Thrillers are, by and large, some of the most popular shows in the world. After all, who doesn’t enjoy the delightful suspense, the gut-wrenching fear of what’s going to happen next, and the wonderful feeling of a surprise twist you never saw coming? No wonder Netflix has so many great thriller shows in its catalog. To help you discover the best thriller shows on Netflix, we've assembled this handy list for your browsing convenience.

Looking for more suspenseful content? Check out our list of the best thriller and psychological thriller movies on the platform, the best supernatural thriller shows, or the best shows or movies on Netflix.

Editor's note: This article was updated October 2023 to include The Fall of the House of Usher.

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The Best Thrillers on HBO Max Right Now
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Fatal Seduction (2023)

Fatal Seduction Netflix Poster
Fatal Seduction
TV-MA
Drama
Crime
Mystery
Release Date
July 8, 2023
Cast
Frances Sholto-Douglas , Ngelekanyo Ramulondi , Rizelle Januk , Thapelo Mokoena
Main Genre
Drama
Seasons
1

Fatal Seduction is a South African thriller with steamy scenes, big twists, and even bigger performances. The story follows Nandi (Kgomotso Christopher), who meets an enticing, handsome younger man on a trip with her best friend and has a passionate affair with him. Unfortunately for Nandi, her husband finds out, and his behavior becomes erratic and scary, leading her to question everything she knows about him. If that wasn’t enough, her vacation lover follows her back to her regular life, causing her to spiral into a whirlwind of danger from two fronts. This series is wonderfully dramatic and sexy — a perfect binge for anyone who loves a messy romance.

The Fall of the House of Usher (2023)

The Fall of the House of Usher Netflix Poster
The Fall of the House of Usher
TV-MA
Drama
Horror


Siblings Roderick and Madeline Usher have built a pharmaceutical company into an empire of wealth, privilege and power; however, secrets come to light when the heirs to the Usher dynasty start dying.

Release Date
October 12, 2023
Cast
Carla Gugino , Willa Fitzgerald , Mary McDonnell , Kate Siegel
Creator
Mike Flanagan
Seasons
1

Based on short stories and other pieces by Edgar Allan Poe, including a short of the same name, The Fall of the House of Usher is a horror drama set in the aftermath of the strange and awful deaths of a CEO’s children, all of whom had received prior care from a disreputable pharmaceutical company. Mike Flanagan brings his famous brand of gothic horror to this series alongside cinematographer Michael Fimognari, with each frame meticulously designed to delight with fright. The show has rightfully received widespread attention, especially thanks to its talented ensemble, including the likes of Willa Fitzgerald, Carla Gugino, Kate Siegel, and Mark Hamill. Gory and extravagant, The Fall of the House of Usher emphasizes all the best gothic aspects of the wonderful work of Edgar Allan Poe. - Jake Hodges

Who Is Erin Carter (2023)

Who Is Erin Carter Poster
Who Is Erin Carter?
TV-MA
Action
Adventure
Crime
Release Date
August 24, 2023
Cast
Evin Ahmad , Sean Teale , Charlotte Vega , Indica Watson
Seasons
1

Who is Erin Carter?, starring Evin Ahmad (Quicksand), is a captivating story about a former British undercover cop whose peaceful life as a teacher in Barcelona, Spain, begins to spin out of control as secrets from her past start to surface after she heroically thwarts an armed robbery. The show has the same vibe as a Jason Bourne movie but gives the ass-kicker role to a badass woman lead who simply wants to live a normal life with her family and will do anything it takes to protect them. The seven-episode run gives plenty of room to flesh out the relationships and slowly unravel the mystery.

Dare Me (2019)

Dare Me TV Show Poster
Dare Me
TV-MA
Crime
Mystery
Thriller
Release Date
December 19, 2019
Cast
Willa Fitzgerald , Marlo Kelly , Rob Heaps , Zach Roerig
Seasons
1

Dare Me was a sadly short-lived drama thriller from creator Gina Fattore based on the intriguing novel by Megan Abbott. Centering on a group of teenage competitive cheerleaders and their new coach (Willa Fitzgerald), Dare Me eerily explores how the lives of high schoolers and their coach can become entangled in a slow-burn story brimming with unexpected mysteries. Co-starring with Fitzgerald, Dare Me features Herizen Guardiola, Marlo Kelly, and Rob Heaps and reveals dark, fascinating secrets within each episode, allowing the moody aesthetic of the series to complement the often vapid portrayals of midwestern town athletics. – Yael Tygiel

You (2018)

You TV Show Poster
You
TV-MA
Drama

A dangerously charming, intensely obsessive young man goes to extreme measures to insert himself into the lives of those he is transfixed by.

Release Date
September 9, 2018
Creator
Greg Berlanti, Sera Gamble
Cast
Penn Badgley , Victoria Pedretti , James Scully , Ambyr Childers , Carmela Zumbado
Seasons
5

Told from the perspective of self-proclaimed romantic Joe Goldberg (Penn Badgley), You follows his quest to find the perfect girl. Joe goes to great (creepy) lengths to prove his love to the women who catch his eye throughout the series. He’s willing to stalk, kidnap, and murder to get them to fall for him. As much as you don’t want to root for someone with such questionable moral standards, the series makes it hard not to hope that things work out for Joe. Through voiceover narration, we get to hear Joe’s thoughts and how he rationalizes his actions. Badgley brings a charm to the character that makes him attractive and likable despite everything we watch him do. Like Joe, You gets more and more unhinged as the series progresses – the deaths get bloodier, the coverups get complicated, and the breakups become deadly. — Brynna Arens

Inside Man (2022)

Inside Man 2022 TV Show Poster
Inside Man
TV-MA
Drama
Crime
Mystery
Release Date
September 26, 2022

Creator: Steven Moffat

Cast: David Tennant, Stanley Tucci, Dolly Wells, Lydia West, Lyndsey Marshal

Creator Steven Moffat teams up with fellow Doctor Who alum David Tennant to bring this compelling thriller to life. Tennant plays a reverend who gets entangled in a desperate situation while trying to protect his son, which leads to him and his wife trapping a young woman in their basement. Inside Man is essentially a clever mix of Silence of the Lambs and season one of How To Get Away With Murder that takes the best elements of both while also delivering immaculate performances from Tennant and Stanley Tucci (Spotlight). This short series is a wild ride full of twists, turns, and a cacophony of costly human errors.

The Diplomat (2023)

The Diplomat Netflix Poster
The Diplomat
TV-MA
Drama
Thriller
Release Date
April 20, 2023

The Diplomat is an intense political thriller created by incredible writer/producer Debora Cahn. Cahn’s immense familiarity with political dramas, including award-winning series Homeland and The West Wing, allows her keen creativity to craft a captivating drama. Starring Keri Russell (The Americans), The Diplomat follows a career diplomat named Kate Wyler (Russell) as she finds herself unsuited for yet deeply entangled in a high-profile diplomatic position that unwittingly strains both her personal and professional life. Co-starring Rufus Sewell as Kate’s husband, The Diplomat weaves an intriguing tale of tension, ensuring a riveting drama deserving of seasons to come.

– Yael Tygiel

The Night Agent (2023)

The Night Agent TV Show Poster
The Night Agent
TV-MA
Action
Drama
Thriller
Release Date
March 23, 2023
Cast
Gabriel Basso , Luciane Buchanan , Fola Evans-Akingbola , Sarah Desjardins , Eve Harlow , Phoenix Raei
Creator
Shawn Ryan
Seasons
2

Inspired by the novel by Matthew Quirk, The Night Agent is an exciting new series starring Gabriel Basso, along with D.B. Woodside (Lucifer), Eve Harlow (Star Trek: Discovery), and Hong Chau (The Whale). Created by Shawn Ryan, The Night Agent is an espionage thriller about a rookie agent with the FBI (Basso). Featuring heart-pumping action, The Night Agent explores the dangerous world of spies, particularly when a low-level officer inadvertently becomes embroiled in a whirlwind government-shattering conspiracy. Although brimming with intense twists and turns in every episode, The Night Agent builds suspense through the mysterious puzzle as well as a budding romance, crafting a stand-out series within a saturated spy genre. – Yael Tygiel

Red Rose (2023)

Red Rose TV Show Poster
Red Rose
TV-MA
Drama
Horror
Thriller
Release Date
February 15, 2023
Cast
Amelia Clarkson , Natalie Blair , Ali Khan , Ashna Rabheru
Seasons
1

Red Rose is the perfect intersection of teen angst and technological horror as you watch a phone app rip apart the lives of a group of teens. Series creators Michael and Paul Clarkson seek to produce a story that mirrors the anxiety and crushing expectations that come with leaving grade school and entering the adult world, and they capture that idea using a smartphone app called “Red Rose” that forces users to perform demands lest they be subject to deadly consequences. Red Rose is a dark and twisted thriller that moves at a breakneck speed through sinister territory, and the lead, Amelia Clarkson (The Last Kingdom), is the perfect vessel through which viewers can feel the heart-pounding turmoil of every decision she’s forced to make. – Tauri Miller

Pieces of Her (2022)

Pieces of Her Netflix Poster
Pieces of Her
TV-MA
Drama
Crime
Mystery
Release Date
March 4, 2022
Seasons
1

Created by Charlotte Stoudt, Pieces of Her is a nail-biting adventure worth watching in one sitting. Starring Toni Collette (Knives Out), who absolutely dazzles opposite Bella Heathcote (The Man in the High Castle), Pieces of Her is a quickly unraveling mystery, encouraging the audience to guess the truth at every turn. Pieces of Her is the story of a daughter (Heathcote) who begins to learn that her mother (Collette) has a secret past that is just now catching up with her. Over eight intriguing episodes, Pieces of Her pieces together a fascinating puzzle with exciting and unexpected twists. – Yael Tygiel

Designated Survivor (2016)

Designated Survivor Netflix Poster
Designated Survivor
TV-14
Drama
Action
Mystery
Release Date
September 21, 2016
Cast
Kiefer Sutherland , Maggie Q , Kal Penn , Adan Canto , Italia Ricci
Seasons
3

Designated Survivor is an intriguing political thriller by David Guggenheim (The Christmas Chronicles) starring Kiefer Sutherland (Rabbit Hole). Based on the real concept, Designated Survivor follows Sutherland’s Thomas Kirkman, the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, as he is thrust into the leadership role of President of the United States. Although the series starts with an explosive attack killing everyone above Kirkman, Designated Survivor incorporates a fantastic and diverse cast, including Natascha McElhone, Adan Canto (The Cleaning Lady), Italia Ricci, and LaMonica Garrett (Arrow), building a deeper foundation on which the series and its twists evolve organically. – Yael Tygiel

The Recruit (2022)

The Recruit Netflix Poster
The Recruit
TV-MA
Action
Adventure
Crime
Release Date
December 16, 2022
Cast
Noah Centineo , Fivel Stewart , Laura Haddock , Aarti Mann
Seasons
2

The Recruit is a clever and exciting action drama from The Rookie creator Alexi Hawley and starring Black Adam’s Noah Centineo. Like Hawley’s other projects, The Recruit stems from a simple central plot – an inexperienced central intelligence lawyer who finds himself thrown into the deep end of international espionage – but evolves into an ensemble of talent once Vondie Curtis-Hall, Angel Parker (The Rookie), and Kristian Bruun (Orphan Black) grace the screen. Infused with Hawley’s undeniable quick-wit comedy style, The Recruit exposes viewers to the raw talent of its star (Centineo), who seamlessly transitions from awkward CIA newbie to combat-ready superspy. – Yael Tygiel

Keep Breathing (2022)

Keep Breathing TV Show Poster
Keep Breathing
TV-MA
Drama
Release Date
July 28, 2022
Cast
Melissa Barrera , Jeff Wilbusch , Florencia Lozano , Juan Pablo Espinosa , Austin Stowell , Getenesh Berhe
Seasons
1

Keep Breathing is an intense new survival series from Netflix. Competing with the recently canceled Amazon series The Wilds and Showtime’s hit drama Yellowjackets, Keep Breathing also depicts the survivor of a plane crash. In Keep Breathing, Melissa Barrera (Scream) stars as Liv, a smart and ambitious attorney who finds herself bracing the Canadian wilderness alone. Featuring a supporting cast including Jeff Wilbusch (The Calling) and Austin Stowell, Keep Breathing is created by a collaboration from Blindspot’s Brendan Gall (The Lovebirds) and Martin Gero (Quantum Leap). Gloriously presented with a cinematic scale, Keep Breathing reveals an intimate battle not just against the elements but also against Liv’s own mind and memories. – Yael Tygiel

Echoes (2022)

Echoes Netflix Poster
Echoes
TV-MA
Drama
Mystery
Thriller
Release Date
August 19, 2022
Cast
Michelle Monaghan , Matt Bomer , Karen Robinson , Ali Stroker
Seasons
1

A compelling mystery thriller, Echoes revolves around twins Leni and Gina (both played by Michelle Monaghan) who share a shocking secret: they’ve been switching lives since they were children. As adults still leading this double lives, this means they share two houses, husbands, and even a kid. When one of them goes missing, however, things are thrown into chaos. You’re sure to be kept guessing and theorizing through every minute of this twisty limited series. – Taylor Gates

The Lincoln Lawyer (2022)

The Lincoln Lawyer Poster
The Lincoln Lawyer
TV-MA
Drama
Crime
Mystery
Release Date
May 13, 2022
Cast
Manuel Garcia-Rulfo , Neve Campbell , Becki Newton , Angus Sampson
Seasons
2

Suspenseful, riveting, and constantly surprising, The Lincoln Lawyer is a thrilling legal drama. Manuel Garcia-Rulfo’s stellar embodiment of Mickey Haller grounds the show that revolves around the criminal defense attorney and recovering addict running his practice out of his town car. There are plenty of other star turns in addition to Garcia-Rulfo, too, including standouts Neve Campbell as Maggie McPherson, a criminal prosecutor who happens to be Haller’s ex-wife. The Lincoln Lawyer will have you on the edge of your seat from the first second to the final frame with its polished aesthetic, intriguing characters, and twisty, unpredictable plot. – Taylor Gates

Squid Game (2021)

Squid Game Netflix Poster
Squid Game
TV-MA
Action
Adventure
K-Drama

Hundreds of cash-strapped players accept a strange invitation to compete in children's games. Inside, a tempting prize awaits with deadly high stakes: a survival game that has a whopping 45.6 billion-won prize at stake.

Release Date
September 17, 2021
Cast
Jung-Jae Lee , Park Hae-soo , Oh Yeong-su , Wi Ha-joon
Seasons
2

The hit series that inspired a million memes and an explosion of costumes, Squid Game is more than just a pop culture craze — it is a sharply written exploration of class inequality that cuts deep. It is all built around a survival game where a group of unsuspecting adults are given an invitation to compete in a variety of children's games for cash. The catch is that if you lose, you die. While this may sound familiar to a whole host of other similarly premised stories you’ve seen before, it quickly makes clear that it is both a great deal darker and more creative in its execution. Grounded yet gruesome, it shows how desperate the world has become for those at the bottom when left with limited options to survive. Visually vibrant and tonally grim, it is a show that remains one of the better things the platform has created in recent memory. By the time it all comes to a close, the impact it leaves is both insightful and indelible. - Chase Hutchinson

Archive 81 (2022)

Archive 81 Netflix Poster
Archive 81
TV-MA
Mystery
Horror
Drama

An archivist hired to restore a collection of tapes finds himself reconstructing the work of a filmmaker and her investigation into a dangerous cult.

Release Date
January 14, 2022
Cast
Mamoudou Athie , Dina Shihabi , Evan Jonigkeit , Julia Chan
Seasons
1

In Archive 81, film archivist Dan Turner (Mamoudou Athie) is hired by the mysterious company L.M.G. to restore footage on video tapes that were damaged in a 1994 fire. As Dan makes his way through the footage, he uncovers a mystery surrounding their owner Melanie Pendras (Dina Shihabi), the Visser apartment building in New York, and the ritualistic cult that she was researching. Things get weird when Dan starts to see a demonic figure in the footage and discovers that he is able to communicate with Melanie in 1994 after watching them. Is the apparition of Melanie a ghost? Does watching the tapes open a portal to the past or another realm? Is Dan simply losing his mind in the isolation of this project? Check out Archive 81 to see just how wild this horror thriller series is. You won’t regret it. — Brynna Arens

Outer Banks (2020)

Outer Banks Netflix Poster
Outer Banks
TV-MA
Drama
Action
Crime
Release Date
April 15, 2020
Cast
Chase Stokes , Madelyn Cline , Madison Bailey , Rudy Pankow
Seasons
4

A melodrama through and through, Outer Banks is bolstered by its sense of adventure as well as a committed cast that elevates the material. The story is that the father of local kid John B (Chase Stokes) has gone missing. Determined to find him when everyone else tells him that he is dead, he enlists his friends to help him in his pursuit of the truth. Told through John B’s narration with his reflections on the world around him, the show is also about the schism between the have and have-nots of the picturesque North Carolina town where they all live. It is a bit more geared toward teen viewers as it often softens some darker aspects. However, it still manages to be an engaging ride that balances nostalgia with a compelling through line that keeps you invested in what will befall our young adventurers. — Chase Hutchinson

Locke & Key (2020)

Locke and Key Netflix Poster
Locke & Key
TV-14
Horror
Drama
Fantasy
Release Date
February 7, 2020
Cast
Darby Stanchfield , Connor Jessup , Emilia Jones , Jackson Robert Scott
Seasons
3

Locke & Key is the long-awaited adaptation of the Eisner Award-winning graphic novel series of the same name by Joe Hill and Gabriel Rodríguez. The show is a mixture of genres, mostly horror and fantasy, but the mystery, suspense and twists make it a compelling watch. Following a shocking tragedy, the Locke family move back to their ancestral home in a small town named Matheson. In Keyhouse, the Locke children discover strange keys with magical powers, but they also unwittingly unlock a deadly evil. Can they keep themselves and their loved ones safe? Locke & Key takes a couple of episodes to settle, but once the story finds its stride, this show is riveting. The adaptation of the magical elements from the books to the screen is outstanding, and the showrunners have made an effort to update some graphic novels’ more problematic and regressive elements. Fans of the books will still be surprised by the changes in the show, but newcomers will not feel left out. – Monita Mohan

Bloodline (2015)

Bloodline Netflix Poster
Bloodline
TV-MA
Drama
Thriller

A family is forced to face their past secrets and scars when the black sheep returns home.

Release Date
March 20, 2015
Seasons
3

One of the first Netflix original series in the post-House of Cards era, Bloodline is a seedy, thoroughly entertaining blend of pulpy melodrama and gripping emotional storytelling. Set on a beachside resort on the Florida coast, Bloodline follows the trials and tribulations of the controversial Rayburn family. The family’s most responsible son, John (Kyle Chandler), is a local sheriff who keeps a watchful eye on his older brother, the black sheep Danny (Ben Mendeloshn). Childhood insecurities bubble to the surface when the family reunites. Bloodline may have eventually headed into more ridiculous territory after the excellent first season, but Chandler’s nuanced performance never falters. — Liam Gaughan