Netflix’s Top 18 Thriller Shows Ranked

Netflix has become a major force in high-quality TV, competing with networks like HBO and AMC, thanks to original shows like House of Cards and Orange is the New Black. And with thrilling series like Mindhunter, Adolescence, and Baby Reindeer now available, there’s plenty to binge-watch.

Netflix is known for its suspenseful thrillers, offering a wide range of options. From fast-paced action series like Bodyguard and The Night Agent to gripping crime dramas such as Narcos and Ozark, and even supernatural mysteries like Dark (often compared to Twin Peaks), there’s something for everyone. While Netflix has many excellent thrillers, these titles stand out as the very best.

18. Bloodline

Netflix’s Bloodline was one of its first original series, and it remains surprisingly overlooked even now. This intense family drama unfolds slowly, building tension throughout, but it’s a truly satisfying experience for viewers who stick with it.

Netflix has put together a fantastic cast for the Rayburn family story. The show is led by the incredibly captivating Ben Mendelsohn, playing the successful detective, and the naturally charismatic Kyle Chandler as the family’s troubled son.

17. The Night Agent

Shawn Ryan, the creator of The Shield, returns with a new action thriller called The Night Agent. Inspired by Matthew Quirk’s novel, the series follows an FBI agent working at the White House who uncovers a major conspiracy and a mole within the highest levels of the U.S. government.

“The Night Agent” is a fun, easy-to-watch action series – like a quick beach read. It’s not groundbreaking, but it’s thoroughly entertaining. Gabriel Basso is particularly strong in the main role, bringing a surprising amount of depth to his character.

16. Black Rabbit

Jude Law stars in Black Rabbit as the owner of a stylish New York City lounge of the same name. Jason Bateman plays his unpredictable older brother, who also helped start the lounge, and whom he cautiously lets back into his life – much to his dismay. Law and Bateman have fantastic chemistry together in this suspenseful story.

Although Black Rabbit can be intense and challenging, Law and Bateman’s strong performances consistently draw you into the story. Even when the plot becomes chaotic, they maintain a believable emotional core.

15. The Lincoln Lawyer

The Netflix series The Lincoln Lawyer, based on Michael Connelly’s novels, features Manuel Garcia-Rulfo as Mickey Haller, a Los Angeles lawyer who defends people in court. Instead of having a regular office, Mickey operates out of his Lincoln Navigator while a driver takes him around, meaning he’s constantly on the go. He’s a bit like a more sophisticated version of the lawyer Saul Goodman.

The TV series has much more time to explore Mickey’s personality and cases compared to the movie starring Matthew McConaughey. Over four seasons, viewers have really come to understand what motivates him and who he is as a person.

14. Black Doves

Okay, so imagine Shane Black, the guy behind Lethal Weapon and Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, decided to tackle a British spy thriller – that’s pretty much Black Doves. It centers around a shadowy organization that isn’t interested in country or duty, just selling secrets to whoever has the deepest pockets. Keira Knightley is fantastic as a spy whose carefully constructed life starts to unravel when her boyfriend turns up dead in London’s seedy underbelly, and suddenly her own cover is blown.

Despite sounding like a tense and suspenseful thriller in the style of Hitchcock, Black Doves is surprisingly funny. It’s a delightfully over-the-top story filled with clever dialogue, enjoyable acting, and plenty of unexpected plot twists.

13. Dept. Q

Image via Netflix

Scott Frank, the creator of the popular Netflix series The Queen’s Gambit, now delivers Dept. Q, a show that takes a sharp turn into the world of crime dramas. Instead of chess tournaments, this series centers around a cold-case unit. The story follows a gifted but difficult detective who comes back to the police force after time off, only to discover the department is prioritizing old, unsolved cases in an attempt to gain good publicity.

There are many police procedural shows and movies, but Dept. Q is different. Thanks to its actors and writers, it has a unique style and character, which is unusual for this type of story.

12. The Beast In Me

“The Beast in Me” features compelling performances from Claire Danes and Matthew Rhys as two complex characters. Danes portrays a writer struggling with writer’s block, while Rhys plays a wealthy real estate heir accused of murdering his wife, who seeks refuge in the neighboring house.

Netflix has a lot of murder mysteries, including two films actually titled Murder Mystery and Murder Mystery 2. However, The Beast in Me is different – it avoids typical tropes and predictable storylines. Instead, it’s a gripping and clever showdown between two fascinating characters.

11. Squid Game

As a critic, I have to say Squid Game landed at exactly the right—or perhaps the worst—time. It really resonated with viewers during the pandemic, and I think it’s because the show’s sharp critique of economic hardship felt incredibly relevant. Let’s be honest, most of us aren’t facing life-or-death situations that would lead us to a brutal competition for money, but the desperation the characters feel? That’s something a lot of people can connect with right now.

Even though the later seasons of Squid Game weren’t as groundbreaking as the first, it’s still a fantastic and unsettling thriller. It’s more entertaining to see an over-the-top, fictional take on class differences than a simple, realistic portrayal of them.

10. How To Get To Heaven From Belfast

Lisa McGee, the writer behind the beloved sitcom Derry Girls, takes a new direction with How to Get to Heaven from Belfast. While the show still features her signature wit and clever writing, it’s a shift from comedy to a longer, more dramatic format.

The novel How to Get to Heaven from Belfast starts with three childhood friends reuniting after the unexpected death of their friend, Greta. It’s a funny story, but also a captivating murder mystery.

9. Ripley

The film version of The Talented Mr. Ripley was already well-done, so another adaptation wasn’t essential. However, Steven Zaillian, the Oscar-winning writer of Schindler’s List, took a fresh approach by creating a miniseries – the first ever TV adaptation of a Patricia Highsmith novel. This allowed him to explore the story in a completely new way.

I’m completely hooked on Ripley! I loved that they took eight episodes to really dive into what makes Ripley, well, Ripley – it let us see all the layers of his personality and how he schemes his way to the top. Plus, the black and white filming is just stunning, giving it this classic, moody vibe. And Andrew Scott? He’s incredible – he absolutely owns every scene he’s in.

2026-02-25 00:20