It could be said that we go to the movies in the first place for the thrills. The desire to experience new stories put ourselves in someone else’s shoes, and live out exciting events that might otherwise never be possible. We long for escapism. But that’s not what psychological thrillers are all about. Psychological thrillers focus less on external adventure and threat and more on the interior worlds of heroes and villains whose grasp on reality is dangerously close to failing.

It can be hard to pin down which films are psychological thrillers and which are just thrillers in which the characters are motivated by their psychology, which is why we are focusing on films that are 100% thrilling and 100% rooted in psychological anxiety. From Don't Look Now to Psycho, these are the best psychological thrillers that will provide food for thought.

40 'Peeping Tom' (1960)

Director: Michael Powell

Those who enjoy a voyeuristic film are in for a treat if they decide to hit play in Michael Powell's film. Peeping Tom is a psychological thriller that meditates on the human mind's behavior by following a young man named Mark (Karlheinz Böhm) who murders women and resorts to a movie camera to film their dying expressions.

Böhm's chilling acting performance is not Peeping Tom's only strong aspect: While the premise is terrifying, the film is truly engaging, exploring the protagonist's obsession with spying on others and documenting their doomed fates. Released to controversy — with Powell's career as a director being put at stake in the U.K. — Peeping Tom, the "grandaddy of found footage horror," has now garnered a cult following and is regarded as a true masterpiece in the genre.

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39 'Manhunter' (1986)

Director: Michael Mann

The first film adaptation of Thomas Harris’s Hannibal Lecter novels, based on the novel Red Dragon, goes deeper into psychological terror than any of the others (at least until the TV show came along). Michael Mann’s Manhunter stars William Peterson as Will Graham, an FBI profiler so talented at getting into the mind of a killer that he ends up losing his own personality and drowns in the darkness.

Hannibal Lecter appears, inexplicably named “Hannibal Lecktor,” and played with a disarming casualness by Succession's Brian Cox, whose take on the character is more insidious and less mannered than the other actors who have taken on the role. Meanwhile, as Mann brings out the madness in his protagonist, he’s exploring the humanity of his murderer, Francis Dollarhyde, played by an impossibly frightening, and impossibly tragic Tom Noonan. Manhunter is insightful and terrifying, and in some respects, perhaps the second-best adaptation of Harris’s work to date.

38 'Dead Ringers' (1988)

Director: David Cronenberg

David Cronenberg spent the majority of his career exploring the terrors of the human body, and our unnerving psychological obsessions with our own organics. While he’s made several classic films along these lines, it is perhaps Dead Ringers that stands out as his crowning accomplishment. Jeremy Irons plays identical twins who share each other’s work, each other’s lives, and — without telling them — the same women.

Elliot is confident and domineering, Beverly is shy and sensitive, and when they begin a romantic relationship with one of their patients, played by Geneviève Bujold, the strain becomes too much to bear. Irons gives two devastating performances, with subtle, impeccable editing creating the unmistakable illusion, using old-fashioned techniques, that he’s somehow cloned himself. Dead Ringers is a technical marvel, and a sublimely weird, twisted psychological thriller.

37 'Don't Look Now' (1973)

Director: Nicolas Roeg

Thanks to its innovative editing style and some controversial scenes that sparked conversations among moviegoers (especially considering the standards of contemporary mainstream cinema), Don't Look Now centers around a grieving couple, John (Donald Sutherland) and Laura Baxter (Julie Christie), who mourn the death of their young daughter in Venice. There, they encounter two elderly sisters, one of whom is a psychic.

Meditating on the consequences of grief and the effect of the death of a child on a couple's relationship, this visually striking arthouse psychological thriller by Nicolas Roeg is guaranteed to astonish those who like the genre. Furthermore, part of what makes this film so remarkable is the symbolism it features and the complex and layered storyline at its center, as well as the film's shocking twist ending. Don't Look Now is overall a fantastic film with great performances and an intense, increasingly sinister slow-burn narrative.

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36 'Shock Corridor' (1963)

Director: Samuel Fuller

As a filmmaker, Samuel Fuller reveled in pushing narrative boundaries, and in his absolutely electric psychological thriller, Shock Corridor, he practically burst through them. Peter Breck plays Johnny Barrett, a journalist obsessed with winning the Pulitzer Prize, who embarks on a daring scheme to catch a headline. He will go undercover in a mental institution, live amongst the inmates, and get to the bottom of an unsolved murder.

It’s the kind of idea that sounds clever on paper, but puts Barrett in a harrowing position. Without backup, without a confidante, without any chance of respite or escape, he’s plunged into an environment of abuse, paranoia, and delusion, and repeatedly falls under the spell of his fellow inmates. Whether he solves the murder becomes a secondary concern; he’s trapped in a never-ending battle for his own sanity. Outstanding performances, disturbing writing, and daring imagery keep Shock Corridor shocking over 60 years later.

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35 'Jacob's Ladder' (1990)

Director: Adrian Lyne

Jacob Singer (Tim Robbins) is a mild-mannered postal worker, recovering from post-traumatic stress disorder after a bloody tour in the Vietnam War. His family is no longer with him, his son died years ago, and he’s just barely putting the pieces of his life together with his new girlfriend… when he sees a tentacle on the subway and mysterious men with blurry faces, viewers are left wondering if it his PTSD affecting him or something far, far more sinister.

The repulsion that Jacob, played by an impressively vulnerable Tim Robbins, has for his present visions and his ugly past permeates into the grimy cityscapes around him. They represent a Hell of his mind’s own making, and by watching his story we are trapped in Hell with him. Jacob’s Ladder is a surreal and captivating vision of the psychological thriller genre; it should come as no surprise that it was a direct influence on the Silent Hill franchise.

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34 'The Sixth Sense' (1999)

Director: M. Night Shyamalan

Featuring Bruce Willis in one of his most memorable dramatic performances, M. Night Shyamalan's The Sixth Sense centers around child psychologist Malcolm Crowe who, after starting treating a young boy named Cole (a fantastic child performance by Haley Joel Osment), discovers that he encounters dead people. After he is convinced to help them, Cole also lends Malcolm a helping hand when it comes to reconciling with his wife.

Rightfully nominated for six Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director and Best Original Screenplay, The Sixth Sense was understandably the second highest-grossing movie of 1999. It's not for no reason that it endures a timeless feature this day, standing tall as one of the best psychological thrillers ever made (and certainly one of, if not the best Night Shyamalan feature). The Sixth Sense is unsettling and provides food for thought, making for an intense viewing experience with an unforgettable ending.

33 'Misery' (1991)

Director: Rob Reiner

This oftentimes overlooked movie based on the Stephen King novel of the same name stars the superbly talented Kathy Bates and delivers a showstopping central performance. Misery follows an author, played by James Caan, who is held captive by an obsessive fan who forces him to rewrite the finale of his novel series.

What's so spooky about Misery is how such a scenario actually happening is not that hard to picture. Perfect for crime fans who are also into the psychological thriller genre, Rob Reiner's essential movie is guaranteed to keep audiences invested and probably haunt them in their sleep, thanks to Bates' genuinely convincing performance as the mentally unstable protagonist (she got widespread attention from critics and ultimately won her a very much deserved Academy Award for Best Actress). Despite its lack of jumpscares, the nightmarish Misery is a scary, scary film about abuse, obsession, and isolation.

32 'Blue Velvet' (1986)

Director: David Lynch

David Lynch's visually stunning Blue Velvet also earns a spot on this list, as it is surely an intense psychological thriller (it even influenced the horror genre, too). The neo-noir mystery flick centers around a young man who, after the discovery of a severed human ear in a field, becomes obsessed with the investigation related to a mysterious nightclub singer and the criminals who kidnapped her child.

Even though it was a bit controversial when it was released due to its graphic content, which includes sex and violence, Lynch received his second nod for Best Director thanks to his amazing efforts in the unforgettable Blue Velvet. Sending out messages about corruption in small towns, this challenging and stimulating psychological thriller endures one of Lynch's best works to date. Like in other films by the director, readers can expect beautiful, surrealist imagery that is haunting and dreamy in equal measure.

31 'Donnie Darko' (2001)

Director: Richard Kelly

Donnie Darko is one of the many early 2000s movies that have garnered a massive cult following. While this is mostly thanks to its mind-boggling narrative, it also features great performances. The Jake Gyllenhaal-led Richard Kelly feature follows the titular character, an emotionally troubled teenager who escapes a bizarre accident by sleepwalking. He then begins having visions of a mysterious figure in a rabbit costume who causes panic by informing him that the world will end in just over 28 days, tasking Donnie with a special mission.

Among the best movies about alternate universes, Donnie Darko also deals with subjects of time travel and sacrifice, among other deeper themes of self-destruction and loneliness. Its philosophical topics and the way they are executed, in addition to its meticulous attention to detail, make this Kelly film a must-see in the psychological thriller genre.

30 'Shutter Island' (2010)

Director: Martin Scorsese

Directed by Martin Scorsese, Shutter Island is a highly beloved, fan-favorite film in the psychological thriller genre, and a very successful one at that (it grossed $295 million worldwide). Although not one of the filmmaker's best features, it benefits greatly from Leonardo DiCaprio's astounding central performance, as expected. The story centers around Deputy U.S. Marshal Edward "Teddy" Daniels as he investigates a psychiatric facility on Shutter Island after one of the patients goes missing.

It's not for no reason that Shutter Island is often seen in "top movies of the 2010s" lists; it really was that affecting. Its twist ending is one of the most memorable aspects of this Martin Scorsese epic that gives audiences the heebie-jeebies for its unsettling atmosphere. While not a scary movie per se, Shutter Island is a well-crafted psychological thriller that meditates on illusion versus reality, guilt, grief, and conspiracy theories.

29 'The Prestige' (2006)

Director: Christopher Nolan

This Christopher Nolan essential, based on the 1995 novel by Christopher Priest, immerses viewers who dare to witness an anxiety-inducing game of cat and mouse through an utterly captivating narrative about how obsession destroys the artist. The Prestige depicts two rival stage magicians in Victorian London, perfectly played by Hugh Jackman and Christian Bale, who feud over a perfect teleportation trick.

This engrossing battle of wits earned two Academy Award nominations for Best Art Direction and Best Cinematography, and deservedly so. Still, although The Prestige's visuals are quite striking, the aspect that stands out the most are the powerful performances by a talented ensemble cast and Nolan's intelligently written screenplay. Audiences on the lookout for the best psychological thriller movies should check out The Prestige essentially because it is mind-blowing but accessible and comprehensible.

28 'Rebecca' (1940)

Director: Alfred Hitchcock

Some would argue that Rebecca is not Alfred Hitchcock's best, which is subjectively true. However, when it comes to the psychological thriller genre, the 1940 film is one of the many classics and ranks high among others in the category (it received an impressive eleven nominations at the 13th Academy Awards). The film stars Joan Fontaine as a self-conscious woman who struggles to adjust to her new role as an aristocrat's (Laurence Olivier) wife, which turns out to be rather complicated upon finding that his ex-wife's spirit is at every corner.

Suspenseful and dramatic, Rebecca is another psychological thriller that audiences mustn't miss — somehow, it was the only Hitchcock to win Best Picture. Thanks to its creepy atmosphere and memorable storyline based on the 1938 novel of the same name by Daphne du Maurie, which has been adapted to the big screen multiple times since, this 1940 black-and-white movie is a carefully crafted, must-watch examination of jealousy that deals with themes of betrayal and love.

27 'Gaslight' (1944)

Director: George Cukor

George Cukor’s Gaslight isn’t just a psychological thriller, it’s synonymous with manipulation and horror — this film’s very title has entered the popular lexicon to describe a form of psychological abuse. Ingrid Bergman stars as a young opera singer who meets the love of her life, a handsome older gentleman played by Charles Boyer. But no sooner are they married and move into the London townhouse does the relationship devolve into a nightmare. Our heroine, it seems, is losing her mind. Or is she?

Gaslight is a remake of a 1940 British thriller, which was almost lost to history after MGM bought the remake rights and tried to destroy the original negatives. And while the classic psychological thriller may have twists that seem telegraphed today, now that viewers all know what “gaslighting” is, the bleak and angry heart of the film still pumps. Bergman’s Oscar-winning performance, as a woman pushed to the brink of her mental endurance, is vulnerable and raw, trapped and clawing, captivatingly genuine, and Boyer’s twisted villainy will always be the stuff of goosebumps.

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26 'Caché' (2005)

Director: Michael Haneke

Georges (Daniel Auteuil) and Anne (Juliette Binoche) are an unremarkable, upper-class French couple, who discover, to their horror, that they are being watched. Every day a video arrives on their doorstep, with footage of the front of their house. No threats, no message, just one person’s clear obsession with observing them. What the two decide to do with this information says a lot about them. Without any clue, they decide to dig into the past on their own, and what they find is the wretched refuse of a life filled with mistakes.

Michael Haneke’s Caché is elusive and mysterious, and the only solution it provides, in the end, is so subtle it’s easy to miss the first time around. But it’s a fabulous and paranoid puzzle of a film – easily among Michael Haneke's best movies – and one that speaks to anyone with the capacity for guilt and shame.

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25 'Get Out' (2017)

Director: Jordan Peele

Jordan Peele's Get Out is easily one of the most innovative movies in the horror and psychological thriller genres of recent times (while it learns towards horror more, it is debatable that Get Out also deserves a spot in the category). The plot centers around Chris' — a young African-American played by the Oscar-nominated Daniel Kaluuya — trip alongside his white girlfriend. The two decide to stay with her parents for the weekend. However, his increasing uneasiness about their reception of him reaches a boiling point.

Unnerving, unsettling, and downright disturbing, Get Out is an uncomfortable experience through and through; the 2017 movie sends poignant messages about race and racism and stays engraved in viewers' memories long after the credits roll. Peele's efforts were deservedly recognized, and he made Oscars history by being the first Black writer to win Best Original Screenplay at the Academy Awards.

24 'Gone Girl' (2014)

Director: David Fincher

David Fincher’s Gone Girl plays like a lurid airplane novel, but hiding beneath the salacious storyline and the borderline campy violence is one of the filmmaker’s most bitterly observant motion pictures. Ben Affleck stars as a teacher, Nick, who’s married to Amy (the Oscar-nominated Rosamund Pike) who famously inspired a series of children’s books. It’s not a happy marriage, so when Amy goes suddenly missing under suspicious circumstances, the media blitz quickly turns on Nick and makes him the prime suspect.

Where Gone Girl goes from there would be a crime to reveal, but let’s just say there’s more to the story, and Fincher and screenwriter Gillian Flynn, adapting her best-selling novel, have bigger ideas beyond mere murders and mysteries. The absorbing psychological thriller Gone Girl explodes the idea of marriage, of living in public, of being perceived as an object or an icon. Rosamund Pike is next-level fantastic in a multifaceted role — one of the smartest villains of all time — at once harrowing and hilarious and tragic, and Affleck gives one of his finest performances as a man endlessly manipulated.

23 'What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?' (1962)

Director: Robert Aldrich

In the bizarre and grotesque What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?, filmmaker Robert Aldrich exposes what appears to be a deep-seated loathing for the entertainment industry and the toll it takes on young performers. The film tells the story “Baby” Jane Hudson, a child star of the 1920s whose career eventually took a back seat to her sister, who was the superior actor. A tragic accident left Blanche paralyzed, and Jane blamed for the tragedy, begrudgingly accepting the role as her sister’s unwilling caretaker.

Blanche (Joan Crawford) lives upstairs at the mercy of Jane, played by Bette Davis in one of her best movies. The abuse she suffers is shocking, and the decay of Jane’s psyche is repulsive, but both Crawford and Davis are wholly committed to making this bizarre, mutually destructive life seem plausible. These, the movie argues, are the larger-than-life consequences of living larger than life, and the gruesome fate that befalls these sisters plays out as though it was ripped from particularly salacious headlines. Riveting performances and prurient dread await you in the Aldrich movie.

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22 'Black Swan' (2010)

Director: Darren Aronofsky

It's not for no reason that Natalie Portman took home the Best Actress award for her role in Darren Aronofsky's multilayered character study of a struggling artist. Black Swan tells the story of a perfectionistic ballerina on the verge of stardom who is pushed to the breaking point by her artistic director and rival. As such, she begins to slowly descend into a nightmare.

While the lead acting is possibly the best asset of Aronofsky's intense thriller, Black Swan also features impeccable, masterful direction from the filmmaker. On top of illustrating the troubled psyche of an overworked ballerina, this Oscar-winning feature highlights obsession and sheds light on the terrible pressures at all levels that ballerinas face in the industry. Furthermore, Black Swan also explores sexuality and repression through the experiences of its naive and insecure protagonist.

21 'The Shining' (1980)

Director: Stanley Kubrick

Directed by Stanley Kubrick, this well-known Jack Nicholson feature is a highly referenced one in pop culture all these years later, with some cinephiles memorizing every line in the movie, including, of course, "Here's Johnny!". The intense Kubrick classic adapted from Stephen King's 1977 novel of the same name centers around Nicholson's writer and recovering alcoholic, Jack Torrance, who accepts a new position as the off-season caretaker of the isolated Overlook Hotel. Everything starts to crumble when he sees his sanity deteriorate under the influence of the hotel and the residents, consequently putting his family in danger.

The Shining's impact on the thriller and horror genres (especially the latter, as seen in the subsequent horror films that explored the same themes) is undeniable, and for that reason, it deserves a spot on this list. Kubrick's movie is a well-crafted observation of fears, anxieties, and the psyche of mentally unstable protagonists, making for a harrowing on-the-edge-of-your-seat experience.