20 Best Thriller TV Shows on Paramount Plus 2026
Browse the best thriller TV shows on Paramount Plus, from Lioness and Dexter to Twin Peaks, Yellowjackets, and more suspenseful picks.
If you’re looking for the best thriller TV shows on Paramount Plus, this lineup covers everything from espionage and crime to mystery, horror, and a little comedy-drama edge. You’ll find big-name choices like Lioness, Dexter, Yellowjackets, and Twin Peaks, plus steady favorites such as NCIS, FBI, Criminal Minds, and CSI: Crime Scene Investigation. There’s also room for stranger, moodier picks like The Twilight Zone, Evil, and The Curse, so the list works whether you want suspense, procedural tension, or something more offbeat. With 20 titles to browse, it’s easy to match your mood to a series that leans into the kind of thriller energy you want most.
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01
The Curse
comedy · drama · thriller
An alleged curse disturbs the relationship of a newly married couple as they try to conceive a child while co-starring on their problematic new HGTV show.
Why watch: If you enjoy thriller stories with a strange, offbeat streak, The Curse may fit well thanks to its mix of comedy, drama, and suspense. It suits viewers who like relationship tension wrapped inside an unusual premise.
Directed by Nathan Fielder, David Zellner, Nathan ZellnerCast Emma Stone, Nathan Fielder, Benny Safdie, Hikmah Warsame, Christopher D. CalderonParamount PlusMore details on IMDb → -
02
Lioness
1 Emmy nomination
action · drama · thriller
Cruz Manuelos, a rough-around-the-edges but passionate young Marine, is recruited to join the CIA's Lioness Engagement Team to help bring down a terrorist organization from within. Joe, the station chief of the Lioness program, is tasked with training, managing and leading her female undercover operatives.
Why watch: If you want a modern spy thriller with action and high-stakes undercover work, Lioness is a strong pick. Its CIA-focused setup should appeal to fans of espionage stories.
Directed by Michael Friedman, John Hillcoat, Stephen Kay, Anthony Byrne, Paul CameronCast Zoe Saldaña, Laysla De Oliveira, Dave Annable, Jill Wagner, LaMonica GarrettParamount PlusMore details on IMDb → -
03
The Twilight Zone
Won 3 Emmys 8 nominations
drama · fantasy · horror · mystery · sci-fi · thriller
An anthology series containing drama, psychological thriller, fantasy, science fiction, suspense, and/or horror, often concluding with a macabre or unexpected twist.
Why watch: If you like anthology TV with mystery, sci-fi, horror, and thriller elements, The Twilight Zone is a natural choice. It’s a good fit for viewers who want short stories with unexpected turns.
Directed by John Brahm, Douglas Heyes, Buzz Kulik, Lamont Johnson, Richard L. BareCast Rod Serling, Robert McCord, Jay Overholts, James Turley, Vaughn TaylorParamount PlusMore details on IMDb → -
04
Twin Peaks
Won 2 Emmys 2x Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series · 18 nominations
crime · drama · mystery · thriller
The body of Laura Palmer is washed up on a beach near the small Washington state town of Twin Peaks. FBI Special Agent Dale Cooper is called in to investigate her strange demise only to uncover a web of mystery that ultimately leads him deep into the heart of the surrounding woodland and his very own soul.
Why watch: If you enjoy mysteries that blend crime and thriller elements with a surreal tone, Twin Peaks is worth a look. It’s especially appealing if you like shows where the case leads into bigger questions.
Directed by David Lynch, Lesli Linka Glatter, Caleb Deschanel, Duwayne Dunham, Tim HunterCast Kyle MacLachlan, Michael Ontkean, Mädchen Amick, Dana Ashbrook, Richard BeymerParamount PlusMore details on IMDb → -
05
NCIS
3 Emmy nominations
action · crime · drama · mystery · thriller
From murder and espionage to terrorism and stolen submarines, a team of special agents investigates any crime that has any connection to Navy and Marine Corps personnel, regardless of rank or position.
Why watch: If you prefer long-running crime thrillers with investigation-heavy plots, NCIS is a dependable option. Its focus on military-connected cases makes it a fit for viewers who like procedural tension.
Directed by Dennis Smith, Terrence O'Hara, Tony Wharmby, James Whitmore Jr., Thomas J. WrightCast Sean Murray, David McCallum, Mark Harmon, Brian Dietzen, Rocky CarrollNetflixHuluParamount PlusMore details on IMDb →
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06
Dexter: Resurrection
crime · drama · thriller
Dexter Morgan awakens from a coma to find Harrison gone without a trace. Realizing the weight of what he put his son through, Dexter sets out for New York City, determined to find him and make things right. But closure won't come easy. When Miami Metro's Angel Batista arrives with questions, Dexter realizes his past is catching up to him fast. As father and son navigate their own darkness in the city that never sleeps, they soon find themselves deeper than they ever imagined - and that the only way out is together.
Why watch: If you’re drawn to dark crime thrillers centered on family and consequences, Dexter: Resurrection is likely to interest you. It continues the franchise’s thriller and mystery energy with a fresh setting in New York City.
Directed by Marcos Siega, Monica Raymund, Erica DuntonCast Michael C. Hall, Uma Thurman, James Remar, Jack Alcott, Kadia SarafAmazon Prime VideoParamount PlusMore details on IMDb → -
07
Yellowjackets
10 Emmy nominations 2x Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series
drama · mystery · thriller
This equal parts survival epic, psychological horror story and coming-of-age drama tells the saga of a team of wildly talented high school girls soccer players who become the (un)lucky survivors of a plane crash deep in the remote northern wilderness. The series chronicles their descent from a complicated but thriving team to savage clans, while also tracking the lives they’ve attempted to piece back together nearly 25 years later.
Why watch: If you like psychological thriller stories with survival and mystery at their core, Yellowjackets should be on your list. Its drama and suspense blend makes it a good match for viewers who want something tense and layered.
Directed by Ben Semanoff, Eva Sørhaug, Daisy von Scherler Mayer, Jeffrey W. Byrd, Bart NickersonCast Melanie Lynskey, Sophie Nélisse, Jasmin Savoy Brown, Sophie Thatcher, Samantha HanrattyNetflixAmazon Prime VideoParamount PlusMore details on IMDb → -
08
Dexter
Won 4 Emmys Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series (2010) · 25 nominations
crime · drama · mystery · thriller
Dexter Morgan, a blood spatter pattern analyst for the Miami Metro Police also leads a secret life as a serial killer, hunting down criminals who have slipped through the cracks of justice.
Why watch: If you enjoy crime thrillers about a lead character with a hidden double life, Dexter is a strong fit. Its mix of mystery and drama should appeal to fans of darker procedural storytelling.
Directed by John Dahl, Steve Shill, Keith Gordon, Marcos Siega, Ernest DickersonCast Michael C. Hall, Jennifer Carpenter, David Zayas, James Remar, C.S. LeeParamount PlusMore details on IMDb → -
09
The Agency: Central Intelligence
drama · thriller
Covert CIA agent Martian is ordered to abandon his undercover life and return to London Station. When the love he left behind unexpectedly reappears, their romance reignites, pitting his career, his real identity and his mission against his heart while hurling them both into a deadly game of international intrigue and espionage.
Why watch: If you like espionage thrillers built around identity, romance, and undercover danger, The Agency: Central Intelligence is a good option. It suits viewers who want a more international, intrigue-heavy story.
Directed by Neil Burger, Grant Heslov, Zetna Fuentes, Philip Martin, Joe WrightCast Michael Fassbender, Jeffrey Wright, Jodie Turner-Smith, Katherine Waterston, Harriet Sansom HarrisParamount PlusMore details on IMDb → -
10
Mayor of Kingstown
crime · drama · thriller
In a small Michigan town where the business of incarceration is the only thriving industry, the McClusky family are the power brokers between the police, criminals, inmates, prison guards and politicians in a city completely dependent on prisons and the prisoners they contain.
Why watch: If you’re interested in crime dramas with a tense political and institutional angle, Mayor of Kingstown may be a good match. Its prison-centered setup gives it a different kind of thriller pressure.
Directed by Christoph Schrewe, Guy Ferland, Stephen Kay, Clark Johnson, Ben RichardsonCast Jeremy Renner, Tobi Bamtefa, Taylor Handley, Hugh Dillon, Derek WebsterNetflixParamount PlusMore details on IMDb → -
11
CIA
action · adventure · crime · drama · mystery · thriller
Follows a partnership between a CIA Case Officer & an FBI Special Agent who work together on a clandestine taskforce to prevent domestic terrorism in New York.
Why watch: If you enjoy stories about covert operations and domestic-terrorism stakes, CIA looks tailored to that taste. Its action, crime, and thriller mix should appeal to fans of modern intelligence dramas.
Directed by Ken Girotti, Jon Cassar, Ludovic Littee, Norberto Barba, Jean de SegonzacCast Tom Ellis, Nick Gehlfuss, Natalee Linez, Necar Zadegan, Jonathan Randell SilverParamount PlusMore details on IMDb → -
12
The Bureau
drama · thriller
Within the DGSE (General Directorate for External Security), a department called the Office Of Legends (BDL) forms and remote pilot the most important agents of the French intelligence services: Clandestine. Immersion in hostile country, their mission is to identify individuals who may be recruited as sources of information. Operating "under caption", that is to say in a fabricated identity from scratch, they live for many years in a permanent duplicity. Our hero just returned from a clandestine mission six years in Damascus. But contrary to what is required by safety rules, he does not abandon his legend and the identity under which he lived in Syria, thus putting in danger the whole system.
Why watch: If you like grounded spy thrillers with an international intelligence setting, The Bureau is worth considering. Its focus on covert identities and long-term undercover work gives it a strong thriller foundation.
Directed by Eric Rochant, Samuel Collardey, Antoine Chevrollier, Anna Novion, Hélier CisterneCast Mathieu Kassovitz, Florence Loiret Caille, Jonathan Zaccaï, Sara Giraudeau, Jules SagotParamount PlusMore details on IMDb → -
13
Criminal Minds
3 Emmy nominations
crime · drama · mystery · thriller
An elite team of FBI profilers analyze the country's most twisted criminal minds, anticipating their next moves before they strike again. The Behavioral Analysis Unit's most experienced agent is David Rossi, a founding member of the BAU who returns to help the team solve new cases.
Why watch: If you enjoy crime thrillers focused on profiling and anticipating suspects, Criminal Minds fits that lane well. It’s a good pick for viewers who like case-driven tension and FBI teamwork.
Directed by Glenn Kershaw, Félix Enríquez Alcalá, Rob Bailey, Edward Allen Bernero, Matthew Gray GublerCast Kirsten Vangsness, A.J. Cook, Matthew Gray Gubler, Joe Mantegna, Thomas GibsonAmazon Prime VideoHuluParamount PlusMore details on IMDb → -
14
Blue Bloods
1 Emmy nomination
crime · drama · mystery · thriller
A drama about a multi-generational family of cops dedicated to New York City law enforcement. Frank Reagan is the New York Police Commissioner and heads both the police force and the Reagan brood. He runs his department as diplomatically as he runs his family, even when dealing with the politics that plagued his unapologetically bold father, Henry, during his stint as Chief.
Why watch: If you prefer crime dramas that balance family dynamics with law-enforcement stories, Blue Bloods may suit you. Its mystery and thriller elements make it appealing for viewers who like procedural cases with a personal angle.
Directed by David Barrett, Ralph Hemecker, Alex Zakrzewski, Robert Harmon, John BehringCast Donnie Wahlberg, Bridget Moynahan, Will Estes, Len Cariou, Tom SelleckAmazon Prime VideoParamount PlusMore details on IMDb → -
15
FBI
2 Emmy nominations
action · crime · drama · mystery · thriller
The New York office of the FBI brings to bear all their talents, intellect and technical expertise on major cases in order to keep their city and the country safe.
Why watch: If you want an FBI-centered procedural with action, crime, and mystery, FBI is an easy recommendation. It works well for viewers who like fast-moving investigations tied to big cases.
Directed by Alex Chapple, Jean de Segonzac, Carlos Bernard, Milena Govich, Jon CassarCast Missy Peregrym, Zeeko Zaki, Jeremy Sisto, Alana De La Garza, John BoydParamount PlusMore details on IMDb → -
16
Evil
crime · drama · horror · mystery · thriller
Skeptical forensic psychologist Kristen Bouchard joins priest-in-training David Acosta and technology expert Ben Shakir as they investigate supposed miracles, demonic possessions, and other extraordinary occurrences to assess for a scientific explanation or if something truly supernatural is at work.
Why watch: If you enjoy thrillers that mix crime, mystery, and supernatural questions, Evil is a solid choice. Its premise works especially well for viewers who like investigations that could go either way.
Directed by John Dahl, Robert King, Peter Sollett, Nelson McCormick, Fong-Yee YapCast Katja Herbers, Mike Colter, Aasif Mandvi, Michael Emerson, Maddy CroccoParamount PlusMore details on IMDb → -
17
CSI: Crime Scene Investigation
Won 6 Emmys 3x Outstanding Drama Series · 39 nominations
crime · drama · mystery · thriller
A Las Vegas team of forensic investigators are trained to solve criminal cases by scouring the crime scene, collecting irrefutable evidence and finding the missing pieces that solve the mystery.
Why watch: If you like forensic crime stories built around evidence and solving puzzles, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation is a strong fit. It’s a classic option for viewers who prefer methodical, mystery-driven episodes.
Directed by Kenneth Fink, Richard J. Lewis, Alec Smight, Danny Cannon, Brad TanenbaumCast George Eads, Eric Szmanda, Robert David Hall, Paul Guilfoyle, Jorja FoxHuluParamount PlusMore details on IMDb → -
18
The Stand
adventure · drama · fantasy · horror · sci-fi · thriller
In a world mostly wiped out by the plague and embroiled in an elemental struggle between good and evil, the fate of mankind rests on the frail shoulders of the 108-year-old Mother Abagail and a handful of survivors. Their worst nightmares are embodied in a man with a lethal smile and unspeakable powers: Randall Flagg, the Dark Man.
Why watch: If you want a darker thriller with horror and fantasy elements, The Stand is the kind of pick that leans into large-scale conflict. It’s best for viewers who like end-of-the-world stakes.
Directed by Josh Boone, Bridget Savage Cole, Danielle Krudy, Chris Fisher, Vincenzo NataliCast James Marsden, Odessa Young, Alexander Skarsgård, Whoopi Goldberg, Gordon CormierParamount PlusMore details on IMDb → -
19
Scorpion
action · crime · drama · thriller
Eccentric genius Walter O’Brien and his team of brilliant misfits comprise the last line of defense against complex, high-tech threats of the modern age. As Homeland Security’s new think tank, O’Brien’s “Scorpion” team includes Toby Curtis, an expert behaviorist who can read anyone; Happy Quinn, a mechanical prodigy; and Sylvester Dodd, a statistics guru.
Why watch: If you enjoy high-tech threat-of-the-week stories with a team of unusual specialists, Scorpion should appeal to you. Its action, crime, and thriller mix makes it a good watch for problem-solving drama.
Directed by Sam Hill, Omar Madha, Jeff T. Thomas, Christine Moore, Milan CheylovCast Elyes Gabel, Katharine McPhee, Eddie Kaye Thomas, Jadyn Wong, Ari StidhamParamount PlusMore details on IMDb → -
20
Under the Dome
drama · mystery · sci-fi · thriller
A small town is suddenly and inexplicably sealed off from the rest of the world by an enormous transparent dome. While military forces, the government and the media positioned outside of this surrounding barrier attempt to break it down, a small group of people inside attempt to figure out what the dome is, where it came from, and when (and if) it will go away.
Why watch: If you like thriller stories built around a strange premise and a small town under pressure, Under the Dome is worth a look. Its mystery and sci-fi elements add to the suspense.
Directed by Jack Bender, Peter Leto, David Barrett, Sergio Mimica-Gezzan, Kari SkoglandCast Mike Vogel, Rachelle Lefevre, Alexander Koch, Colin Ford, Mackenzie LintzParamount PlusMore details on IMDb →
Wrapping Up
This list brings together crime sagas, undercover missions, psychological tension, and supernatural mystery, so there’s a strong option here for plenty of different tastes. Whether you want a classic like The Twilight Zone, a modern favorite like Mayor of Kingstown, or a sharp spy story such as The Bureau, you can use this guide to narrow down your next binge. Bookmark this page and come back when you want a fresh suspense watch, since it’s updated regularly. That way, you’ll always have a quick place to check for another tense series to queue up.
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 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.