When it comes to mystery and thriller movies, 2023 was a blockbuster year. Several films had publicity that made them impossible to ignore, and others were adaptations of beloved books that had fans ravenous for their release. And then there are the surprise movies that came seemingly out of nowhere—and blew everyone away.
Worried you missed a top-notch thrill? Want to relive the best cases? We've poured back through the year for you—and found the best mystery and thriller movies of 2023!
How to Blow Up a Pipeline
Based on the book, this eco-thriller follows a group of eight individuals who decide to blow up a pipeline. With antiheroes you can’t help but root for and a sense of urgency that practically drives you into action, the movie is original and captivating.
Oppenheimer
Christopher Nolan’s latest biographical thriller is possibly one of the most talked about movies of the year. At least, the Barbenheimer phenomenon that swept social media made it impossible to miss. With a stunning all-star cast and Nolan’s signature style, there isn’t a moment that lacks tension.
Knock at the Cabin
Fans of Paul Tremblay’s book The Cabin at the End of the World were ecstatic when M. Night Shyamalan announced he was going to direct the adaptation. Though there were some changes to the plot, this apocalyptic psychological horror film builds dread in a way that disturbs and lingers.
Missing
Released as a standalone sequel to Searching (2018), Missing delves into the dark side of technology. In this film, a young girl tries to trace her mother’s last steps before she went missing on vacation. With memorable performances and a fast-paced plot, the movie will keep viewers on the edge of their seats until the shocking end.
A Haunting in Venice
Everyone’s favorite detective from the beloved Agatha Christie is back in the third Hercule Poirot film starring Kenneth Branagh. With a blockbuster cast and a focus not on murder as much as overcoming trauma, A Haunting in Venice is a masterful mystery well worth watching.
Eileen
Another adaptation, Eileen stays true to Ottessa Moshfegh’s twisted story of obsession. Anne Hathaway and Thomasin McKenzie give stellar performances, equally matched and playing off each other. It’s wicked but delightful, and holds onto a disturbing humor that simply frolics with depravity—in all the best ways.
Leave the World Behind
An apocalyptic thriller that focuses on the quieter moments of the way the world might end, the movie avoids over-the-top action in favor of realism. The result is a slow dread that builds until the tension makes you want to scream.
Invitation to a Murder
A quirky film about a woman who finds herself in the middle of a real-life whodunnit. Complete with a cheeky nod to Agatha Christie woven both in the story and the atmosphere, Invitation to a Murder is a fun murder mystery that will keep armchair detectives guessing until the end.
Mr. Monk’s Last Case
A movie sequel to the popular USA television series, Monk, the story follows Adrian Monk after losing a book deal and feeling a bit lost. Of course, where Monk goes, murder follows. With many cast members returning, this movie captures the sweet and humorous spirit of the show while moving forward to fit within more modern times.
The Marsh King’s Daughter
A tense psychological thriller based on the book of the same name, the movie follows Daisy Ridley as a young woman who spent her childhood unknowingly in captivity. Now, the man who raised her is on the run, and she might be the only one who can find him.
Door Mouse
A gritty neo-noir thriller, Door Mouse follows a young comic book creator who works in a burlesque store as she enlists her coworker to help her investigate a slew of missing women. With the perfect blend of atmosphere and vibe, this raw film captures the existential misfits of the story so perfectly, it almost hurts.
