Thrillers are among the most popular programs worldwide, with good reason. Who doesn’t relish the suspense of not knowing what will transpire next or thrill to unexpected turns of events that leave you on the edge of your seat? It’s unsurprising that Netflix hosts an expansive assortment of exceptional thriller shows to choose from. To aid you in finding the best thrillers available on Netflix, we’ve compiled this list for your benefit.
Should you hunger for additional suspenseful entertainment, browse our selections of the finest thriller and psychological thriller motion pictures on the platform, the most spellbinding supernatural thriller programs, or the top shows and films Netflix has on offer overall.
Top Thriller Shows on Netflix
Netflix has an ever-expanding library of shows to choose from and Thriller shows on Netflix are a popular genre that makes up a significant chunk of the options available. Check our these top thriller shows on Netflix and make your night entertaining.
01: Baby Reindeer (2024)
Rotten Tomatoes: 98% | IMDb: 8.0/10
Based on a true story, Baby Reindeer is a drama-thriller miniseries created by and starring Scottish comedian Richard Gadd, adapted from Gadd’s autobiographical one-man show. The seven-episode show follows Gadd’s real-life experience of being stalked. The series stars Gadd as Donny and Jessica Gunning as his stalker, Martha. A thrilling partly fictionalized story of real trauma, Baby Reindeer is a complex and brilliantly conceived show that’s received universal acclaim from critics. The show is produced by Clerkenwell Films, who also did Netflix’s The End of the F***ing World, and there is a clear connection between the two in terms of tone. The narrative can be quite painful and messy at times, but it’s all underscored by a dark and twisted sense of humor. The fact that these events are based on reality just makes the show feel even more surreal as Donny and Martha’s story escalates and spirals out of control. This is a series that demands to be binged, as each episode will leave you eager for the next.
02: ‘Fatal Seduction’ (2023 – Present)
Rotten Tomatoes: 69% | IMDb: 4.9/10
Created by Steven Pillemer, this South African thriller stars Kgomotso Christopher as Nandi, who, whilst on a trip away with her friend, falls into the romantic clutches of a much younger man. However, Nandi is married, and her husband soon finds out, twisting him into a scornful force ready to take revenge — no matter the stakes. In just 15 episodes, Fatal Seduction packs in more twists and turns than a rollercoaster ride, with the central story of love and deception ready to keep you on your toes. Perfect for a binge-watch, this series is just as tense as it is sexy.
03: ‘The Fall of the House of Usher’ (2023)
Rotten Tomatoes: 90% | IMDb: 7.9/10
One of Netflix’s most successful series of 2023, The Fall of the House of Usher explores the deaths of controversial pharmaceutical company CEO Roderick Usher’s (Bruce Greenwood) children, including playboy gamer Leo (Rahul Kohli) and cunning PR girlboss Camille (Kate Siegel). What unfolds is a conspiracy that goes right to the top, with the CEO of the company heading up a mission to deceive the public. Unfortunately for him, there are supernatural elements — including Carla Gugino’s chilling Verna — he can’t control at play. Put the enigmatic mind of Mike Flanagan and the inspiration of Edgar Allan Poe together, and it is surely a recipe for success, with this series diving deep into the gothic style that finds so much success on our modern screens. Bolstered by an excellent cast, it is Mary McDonnell who steals the show, even winning a Gracie Allen Award for her trouble.
04: ‘You’ (2018 – 2024)
04: Rotten Tomatoes: 92% | IMDb: 7.7/10
This Netflix smash hit follows the life of Joe Goldberg (Penn Badgley), whose narrated love for certain women soon unravels into a stalker’s obsession, with the course of true love quickly running blood red. The genius of You lies in the ability of creators Greg Berlanti and Sera Gamble to twist what should be an abhorrent lead character into someone you quietly find sympathy for, with the story ebbing and flowing with constant twists and turns. A success for a reason, You is one of those shows that everyone must watch at least once — even if it is just for the gravel-soaked tones of Badgley’s narration.
05: ‘The Diplomat’ (2023 – Present)
Rotten Tomatoes: 83% | IMDb: 8.0/10
From writer/producer Debora Cahn, The Diplomat follows Keri Russell’s Kate Wyler, a woman for whom her pending promotion was one step too far. Now in a high-profile political position during a particularly hot crisis, her professional life starts to spiral, as does her personal life, with her marriage on the line. Gritty and real, The Diplomat is as addictive as it is indulgent, with the tiniest details of political warfare analyzed with often fascinating insight. Bursting with an ensemble full of intriguing characters, the inter-working of each of their relationships is fascinating enough on its own. However, the stand-out performance comes from Russell’s magnetic portrayal of Wyler, earning her nominations for both a Critics’ Choice Award and a Primetime Emmy.
06: ‘The Night Agent’ (2023 – Present)
Rotten Tomatoes: 74% | IMDb: 7.5/10
This hard-hitting Netflix series, inspired by Matthew Quirk’s novel, stars Gabriel Basso as the titular Night Agent, a man whose low-level job in the FBI leads to him manning a phone overnight that never rings. However, when one day it finally does, he is thrust into a world of espionage and political fire that would challenge even the hardest of veterans, with a conspiracy leading him right to the top of government. The Night Agent manages to balance both exciting action set-pieces and nuanced drama, with this much more than the violent romp many thought it would be. Whether it’s the neat emotional tension that permeates through each episode or the constant twists ready to keep you on your toes, The Night Agent is like glue for the senses, leaving you happily stuck, unable to turn away.
07: ‘Red Rose’ (2023)
Rotten Tomatoes: 100% | IMDb: 6.4/10
With its finger on the pulse of modern society, Red Rose tells the story of a group of teenagers who become addicted to the latest trendy app, “Red Rose.” However, this app is much more sinister than people once thought, with the ever-worsening instructions given by the app to the teens not as scary as the consequences threatened should they not complete their demands. The fear of the unknown is rife, especially when it comes to the seemingly endless horrors of the internet and social media. Red Rose manages to neatly tap into this fear, showcasing a gripping story with a penchant for twisted thrills that will likely lead many to switch off their phones straight after watching.
08: ‘Designated Survivor’ (2016 – 2019)
Rotten Tomatoes: 71% | IMDb: 7.4/10
This political thriller from David Guggenheim stars Keifer Sutherland as Thomas Kirkman, the government’s Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, who is suddenly, following a tragic event, placed in the role of President, a role he was less than prepared for. Now expected to lead the country following one of its most shocking tragedies, how will Kirkman cope with the pressure? Designated Survivor’s clever concept is more than capitalized on with a story that flows from episode to episode with ease, never missing a politically charged beat. An ensnaring series ready to whisk you into a power suit and place you in the middle of a governmental storm, Designated Survivor is sure to keep you hooked.
09: ‘The Lincoln Lawyer’ (2022 – Present)
Rotten Tomatoes: 85% | IMDb: 7.7/10
A series beloved by millions, The Lincoln Lawyer stars Manuel Garcia-Rulfo as Mickey Haller, a talented lawyer and recovering addict who has been forced to run his law practice from the back of his car. Although he might find his professional life to be a breeze, juggling the role of father and a two-time ex-husband often proves too much for Haller. Featuring a stellar set of ensemble performances from the likes of Garcia-Rulfo, Neve Campbell, and Becki Newton, The Lincoln Lawyer is simply addictive television that never lets up on its promise to keep audiences gripped across its two seasons to date. With a third season on the way, there’s plenty of juicy content and unpredictable cases to sink your teeth into, with the series showing no signs of slowing down.
10: ‘Squid Game’ (2021 – Present)
Rotten Tomatoes: 95% | IMDb: 8.0/10
In 2021, no series captured the world’s attention quite like Squid Game. The Hunger Games-esque plot is simple: a group of down-on-their-luck individuals are coaxed into joining the titular games in which they must all partake in a selection of children’s games on the hunt for victory. The prize? An eye-watering amount of money. But there’s a catch — if you lose, you die. Packed full of twists and turns, Squid Game more than deserved its hype, with a neat tale of class inequality and the exploitation of working people by the elite. Beyond its sobering message, the series is also an enormous amount of fun that grabs the entire spectrum of human emotion and cherry-picks the hardest-hitting ones, with the marble scene, in particular, sure to leave you in tears.
