Three-ways split image of characters from Gone Girl, Joker, and Tenet.

Thrillers are great for audiences who like light scares, intrigue, and drama, but aren’t quite interested in full-fledged horror. Sure, some thrillers have gore, bumps in the night, and even terrifying moments, but by and large, most thriller movies are thought-provoking, meaningful, and – above all else – entertaining. Especially the ones on HBO.


HBO Max has tons of great movies spanning every genre, including a wide selection of thrillers. These range from new movies released in the past few years to older films from decades past audiences still talk about today. There’s an option for every mood and taste on HBO Max, with each movie thrilling in its own way.

CBR VIDEO OF THE DAY

SCROLL TO CONTINUE WITH CONTENT

When a renowned albeit eccentric chef invites a group of people to a remote island for a private dinner, he has more in mind than simply feeding them. It’s all about the experience with every dish for Julian (Ralph Fiennes), but the patrons quickly realize that they were all chosen for a reason.

RELATED: Where Else You’ve Seen The Cast Of The Menu

The Menu and its explosive ending had fans talking and theorizing about the meaning behind certain scenes. The movie combines both comedy with horror, so while there are a few gory moments, it’s more thought-provoking than anything else.

Nobody (2021)

Fresh off his starring role as Saul Goodman in Better Call Saul (which he reprised from the series Breaking Bad), Bob Odenkirk takes a more dramatic turn in Nobody. The action thriller is about a family man who gets roped back into his former dangerous life when his house is robbed.

On the run from a crime lord, Hutch (Odenkirk) is a perfect representation of the everyday man with a dark side. There’s plenty of violence and exciting fight scenes, and Odenkirk is praised for the nuanced and against-type role that he seemingly tackles with ease.

Amsterdam (2022)

Set in 1933, Amsterdam centers around three friends played by Christian Bale, Margot Robbie, and John David Washington who reunite following a mysterious murder. The plot takes twists and turns with a large supporting cast that runs the gamut, from Chris Rock and Anya Taylor-Joy to Zoe Saldana, Mike Myers, and even Taylor Swift.

Amsterdam is a fun watch, but with a run time of over two hours, it’s a big time investment. Nonetheless, the payoff in the end is worth it. The movie might have received mixed reviews, but the cast alone makes it worth a watch.

The Departed (2006)

Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon, Jack Nicholson, Mark Wahlberg, and Martin Sheen form a formidable cast for The Departed, an epic crime thriller by Martin Scorsese that is loosely based on the Winter Hill Gang from Boston. A remake of the 2002 Hong Kong movie Infernal Affairs, The Departed follows Irish mob boss Frank (Nicholson) who sends a young man named Colin (Damon) to work as a spy within the local police department.

RELATED: 10 Best Movies Directed By Martin Scorsese

Meanwhile, the police have a state trooper named Billy (DiCaprio) working undercover to infiltrate the gang. The Departed is a cat and mouse game between the good guys and the bad that’s filled with drama, action, and intrigue. The Departed is also the movie that earned Scorsese his first personal Academy Award win.

The Fugitive (1993)

Harrison Ford delivers one of his best performances in this action thriller. The Fugitive is about a man on the run after being framed for the death of his wife. Sentenced to death, Dr. Richard Kimble (Ford) has no option but to evade law enforcement at any cost while trying to prove his innocence.

A massive success when it was released, The Fugitive earned seven Academy Award nominations, with Tommy Lee Jones winning for Best Supporting Actor as Deputy U.S. Marshal Sam Gerard. The movie is full of thrilling action to keep viewers at the edges of their seats all the way through.

Tenet (2020)

Directed by Christopher Nolan, Tenet is a sci-fi action thriller following former a CIA agent known as the “Protagonist” (John David Washington), who figures out a way to bend space and time. His goal is to prevent an attack that will happen in the future from occurring, with the fate of the entire world in his hands.

Released during the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdowns, Tenet was the perfect escape for those stuck at home. It’s a stunning movie featuring impressive visual effects, action sequences, music, and performances.

Gone Girl (2014)

David Fincher directed Gone Girl based on the book of the same name by Gillian Flynn, starring Ben Affleck as Nick, a man dealing with the mysterious disappearance of his wife. Gone Girl is not just an intriguing psychological thriller, but presents real questions about perception and the way stories can be skewed to change the way society views reality.

RELATED: 10 Movies To Watch If You Like Gone Girl

A massive success with an impressive cast that also includes Rosamund Pike, Neil Patrick Harris, and Tyler Perry, Gone Girl is one of the best movies of the 2010s and is a must-watch for anyone looking for a good thriller.

No Country for Old Men (2007)

Earning four Academy Awards, including Best Picture, the Coen Bros.’ No Country for Old Men is set in 1980s Texas where a Vietnam war veteran, a hitman, and a local sheriff find their worlds intertwined after the veteran finds tons of cash hidden in the desert. The movie stars Tommy Lee Jones, Javier Bardem, and Josh Brolin and is based on the Cormac McCarthy novel of the same name.

A neo-Western crime thriller and one of an incredibly dark drama, No Country for Old Men has been compared to previous Coen Brothers movies like Blood Simple and Fargo in its themed and styling.

Michael Clayton (2007)

Nominated for seven Academy Awards, with Tilda Swinton winning for Best Supporting Actress, Michael Clayton stars George Clooney as the title character, a fixer who works with a high-end New York law firm. He has no issues bending the law to get his clients out of jams, but his deadly actions begin to blow back on him.

Receiving rave reviews from critics and audiences alike, Michael Clayton was praised for the acting, its sharp writing, and ability to hold the audience’s attention all the way through.

Joker (2019)

He’s a DC Comics character that’s been portrayed again and again, but none quite like Joaquin Phoenix’s interpretation in Joker. The movie earned plenty of accolades, and Phoenix was awarded his first-ever Academy Award for tackling the role.

Joker: Folie a Deux is set to be released in 2024 and it’s no surprise given Phoenix’s unforgettable performances as aspiring stand-up comedian Arthur Fleck. As an R-rated movie, Joker isn’t for the faint of heart. But it’s a psychological thriller that provides new perspective on a well-known comic character.

NEXT: The Best Thrillers On Amazon Prime Video Right Now

You May Also Like

Gordons Bay: Woman pulled unconscious from water near Clovelly Beach

Woman dies after being pulled unconscious from the surf near one of…

VDH | The Coup We Never Knew…

Send to Email Address Your Name Your Email Address Cancel Post was…

The Open 2021 tee times: Full schedule for Day 1

Defending champion Shane Lowry will tee off with US Open champion John…

7 Great Pre-Made Adventures for Beginners

Starting a Dungeons & Dragons campaign can be a daunting task for…