The Best Psychological Thrillers of All Time
Here is a list of the best psychological thrillers of all time, ranked by fans who may or may not be trying to mess with your head! Though a variety of definitions for the "psychological thriller" genre have been offered, there is no universally accepted set of guidelines. In general, good psychological thrillers integrate personal character elements into mystery and suspense films, essentially toeing the line between a dramatic character study and the sort of plot structure you'd expect from a detective movie. With that in mind, what do you think are the best psychological thriller movies Hollywood has to offer? Could some even be considered the best thriller movies ever?
Many of the top psychological thrillers resemble traditional thrillers or suspense films, only with a personal, internal antagonist rather than a traditional movie villain. (For example, Repulsion or The Conversation, in which the plot is moved forward by the main character's growing paranoia and madness.) In many thrilling films of this type, the solution to the main character's conflict comes in the form of altering their perspective or discovering some buried truth about themselves and their past, rather than winning a fight or battling an opponent.
Many psychological thrillers play around with the main character's back story, or make use of an unreliable narrator. Films like Christopher Nolan's Memento present the audience with one perspective on the story, and then generate suspense by showing the ways in which "reality" contrasts to this perspective. (This sometimes, but not always, results in a "twist" or surprise ending based on the difference between the main character's perception and that of outside observers). Several Alfred Hitchcock movies utilize this technique, particularly movies like Spellbound and Marnie, in which the story concerns a character becoming mentally well after years of madness and confusion. Several of these films are critically acclaimed psychological thrillers.
This list contains the best thriller movies of all time. It is open and vote ranked, so be sure to vote for your favorites and add any other movies that may be missing at the bottom of the page. Got an opinion on great thriller movies? Vote for your favorite psychological suspense movies ever! And, if you love scary material, check out this list of the best current crime shows as well.
- Brad Pitt, Morgan Freeman, Gwyneth Paltrow
- Released: 1995
- Directed by: David Fincher
Enveloped in darkness, Seven unravels a grim tale of sin and punishment. The dynamic duo of Brad Pitt and Morgan Freeman shines as two detectives, who race against time to solve a series of ghastly murders inspired by the seven deadly sins. With an unforgettable twist ending, this David Fincher-directed masterpiece will leave you seeking absolution.
- Jodie Foster, Anthony Hopkins, Scott Glenn
- Released: 1991
- Directed by: Jonathan Demme
Horror has a name, and it's The Silence of the Lambs. Anthony Hopkins redefined psychopathy as the bone-chewing, manipulative Hannibal Lecter, who is sought by a young, ambitious FBI agent portrayed by Jodie Foster in this Academy Award-winning thriller. The palpable tension between Hopkins and Foster will keep you on tenterhooks until the last frame.
- Bruce Willis, Haley Joel Osment, Toni Collette
- Released: 1999
- Directed by: M. Night Shyamalan
When an unsuspecting adult meets a child with an uncanny ability to communicate with the deceased, the result is The Sixth Sense. M. Night Shyamalan's directorial debut catapulted him to success with a story that continues to send shivers down the spine. And let's not forget – "I see dead people" has become a pop culture staple.
- James Caan, Kathy Bates, Frances Sternhagen
- Released: 1990
- Directed by: Rob Reiner
Misery traps you in the clutches of a fan-crazed nightmare, where Kathy Bates delivers an Oscar-winning performance as the obsessed admirer of a novelist played by James Caan. Adapted from the Stephen King classic, this chilling tale of obsession will make you think twice before accepting hospitality from a stranger.
- Jack Nicholson, Shelley Duvall, Danny Lloyd
- Released: 1980
- Directed by: Stanley Kubrick
If nerve-rattling suspense is your cup of tea, look no further than Stanley Kubrick's The Shining. Jack Nicholson turns the creepiness up to eleven as a writer slowly driven to madness in an isolated hotel. With eerie visuals and a spine-chilling score, this adaptation of Stephen King's novel remains the gold standard for psychological horror.
- Leonardo DiCaprio, Mark Ruffalo, Ben Kingsley
- Released: 2010
- Directed by: Martin Scorsese
It's a mind-bending journey on Shutter Island as Leonardo DiCaprio's character navigates an insane asylum, causing the audience to question the blurred lines of reality and illusion. Directed by the legendary Martin Scorsese, this psychological thriller keeps you guessing until the end.