20 Best Thriller TV Shows on Apple TV Plus 2026
Explore Apple TV Plus thrillers worth your time, from Severance and Slow Horses to Hijack, Black Bird, and more suspenseful series.
If you’re hunting for the best thriller TV shows on Apple TV Plus, this list gives you a strong starting point across crime, mystery, sci-fi, and drama. It includes buzzy standouts like Severance and Slow Horses, along with tense picks such as Hijack, Black Bird, and Presumed Innocent. You’ll also find psychological twists in Servant, Shining Girls, and The Crowded Room, plus newer entries like Dark Matter and Sugar for viewers who want something a little different. Whether you want espionage, a missing-person mystery, or a high-stakes courtroom story, there’s plenty here to match your mood.
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01
Slow Horses
Won 3 Emmys 2x Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series · 23 nominations
drama · thriller
Follow a dysfunctional team of MI5 agents—and their obnoxious boss, the notorious Jackson Lamb—as they navigate the espionage world's smoke and mirrors to defend England from sinister forces.
Why watch: If you enjoy espionage stories with dark humor and a messy team dynamic, this is a strong fit. The MI5 setup and thriller-drama mix make it a good choice for viewers who like spy shows with personality.
Directed by Adam Randall, Saul Metzstein, James Hawes, Jeremy Lovering, Robert McKillopCast Gary Oldman, Jack Lowden, Kristin Scott Thomas, Saskia Reeves, Christopher ChungAmazon Prime VideoApple TV PlusMore details on IMDb → -
02
Dark Matter
1 Emmy nomination
drama · sci-fi · thriller
Jason Dessen is abducted into an alternate version of his life. To get back to his true family, he embarks on a harrowing journey to save them from the most terrifying foe imaginable: himself.
Why watch: If you like thrillers with a sci-fi edge and an identity twist, this one should stand out. Its alternate-life premise gives it a more high-concept feel than a standard suspense drama.
Directed by Alik Sakharov, Jakob Verbruggen, Roxann Dawson, Logan George, Celine HeldCast Joel Edgerton, Jennifer Connelly, Alice Braga, Jimmi Simpson, Dayo OkeniyiAmazon Prime VideoApple TV PlusMore details on IMDb → -
03
Last Seen
crime · drama · mystery & thriller
When emergency dispatcher Ian Ridley receives a frantic call from a teenager he believes could be his long-missing daughter, he stops at nothing to find her.
Why watch: If you’re drawn to mystery-driven stories about desperate searches and missing loved ones, this may be the one to try. The crime and thriller blend suggests a tense, search-and-rescue style story.
Directed by Christian SchwochowCast Patrick Brammall, Maxine Peake, Carolyn Bock, Brendan Cowell, Daniel HenshallApple TV PlusMore details on IMDb → -
04
Severance
Won 10 Emmys Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series (2025) · 41 nominations
drama · mystery · sci-fi · thriller
Mark leads a team of office workers whose memories have been surgically divided between their work and personal lives. When a mysterious colleague appears outside of work, it begins a journey to discover the truth about their jobs.
Why watch: If you prefer slow-burn mysteries with a sci-fi concept, this is an easy recommendation. The split between work and personal memory gives it a unique hook for fans of unsettling workplace stories.
Directed by Ben Stiller, Aoife McArdle, Uta Briesewitz, Samuel Donovan, Jessica Lee GagnéCast Adam Scott, Britt Lower, Zach Cherry, Tramell Tillman, Jen TullockApple TV PlusMore details on IMDb → -
05
Lucky
crime · drama · mystery & thriller
When a multi-million-dollar heist goes sideways, con artist Lucky is forced to go on the run. Pursued by both the FBI and a ruthless crime boss, Lucky must fight for her life—and a way out.
Why watch: If you like crime thrillers centered on a runaway under pressure, this could be a good pick. The heist setup and FBI pursuit suggest fast-moving suspense.
Directed by Jonathan van Tulleken, Jet Wilkinson, Greg YaitanesCast Anya Taylor-Joy, Annette Bening, Clifton Collins Jr., Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor, Timothy OlyphantApple TV PlusMore details on IMDb →
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06
Cape Fear
crime · drama · thriller
A happily married couple faces a growing threat when a notorious killer from their past, Max Cady, is released from prison and seeks revenge.
Why watch: If revenge stories and domestic suspense appeal to you, this title fits that lane well. The premise sets up a classic threat-from-the-past thriller.
Directed by Amanda Marsalis, Jon S. Baird, S.J. Clarkson, Reed Morano, Steven PietCast Amy Adams, Javier Bardem, Patrick Wilson, Joe Anders, Lily ColliasApple TV PlusMore details on IMDb → -
07
Servant
1 Emmy nomination
drama · horror · mystery · thriller
A Philadelphia couple are in mourning after an unspeakable tragedy creates a rift in their marriage and opens the door for a mysterious force to enter their home.
Why watch: If you want a thriller with horror and mystery elements, this one is worth a look. The haunted-home setup and grief-driven story may suit viewers who like unnerving, atmospheric series.
Directed by Ishana Shyamalan, Nimród Antal, M. Night Shyamalan, Dylan Holmes Williams, Logan GeorgeCast Lauren Ambrose, Toby Kebbell, Nell Tiger Free, Rupert Grint, James HoogerwerffApple TV PlusMore details on IMDb → -
08
Black Bird
Won 2 Emmys Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie (2023) · 4 nominations
biography · crime · drama · mystery · thriller
As Jimmy Keene begins a 10-year prison sentence, he gets an incredible offer: If he can elicit a confession from suspected killer Larry Hall, Jimmy will be freed. Completing this mission becomes the challenge of a lifetime.
Why watch: If you enjoy true-crime-style tension and prison-set bargaining, this is a strong choice. The crime, drama, and thriller mix points to a story built around psychological pressure.
Directed by Michaël R. Roskam, Joe Chappelle, Jim McKayCast Taron Egerton, Paul Walter Hauser, Sepideh Moafi, Greg Kinnear, Ray LiottaApple TV PlusMore details on IMDb → -
09
Murderbot
3 Emmy nominations
action · comedy · drama · sci-fi · thriller
In a high-tech future, a rogue security robot secretly gains free will. To stay hidden, it reluctantly joins a new mission protecting scientists on a dangerous planet...even though it just wants to binge soap operas.
Why watch: If you like sci-fi thrillers with an offbeat sense of humor, this should be on your list. The rogue robot premise gives it a distinctive angle for viewers who want action with personality.
Directed by Paul Weitz, Toa Fraser, Aurora Guerrero, Roseanne Liang, Chris WeitzCast Alexander Skarsgård, Noma Dumezweni, David Dastmalchian, Sabrina Wu, Akshay KhannaApple TV PlusMore details on IMDb → -
10
Sugar
1 Emmy nomination
crime · drama · mystery · thriller
An enigmatic private detective struggles with personal demons as he investigates the disappearance of a Hollywood producer's beloved granddaughter.
Why watch: If detective stories with personal baggage are your thing, this is a solid option. The mystery-thriller setup and Hollywood disappearance angle should appeal to fans of noir-leaning investigations.
Directed by Fernando Meirelles, Adam Arkin, Michael Morris, Adam Bernstein, Amat EscalanteCast Colin Farrell, Kirby Howell-Baptiste, James Cromwell, Amy Ryan, Dennis BoutsikarisApple TV PlusMore details on IMDb → -
11
Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed
comedy · drama · mystery · thriller
A divorced mom gets caught up in a perilous web of blackmail, murder, and youth soccer.
Why watch: If you want a thriller that mixes dark comedy with suburban chaos, this may be a good fit. Its blackmail-and-murder setup suggests a twisty story with a lighter edge than most crime dramas.
Directed by Damon Thomas, Alethea Jones, Daniel Sackheim, David Gordon GreenCast Tatiana Maslany, Jake Johnson, Jessy Hodges, Jon Michael Hill, Charlie HallApple TV PlusMore details on IMDb → -
12
The Crowded Room
biography · crime · drama · mystery · thriller
In 1979 Manhattan, a young man is arrested for a shocking crime — and an unlikely investigator must solve the mystery behind it.
Why watch: If you like mystery thrillers built around a shocking crime and a difficult investigation, this should work well. The biography and crime elements add an additional layer of intrigue.
Directed by Brady Corbet, Mona Fastvold, Kornél Mundruczó, Alan TaylorCast Tom Holland, Amanda Seyfried, Sasha Lane, Will Chase, Lior RazApple TV PlusMore details on IMDb → -
13
Imperfect Women
drama · mystery · thriller
After a murder shatters the lives of three best friends, their decades-long bond is tested when an investigation reveals betrayals and shocking truths.
Why watch: If you’re interested in friendship dramas that turn into murder mysteries, this one fits that niche. The focus on long-term bonds and hidden truths gives it a more character-driven feel.
Directed by Lesli Linka Glatter, Daina Reid, Nzingha Stewart, Jet WilkinsonCast Elisabeth Moss, Kerry Washington, Joel Kinnaman, Corey Stoll, Kate MaraApple TV PlusMore details on IMDb → -
14
Criminal Record
crime · drama · thriller
In the heart of London, an anonymous phone call draws two brilliant detectives—a young woman in the early stages of her career and a well-connected man determined to protect his legacy—into a fight to correct an old miscarriage of justice.
Why watch: If you prefer legal and procedural thrillers, this is a strong match. The story of two detectives correcting an old miscarriage of justice should appeal to viewers who like grounded crime drama.
Directed by Shaun James Grant, Jim Loach, Joelle Mae David, Ben A. WilliamsCast Peter Capaldi, Cush Jumbo, Shaun Dooley, Stephen Campbell Moore, Jordan A. NashApple TV PlusMore details on IMDb → -
15
Presumed Innocent
4 Emmy nominations Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie (2025)
crime · drama · mystery · thriller
A horrific murder upends the Chicago Prosecuting Attorney's Office when one of its own is suspected of the crime—leaving the accused fighting to keep his family together.
Why watch: If courtroom tension and family drama are what you want, this is an easy pick. A murder accusation inside a prosecutor’s office raises the stakes right away.
Directed by Greg Yaitanes, Anne Sewitsky, Laure de Clermont-TonnerreCast Jake Gyllenhaal, Ruth Negga, Bill Camp, O-T Fagbenle, Chase InfinitiApple TV PlusMore details on IMDb → -
16
Bad Sisters
5 Emmy nominations 2x Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series
comedy · drama · thriller
The tight-knit Garvey sisters have always looked out for one another. But when the toxic brother-in-law they all wanted dead actually dies, it turns their lives upside down and tests their bond like nothing before.
Why watch: If you like thriller stories with a sharp comic streak and family dynamics, this one should be high on your list. The sisters-versus-brother-in-law premise gives it a blackly funny edge.
Directed by Dearbhla Walsh, Rebecca Gatward, Josephine Bornebusch, Stacey Gregg, James GriffithsCast Sharon Horgan, Sarah Greene, Eve Hewson, Eva Birthistle, Saise QuinnApple TV PlusMore details on IMDb → -
17
The Last Thing He Told Me
drama · mystery · thriller
A woman must forge a relationship with her teenage stepdaughter in order to find her husband, who has mysteriously disappeared.
Why watch: If you enjoy disappearance mysteries centered on family relationships, this may be a good choice. The drama and thriller blend suggests an emotional, search-focused story.
Directed by Daisy von Scherler Mayer, Olivia Newman, Deniz Gamze Ergüven, Sylvain White, Lila NeugebauerCast Jennifer Garner, Angourie Rice, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, Augusto Aguilera, David MorseApple TV PlusMore details on IMDb → -
18
Defending Jacob
2 Emmy nominations
crime · drama · mystery · thriller
A family's lives are irreparably disrupted when the 14-year-old son is accused of murdering a fellow classmate.
Why watch: If you like tense family dramas with a legal or criminal edge, this is a strong fit. A son accused of murder makes it a good choice for viewers who want a personal mystery with high stakes.
Directed by Morten TyldumCast Chris Evans, Michelle Dockery, Jaeden Martell, Cherry Jones, Pablo SchreiberApple TV PlusMore details on IMDb → -
19
Shining Girls
crime · drama · mystery · sci-fi · thriller
Years after a brutal attack left her in a constantly shifting reality, Kirby Mazrachi learns that a recent murder is linked to her assault. She teams with veteran reporter Dan Velazquez to understand her ever-changing present—and confront her past.
Why watch: If you want a thriller with sci-fi elements and an unstable sense of reality, this one stands out. Its shifting reality premise should appeal to viewers who like mystery and psychological tension.
Directed by Daina Reid, Michelle MacLaren, Elisabeth MossCast Elisabeth Moss, Wagner Moura, Phillipa Soo, Chris Chalk, Amy BrennemanApple TV PlusMore details on IMDb → -
20
Hijack
1 Emmy nomination Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series (2024)
drama · thriller
When Flight KA29 is hijacked during its seven-hour journey from Dubai to London, Sam Nelson—an accomplished corporate negotiator—tries using his professional skills to save everyone on board. Will this high-risk strategy be his undoing?
Why watch: If you enjoy high-pressure thrillers set in confined spaces, this is a natural pick. The hijacking premise suggests real-time suspense and a race to keep control.
Directed by Jim Field Smith, Shaun James Grant, Mo AliCast Idris Elba, Max Beesley, Christine Adams, Neil Maskell, Archie PanjabiApple TV PlusMore details on IMDb →
Wrapping Up
From cerebral mysteries to crime-heavy dramas, these picks cover a wide range of suspenseful Apple TV Plus series. Some lean into sci-fi ideas, while others stay grounded in investigations, betrayal, and pressure-cooker situations. Bookmark this page and come back when you want a fresh option, because it’s updated regularly as new titles arrive and the lineup changes.
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 an Apple TV Plus subscription to watch these?
Yes. Every title on this list is currently available on Apple TV Plus. Availability can change, so we recommend checking the streaming link on each title before you start watching.
How are these thriller shows 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.