Over the last decade, numerous exceptional thriller movies have emerged, some of which are considered among the greatest ever made. The finest examples are those endlessly suspenseful films that take viewers on gripping and immersive journeys filled with tension and intrigue, featuring complex characters and innovative plotlines that keep audiences on their toes. This is undoubtedly a fantastic time for thriller enthusiasts, and even those who are not yet fans will find these films captivating.

From intense neo-Westerns and historical dramas to delightfully dark comedies and psychological thrillers, the best recent thrillers span a wide array of subgenres, each possessing the ability to thrill and entertain audiences in unique ways. Without further delay, here is our curated list of the best thriller movie from each year over the past decade, featuring some of the most celebrated films of all time.

10

‘Sicario’ (2015)

A neo-Western action thriller directed by Denis Villeneuve, Sicario is a dramatized retelling of real-life events involving the Sonora Cartel. As the first film in the eponymous trilogy, it follows Kate Macer (Emily Blunt), an FBI special agent tasked with dismantling a dangerous Mexican drug cartel with assistance from a prosecutor-turned-assassin, Alejandro (Benicio del Toro). Other notable cast members include Josh Brolin, Daniel Kaluuya, Victor Garber, Jon Bernthal, and Jeffrey Donovan.

The second feature film written by Taylor Sheridan, Sicario is a taut and tense action thriller that explores themes of moral conflict while navigating the line between reality and ideals. In addition to its gripping narrative, the film is renowned for the outstanding performances of Emily Blunt and Benicio del Toro. It premiered at the 2015 Cannes Film Festival to critical acclaim for its storytelling, cinematography, and score, earning three Academy Award nominations. Its success resulted in a sequel, Sicario: Day of the Soldado, released in 2018, with a third film currently in development.

9

‘10 Cloverfield Lane’ (2016)

Directed by Dan Trachtenberg in his directorial debut, 10 Cloverfield Lane is the second installment in the Cloverfield franchise. While it is not directly connected to other films in the series, they all exist within the same universe across different timelines and dimensions. This sci-fi horror thriller follows Michelle, a young woman who survives a brutal car crash and awakens in a bunker with two men who claim that Earth’s surface has become uninhabitable. The film stars Mary Elizabeth Winstead as the protagonist, along with John Goodman and John Gallagher Jr. as the strangers, with cameos from Suzanne Cryer and Bradley Cooper.

10 Cloverfield Lane masterfully blends psychological horror with apocalyptic themes. The film is particularly noted for its visuals and intelligent cinematography that creates an atmosphere of claustrophobia within its largely confined setting, enhancing the terror of the experience. With its compelling narrative, direction, and performances, it received critical acclaim and won several awards, including a Saturn Award for Best Thriller Film.

8

‘Get Out’ (2017)

The directorial debut of Jordan Peele, Get Out is a psychological horror thriller notable for showcasing one of Daniel Kaluuya’s finest performances. In this film, Kaluuya portrays Chris, a young photographer from New York City who travels upstate with his girlfriend Rose (Allison Williams) for a weekend getaway at her parents’ estate. What begins as an awkward family gathering quickly devolves into bizarre and unsettling occurrences. Supporting roles featureLil Rel Howery, LaKeith Stanfield, Bradley Whitford, Caleb Landry Jones, Stephen Root, andCatherine Keener.

Get Out received widespread critical acclaim upon its release, marking an impressive directorial debut for Peele and establishing itself as one of the most celebrated horror thrillers of the past decade. With direction, cinematography, and plot twists reminiscent of classic horror films, it serves as a dark satire reflecting contemporary social issues that provoke unsettling thoughts among viewers. In addition to Kaluuya’s standout performance, Keener and Rel Howery also garnered recognition for their roles.

7

‘A Quiet Place’ (2018)

A post-apocalyptic survival thriller directed by John Krasinski from a story by Bryan Woods and Scott Beck. The film follows the Abbott family as they struggle to survive mysterious extraterrestrial creatures that hunt humans by sound. Krasinski and Emily Blunt star as parents Lee and Evelyn Abbott , with Millicent Simmonds and Noah Jupe as their children.