The gripping events in the instant classic The Batman have landed it in the top spot of Letterboxd’s most popular thriller films of the year so far. Fans looking for similar suspenseful masterpieces can use the social media platform for film buffs as a guide to more renowned works from the past decade.
The most popular thriller films from each of the last ten years represent the trends and changes in the genre that have kept audiences coming back to cinemas. These should be considered essential viewing for those who enjoy being driven to the edge of their seats with each gripping twist and turn.
Prisoners (2013) – Rating: 4.2, Fans: 10k
Available to stream on Hulu.
Set in Pennsylvania, Prisoners revolves around the abduction of and subsequent search for two young girls, with one victim’s father crossing several lines in an attempt to find his daughter. A detective is forced to make some hard decisions in the process of collecting more clues about who the real kidnapper is, but soon uncovers something far more sinister.
The film’s immersive and intense atmosphere is meant to immediately draw viewers in and get them invested in its puzzling events. There’s a sinking feeling that is present from the moment the girls are taken, which is sustained as every new lead turns out to be a dead end.
Gone Girl (2014) – Rating: 4.1, Fans: 17k
Available to rent on Apple TV.
Often cited alongside some of the best thriller movies of the decade, Gone Girl is centered on the case of Nick Dunne’s missing wife, Amy. As the media circus around her mysterious disappearance grows, all eyes turn to Nick, who soon becomes the primary suspect.
The BAFTA-winning film stays faithful to its source material – Gillian Flynn’s 2012 novel of the same name – in the best way possible. It’s known for its major plot twist that reframes the entire narrative, so it’s best seen knowing as little as possible about its incredibly well-written plot.
Room (2015) – Rating: 4.0, Fans: 2k
Available to rent on Apple TV.
Based on a 2010 novel of the same name by Emma Donoghue, Room tells the harrowing story of Joy and her son Jack, who have both been in captivity for several years in the titular location. Jack was born in the tiny room, so Joy convinces him that only the things in there are real – this lie causes confusion when he finally gets a peek outside the door.
The critically-acclaimed film unapologetically delves into dark subject matters through its disturbing story, raising important questions about parenting, mental health, and abuse. Its compelling main characters make it difficult to watch some scenes where they’re hurt, but it’s worth sticking with the narrative until its satisfying conclusion.
Split (2016) – Rating: 3.5, Fans: 1.3k
Available to rent on Apple TV.
Kevin Wendell Crumb lives with 23 distinct alters because of his dissociative identity disorder (DID) in Split. For the most part, he’s able to manage his condition with the help of his therapist, but everything changes when one of his alters, Dennis, decides to abduct three girls. Things are further complicated by the impending arrival of “The Beast.”
The box office hit is a terrifying ride from start to finish, with Kevin’s unsettling alters making most scenes with them and their victims spine-chilling. It’s worth noting that its problematic portrayal of DID contributes to the stigmatization of the mental health condition, but that hasn’t stopped the psychological thriller from becoming massively popular.
Get Out (2017) – Rating: 4.2, Fans: 8.3k
Available to rent on Apple TV.
When Chris Washington meets his girlfriend’s family for the first time in Get Out, he soon discovers that the awkwardness he feels around them is far from normal. While Rose Armitage tries her best to reassure him that he’s just nervous, her creepy family’s actions and the secrets he uncovers about them prove otherwise.
The psychological horror movie will mess with viewers in the same way Rose’s family confuses Chris on purpose. What follows is an absurd but horrifying chain of events that only escalates in unbelievable ways until the critically acclaimed film’s nerve-wracking ending.
Hereditary (2018) – Rating: 4.0, Fans: 14k
Available to rent on Apple TV.
After the Graham family’s matriarch, Ellen, dies in Hereditary, a series of bizarre and increasingly frightening experiences change the surviving characters’ lives. As Ellen’s daughter learns more about their family’s disconcerting past, she begins to connect the dots and discovers a shocking truth.
Some of Hereditary’s scariest scenes make it clear why the supernatural horror film is not for young audiences. Its jarring depiction of the terrible incidents its characters have to endure makes it a genuinely unnerving movie that’s not for the faint of heart. It barely gives audiences a chance to breathe before its next hair-raising moment makes them want to shield their eyes.
Parasite (2019) – Rating: 4.6, Fans: 45k
Available to stream on Hulu.
Even those who have never seen it before have likely heard of the international hit Parasite. The black comedy thriller took the world by storm when it was first released, with its deceptively simple premise about a lower-income family infiltrating a wealthy family’s home making way for a truly original plot twist that impressed fans and critics alike.
It’s best seen for the first time without any knowledge about the mid-film surprise, as it signals the beginning of its exhilarating and intense second half. The world-renowned movie sends a powerful message about class structure and inequality, while also providing an unforgettable viewing experience.
Tenet (2020) – Rating: 3.4, Fans: 2.5k
Available to stream on HBO Max.
The unnamed protagonist in Tenet goes on his most important mission yet as a CIA agent when he discovers a strange plot that threatens the entire world. Unknown forces from the future have decided to wage war on the present, sending Tenet’s main character on a mind-bending journey to stop them.
The sci-fi thriller’s mind-boggling premise is something that’s best appreciated after a rewatch. Its perplexing take on the concept of time travel is initially frustratingly vague, but eventually becomes the highlight of the blockbuster. It’s a love-it-or-hate-it kind of film, but those who do end up embracing its stunning story will likely find that it’s their new favorite spy movie.
Last Night In Soho (2021) – Rating: 3.5, Fans: 1.9k
Ellie Turner is struggling to adjust to being a fashion student in London in Last Night in Soho, so when a series of realistic dreams about a fabulous woman in the 60s inspire her designs, she’s more than happy to welcome visions of Sandie’s life. Things soon take a dark turn when it’s revealed that Sandie’s happy facade hides some awful secrets.
From its glamorous costumes and elaborate sets to its use of horror tropes and well-written characters, there’s more than one reason to fall in love with the popular film. The thrilling movie subverts expectations through its surprising twist, which is bound to make fans question their own perceptions and preconceived notions in the same way Ellie does.
The Batman (2022) – Rating: 4.1, Fans: 19k
Available to stream on HBO Max.
The Batman premiered to critical acclaim earlier this year, in large part thanks to its grounded depiction of a riveting detective story. It tells the story of Bruce Wayne’s attempts at catching an enigmatic serial killer, but he learns something about his family’s past in the process that shakes him to his core.
The gritty and bleak film is full of suspenseful moments as Batman tries and fails to end the threat to Gotham City, with the main antagonist almost always evading him and staying one step ahead of the antihero. The cat-and-mouse chase results in some horrific crime scenes, with each new cryptic message bringing the protagonist closer to the killer and to a painful truth.