Top 10 Psychological Thriller Movies of All time

The Top Ten
1 The Silence of the Lambs

This was the first horror movie I ever saw, and it is still my favorite. The point of it is to get under your skin (literally), and I've seen it at least three times. It still manages to freak me out. I love it.

This is very clever. Thomas Harris very cleverly wrote this story about Clarice Starling and her fight to face her demons, with the help of Dr. Hannibal Lecter. "Have the lambs stopped screaming, Clarice?" Really chilling and intelligent.

The book offers more than the film, though. Go read!

Nothing beats it. Especially the heart-racing aura generated by Hopkins. Not to mention Foster's exquisite performance as a trainee FBI agent getting psychoanalyzed by a ruthless serial killer.

2 Shutter Island

The first time viewing this movie is a true cinematic pleasure. This is a true psychological film that really messes with your mind and makes you question what's reality and what's not. I've seen this film so many times and I always enjoy how brilliantly created it is. One of my favorite films of all time for sure.

Scorsese classic. It's up there with Goodfellas, Casino, and The Departed. Constant suspense and makes you want to watch it again the moment it's over.

The only movie that really played on my mind. What to believe and what not to believe. Brilliant film.

3 The Sixth Sense

Bruce Willis is so great in this movie. It's without a doubt the best movie ending. Haley Joel Osment should have won an Oscar for this movie. He got nominated. They really made this movie what it is right now.

When I understood the plot twist, I said "what" so loud that my neighbor came with objections.

4 Seven

What happened to the greatest thriller of all time? Why not higher up?

5 Psycho

Psycho is a classic and should be remembered throughout Hollywood history!

6 Memento

One of the perfect examples of epic direction by Nolan. If this movie was told in chronological order, there was absolutely nothing. But the way it is now makes it the best movie on this list.

Loved how Christopher Nolan rearranged all the scenes. Fantastic filmmaking. Two thumbs up!

It is a very entertaining movie, a bit psychological, but hey, we are not beginners in movies.

7 Orphan
8 Cape Fear

Robert De Niro's finest hour. Max Cady is so terrifying.

9 Misery

I've had a strange, nagging feeling for a long time. Although, without question, this is the best psychological thriller of all time, something wasn't quite right in the film. There was an error, a discrepancy that has played on my mind. Well, I figured it out.

Near the beginning, while Annie is giving Paul a shave, she says, and I quote, "The Misery novels - I know them all by heart. All eight of them. I love them so." That set my mind racing to a scene further on. Remember when Paul uses Annie's hairpin to unlock the door of his bedroom while Annie has gone to the store to buy some "non-smudge" writing paper for him? He wheels his chair around her sitting room, and just after knocking a ceramic penguin from the table, he spots a signed, framed photo of himself, surrounded by over sixteen Misery novels - a definite nine of which are to the right of the picture. There are more to the left, but it's difficult to see exactly how many there are.

You would think that his "Number One Fan" would remember how many novels in a series she has by her favorite author. As the number one fan of MY favorite author, I make sure I know how many books in his detective series he's written. I know them all by heart. All thirteen of them (thus far). I love them so.

10 Saw

The ending of the very first Saw shook my bones and made my blood run cold. Amazingly clever concept by the writer. This film makes you think about your life and how you live it. It makes you appreciate the small things in life.

Having said this, sadly the sequels fell flat and became repetitive and predictable.

The Contenders
11 The Shining
12 Candyman
13 The Bone Collector
14 Black Swan

Love the concept of infusing the tale of Swan Lake with a girl's sexuality and descent into madness in search of perfection. The symbolism was great.

15 Unlawful Entry
16 The Cell
17 Phone Booth

Highly underrated thriller! Colin Farrell at his best!

One of the best psychological thrillers. This is Joel Schumacher's best work! It's a must-watch.

18 The Dark Knight

The movie was so suspenseful. I was on the edge of my seat the entire time. Great direction and acting.

19 Insomnia
20 Rear Window
21 Saw V
22 Get Out
23 Joker
24 Dial M for Murder
25 The Ghost Writer
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