The best thrillers on Netflix right now

Grab the edge of your seat. That's all these hit thrillers need.

Overall, thrillers are among the most popular shows in the world. After all, who doesn't love the wonderful feeling of delightful suspense, the overwhelming dread of what's going to happen next, and unexpected turns you never expected? No wonder Netflix has so many great thrillers in its catalog. But that's not to say they're all the same, just because they're classified as the same type. Even if you have a list of interesting shows you think you might like to watch, everyone still experiences painful indecision before choosing their thriller. You need something that suits your mood, or something you can watch with other people. Even if you've vaguely decided what kind of shows you want, there's still plenty of great content to browse.

Well, we decided to make things a little easier with this handy guide that will help you find the perfect Netflix thriller show available in the US. We've scoured the library and put together a list of some of the best horror shows currently available for streaming, we've got everything from classics to hidden gems to new releases, more.

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

Editor's note: This article was updated in February 2023 to include designated survivors.

You (2018-present)

Creators: Greg Berlanti and Sera Gamble

Cast: Penn Badgley, Elizabeth Lail, Victoria Pedretti, Shay Mitchell, Dylan Arnold, Scott Speedman, Jenna Ortega, Tati Gabrielle, Ambyr Childers, Nicole Kang, Kathryn Gallagher

Told From My Point of View - Self-proclaimed romantic Joe Goldberg (Penn Bagley), as you follow in his search for the perfect girl. Joe goes out of his way (creepily) to prove his love to the women who catch his eye throughout the series. He is willing to stalk, kidnap and murder to make them fall in love with him. While you wouldn't want to root for someone with such dubious moral standards, the series makes it hard not to wish things were in Joe's favor. Through the voice-over narration, we hear what Joe thinks and how he rationalizes his actions. Badgley brings charisma to the role, attractive and likable despite everything we watch him do. like joe you get more and more Unhinged as the series progresses -- the deaths get bloodier, the cover-ups get complicated, and the breakups get deadly. — Brynna Arens

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Designated Survivor (2016-2019)

Creator: David Guggenheim

Cast: Kiefer Sutherland, Natasha McElhone, Adan Cantor, Italia Rich, Rameau Nica Garrett Cave). Based on a true concept, Designated Survivor follows Sutherland's Thomas Kirkman, Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, as he is thrust into the leadership role of the President of the United States. Although the series killed everyone above Kirkman with an explosive attack, Designated Survivor incorporates an excellent and diverse cast, including Natasha McElhone, Adan Cantor (the cleaning lady) , Italian Richie and LaMonica Garrett (Arrow), organically developed for the series and its twists and turns. – Yael Tygiel

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Creator: Alexi Hawley

The Recruit (2022-present)

Cast: Noah Centineo, Katharine King So, Alexandra Petrachuk and Vondie Curtis-Hall Centineo. Like Hawley's other projects, The Recruit grew out of a simple central plot — an inexperienced CIA lawyer, finds himself in the abyss of international espionage - but evolves into a group of geniuses once Vondie Curtis-Hall, Angel Parker (The Rookie) and Kristian Bruun (Orphan Black) hit the screen. Infused with Hawley's undeniably witty comedic style, The Recruits showcased audiences to the raw talent of its star (Centineo), who transitioned seamlessly from awkward CIA rookie to battle-ready super-spy. – Yael Tygiel

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Creators: Martin Gero, Brendan Gall

Cast: Melissa Barrera, Jeff Wilbusch, Florencia Lozano, Austin Stowell

Keep Breathing (2022)

Keep Breathing is the thrilling new survival series from Netflix. Competing with the recently canceled Amazon series "Wild" and Showtime's hit "Yellow Jackets," "Keep Breathing" also portrays plane crash survivors. In Keep Breathing, Melissa Barrera (Scream) stars as Liv, a smart and ambitious lawyer who finds herself facing the Canadian wilderness alone. Keep Breathing was created by Blindspot's Brendan Gall (The Lovebirds) and Martin Gero (Quantum Leap), with supporting roles including Jeff Wilbusch (The Call) and Austin Stowell. Gorgeously rendered on a cinematic scale, Keep Breathing reveals an intimate struggle not only with the elements of nature, but also with Liv's own thoughts and memories. – Yeltegil

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Creator: Vanessa Gazy

Cast: Michelle Monaghan, Matt Bomer, Daniel Sunjata, Ali Stroker, Karen Robinson The amazing secret: They start changing lives as kids. As adults who still lead this double life, it means sharing two houses, husbands, and even a child. However, when one of them goes missing, things spiral into chaos. You're sure to keep guessing and reasoning throughout every minute of this twisty limited series. – Taylor Gates

Echoes (2022)

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Creator: David E. Kelley

Cast: Manuel Garcia-Rulfo, Neve Campbell, Becki Newton, Jazz Raycole, Angus Sampson, Christopher Gorham A thrilling legal drama. Manuel Garcia-Rulfo's stellar incarnation of Mickey Haller provides the basis for the show, which revolves around a criminal defense attorney and recovering addict in the Conduct business in his city car. In addition to Garcia-Rulfo, there are many other star turns, including the outstanding Neve Campbell as Maggie McPherson, a criminal prosecutor who happens to be Haller's ex-wife. lincoln lawyer will give you Stays on the edge of your seat from the first second to the last frame, with its beautiful aesthetic, interesting characters and twisty, unpredictable plot. – Taylor Gates

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The Lincoln Lawyer (2022-present)

Creator: Dong-hyuk Hwang

Cast: Lee Jung-jae, Park Hae-soo, Wei Ha-joon

The hit series that inspired an explosion of millions of memes and costumes, The Squid Game, is more than just a pop culture craze -- it is a poignantly written exploration of class inequality that goes deep into the hearts of the people. It's all built around a survival game where a group of unsuspecting adults are invited to participate in various kid's games for cash. The thing is, if you lose, you die. While this might sound familiar to many other stories with a similar premise you've seen before, it quickly becomes clear that it's both darker and more inventive in its execution. Down to earth but creepy, it shows how hopeless the world can become for those at the bottom when survival options are limited. Visually vibrant and grim in tone, the show remains one of the better things the platform has created in recent memory. Depend on When it's all over, its impact is both profound and indelible. - Chase Hutchinson

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Squid Game (2021-present)

Creator: Rebecca Sonnenshine

Cast: Mamoudou Athie, Dina Shihabi, Evan Jonigkeit, Julia Chen, Ariana Neal, Matt McGory, Martin Donovan

In Archive 81, film archivist Dan Turner ( Mamoudou Athie) was hired by the mysterious firm L.M.G. to restore footage from a videotape damaged in a 1994 fire. As Dan browses the footage, he unravels the mysteries surrounding their owner, Melanie Pendras (Dina Shihabi), the Visser apartment complex in New York, and the ritual cult she's researching. Things got weird in 1994 when Dan started seeing a demonic figure on camera and discovered he was able to communicate with Melanie. Is Melanie's apparition a ghost? Did watching the tape open a portal to the past or another realm? Did Dan just lose his mind by isolating the project? Check out Archive 81 to see just how crazy this horror-thriller series can be. You won't regret it. — Brynna Arens

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Archive 81 (2022)

Creators: Shannon Burke, Jonas Pate, Josh Pate

Cast: Chase Stokes, Madelyn Cline, Madison Bailey

A melodrama through and through, Outer Banksis is bolstered by its sense of adventure and a loyal cast that elevates the material. The story is that the father of local kid John B (Chase Stokes) goes missing. Determined to find him when everyone else told him he was dead, he enlisted the help of his friends to find the truth. Through John B's narration and his reflections on the world around him, the show also follows the division between haves and have-nots in the picturesque North Carolina town where they both live. It's more suitable for teenage audiences as it often softens some of the darker aspects. Yet it's still a riveting ride that balances nostalgia with an engaging through-line that keeps you invested in our young adventurer's future. — Chase Hutchinson

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Outer Banks (2020-present)

Creators: Meredith Averill, Aron Eli Coleite, Carlton Cuse

Cast: Darby Stanchfield, Connor Jessup, Emilia Jones, Jackson Robert Scott, Laysla De Oliveira, Petrice Jones, Griffin Gluck

Locke & Keyis the long - Anticipated Adaptation of Eisner Award-Winning Graphics The novel of the same name by Joe Hill and Gabriel Rodriguez. The show is a mix of genres, mostly horror and fantasy, but the mystery, suspense and twists in it make it a riveting film. After a shocking tragedy, the Locke family moves back to their ancestral home in a small town called Matheson. In the Keyhouse, Locke's 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 few episodes to settle down, but once the story hits its stride, the show is compelling. Adapting the magical elements of the books to the screen is brilliant, and the producers worked hard to update some of the graphic novel's more problematic and regressive elements. Book fans will still be surprised by the changes to the show, but newcomers won't feel left out. – Monita Mohan

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Locke & Key (2020-2022)

Creators: Todd A. Kessler, Glenn Kessler, Daniel Zelman

Cast: Kyle Chandler, Ben Mendelsohn, Linda Cardellini, Sam Shepard, Sissy Spacek

One of the first Netflix original series in the Backyard The Age of Cards, Bloodlines Is a Worn, Totally Fun Game A mix of cheesy melodrama and a gripping emotional story. Set in a seaside 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 tabs on his older brother, the black sheep, Danny (Ben Mendeloshn). Childhood insecurities surface when families are reunited. After a stellar first season, "Bloodlines" may have finally moved into more absurd territory, but Chandler's nuanced performance never falters. — Liam Gaughan

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Bloodline (2015-2017)

Creator: Jed Mercurio

Cast: Richard Madden, Keeley Hawes, Sophie Rundle, Vincent Franklin, Pippa Haywood

Game of Thrones star Richard Maddeessentially auditions for James Bond in exciting BBC miniseries The series became one of the most-watched shows on modern British television. This intense espionage series follows a series of assassination attempts on mysterious Home Secretary Julia Montague (Keeley Hoy), who is assigned a new bodyguard after her fiery speeches spark public controversy. Madden is excellent as Montague's new personal protection officer; a traumatized ex-war veteran who's unsure of Montague's plans for international combat ambitions. only six Episodes, The Bodyguard are quick to watch, but there are no shortage of twists and turns along the way. -Liam Gaughan

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Bodyguard (2018)

Creator: Derek Simonds

Cast: Bill Pullman, Jessica Biel, Carrie Coon

Flawed Harry Ambrose, The Sinner focuses on different episodes of violence and then explores them in detail, to reveal the depressing reality underpinning all these events. This isn't just a crime procedural, as it looks to dig deep into the nuances of its characters and the paths they take that lead to horribly incendiary events. Over four seasons, we've seen everything from cults to widespread cover-ups that cloak our ugly sides with a perpetual tension. The first two seasons in particular were buoyed by the stellar performances of Jessica Biel and Carrie Coon, who crafted multifaceted characters with grace and pervasive tragedy. It's through all of these performances that the show has really made a name for itself as both unique and committed to telling a variety of darker stories. - Chase Hutchinson

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The Sinner (2017-2021)

Creator: Lana Wachowski, Lily Wachowski and J. Michael Straczynski^ Cast: Eminem Amien, Doona Bae, Jamie Clayton, Tina Desai, Tuppence Middleton, Max Rimelt, Miguel Angel Sylvester, Brian J. Smith, Freema Ajman, Terrence Mann, Anu Pam Kyle, Naveen Andrews, Toby Onwumere and Daryl Hannah

Seeing that Sense8 was created by the Wachowskis is in itself a great reason to watch the show. After all, the directors of "The Matrix" and "Cloud Atlas" are leaders in their respective fields. But beyond the people behind the camera, the show boasts a compelling premise and a truly international story.

Sense8 follows eight strangers around the globe who discover their minds are connected by a mysterious event. As these "felters" attempt to make sense of their new reality, they must also escape the clutches of an organization bent on their destruction. The international cast includes veteran actors from around the world, and the series was filmed in a variety of locations, including London, Reykjavik, Nairobi and Mumbai. With two exciting seasons, a two-hour Christmas special, and a two-and-a-half-hour series finale, there's plenty of content here for all your binge-watching needs.

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Sense8 (2015-2018)

Creators: Baltasar Kormákur and Sigurjón Kjartansson

Cast: Guðrún Eyfjörð, Ingvar Sigurðsson, Björn Thors, Íris Tanja Flygenring, Þorsteinn Bachmann, Aliette Opheim, Sólveig Arnarsdóttir

This Icelandic series is new to Netflix, but it's proving to be one of the most popular thrillers on the streaming service . In real life, Katla is the name of an active volcano in southern Iceland that last had a major eruption about a hundred years ago.

The show is set in the small town of Vik near the real-life volcano, and takes place a year after the major eruption. The town, ravaged by floods and ash clouds, is almost uninhabited. When a lost, ash-covered woman arrives in town, it's the first in a series of strange events that strike at the community's legacy. While all this was happening, a volcanologist from Reykjavik was still trying to make sense of strange data coming from the volcano, which could be a sign of worse things to come.

With its bleak, naturalistic settings and puzzling plot, Katla's first eight-episode season has become a favorite among thriller fans, and it's sure to be a great weekend viewing.

Katla (2021-present)

Watch on Netflix ^Creator: Brad Wright^Cast: Eric McCormack, MacKenzie Potter, Jared Abrahamson, Nesta Cooper, Riley Dorman and Patrick Gilmore try to stop a dystopian future travelers. But Voyager took that basic concept and turned it into something pretty unique. The show follows a group of people from hundreds of years in the future whose minds are sent back in time to possess the bodies of the people we are now. These "travelers" work in secret, using social media profiles and their knowledge of history to carry out their mission to save humanity from a dire future. The Voyagers ran for three seasons until it was canceled in 2019, each season being well received by critics and fans alike.

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Creator: Laeta Kalogridis

Cast: Joel Kinnaman, Anthony Mackie, Renée Elise Goldsberry, James Purefoy, Martha Higareda, Martha Higareda, Dichen Lachman, Ato Essandoh , Kristin Lehman, Will Yun Lee, and James Saito

Based on the writings of Richard K. Morgan, Altered Carbon is set in the distant future where consciousness is Stored digitally, you can change bodies as easily as you change clothes -- if you have the money, of course. This cyberpunk series has everything you could want in an action thriller, with a premise that allows for plenty of experimentation.

Altered Carbon has two seasons and an animated film called Altered Carbon: Resleeved is currently available on Netflix. Joel Kinnaman starred as Takeshi Kovacs in the series' first season, and Falcon and the Winter Soldier star Anthony Mackie in season two. Kovacs is a man who can do everything from soldier to freedom fighter to private eye, and his conflicted nature provides most of the emotional weight of the series. But make no mistake, this is a thriller through and through, full of complex plots and twists you'll never see coming.

Travelers (2016-2018)

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Creators: Baran bo Odar and Jantje Friese

Cast: Louis Hofmann, Julika Jenkins, Andreas Pietschmann, Maja Schöne, Lisa Vicari, Lisa Kreuzer, Dietrich Hollinderbäumer , Jördis Triebel and Oliver Masucci

When it comes to shocking you When it comes to mind-bending sci-fi thrillers about understanding the universe, Netflix's first German-language original series Dark is one of its best You'll find it on streaming services. With three critically acclaimed seasons, Darkness is a must-see for fans of the thriller genre. The series is a must-see for viewers who enjoy complex plots involving complex science and twisted relationships.

Altered Carbon (2018-2020)

Set in a small town called Winden, The Darkness is a multigenerational mystery that covers different time periods and uses many classic science fiction concepts. It's a tense psychological drama about four families and the otherworldly conflict that tore them apart.

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Creators: Bill Dubuque and Mark Williams

Cast: Jason Bateman, Laura Linney, Sofia Hublitz, Skyler Gartner , Julia Garner, Jordana Spiro, Jason Butler Harner, Esai Morales, Peter Mullan, Lisa Emery, and Charlie Tahan

Ozark is about a married couple who moves to the Ozarks with their kids Lake's story of money laundering. That's the short version.

Dark (2017-2020)

This award-winning series delves into the underworld of a small Missouri town, exploring the intense drama of its main characters. Jason Bateman as Martin "Marty" Byrde, a financial advisor involved in a Mexican drug cartel and found himself in his head. Laura Linney stars as Marty's wife, Wendy, who has to deal with the consequences of her husband's desperate decisions.

With three critically acclaimed seasons on Netflix and an upcoming 4th and final season, Ozark has a lot to offer its fanbase old and new.

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Creator: Joe Penhall

Cast: Jonathan Groff, Holt McCallany, and Anna Torv

Ozark (2017-2022)

In the late 1970s, the FBI formed a Behavioral Science Unit , interviewing convicted serial killers to understand their psyche. Mindhunter is the story of that unit.

The series is based on the 1995 true crime book Mindhunter: Inside the FBI's Elite Serial Crime Unit by John E. Douglas and Mark Orshark. Mindhunter interweaves fact with fiction, incorporating stories of real-life serial killers. Netflix has two seasons of Mindhunter in the US, with ten episodes in the first season and nine episodes in the second.

The show focuses on the early stages of criminal psychology, and many of the characters are based on real people. Mindhunter is a great watch, as good as a thriller Fans and anyone who loves history and true crime - not to mention cinephiles. The series is executive produced by Charlize Theron and David Fincher, who directed seven episodes, primarily as the series' showrunners.

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Mindhunter (2017-2019)