20 Best Thriller Movies on Paramount Plus 2026
Explore thriller favorites on Paramount Plus, from Shutter Island and No Country for Old Men to Smile 2, Scream, Minority Report, and more suspenseful picks.
If you’re hunting for the best thriller movies on Paramount Plus, this lineup gives you a mix of psychological tension, crime stories, and horror-leaning picks that keep the pressure high. Shutter Island, No Country for Old Men, Minority Report, and Blade Runner 2049 bring different kinds of suspense, while Scream, Smile, and It Follows lean harder into unsettling twists and fear. There’s also room for cult favorites and genre hybrids like Friday the 13th, Event Horizon, and Doctor Sleep, plus newer entries such as Smile 2 and Tuner. Whatever kind of edge-of-your-seat story you like, this list makes it easy to find your next watch.
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01
Friday the 13th
horror · mystery · thriller
Camp counselors are stalked and murdered by an unknown assailant while trying to reopen a summer camp that was the site of a child's drowning.
Why watch: If you like slasher stories with a mystery edge, this one fits well thanks to its horror, mystery, and thriller mix. It’s a straightforward pick if you want a classic camp-set survival story.
Directed by Sean S. CunninghamCast Betsy Palmer, Adrienne King, Jeannine Taylor, Robbi Morgan, Kevin BaconNetflixTubiPeacock PremiumAMC+Paramount PlusMore details on IMDb → -
02
Tuner
crime · drama · music & musical · mystery & thriller · romance
A gifted piano tuner's meticulous skills for tuning pianos lead him to discover an unexpected aptitude for cracking safes, turning his life upside down.
Why watch: If crime stories with a mystery-thriller angle appeal to you, this is a good match. The premise also adds drama and romance, so it may suit viewers who want suspense with a broader emotional mix.
Directed by Daniel RoherCast Leo Woodall, Dustin Hoffman, Alisen Richmond-Peck, Ellyn Jameson, Tim BlairParamount PlusMore details on IMDb → -
03
It Follows
horror · mystery & thriller
A young woman is followed by an unknown supernatural force after a sexual encounter.
Why watch: If you enjoy unsettling supernatural setups, this is an easy pick. Its mystery-thriller label and simple, creepy premise make it a good choice for viewers who like dread to build slowly.
Directed by David Robert MitchellCast Bailey Spry, Carollette Phillips, Loren Bass, Keir Gilchrist, Maika MonroePeacock PremiumParamount PlusMore details on IMDb → -
04
Doctor Sleep
drama · fantasy · horror · mystery & thriller
Still scarred by the trauma he endured as a child at the Overlook Hotel, Dan Torrance faces the ghosts of the past when he meets Abra, a courageous teen who desperately needs his help -- and who possesses a powerful extrasensory ability called the "shine".
Why watch: If you want a thriller with drama and horror elements, this one stands out. It should appeal to viewers who like stories built around trauma, psychic ability, and a sense of lingering unease.
Directed by Mike FlanaganCast Ewan McGregor, Rebecca Ferguson, Kyliegh Curran, Cliff Curtis, Zahn McClarnonParamount PlusMore details on IMDb → -
05
Passenger
horror · mystery & thriller
After a young couple witnesses a gruesome highway accident, they soon realize they did not leave the crash scene alone, as a demonic presence called the Passenger won't stop until it claims them both.
Why watch: If you’re drawn to horror-thrillers with a demonic presence, this is for you. The road-trip-like setup around a crash scene gives it a simple but ominous hook.
Directed by André ØvredalCast Jacob Scipio, Lou Llobell, Melissa Leo, Joseph Lopez, Miles FowlerParamount PlusMore details on IMDb →
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06
Friday the 13th Part 2
horror · mystery · thriller
Five years after the horrible bloodbath at Camp Crystal Lake, new counselors roam the area, not sensing the ominous lurking presence that proves that the grisly legend is real.
Why watch: If you want another entry in the Camp Crystal Lake story, this is the obvious companion piece. It’s a fit for viewers who like horror with a mystery-thriller edge and a familiar franchise setup.
Directed by Steve MinerCast Amy Steel, John Furey, Adrienne King, Kirsten Baker, Stuart CharnoPeacock PremiumAMC+Paramount PlusMore details on IMDb → -
07
Event Horizon
horror · mystery & thriller · science-fiction
In 2047, a group of astronauts are sent to investigate and salvage the starship Event Horizon which disappeared mysteriously seven years before on its maiden voyage. However, it soon becomes evident that something sinister resides in its corridors.
Why watch: If you like suspense in a sci-fi setting, this one is worth a look. The mystery-thriller core works especially well for viewers who enjoy isolated, high-stakes stories in space.
Directed by Paul W.S. AndersonCast Laurence Fishburne, Sam Neill, Kathleen Quinlan, Joely Richardson, Richard T. JonesTubiPeacock PremiumParamount PlusMore details on IMDb → -
08
Shutter Island
drama · mystery · thriller
World War II soldier-turned-U.S. Marshal Teddy Daniels investigates the disappearance of a patient from a hospital for the criminally insane, but his efforts are compromised by troubling visions and a mysterious doctor.
Why watch: If you prefer psychological thrillers with a strong mystery component, this is a top choice. It’s especially suited to viewers who like investigation stories that stay uneasy and uncertain.
Directed by Martin ScorseseCast Leonardo DiCaprio, Mark Ruffalo, Ben Kingsley, Max von Sydow, Michelle WilliamsParamount PlusMore details on IMDb → -
09
Blade Runner 2049
Won 2 Oscars Best Cinematography (2018) · 5 nominations
action & adventure · drama · mystery & thriller · science-fiction
Thirty years after the events of the first film, a new blade runner, LAPD Officer K, unearths a long-buried secret that has the potential to plunge what's left of society into chaos. K's discovery leads him on a quest to find Rick Deckard, a former LAPD blade runner who has been missing for 30 years.
Why watch: If you want a thoughtful sci-fi thriller with crime and mystery elements, this is a strong pick. It fits viewers who enjoy a story about a discovery that changes everything.
Directed by Denis VilleneuveCast Ryan Gosling, Dave Bautista, Robin Wright, Mark Arnold, Vilma SzécsiAmazon Prime VideoParamount PlusMore details on IMDb → -
10
Goosebumps
adventure · comedy · family · fantasy · horror · thriller
After moving to a small town, Zach Cooper finds a silver lining when he meets next door neighbor Hannah, the daughter of bestselling Goosebumps series author R.L. Stine. When Zach unintentionally unleashes real monsters from their manuscripts and they begin to terrorize the town, it’s suddenly up to Stine, Zach and Hannah to get all of them back in the books where they belong.
Why watch: If you like thrillers that also lean into comedy, family, and fantasy, this is a fun option. The horror-thriller side gives it enough edge for viewers who want spooky trouble without a purely grim tone.
Directed by Rob LettermanCast Jack Black, Dylan Minnette, Odeya Rush, Ryan Lee, Amy RyanTubiParamount PlusMore details on IMDb → -
11
Scream
horror · mystery · thriller
Twenty-five years after a streak of brutal murders shocked the quiet town of Woodsboro, a new killer has donned the Ghostface mask and begins targeting a group of teenagers to resurrect secrets from the town’s deadly past.
Why watch: If you enjoy modern slashers built around a masked killer, this is the one to choose. Its mystery and thriller elements make it a good fit for viewers who like a franchise-style scare with a contemporary setup.
Directed by Matt Bettinelli-Olpin, Tyler GillettCast Neve Campbell, Courteney Cox, David Arquette, Melissa Barrera, Jack QuaidParamount PlusMore details on IMDb → -
12
Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter
horror · thriller
After his revival in a hospital morgue, Jason fixes his vengeful attention on the Jarvis family and a group of hitherto carefree teenagers.
Why watch: If you’re following the Friday the 13th series, this installment belongs on your list. It’s best for viewers who want more slasher suspense with a direct horror-thriller setup.
Directed by Joseph ZitoCast Erich Anderson, Judie Aronson, Peter Barton, Kimberly Beck, Tom EverettAMC+Paramount PlusMore details on IMDb → -
13
Smile
horror · mystery · thriller
After witnessing a bizarre, traumatic incident involving a patient, Dr. Rose Cotter starts experiencing frightening occurrences that she can't explain.
Why watch: If eerie mystery-thrillers are your thing, this title should fit nicely. The premise centers on frightening events that spiral after a traumatic incident, which will appeal to horror fans looking for escalating tension.
Directed by Parker FinnCast Sosie Bacon, Kyle Gallner, Jessie T. Usher, Robin Weigert, Caitlin StaseyParamount PlusMore details on IMDb → -
14
Minority Report
1 Oscar nomination
action · crime · mystery · sci-fi · thriller
John Anderton is a top 'Precrime' cop in the late-21st century, when technology can predict crimes before they're committed. But Anderton becomes the quarry when another investigator targets him for a murder charge.
Why watch: If you like near-future crime thrillers with a strong mystery angle, this is a smart pick. It should work well for viewers who enjoy stories built around a dangerous system and a man suddenly under suspicion.
Directed by Steven SpielbergCast Tom Cruise, Max von Sydow, Steve Harris, Neal McDonough, Patrick KilpatrickAmazon Prime VideoParamount PlusMore details on IMDb → -
15
The Crow
action & adventure · crime · drama · fantasy · horror · mystery & thriller
Exactly one year after young rock guitarist Eric Draven and his fiancée are brutally killed by a ruthless gang of criminals, Draven, watched over by a hypnotic crow, returns from the grave to exact revenge.
Why watch: If you want a revenge story that blends crime, fantasy, horror, and mystery-thriller elements, this is a strong option. It may appeal to viewers who like darker genre crossovers with a supernatural edge.
Directed by Alex ProyasCast Brandon Lee, Rochelle Davis, Ernie Hudson, Michael Wincott, Bai LingPeacock PremiumParamount PlusMore details on IMDb → -
16
The Running Man
action · adventure · sci-fi · thriller
Desperate to save his sick daughter, working-class Ben Richards is convinced by The Running Man's charming but ruthless producer to enter the deadly competition game as a last resort. But Ben's defiance, instincts, and grit turn him into an unexpected fan favorite — and a threat to the entire system. As ratings skyrocket, so does the danger, and Ben must outwit not just the Hunters, but a nation addicted to watching him fall.
Why watch: If action-thrillers about survival and a system turning dangerous sound appealing, this one fits that lane. The premise is a good match for viewers who like high-pressure competition stories with sci-fi energy.
Directed by Edgar WrightCast Glen Powell, Alyssa Benn, Sienna Benn, David Zayas, Greg TownleyAmazon Prime VideoParamount PlusMore details on IMDb → -
17
Pet Sematary
fantasy · horror · thriller
After the Creed family's cat is accidentally killed, a friendly neighbor advises its burial in a mysterious nearby cemetery.
Why watch: If you like horror-thrillers with a grim, eerie setup, this is a solid choice. It’s especially suited to viewers who enjoy stories built around family and a strange burial site.
Directed by Mary LambertCast Dale Midkiff, Fred Gwynne, Denise Crosby, Brad Greenquist, Michael LombardTubiAMC+Paramount PlusMore details on IMDb → -
18
No Country for Old Men
Won 4 Oscars Best Picture (2008) · 8 nominations
crime · drama · thriller
Llewelyn Moss stumbles upon dead bodies, $2 million and a hoard of heroin in a Texas desert, but methodical killer Anton Chigurh comes looking for it, with local sheriff Ed Tom Bell hot on his trail. The roles of prey and predator blur as the violent pursuit of money and justice collide.
Why watch: If you want a crime thriller with a tense cat-and-mouse feel, this is one of the strongest matches. It’s ideal for viewers who like a pursuit story where the line between hunter and hunted keeps shifting.
Directed by Ethan Coen, Joel CoenCast Tommy Lee Jones, Javier Bardem, Josh Brolin, Woody Harrelson, Kelly MacdonaldPeacock PremiumParamount PlusMore details on IMDb → -
19
Smile 2
horror · mystery · thriller
About to embark on a new world tour, global pop sensation Skye Riley begins experiencing increasingly terrifying and inexplicable events. Overwhelmed by the escalating horrors and the pressures of fame, Skye is forced to face her dark past to regain control of her life before it spirals out of control.
Why watch: If you enjoy horror-thrillers about fame, pressure, and a creeping sense of danger, this is a good fit. It should appeal to viewers who like modern stories where personal crisis and terror collide.
Directed by Parker FinnCast Naomi Scott, Rosemarie DeWitt, Lukas Gage, Miles Gutierrez-Riley, Peter JacobsonNetflixAmazon Prime VideoParamount PlusMore details on IMDb → -
20
Predators
documentary · crime · thriller
In the mid-aughts, Dateline NBC’s To Catch a Predator drew millions of weekly viewers to watch sting operations: men planning to meet minors for sex would instead be confronted by polished host Chris Hansen, then by the police — all on hidden camera.
Why watch: If true-crime style storytelling is your thing, this thriller-documentary is worth a look. It’s best for viewers who want a crime-focused watch grounded in hidden-camera sting operations.
Directed by David OsitCast Dani JaydenParamount PlusMore details on IMDb →
Wrapping Up
From mind games and manhunts to supernatural dread and crime-driven suspense, these picks cover a wide range of tense stories in one place. Whether you want something classic like Friday the 13th or a more layered watch like Shutter Island, there’s plenty here to match your mood. Bookmark this page and come back when you want a fresh recommendation, because the lineup is updated regularly. It’s an easy way to keep track of the most compelling thrillers worth starting next.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often is this list updated?
We refresh this list regularly as titles are added or removed from streaming catalogs, so rankings and availability stay current.
Do I need a Paramount Plus subscription to watch these?
Yes. Every title on this list is currently available on Paramount Plus. Availability can change, so we recommend checking the streaming link on each title before you start watching.
How are these thriller movies ranked?
We rank by a combination of audience rating and current popularity, so you're seeing the thriller titles people are actually watching right now, not just an old fixed list.