10 Thriller Movies That Are 10/10 But Nobody Remembers

Many fantastic thrillers have been overlooked over the years. When people make lists of the greatest thrillers, you’ll almost always see films like Heat, The Silence of the Lambs, and Chinatown. And it’s easy to understand why – they’re all truly exceptional movies.

It’s true that this makes those “best of” lists feel a little predictable. It also overshadows some excellent films that didn’t get the attention they deserved, either because they weren’t popular when released or came out at the wrong moment. So, instead of watching Se7en again for the seventh time, how about discovering a fantastic thriller that’s been overlooked?

10. Revenge (1990)

This Tony Scott film is both incredibly romantic and deeply heartbreaking – it’s arguably the director’s best work in both areas. Kevin Costner plays a former pilot who falls for his friend’s stunning wife (Madeleine Stowe), but their affair has dangerous consequences, as the friend is a powerful and vengeful criminal.

While often mistaken for an action movie, Revenge is actually a suspenseful thriller that focuses heavily on its characters. The story explores complex moral questions, and the title itself has layers of meaning. Though it wasn’t a commercial success when it came out in 1990, the film has since gained a following, even counting Quentin Tarantino among its fans.

9. Tightrope (1984)

I went into Tightrope expecting a hard-boiled cop thriller in the vein of Dirty Harry, you know, classic Eastwood. But wow, was I surprised! It’s less about action and more of a really gritty, unsettling character study. Eastwood plays this lonely detective in New Orleans, and the case he’s working on – a killer targeting sex workers – is complicated because he actually knew some of the victims. It’s a much darker and more personal story than I anticipated.

Tightrope is a classic neo-noir film, complete with the thrilling chases and suspense you’d expect. What really sets it apart is how it draws parallels between the detective and the killer, hinting they might be two sides of the same coin. It was a daring role for Clint Eastwood, and perhaps that’s why the film isn’t as well-remembered as some of his others.

8. Judgment Night (1993)

Stephen Hopkins directed several exciting action movies in the 1990s, like Predator 2 and Blown Away, but Judgment Night is considered his best work. This gripping thriller follows four friends who accidentally witness a murder while lost in a dangerous part of Chicago, and are then forced to run for their lives.

Hopkins delivers both thrilling action sequences and a consistently unsettling atmosphere in Judgment Night. While the film itself might not be widely remembered, its fantastic soundtrack is a standout. The movie also boasts a strong cast, with Denis Leary particularly memorable as the frightening antagonist who pursues the main characters.

7. Phone Booth (2002)

I remember reading that Phone Booth was originally planned with a big star like Jim Carrey, but it ended up launching Colin Farrell into the spotlight. It’s such a tense movie! Farrell plays this sleazy agent who gets trapped in a phone booth by a sniper – Kiefer Sutherland does the voice – and the sniper threatens to shoot him if he tries to leave. It really messes with your nerves!

Written by horror and thriller expert Larry Cohen and starring Katie Holmes and Forest Whitaker, Phone Booth is a remarkably fast-paced and tense thriller. Despite its short runtime of just over 80 minutes, director Joel Schumacher maximizes the action and suspense. The film also firmly established Colin Farrell as a rising star.

6. Body Double (1984)

Brian DePalma, a celebrated director, has several excellent films, such as Blow Out and Snake Eyes. However, Body Double often gets overlooked despite being one of his most visually striking and suspenseful thrillers. The film follows a struggling actor who witnesses a murder and takes drastic measures to solve the case.

Body Double creates a surreal, dreamlike atmosphere, giving director Brian De Palma the freedom to craft truly stunning and unbelievable scenes. The beautiful score by Pino Donaggio adds to the effect, and Melanie Griffith delivers a memorable performance as an actress who assists the main character. Beyond the suspense, the film also offers a clever look behind the scenes of filmmaking.

5. Rolling Thunder (1977)

Quentin Tarantino is a big fan of the film Rolling Thunder, written by Paul Schrader, who also wrote Taxi Driver. It’s a dark and gritty story about a Vietnam prisoner of war who returns home to find his family has been killed in a burglary. Rane (William Devane) teams up with a fellow veteran (Tommy Lee Jones) to track down the murderers.

This intense and violent thriller showcases a fantastic performance by Devane. Though reminiscent of films like Death Wish, it still manages to feel fresh. The movie culminates in a satisfying shootout, but even with Rane achieving victory, the lingering sense of loss prevents it from being a truly happy conclusion.

4. Trespass (1992)

Okay, let me tell you about Trespass. Walter Hill really delivers with this one – it’s easily one of his strongest films from the nineties. The story kicks off with two firefighters responding to a call at a remote warehouse, thinking it’s a simple treasure hunt. Boy, are they wrong! They quickly find themselves in the middle of a gangland murder, and things escalate fast. Before you know it, there’s a hostage situation and a seriously tense standoff. Let’s just say, not everyone makes it out of this warehouse alive. It’s a gripping, edge-of-your-seat thriller.

Trespass boasts a strong cast, featuring Bill Paxton and Ice Cube, and director Hill masterfully creates a tense and claustrophobic mood. The film cleverly uses its limited settings, and the story, co-written by Robert Zemeckis, keeps you guessing with its surprising turns.

3. Dead Calm (1989)

Nicole Kidman rose to prominence with her role in Dead Calm, a thriller where she and Sam Neill portray a couple who rescue a man (Billy Zane) from a shipwreck, only to discover he’s a dangerous killer. Remarkably, despite being primarily focused on just these three actors for most of the film, Dead Calm maintains a consistently suspenseful atmosphere.

Zane’s performance as the villain was unremarkable, but it was obvious even then that Nicole Kidman, who was just nineteen during filming, had a bright future. Director Phillip Noyce deserves praise for creating a tense, confined atmosphere while also making the open ocean feel strangely ominous.

2. Ricochet (1991)

Early in his career, Denzel Washington was almost cast in a Dirty Harry sequel, playing a District Attorney whose life is thrown into chaos by a man seeking revenge. Though the 1991 thriller features a strong cast, including John Lithgow, it often feels surprisingly gritty and sensationalized.

Lithgow’s villain is relentless in his cruelty, putting Washington’s character through a series of terrifying experiences before the hero finally retaliates. Luckily, the film Ricochet balances these intense moments with dark humor, and director Russell Mulcahy skillfully maintains a gripping pace throughout.

1. Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (2005)

Kiss Kiss Bang Bang marked Shane Black’s first time directing a movie and helped relaunch Robert Downey Jr.’s career. The film is a clever, dark thriller about a thief and a private investigator (played by Val Kilmer) who team up to unravel a complex murder case in Los Angeles. While critics praised it when it came out, the movie didn’t do well at the box office.

Viewers definitely missed out with Kiss Kiss Bang Bang – it’s a remarkably clever and enjoyable thriller from its time. The fantastic connection between Robert Downey Jr. and Val Kilmer makes it a shame they never worked together again. The film also helped launch Michelle Monaghan’s career, giving her a memorable role as the romantic interest opposite Downey Jr.’s character.

2026-02-01 17:54