November 2024 to include Parasite and The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.
‘Parasite’ (2019)
Rotten Tomatoes: 99% | IMDb: 8.5/10
One of the greatest movies of all time,Parasitefollows the Kims, a family living among the poorest in Seoul, who slowly infiltrate the wealthy Park clan by replacing their staff one by one. After successfully finding themselves in the trust of the family, everything changes for the Kims with one simple ring of a doorbell.Parasiteis a truly funny black comedy, a desperately poignant drama, an intelligent social satire, and — perhaps most of all — a horrifically tense thriller. Featuring a set of stunning central performances and a story that feels more relevant by the day,Parasitemore than deserved its Academy Award win for Best Picture — the first foreign language film to ever achieve this feat. -Jake Hodges
Watch on Max
‘The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo’ (2011)
Rotten Tomatoes: 86% | IMDb: 7.8/10
The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo
Based onStieg Larsson’s 2005 novel of the same name,The Girl with the Dragon Tattoofollows journalist Mikael Blomkvist (Daniel Craig) as he teams up with computer hacker Lisbeth Salander (Rooney Mara) to investigate the disappearance of a girl four decades prior. In perhaps Mara’s best performance of her career so far,The Girl with the Dragon Tattooshines thanks to its central performances. One ofDavid Fincher’s most underrated works, the film earned five Academy Award nominations, winning one for Best Achievement in Film Editing. -Jake Hodges
‘Civil War (2024)
Rotten Tomatoes: 81% | IMDb: 7.1/10
Alex Garland’sCivil War— production company A24’s second-biggest box office hit ever — follows a team of journalists who venture through an alternate America that has evolved into a combat zone, desperate to reach the White House before a rebel force brings it to the ground. Featuring immersive performances from the likes ofKirsten Dunst,Wagner Moura, andNick Offerman,Civil Waris best loved for its immersive script that feels built on the foundations of the real fears that face modern America. A frightening look at a warped but scarily realistic future,Civil Waris both a hellish nightmare and a gripping action flick, with thrills and spills aplenty helping line this deep-rooted political thriller. -Jake Hodges
‘Midsommar’ (2019)
Rotten Tomatoes: 83% | IMDb: 7.1/10
One of the most innovative minds in modern horror,Ari Aster’s mind-bending masterpieceMidsommarstarsFlorence PughandJack Reynoras Dani and Christian, a young couple who are invited to join a midsummer Swedish festival in the countryside. However, what first begins as a refreshing and enigmatic trip away soon turns dark, with the depraved desires of the cult who reside there quickly twisting the fortunes of the couple seemingly fatal. Aesthetically gorgeous and terribly frightening,Midsommaris a triumph of modern horror with its dedication to finding scares in the most unlikely of places. Not only that, but the movie is very deliberately often comedic, with the consistent horror cut intelligently by biting moments of humor. -Jake Hodges
‘Black Swan’ (2010)
Rotten Tomatoes: 84% | IMDb: 8.0/10
Black Swan
Directed byDarren Aronofsky,Black Swanis a psychological horror film starringNatalie Portmanas a ballerina who finds herself spiraling into madness as she competes for the coveted lead in a production ofSwan Lake. The film’s screenplay was written byAndres Heinz,Mark Heyman, andJohn McLaughlin. Besides Portman in the lead role, the movie also starsVincent Cassel,Mila Kunis,Barbara Hershey, andWinona Ryder.Black Swanpremiered at the 2010 Venice International Film Festival, where it received critical acclaim for its direction and performances. Shortly after, the film arrived in theaters and became a major global success as well, bringing in over $300 million on a budget of just $13 million. Natalie Portman delivers an Oscar-winning performance as a troubled artist on the brink of insanity — arguably one of the best of her career. Aronofsky’s masterful direction blends reality and illusion into a heady, surreal mix, which further highlights Portman’s performance and takes the viewer on a troubling, enthralling journey to the darkest corners of the human mind.
‘The Killing of a Sacred Deer’ (2017)
Rotten Tomatoes: 63% | IMDb: 7.0/10
The Killing of a Sacred Deer
Yorgos Lanthimos’sThe Killing of a Sacred Deeris a psychological horror film that follows a surgeon who takes a young boy under his wing — only to find that he has a hidden agenda. The movie starsColin FarrellandBarry Keoghan, withNicole Kidman,Raffey Cassidy,Sunny Suljic, andAlicia Silverstone.The Killing of a Sacred Deerpremiered at the 2017 Cannes Film Festival, where it won the Best Screenplay award and competed for the Palme d’Or. The film has received critical acclaim and is regarded as a prime example of Lanthimos’ particularly idiosyncratic style, presenting an absurdist take on a simple enough premise. It’s very much a horror-thriller story, but it’s that off-beat sensibility that setsThe Killing of a Sacred Deerapart from the herd. With brilliant performances by its ensemble cast, a surprising sense of humor, and a script that keeps you guessing,The Killing of a Sacred Deerisn’t just a great thriller — it’s great cinema.
‘Meg 2: The Trench’ (2023)
Rotten Tomatoes: 73% | IMDb: 5.0/10
The Meg 2: The Trench
A sequel to the hit sharksploitation movieThe Meg,Meg 2: The TrenchfollowsJason Statham’s Jonas andJing Wu’s Jiuming Zhang as they lead a research team down into the dark depths of the unexplored ocean, only to be met by fears bigger than they ever could have imagined and a battle for survival just as great. With the original throwing almighty action-sequences and terrifying visuals in abundance,Meg 2: The Trenchturns the dial up even more, with impressive cinematography fromHaris Zambarloukosthat manages to capture the sheer terror of the ocean. A wild ride from start to finish,Meg 2: The Trenchis the perfect indulgence movie for those who want thrills and spills without necessarily any nuance. A fact fans of the series relish,Meg 2: The Trenchis unapologetically in-your-face. -Jake HodgesWatch on Max
‘Reality’ (2023)
Rotten Tomatoes: 67% | IMDb: 6.7/10
Director and playwrightTina Satteradapts her stage playIs This a Room, based on the real transcripts of an FBI investigation into leaked classified documents. At the center of the investigation is a young US Air Force member and NSA translator named Reality Winner, whose tense encounter with the FBI is masterfully captured by up-and-coming talentSydney Sweeney(Euphoria). This docudrama is a wonderful showcase for Satter as her film directorial debut, and she couldn’t have picked a better lead in Sweeney, who is so real and grounded in this role it makes your heart race with every question she has to field, knowing a single misplaced word could mean the end for her.Watch on Max
‘Kimi’ (2022)
Rotten Tomatoes: 60% | IMDb: 6.3/10
Another film that provesSteven Soderberghis one of the best to ever do it,Kimiis a masterful modern thrillerset in Seattle that authentically captures the cityas it followsZoë Kravitzas a tech worker named Angela. In the course of her work, Angela discovers that there is a coverup that she will have to leave the safety of her apartment to uncover. What follows is a thoroughly tense experience that sees her having to flee through the nooks and crannies of the city while avoiding a whole host of pursuers who would want nothing more than to make sure she stays silent. Not only is Kravitz pitch-perfect in the role, but she also really embraces the kinetic energy of the film that keeps everything moving along smoothly. It all builds to one of the most satisfying and cathartic conclusions, making for one of the most thoroughly enjoyable cinematic rides you’ll find out there.— Chase HutchinsonWatch on Max
‘Blood Simple’ (1984)
Rotten Tomatoes: 88% | IMDb: 7.5/10
Blood Simple
Blood Simplewas the world’s introduction to the Coen Brothers, and they come out the gate swinging. The film has all their hallmarks, already formed. Its characters are dumb, but likable folks who get in over their heads and run directly into disaster. Even this early on, the Coens display a great eye for detail and ear for dialog. The film is a pleasure just to listen to. And also, there is all that crazy Coen violence, which can be funny and horrifying at the same time. On top of all that, the film boasts a super earlyFrances McDormandperformance as well.Watch on Max
