20 Disturbing Psychological Thriller Movies With Plenty of Jump Scares
A scary mix of new and old titles, plus a few based on true stories.
Many scary movie fans head to the cinema for that popcorn-spilling jump scare in your favorite horror movie, but psychological thriller movies are a totally different animal. Their sneaking, long-game scares get inside your head and stick there, for the kind of scare that stays with you long after the credits roll. For those who like to mull over movies (and aren't too susceptible to nightmares) a slow-burn kind of fright is far more satisfying. >
"There is a distinct difference between 'suspense' and 'surprise,' and yet many pictures continually confuse the two," said Alfred Hitchcock, one of the most well-respected psychological thriller filmmakers of all time. What makes his films so iconic is his ability to keep viewers perched (sometimes literally) on the edge of their seats. But while he's the O.G. of the genre, other directors have also mastered the art of suspense — Jordan Peele, Martin Scorsese and David Fincher, just to name a few, have made names for themselves with landmark films full of twisty plot lines and characters who aren't quite who they seem.
Whether you're an avid psychological thriller fan looking to scare yourself silly or looking for a mind-bending flick to watch during spooky season, we've rounded up the best psychological thriller movies out there. And even if it takes a lot to scare you, you might want to sleep with the lights on, just in case.
Parasite (2019)
You'll never look at your basement the same way again after watching this skin-crawling film that became the first-ever foreign language film to win Best Picture at the Academy Awards. It's a brilliant commentary on classism that's by turns gross, creepy and even darkly funny.
Taxi Driver (1976)
In the hands of director Martin Scorsese and featuring Robert De Niro as a Vietnam veteran whose rage and paranoia take a violent turn, this one is widely considered one of the best films of all time.
The Babadook (2014)
Pro-tip: Do not let your kids watch this one or they'll never sleep again. A single mom must protect her son from an evil presence that appears in their home right after a creepy AF children's book does the same. It made a huge splash when it came out in 2014 and is still a must-see.
Blue Velvet (1986)
Anything that involves a severed human ear, a nightclub singer's kidnapped child and a sinister conspiracy has our attention. This is a David Lynch classic for the ages so if you haven't seen it, add it to your queue right now.
Zodiac (2007)
This chilling police procedural about the real-life Zodiac killer stands the test of time, and showcases director David Fincher's talent for seriously creepy scenes.
The Woman in the Window (2021)
One night, while looking out the window of her New York City home, psychologist Anna Fox (Amy Adams) witnesses her neighbor getting murdered across the street — or did she? Unable to leave her house due to agoraphobia and suffering from alcohol addiction and hallucinations, Anna struggles to make sense of what she thinks she saw.
The Silence of the Lambs (1991)
This film adaption of Thomas Harris’s classic novel follows a young FBI cadet named Clarice (Jodie Foster) who needs help locating a serial killer. She ends up seeking the expertise of former psychiatrist and incarcerated cannibal murderer Dr. Hannibal Lecter (Anthony Hopkins) and the results are deeply unsettling.
The Girl on the Train (2016)
Every day on her commute, Rachel Watson (Emily Blunt) catches glimpses of a picture-perfect couple as the train passes them by. When the woman disappears, Rachel finds herself in the center of a missing persons investigation that gets less straightforward with every gasp-inducing revelation.
Get Out (2017)
If you're a city mouse who gets freaked out by the too-quiet woods, you'll love this one. Chris (Daniel Kaluuya) and Rose (Allison Williams) go on a weekend trip to meet her family on their country estate. While they're ostensible there for Chris is to get better acquainted with her parents, he keeps finding himself in increasingly creepy situations.
The Sixth Sense (1999)
When an 8-year-old boy says, "I see dead people," you know you're in for a spine-tingling ride. In this film, a child psychologist (Bruce Willis) is trying to help a little boy named Cole who claims he can talk to the dead. If you don't already know about the twist at the end, we'll just say this: You'll never see it coming.
Black Swan (2010)
Disciplined Nina (Natalie Portman) would do anything to advance her dancing career. To win the lead role in a production of Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake, she goes head-to-head with the wild child Lily (Mila Kunis). While battling for the part, Nina begins to loses her grip on reality as their competition pirouettes toward the sinister.
American Psycho (2000)
Set in 1980s New York City, this film centers around Patrick (Christian Bale), an investment banking executive who hides his nocturnal alter ego as a serial killer. Over time, his coworkers and friends start getting suspicious, but do they ever suss out the truth? You'll have to watch to find out.
Gone Girl (2014)
A former writer named Nick (Ben Affleck) and his wife, Amy (Rosamund Pike), may look like the perfect couple. But when Amy goes missing on their fifth wedding anniversary, Nick becomes the main suspect. A series of twists and turns reveals the shocking truth of what happened — and it'll definitely catch you by surprise.
Us (2019)
When a group of attackers show up at her family's beachfront house, Adelaide's (Lupita Nyong'o) worst fears come true. Things get even scarier when Adelaide and her family realize that each attacker resembles one of them. If the premise alone doesn't freak you out, the story that unfolds definitely will.
Misery (1990)
After a novelist named Paul (James Caan) crashes his car, a former nurse Annie (Kathy Bates) comes to his aid. But when she finds out that Paul is killing off her favorite character in his books, she does not take it in stride, to put it mildly. Get ready for gut-wrenching twists and some horrifying scenes featuring a sledgehammer.
The Shining (1980)
Jack Torrance (Jack Nicholson) takes a job as a winter caretaker for an isolated historic resort and brings his family with him as a chance for them all to bond. But the idyllic scenery hides a dark history that starts to worm its way into Jack's mind — and that's just the beginning. Creepy twin girls, ghostly visions and one of the most heart-pounding chase scenes in all of movie history follow.
Vertigo (1958)
This must-watch Alfred Hitchcock film follows a former San Francisco police detective (James Stewart), who is brought onto a case to prevent his friend’s wife from dying by suicide. It's one of the most suspenseful movies of all time, so just remember to breathe.
Joker (2019)
Arthur (Joaquin Phoenix) is a comedian yearning for some lightness in an increasingly gritty Gotham City. But his tragic history of abuse and mistreatment has taken its toll. Over time, Arthur, who suffers from mental illness, evolves into a sinister figure: the Joker.
Ma (2019)
A loner named Sue Ann (Octavia Spencer) befriends a group of teenagers and agrees to let them party in her basement, far from parental interference. But she's not the cool older woman they think, as things start happening that make the teens question her hospitality and a darker side to their friendship emerges.
Shutter Island (2010)
The handsome Edward Daniels (Leonardo DiCaprio) begins investigating the disappearance of a woman who escaped from a hospital for the mentally ill. But along the way, he slowly realizes his own mind might be slipping too. Before long, getting off the island safely becomes a battle in itself, in this movie that will get inside your head.
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