7 Best Hollywood Thrillers on Netflix and Prime Video: From Bird Box to The Platform

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Want a movie that will keep you on the edge of your seat? Thrillers are full of suspense, surprising plot twists, and exciting action. While horror movies try to frighten you, thrillers build tension and keep you guessing. Here are seven great thrillers available on Netflix and Prime Video – from movies that mess with your mind to stories about fighting for survival – that are definitely worth watching.

Bird Box (2018)

  • Cast: Sandra Bullock, Trevante Rhodes, Sarah Paulson, John Malkovich, Machine Gun Kelly
  • Director: Susanne Bier
  • Language: English
  • Genre: Thriller, Sci-Fi, Horror
  • Release date: 14 December 2018

Bird Box, inspired by the 2014 novel, tells the story of Malorie Hayes (Sandra Bullock) in a world terrorized by unseen forces that drive people to suicide. The film follows Malorie as she bravely leads two children down a river while blindfolded. Through flashbacks, we learn about her initial challenges and the people she meets along the way – both helpful allies like Tom (Trevante Rhodes) and dangerous strangers, including Olympia (Danielle Macdonald). The movie creates intense suspense as the characters fight to survive without ever seeing what threatens them.

The Occupant (2020)

  • Cast: Javier Gutiérrez, Ruth Díaz, Mario Casas, Bruna Cusí, Iris Vallés
  • Director: David Pastor, Àlex Pastor
  • Language: Spanish
  • Genre: Thriller, Psychological
  • Release date: March 25, 2020

Javier Muñoz, once a successful advertising executive, finds his life turned upside down when he loses his job and is forced to downsize to a smaller apartment. He becomes fixated on the family – Tomás and his relatives – who move into his former home. What starts as simple curiosity quickly escalates into a troubling and elaborate plan. His wife, Marga, urges him to accept the situation – “It’s just a house, Javier” – but he’s unable to move on.

10 Cloverfield Lane (2016)

  • Cast: Mary Elizabeth Winstead, John Goodman, John Gallagher Jr., Bradley Cooper
  • Director: Dan Trachtenberg
  • Language: English
  • Genre: Thriller, Sci-Fi, Psychological
  • Release date: March 11, 2016

After a car crash, Michelle (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) finds herself chained up in a bunker, where her captor, Howard (John Goodman), claims the outside world is toxic. He insists she and another man, Emmett (John Gallagher Jr.), remain with him. As Michelle adjusts to her confinement, she begins to suspect Howard isn’t telling the truth about what’s happening outside. This film is a gripping psychological thriller, distinguished by its simple but intense storyline.

You Were Never Really Here (2018)

  • Cast: Joaquin Phoenix, Judith Roberts, Ekaterina Samsonov, John Doman, Alessandro Nivola
  • Director: Lynne Ramsay
  • Language: English
  • Genre: Thriller, Crime, Drama
  • Release date: April 6, 2018

Joaquin Phoenix plays Joe, a troubled war veteran haunted by PTSD who dedicates his life to saving girls from sex trafficking. When a typical rescue operation goes awry, he finds himself in a dangerous situation. Director Lynne Ramsay delves into Joe’s damaged mental state, using jarring imagery to portray his trauma. The film is a tense and emotionally powerful thriller that explores the heavy personal cost of both violence and the work of rescuing victims.

The Platform (2019)

  • Cast: Iván Massagué, Zorion Eguileor
  • Director: Galder Gaztelu-Urrutia
  • Language: Spanish
  • Genre: Thriller, Sci-Fi, Horror
  • Release date: September 6, 2019

Goreng finds himself trapped in The Pit, a bizarre prison built like a vertical tower where food descends from the top, leaving the inmates on lower levels to fight for scraps. As he struggles to survive with his cellmate, Trimagasi, he witnesses the worst of human nature. This thrilling and thought-provoking film offers a stark commentary on social inequality and is sure to stay with you long after the credits roll.

Coherence (2013)

  • Cast: Emily Foxler, Maury Sterling, Nicholas Brendon, Lorene Scafaria
  • Director: James Ward Byrkit
  • Language: English
  • Genre: Thriller, Sci-Fi, Mystery
  • Release date: 25 June 2014

While enjoying a dinner party, eight friends are startled by a comet, and soon discover their exact duplicates have appeared across the street. As confusion and distrust grow, the group desperately tries to figure out what’s real. The director’s subtle style builds suspense, making for a truly captivating and unsettling thriller.

Watcher (2022)

  • Cast: Maika Monroe, Karl Glusman
  • Director: Chloe Okuno
  • Language: English
  • Genre: Thriller, Mystery
  • Release date: 3 June 2022

Julia, played by Maika Monroe, relocates to Bucharest with her husband, Francis (Karl Glusman). She starts to feel uneasy when she notices a man seemingly watching her, and her fears escalate as she learns a serial killer is preying on young women in the city. The film Watcher explores themes of loneliness and distrust, leaving the audience questioning who, if anyone, Julia can rely on.

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2025-11-04 10:52