The Best Thriller TV Shows to Stream Now
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Sometimes, it can feel impossible to know what to watch on account of the huge selection of streaming libraries available to us. Luckily, having access to streamers like Netflix, Prime Video, Paramount+, and Hulu only opens up the possibilities when it comes to finding the perfect show to binge. And if you're a fan of fast-paced thrillers with major twists and dramatic cliffhangers, then look no further. From recent hits like Yellowjackets to British detective series like Luther, there are so many addictive thrillers to watch right now. Here, we round up 25 of the best thriller TV shows available to stream in 2023.
Killing Eve
Based on the series of books by Luke Jennings, Killing Eve follows British intelligence officer Eve Polastri (Sandra Oh) as she hunts down Villanelle (Jodie Comer), a dangerous assassin. While Phoebe Waller-Bridge headed up the first season, The Crown's Emerald Fennell took on head writer duties for Season 2. A taut cat-and-mouse chase you won't be able to stop watching.
The Watcher
Based on a terrifying true story, The Watcher follows the Brannocks (Naomi Watts and Bobby Cannavale) as they move into their dream house. Unfortunately, strange things start happening almost immediately, dragging the family into a creepy mystery that is still far from solved. Does a cult live across the street? Why was there a bed in the tunnel under their house? Will Jennifer Coolidge be back? Luckily, the series is returning for a second season to answer all of these questions and more.
Yellowjackets
A high school soccer team is involved in a plane crash, and they're forced to fight for survival in the wilderness while they wait to be rescued. Two decades later, the survivors reckon with the horrifying reality they've lived through, and try to untangle new mysteries they find themselves at the center of. Christina Ricci, Juliette Lewis, Melanie Lynskey, and Tawny Cypress lead a wonderful cast.
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Truth Be Told
The always wonderful Octavia Spencer takes the lead as Poppy Parnell, a true crime podcaster intent on discovering the truth about the most complicated cases. Based on Kathleen Barber's novel, Are You Sleeping, Truth Be Told's all-star cast has included Kate Hudson, Gabrielle Union, Aaron Paul, and Lizzy Caplan.
Black Bird
Apple TV+'s twisty serial killer thriller is based on the real-life story of James Keene, a man offered a commuted sentence if he can elicit a confession from suspected murderer and rapist Larry Hall. Taron Egerton stars as Keene, while Paul Walter Hauser gives a wonderfully creepy performance as Hall. Featuring one of Ray Liotta's final appearances, this mini-series remains one of the best offerings on Apple TV+ to date.
Homecoming
Season 1 stars Julia Roberts as Heidi Bergman, a social worker at a facility dedicated to helping soldiers return to their lives after service. However, the facility is using some experimental treatments with unexpected consequences. Season 2 further unravels the mystery with Janelle Monáe searching for the truth about her identity. Based on the Homecoming podcast.
The Diplomat
Netflix's The Diplomat was an instant hit with viewers, and it's easy to see why. Keri Russell stars as Kate Wyler, an American ambassador to the United Kingdom, sent to smooth over troubled relations following a presumed terrorist attack. To complicate matters, her husband is a fellow diplomat whose career is in decline. The series was officially renewed for a second season, meaning we'll finally find out what happened after that explosion.
Cruel Summer
The first season of Cruel Summer shocked viewers thanks to some unbelievable twists. Set in the '90s, popular girl Kate (Olivia Holt) goes missing, and while everyone else is searching, Jeanette (Chiara Aurelia) seemingly does a Single White Female. Season 2 takes us forward to the '00s when a murder investigation exposes toxic friendships.
You
You likely needs no introduction. The Penn Badgley-starrer remains one of Netflix's biggest shows, with the Gossip Girl alum playing suave serial killer Joe Goldberg. Based on the book series by the incredible Caroline Kepnes, You is set to end with its fifth season. While no-one wants the series to finish, we can't wait to see what Joe gets up to in the final season.
Squid Game
South Korean thriller Squid Game became a sensation following its arrival on Netflix in September 2021. The game pits 456 players against one another in a terrifying, and seriously inventive, series of quests. The winner takes home 45.6 billion won (approximately $35 million), but they also have to watch a whole lot of people die in the process. A second season is in production, and a reality show spin-off is also on the way.
Severance
Apple TV+'s science fiction-infused thriller stars Adam Scott as Mark S., an employee at biotech company Lumon who has recently undergone the "severance" procedure. The mind-wiping process separates a person's work personality from who they are on the outside. However, Mark and his peers start to discover strange mysteries within their workplace, leading them to question the purpose of the "severance" program.
How to Get Away With Murder
How to Get Away with Murder contains all the plot twists, unexpected deaths, and shocking revelations we've come to expect from Shondaland. It also places Oscar winner Viola Davis in the lead as Annalise Keating, a law professor whose students find themselves at the center of a murder investigation. Subsequent seasons introduce even more puzzling mysteries.
Bad Sisters
This comedy thriller was co-developed by one of its stars, Sharon Horgan, and is based on a Flemish series called Clan. Bad Sisters follows a tight-knit group of siblings following the death of one of their husbands. It soon transpires that one of the sisters may have had something to do with his death, with each episode revealing more of the backstory. A second season is on the way.
From
Part horror, part science fiction, part thriller, From stars Harold Perrineau as Boyd Stevens, the sheriff of a terrifying town that haunts everyone that's trapped there. Residents continue their quest to escape, while they're stalked by characters plucked straight from your nightmares. MGM+ recently renewed the show for a third season.
The Patient
Steve Carell demonstrates his talent for dramatic acting in The Patient, a horrifying serial killer thriller, co-starring Domhnall Gleeson. Carell stars as Alan Strauss, a widowed therapist who agrees to see the wrong patient. Sam (Gleeson), a restaurant inspector, forces Alan to be his therapist, while holding him captive in the worst circumstances.
The Sinner
After Cora Tannetti (Jessica Biel) violently kills someone with seemingly no motive, Detective Harry Ambrose (Bill Pullman) investigates the circumstances that led to the tragic event. Subsequent seasons follow Ambrose as he tries to solve strange disappearances, twisted cults, and fatal accidents. Biel's performance in the show's first season is among her best work.
Dirty John
Inspired by real-life stories of true crime, Dirty John ran for two standalone seasons, each showcasing the horrifying actions of dangerous individuals. Season 1 focused on John Meehan, a serial liar who tricked woman via romantic relationships. Season 2 followed Betty Broderick, a seemingly normal woman whose life spiraled out of control when her husband left her.
Ozark
Ozark quickly became one of Netflix's most popular shows, thanks to its fast-paced storylines and amazing ensemble cast. Jason Bateman and Laura Linney star as Marty and Wendy Byrde, a couple forced to move their family to the Ozarks to launder money for a drug cartel. Julia Garner steals the show as Ruth Langmore, a local woman who becomes embroiled in the Byrdes' business.
Lupin
This French mystery thriller stars Omar Sy as Assane Diop, a man inspired by the stories of master thief Arsène Lupin. After his father is framed for a robbery he didn't commit, Assane decides to get revenge, using his own skills and finding inspiration in Lupin's exploits. Part 3 is already in production, following Lupin's immense success on Netflix.
Homeland
Adapted from the Israeli series Prisoners of War, Homeland ran for an impressive eight seasons on Showtime. Claire Danes stars as Carrie Mathison, a CIA officer with bipolar disorder, while Mandy Patinkin plays her mentor, Saul Berenson. The first season focuses on Nicholas Brody (Damien Lewis), a Marine who was held captive by al-Qaeda for eight years, whom Carrie believes may be working for them.
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The Night Manager
Based on John le Carré's novel of the same name, The Night Manager follows Jonathan Pine (Tom Hiddleston), a former soldier and hotel worker in Cairo who is recruited to investigate an illegal arms dealer. Hugh Laurie and Olivia Colman co-star in the tense first season, and a long-awaited second season is currently in the works.
Scandal
Shonda Rhimes' Scandal literally changed the TV landscape, by introducing a political thriller unafraid to dig into its soapy storylines. The always flawless Kerry Washington stars as Olivia Pope, a political fixer whose chemistry with the president gets everyone into trouble. Seven seasons will never be enough.
The Undoing
Based on the novel by Jean Hanff Korelitz, viewers were transfixed by this limited series starring Nicole Kidman and Hugh Grant. After a woman is brutally murdered, psychologist Grace Fraser (Kidman) finds herself at the center of a complicated mystery. To make matters worse, her husband Jonathan (Grant), a seemingly selfless oncologist, is implicated in the murder.
Luther
Detective Chief Inspector John Luther (Idris Elba) hunts down criminals, but can't stop himself from getting too invested in the mysteries he's trying to solve. A cat-and-mouse chase with murderer Alice Morgan (Ruth Wilson) only complicates matters. To date, the detective thriller has run for five seasons, with a follow-up spin-off movie on Netflix, and there's always hope that Elba will be back for more.
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Black Mirror
Netflix's Black Mirror is a dystopian anthology series that constantly defies genre, while shining a light on humanity's greatest fears. Erring on the dark side, Black Mirror often features thriller-infused episodes, which question our connection to technology, and the dangers we may face in the future. If nihilism is your thing, then look no further.
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