Thriller films maintain broad appeal among moviegoers, and Amazon Prime Video has some of the genre’s best movies. Prime Video’s ever-expanding library covers thriller classics and modern hits ranging from several thriller subgenres like sci-fi, action, and psychological thrillers. Better yet, subscribers have even more options with Prime Video’s optional premium channels, which include services like Max and Starz.
Movies like the Robert De Niro-led Ronin and Steven Soderbergh’s ensemble in Contagion are among the recent highlights. While the streamer’s selection can occasionally lead to choice paralysis with the countless options available, this guide simplifies things by focusing on some of the best thriller movies on Prime Video right now.
Amazon Prime may have a robust catalog, but it doesn’t have everything. Luckily, we’ve also curated roundups of the best thrillers on Netflix and the best thrillers on Hulu. Need more recommendations? Then check out the best new movies to stream this week, the best movies on Netflix, the best movies on Hulu, the best movies on Amazon Prime Video, the best movies on Max, and the best movies on Disney+.
Ronin (1998)
Director John Frankenheimer’s Ronin makes for a fun watch for fans of ‘90s action movies. The action-thriller stars Robert De Niro (who leads the upcoming mobster film Alto Knights) as a former special operative contracted to steal a mysterious briefcase. However, the job gets increasingly tense and dangerous as loyalties among his team are murky at best. Alongside De Niro’s commanding performance, Ronin is supported by a compelling supporting cast, including Jean Reno, Stellan Skarsgard, and Sean Bean. While the plot isn’t groundbreaking, the stunning set pieces — especially the elaborate car chase sequences — will keep audiences on the edge of their seats.
WarGames (1983)
A 1980s classic, director John Badham’s WarGames is one of the most inventive sci-fi thrillers of its time. The story sees talented computer hacker David Lightman (Matthew Broderick) inadvertently hacking into a supercomputer belonging to the U.S. military. The technology in this computer is meant to predict, play out, and even execute nuclear warfare against the Soviet Union. But by hacking into the system, Lightman triggers a dangerous false alarm.
Part of the movie’s appeal is the novelty of the techno-thriller elements of the 1980s. Regardless, WarGames’ excellent combination of science fiction thrills with Cold War-era drama makes for an entertaining watch decades later.
Thief (1981)
Fans of dramatic crime thrillers can’t go wrong by going through director Michael Mann’s films. Thief is one of his earlier classics, starring James Caan as a master safecracker and diamond heist specialist named Frank. He takes on one massive final job from a high-profile gangster (Robert Prosky) to escape his life of crime for good and settle into a quiet life with a wife and kids.
Thief is a standout of Mann’s career for the story’s high-stakes yet grounded characters. This is also in no small part thanks to charismatic performances from the main cast, and it’s all complemented by some stylish cinematography.
Contagion (2011)
While Steven Soderbergh is known for directing movies like the Ocean’s trilogy, Contagion is also among his best works. The movie follows nail-biting storylines in the wake of a deadly and highly contagious virus. Its plot revolves around medical professionals desperately trying to identify the virus, the collapse of social order as the disease spreads into a full-blown pandemic, and the race to implement the vaccine.
Contagion is an excellent disaster movie and medical-themed thriller, with Soderbergh expertly pacing its nonlinear narrative style. Better still, each plot line is elevated by a stellar ensemble including Matt Damon, Kate Winslet, Laurence Fishburne, Marion Cotillard, Jude Law, and Gwyneth Paltrow.
In the Land of Saints and Sinners (2023)
Movie fans can count on Liam Neeson to pump out an action-thriller every so often. Directed by Robert Lorenz, In the Land of Saints and Sinners stars Neeson as former hitman Finbar Murphy, calmly living his retirement life in an Irish village.
However, in classic action-thriller fashion, Murphy is dragged away from his peaceful life when an IRA bomber comes to wreak havoc. Neeson’s track record with these gritty action movies can be hit or miss. However, In the Land of Saints and Sinners is one of his and director Lorenz’s best showings, depicting high-stakes action and a suitably grizzled performance from Neeson.
Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In (2024)
For some martial arts-themed thrills, Amazon Prime Video subscribers should check out Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In. A Hong Kong-based action-thriller directed by Soi Cheang, the story revolves around mainline refugee Chan Lok-kwun (Raymund Lam Fung) as he struggles to survive in the Walled City.
Inside, he joins an underground fight community but must find safety after being betrayed by crime boss Mr. Big (Sammo Hung Kam-Bo). Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In was critically acclaimed for its equal parts dazzling and visceral action choreography. Fans of classic martial arts films of decades past should easily feel right at home with this high-octane thriller.
The Creator (2023)
Gareth Edwards’ (Jurassic World: Rebirth) The Creator is one of the more noteworthy original sci-fi movies of the decade so far. The movie is set in 2070 and follows a former U.S. Special Forces agent (John David Washington) in a dystopic sci-fi Los Angeles.
Amid a war between humanity and AI, Sergeant Joshua Taylor is tasked with killing the mysterious “Creator” before it uses a potential world-ending weapon. The Creator doesn’t have the most innovative plot for a sci-fi thriller but has plenty of stunning action sequences and visuals. From Godzilla (2014) to Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, Edwards is known for brilliantly showcasing scale and spectacle in his movies.
Memento (2000)
Memento is a movie from The Dark Knight and Oppenheimer director Christopher Nolan’s earlier years, and it remains a compelling watch. The film stars Guy Pearce as Leonard Shelby, an amnesiac who suffers from short-term memory loss. Using a meticulous combination of photos, notes, and even tattoos to recall information, Leonard embarks on a twisting mission to find out who killed his wife and inflicted him with this condition.
Memento is still a highlight of Nolan’s catalog, showing his prowess for directing mind-bending psychological thrillers. Supported by Pearce’s strong performance and a creative, nonlinear plot, Memento is best watched knowing the barest of story details.
Blink Twice (2024)
Making her directorial debut, Zoe Kravitz puts together an inspired psychological thriller story for Blink Twice. The movie follows a group of people invited to spend their time partying on a tech billionaire’s (Channing Tatum) private island, but things take a twisted turn.
As the days and nights blur together and Frida (Naomie Ackie) starts to notice something off about the island’s guests, she sets out to unravel this mystery. Blink Twice is a strong debut for Kravitz, with the plot boldly exploring themes of corruption of power and femininity in a hostile environment. But on top of thought-provoking messages is an unnerving and exciting thriller.
Captain Phillips (2013)
Based on Richard Phillips’ recount of his experience off the coast of Somalia, Captain Phillips tells a dramatic story led by the superb Tom Hanks. Director Paul Greengrass’ film sees the eponymous merchant mariner and his crew get caught in a hostage situation by Abduwali Muse’s (Barkhad Abdi) group of pirates.
Captain Phillips has earned widespread acclaim, with Hanks and Barkhad Abdi’s commanding performances carrying the plot’s nail-biting drama. The tension from the pair’s dynamic can be felt off the screen, selling the story’s stakes. While the historical accuracy has been disputed, it’s one of the best biographical thrillers to date.
Edge of Tomorrow (2014)
As an action star, Tom Cruise is well known for the Mission: Impossible series, but Edge of Tomorrow remains one of his best 2010s blockbusters. Directed by Doug Liman and co-led with Emily Blunt’s Sergeant Rita Vrataski, the story sees Cruise’s inexperienced William Cage thrust into a battle against an alien invasion.
The ill-equipped Cage discovers he’s stuck in a time loop, and escaping it is the key to defeating the invaders. Edge of Tomorrow is adapted from Hiroshi Sakurazaka’s novel and received praise for capturing the spirit of the author’s inventive premise. Commanding performances, relentless action, and a fun time-themed plot device make this one of the best modern sci-fi thrillers.
The Equalizer (2014)
For audiences wanting more John Wick-like thrills, Denzel Washington’s The Equalizer should fill that niche. Directed by Antoine Fuqua, Washington stars as a former marine and DIA officer Robert McCall, who finds himself pushed out of retirement. McCall goes on a bloody mission to save a teenage girl from the Russian mafia’s human trafficking ring.
The Equalizer certainly doesn’t revolutionize the action-thriller genre, but as he’s proven in Gladiator II, Denzel Washington remains a highlight in everything he’s in. Fans of over-the-top action will be satisfied with this vigilante-themed thriller, as it’s bolstered by plenty of stylish combat sequences.
The Batman (2022)
The Dark Knight is DC Comics’ most enduring superhero, and director Matt Reeves’ The Batman is a riveting reboot. Starring Robert Pattinson (Good Time, Mickey 17) as the eponymous hero, the films follows an early-career Batman and Lieutenant Gordon (Jeffrey Wright) as they desperately chase the trail of the serial killer Riddler (Paul Dano). The murderer and his grand scheme prove elusive for the detectives, even roping in the enigmatic Selina Kyle, aka Catwoman (Zoë Kravitz).
The prospect of a third cinematic Batman in 10 years sounds tiring on paper, but The Batman is a gripping superhero-themed detective thriller. Heavily inspired by neo-noir crime movies like Seven while drawing from classic comics like The Long Halloween, The Batman finally demonstrates the hero’s investigative skills on the big screen.
Knives Out (2019)
While he’s best known for sci-fi movies like Looper and Star Wars: The Last Jedi, director Rian Johnson delves into the mystery-thriller genre with Knives Out. Daniel Craig (Casino Royale, No Time to Die) plays private detective Benoit Blanc, the character investigating the death of famed novelist Harlan Thrombey (Christopher Plummer).
The renowned author’s death is ruled a suicide, but Blanc suspects something more sinister is afoot. Knives Out has been praised for its modernized take on the Agatha Christie-style murder mystery, and it’s backed by a star-studded ensemble. The movie’s blend of intrigue, dark comedy, and clever plot twists shows off Johnson’s versatility as a director.
A Quiet Place: Day One (2024)
John Krasinski’s original A Quiet Place paved the way for an exciting sci-fi and horror-thriller franchise, and Day One is a worthwhile prequel to the series. Directed by Michael Sarnoski, Day One transports audiences to the origins of the franchise’s apocalyptic event and follows Samira (Lupita Nyong’o) and Eric (Joseph Quinn) as they navigate the fallout.
The two wander New York City while avoiding the hostile, sound-based aliens. A Quiet Place: Day One is an exciting standalone story in this world that adds to the worldbuilding. It expands upon the universe’s history without sacrificing its mysterious appeal, and the movie’s co-leads provide a compelling new perspective.
Joker (2019)
While Todd Phillips’ widely panned Folie à Deux retroactively soured the novelty of its predecessor, Joker remains a solid watch. With Joaquin Phoenix in the lead role, this take on the Clown Prince of Crime follows Arthur Fleck, a downtrodden clown and failing stand-up comic. Suffering from depression and nihilistic thoughts, Fleck embraces the growing Joker persona and inspires the disenfranchised into a violent movement against Gotham City’s elite.
Underwhelming sequel aside, Joker is still engaging when viewed as a standalone story. Its biggest critique is its overreliance on classic crime thrillers like Martin Scorsese’s Taxi Driver, but Phoenix’s Oscar-winning performance makes this story a compelling alternate DC Comics continuity.
The Terminator (1984)
Director James Cameron has put out several iconic blockbusters over the decades, and 1984’s The Terminator remains one of his most important movies. A sci-fi action thriller, the story revolves around a cybernetic assassin known as a Terminator (Arnold Schwarzenegger) traveling from 2029 to 1984 to murder Sarah Connor (Linda Hamilton).
Connor’s future son will help defeat Skynet, the tyrannical AI that’s created an apocalyptic future for mankind. The human resistance sends soldier Kyle Reese (Michael Biehn) back in time to protect Sarah. The Terminator is still seen as an iconic Hollywood blockbuster, sci-fi thriller or otherwise. The movie and its titular role are synonymous with Schwarzenegger, who brings tension to the relentless monster-movie-like antagonist and action set pieces.
Children of Men (2006)
Children of Men is one of the best action thrillers of the 2010s. Director Alfonso Cuarón’s dystopian movie is set in 2027, with humanity battling infertility issues for around 20 years. U.K. asylum seekers are subjugated to detention and deportation.
Disillusioned civil servant Theo Faron (Clive Owen) finds himself desperately trying to help refugee Kee (Clare-Hope Ashitey) escape the violent situation. Children of Men earned acclaim for its deft balance of riveting action and sincere human drama. Owen and Ashitey’s characters ground the story amid the chaos, making Children of Men a well-rounded dystopic thriller.
Disturbia (2007)
Loosely inspired by legendary director Alfred Hitchcock’s Rear Window, D. J. Caruso’s Disturbia is an exciting neo-noir thriller. Starring Shia LaBeouf as teenager Kale Brecht, the film follows the 17-year-old on house arrest for assaulting his teacher.
Once he begins watching his neighbors from home, he strongly suspects one of them is a serial killer. While Disturbia isn’t a standout thriller of its subgenre, it has plenty of provocative psychological themes to elevate it above a simple teen-themed crime movie. Plus, LaBeouf does a great job of engaging the audience in this character-driven plot.
No Time to Die (2021)
68%
7.3/10Daniel Craig is among the best James Bond actors, and No Time to Die is a fitting sendoff. Directed by Cary Joji Fukunaga, this spy thriller sees Bond’s tranquil life interrupted when CIA agent Felix Leiter (Jeffrey Wright) recruits him on a mission to rescue a scientist.
The mission has even darker implications as it becomes a race against time to prevent a shadowy villain (Rami Malek) from deploying a deadly weapon. While it can’t measure up to the likes of Casino Royale or Skyfall, Fukunaga’s No Time to Die is an epic swan song for Craig’s character. Packed with elaborate action set pieces and an emotional story, the movie brings James Bond’s character arc full circle.
Ex Machina (2015)
From studio A24, Ex Machina is one of the most underrated sci-fi movies of the 2010s. The sci-fi thriller is directed by Civil War’s Alex Garland. The plot sees Caleb Smith (Domhnall Gleeson) win a competition to spend a week at Blue Book CEO Nathan Bateman’s (Oscar Isaac) mountain retreat.
However, Caleb finds himself roped into an increasingly uncomfortable experiment on the world’s most sophisticated artificial intelligence (Alicia Vikander). Ex Machina earned critical acclaim for its clever take on AI-themed science fiction and cerebral stories. It’s not the sci-fi thriller most audiences would expect, as it uses its small-scale setting to make the tension between the three co-leads all the more palpable.
The Raid (2012)
Western movies like the John Wick series further popularized extended, bombastic action sequences. Even so, 2011’s The Raid: Redemption is one of the best action thrillers to date. Directed by Gareth Evans, the plot revolves around an Indonesian police squad tasked with raiding a brutal crime lord’s apartment block.
Deep in the slums of Jakarta and outnumbered by violent criminals, the tactical squad must brute force their way through the building. The Raid: Redemption was critically praised for the movie’s relentless, but tight pacing, taking the “all killer, no filler” approach. The action is over-the-top violent and incredibly well choreographed to match.
The Silence of the Lambs (1991)
85%
8.6/10Equal parts horror and crime thriller, The Silence of the Lambs is one of the most acclaimed 1990s movies. Directed by Jonathan Demme and adapted from Thomas Harris’ 1988 novel, the movie follows FBI trainee Clarice Starling (Jodie Foster) as she tracks down a gruesome serial killer dubbed “Buffalo Bill” (Ted Levine).
The grisly murderer has proven incredibly elusive, forcing Clarice to seek the help of imprisoned and cannibalistic serial killer Hannibal Lecter (Anthony Hopkins). The Silence of the Lambs is a concise psychological crime thriller, elevated by a harrowing plot and Foster and Hopkins’ performances. The Oscar-winning portrayals of Clarice and Hannibal maintain a constant, unnerving tension.
V for Vendetta (2006)
Aside from superheroics, DC Comics is known for some exciting crime thrillers that break the mold. James McTeigue directs the live-action adaptation of Alan Moore, David Lloyd, and Tony Weare’s V for Vendetta, set in an alternate United Kingdom under the thumb of fascist rule. The plot revolves around V (Hugo Weaving), an anarchy-driven vigilante determined to free society from its totalitarian vice grip, and Evey Hammond (Natalie Portman), who becomes wrapped up in the vigilante’s freedom-fighting efforts.
As one of DC’s most successful comics from its Vertigo imprint, McTeigue’s adaptation was praised for translating Moore’s politically challenging themes to the big screen. Backed by striking cinematography and compelling performances from its co-leads, V for Vendetta also makes for an entertaining dystopian movie.
The Grey (2012)
Liam Neeson is no stranger to action thrillers, but The Grey is among his best from the 2010s. Directed by Joe Carnahan and adapted from a short story by co-writer Ian MacKenzie Jeffers called “Ghost Walker,” the plot sees Neeson’s marksman on a punishing survival mission in Alaska.
After the death of his wife, the jaded John Ottoway (Neeson) is hired as a sharpshooter at a remote Alaskan oil facility. John must give everything he can to protect himself and a group of stranded oilmen from a stalking pack of gray wolves. The Grey is a must-watch for fans of survival-themed thrillers, with Liam Neeson’s performance elevating an already tense story. The atmosphere and Neeson’s role complement the movie’s straightforward premise, but it also offers some poignant commentary on humanity’s relentless spirit.
Cape Fear (1962)
Cape Fear is a classic psychological thriller and one of the most influential movies of the 1960s. Directed by J. Lee Thompson, the story revolves around small-town lawyer Sam Bowden (Gregory Peck), who finds himself and his family tormented by ex-convict Max Cady (Robert Mitchum).
Cady returns determined to exact his revenge on Bowden for convicting him 20 years earlier. Cape Fear earned critical acclaim for its riveting atmosphere, bolstered by the dynamic between Gregory Peck and Robert Mitchum’s characters. Thompson’s direction mirrored the scores, camera techniques, and suggestive violence used by Alfred Hitchcock.
Atomic Blonde (2017)
Outright action-thrillers aren’t the box-office draws they once were, but movies like Atomic Blonde show they’ll always have a place in the medium. Directed by David Leitch (Deadpool 2, The Fall Guy), the movie follows elite MI6 agent Lorraine Broughton (Charlize Theron) on a covert mission in Germany the night before the Berlin Wall’s fall.
Broughton must retrieve a sensitive dossier of double agents and dismantle a spy ring. Atomic Blonde’s story is rather straightforward, but it’s all it needs to be, thanks to Theron’s dynamic performance. She sells the character’s cunning nature, and the stylistic action scenes evoke sequences from the John Wick franchise.
Face/Off (1997)
Directed by the revered filmmaker John Woo, Face/Off is a must-watch for fans of sci-fi thrillers. The movie sees John Travolta (Grease) and Nicolas Cage (Longlegs) play the dual roles of FBI agent Sean Archer and terrorist Castor Troy.
After Archer captures Troy, he undergoes an experimental procedure to replace his face with the terrorist’s — with Troy following suit by impersonating Archer. Face/Off developed a strong cult following over the years, beloved for its bombastic action sequences. It’s the highlight of Woo’s career, with Travolta and Cage making the most of the campy premise to play off each other perfectly.
Taxi Driver (1976)
Director Martin Scorsese is a legacy name in the industry, and Taxi Driver is one of his early highlights. This grim thriller revolves around Travis Bickle (Robert De Niro), a Vietnam War veteran in a dangerously unstable mental state.
Travis works nights as a taxi driver, but the more he sees his idea of moral degradation through the streets of New York City, the more emboldened he becomes to take violent action. Taxi Driver earned universal praise for how it blended the neo-noir genre with psychological thrillers. The movie’s intense POV-driven plot makes his deteriorating mental state feel unsettling and intimate, resulting in one of the best character studies in movie history.
The Beekeeper (2024)
The Beekeeper has been one of the most surprising successes in the thriller genre. Directed by David Ayer, the story sees former “Beekeeper” operative Adam Clay (Jason Statham) go on a gruesome killing streak.
When his compassionate landlady and retired school teacher Eloise Parker (Phylicia Rashad) dies by suicide after being caught in a phishing scam, Adam decides to hunt down the perpetrators. The Beekeeper earned a moderately positive critical reception for embracing its over-the-top nature. The movie didn’t pretend to be anything it wasn’t, and it delivered an easily entertaining action-thriller for its efforts.
We Need to Talk About Kevin (2011)
Directed by Lynne Ramsay, We Need to Talk About Kevin is a gripping psychological drama and thriller. The plot revolves around Eva Khatchadourian (Tilda Swinton), a former travel writer, who struggles to cope with her psychopathic son Kevin (The Flash‘s Ezra Miller) and the atrocities he’s committed.
Eva now works at a travel agency near the prison where he’s being held, with the story unraveling the former’s troubled memories. We Need to Talk About Kevin received positive reviews for its harrowing mix of horror, drama, and thriller elements. It’s also regarded as one of Swinton’s strongest performances, portraying Eva’s tortured psyche convincingly.
Oppenheimer (2023)
90%
8.3/10What Lies Beneath (2000)
51%
6.6/10Rear Window (1954)
100%
8.5/10Wolf Creek (2005)
56%
6.2/10The Perfect Host (2010)
48%
6.7/10Road House (2024)
47%Foe (2023)
44%
5.4/10Saltburn (2023)
61%
7.1/10Dark Nature (2023)
4.4/10The Wall (2012)
What would you do if you were cut off from the rest of civilization by an invisible wall? Short of panicking, most of us would have no clue, but these are the cards dealt to our main character in writer-director Julian Pölsler’s 2012 film The Wall. Starring Martina Gedeck as the unnamed protagonist, when our hero discovers the titular barrier between her and the rest of the world, the woman and her dog Lynx are forced into survival mode as nature starts taking over. Will she succumb to the unmovable façade, or will she perish? Watching The Wall may be a bit of a slow-going experience at times, but if you’re willing to go along with the nearly two-hour runtime, you’ll be privy to quite an amazing performance from Gedeck.
M.O.M. Mothers of Monsters (2020)
5.8/10The Swerve (2018)
90%
6.6/10Once in a blue moon, a solid psychological thriller comes along that truly dips its toes into the world of disturbed and narratively unreliable psyches. Sure, there are plenty of films that try to dive deep into mental hellscapes, but when you see how brilliantly this type of conflict is pulled off by movies like The Swerve, you realize how many other flicks simply miss the mark. Starring Azura Skye as Holly, a high-school teacher, wife, and mother of two, Holly’s life is seemingly good on the surface. That is until a series of strange and hallucinatory events start unfolding around her. Compounded by the many stresses of daily life, including her rebellious children and an unusual student, Holly’s façade begins to crumble as past demons rear their heads. An excellent story of a methodically-paced breakdown, The Swerve is steered by an emotionally arresting lead performance from Skye.
The Boondock Saints (1999)
44%
7.7/10Thirteen Lives (2022)
66%
7.8/10In director Ron Howard’s harrowing and emotional Thirteen Lives, is the real-life story of the Wild Boars, a Thai soccer team made up of twelve players and their coach. When the team ventures off into the Tham Luang cave, heavy rains flood the cavern, trapping them inside. After the parents of the boys alert authorities, a globalized rescue effort, comprised of professional divers and other emergency responders, must race against the clock to save the Wild Boars before it’s too late. Dialing in the dramatized strengths from other Howard-honed pictures like Apollo 13, there’s plenty at stake in Thirteen Lives, and the longtime auteur deftly tackles the many anxiety-inducing feats of one of the world’s most death-defying search-and-rescue efforts.
All the Old Knives (2022)
62%
6.1/10Jungle (2017)
48%
6.7/10Blow the Man Down (2019)
72%
6.4/10The Handmaiden (2016)
84%You Were Never Really Here (2017)
84%
6.8/10
