I absolutely love suspenseful movies. These are the types of movies that leave you on the edge of your seat. The types that keep you guessing all the way until the very end. They make you bite your nails, cover your eyes and grab your boyfriend’s hand tight! Of course, some thrillers are far more heart-stopping than others. I’ve made a list of what I think are the top 10 most suspenseful movies of all time, and why they’re so freaky!
Top 10 Suspenseful Movies of All Time
The Silence of the Lambs
The Silence of the Lambs is a 1991 psychological thriller movie that is adapted from the 1988 book of the same name by Thomas Harris. The movie stars Anthony Hopkins as Doctor Hannibal Lecter and Jodie Foster as Clarice Starling. This one was terrifying because Hannibal Lector really got into your head.
Psycho
Psycho is a 1960 psychological horror thriller movie that is based on the 1959 book of the same name by Robert Bloch. The movie stars Anthony Perkins as Norman Bates and Janet Leigh as Marion Crane. Psycho ranks as one of the top 10 most suspenseful movies of all time because it taught us that we’re not even safe in the shower! Want to see where it all began for Norman? Check out shows like Bates Motel! If you’re not a fan of black and white films, there’s an updated version of Psycho starring Vince Vaughn.
The Shining
The Shining is a 1980 psychological horror movie that is based on the 1977 book of the same name by Stephen King. The movie stars Jack Nicholson as Jack Torrance. The Shining taught us that even an average guy can go completely bonkers with too much isolation.
The Sixth Sense
The Sixth Sense is a 1999 supernatural horror thriller movie that stars Bruce Willis as Doctor Malcolm Crowe and Haley Joel Osment as Cole Sear. The Sixth Sense has one of the most stunning plot twists I have ever seen in a movie. Plus, when Cole whispers “I see dead people,” I think just about everyone lost it!
Cape Fear
Cape Fear is a 1991 psychological thriller movie that is a remake of the 1962 movie of the same name. The movie stars Robert De Niro as Max Cady, Nick Nolte as Sam Bowden, Jessica Lange as Leigh Bowden and Juliette Lewis as Danielle Bowden. Cape Fear features a psychopath, a dysfunctional family and a sense of danger that will keep you on the edge of your seat.
Seven
Seven is a 1995 mystery neo-noir psychological thriller movie that stars Brad Pitt as Detective David Mills and Morgan Freeman as Detective William Somerset. After you watch Seven, the phrase What’s in the Box will never be the same again. Seriously, this movie messed me up in so many ways!
Memento
Memento is a 2000 neo-noir psychological thriller movie that stars Guy Pearce as Leonard. Memento will keep you in suspense with its backward narrative.
Argo
Argo is a 2012 biographical historical drama movie that is adapted from the 2000 book titled The Master of Disguise: My Secret Life in the CIA by Anthony Mendez. The movie stars Ben Affleck as Tony Mendez. You want to be on the edge of your seat for an entire movie, watch Argo.
No Country for Old Men
No Country for Old Men is a 2007 neo-Western thriller movie that is based on the 2005 book of the same name by Cormac McCarthy. The movie stars Tommy Lee Jones as Sheriff Ed Tom Bell, Josh Brolin as Llewelyn Moss and Javier Bardem as Anton Chigurh. The plot for No Country for Old Men is simple but between the bleak themes and tense atmosphere, it is definitely suspenseful.
Fargo
Fargo is a 1996 dark comedy crime thriller movie that stars Frances McDormand as Marge Gunderson, William H. Macy as Jerry Lundegaard, Steve Buscemi as Carl Showalter and Peter Stormare as Gaear Grimsrud. Fargo is packed with suspense, dark comedy and graphic violence.
I have not seen some of the movies you mentioned. I’ll check them out soon.
This list made me nostalgic! I’ve seen all of these movies, most of them with my friends back in high school and college! 🙂
I loved these movies! I agree with your selection and when my kids turn the appropriate age I’ll be recommending this list to them : )
What an amazing movie list! It made me nostalgic too! My favourites are No Country for Old Men, The Silence of the Lambs and The Sixth Sense!
This list is so on point! I have seen a few of them and I must say, they are very suspenseful!
These are indeed all great suspenseful movies of all time. I have been thinking about watching the Shining again since it has been years since I have seen it. Thanks for sharing these awesome movies.
I’ve only seen a couple of these that you have listed. The Sixth Sense was always one of my favorites. I need to watch it again soon!
Ahhh I really dont like suspense! This is a good list though, some I haven’t sen and some I LOVE!
Both the hubs and I love suspense films and we’ve seen The Silence of the Lambs many times. I think it’s one of the best films of all time.
I love all of these movies but Silence of the Lambs is really in my top 5 of my all time favorite movies. The Shining and Psycho are up there in the top 10. Love this list.
I haven’t seen a few of these movies. Definitely need to check them out!
I’ve seen all of these except Memento. I’ll have to check to see if it’s on Netflix.
John Carpenter’s Prince of Darkness is still my all time top freaky/suspense movie. It’s more supernatural but it’s amazing.
I haven’t seen some of these movies before! I’ve seen Fargo and The Shining. I’ll have to check out some of these others. 🙂