With their hair-raising narratives and dark, complex characters, it’s easy to see whythrillershave such an enduring popularity with audiences. And while you can absolutely make a good thriller that’s also appropriate for the whole family, some of the best movies in the genre are the ones made specifically for an adult audience. It’s no wonder that most streaming services have a selection of R-rated thrillers, andPrime Videois no exception. From acclaimed hits to more underrated fare, the streaming service’s thriller collection covers a wide range of genres, from political and crime thrillers to satirical and horror-infused comedies. Read on to discover our selection of the best R-rated thrillers you can stream right now on Prime Video.
For more recommendations, be sure to check out our lists of the bestmoviesandshowson Prime Video, as well as thebest thrillers on Prime Video, thebest psychological thriller shows on Prime Video, and thebest R-rated thrillers on Netflix.
Disclaimer: These titles are available on US Prime Video.
‘Abigail’ (2024)
Rotten Tomatoes: 83% | IMDb: 6.6/10
Directed byMatt Bettinelli-OlpinandTyler Gillett,Abigailis a 2024 vampire horror comedy written byStephen ShieldsandGuy Busick.Alisha Weirstars as the title character, the daughter of a powerful crime lord who gets kidnapped by a group of criminals. Unfortunately for the kidnappers, it turns out that Abigail and her father are something far more horrifying than they imagined. Besides Weir, the movie also starsMelissa Barrera,Dan Stevens,Kathryn Newton,Will Catlett,Kevin Durand,Angus Cloud, andGiancarlo Esposito.
Abigailpremiered at the Overlook Film Festival in April 2024 ahead of a theatrical release, earning largely favorable reviews from critics and box office success. Originally planned as an adaptation of the classic 1936 horror filmDracula’s Daughter,Abigailtakes on the familiar tropes of vampire fiction with a stellar cast and a wicked sense of humor. Overall,Abigailis a stylish and entertaining horror film that presents B-movie thrills with an elevated Gothic aesthetic that rivals the classic Universal Monster films that it emulates.
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‘Blink Twice’ (2024)
Rotten Tomatoes: 75% | IMDb: 6.5/10
Blink Twice
Directed, co-written, and produced byZoë Kravitzin her directorial debut,Blink Twiceis a 2024 psychological thriller written by Kravitz andE.T. Feigenbaum. The film follows a group of people invited to a billionaire’s private island, which hides sinister secrets behind its paradisiacal facade. The movie boasts an ensemble cast that includesNaomi Ackie,Channing Tatum,Christian Slater,Adria Arjona,Kyle MacLachlan,Geena Davis,Alia Shawkat, and more.
Blink Twicepremiered in August 2024 to critical acclaim and commercial success, with a worldwide gross of over $46 million. A sterling debut for Kravitz in the director’s chair, the film is a suspenseful and thrilling watch with a highly memorable story and pitch-perfect performances, especially by Ackie and Tatum. While the movie has received some criticism for not exploring its themes more fully,Blink Twiceis still a wildly entertaining film with a rich visual narrative. The movie has also earned a number of accolades, including the San Diego Film Critics Society Award for Best First Feature (Director).
‘Oppenheimer’ (2023)
Rotten Tomatoes: 93% | IMDb: 8.3/10
Oppenheimer
Written, produced, and directed byChristopher Nolan,Oppenheimeris a 2023 biographical drama that follows the life of theoretical physicistJ. Robert Oppenheimer, who helped develop the first nuclear bomb during World War II. Based onKai BirdandMartin J. Sherwin’s 2005 biographyAmerican Prometheus, the film starsCillian Murphystars as Oppenheimer, leading an ensemble cast that also includesRobert Downey Jr.,Emily Blunt,Matt Damon,Florence Pugh,Josh Hartnett,Casey Affleck,Rami Malek, andKenneth Branagh.
Oppenheimerhad its world premiere at Le Grand Rex in Paris ahead of its theatrical release, which coincided with the release ofGreta Gerwig’sBarbieand led to what has been dubbed the “Barbenheimer” phenomenon, with audiences turning the two movies into an unlikely double feature. A near-perfect film in every way,Oppenheimeris a masterclass in cinematography and direction, further enhanced by its performances and extensive use of practical effects. Easily one of the most acclaimed films of recent years, the movie earned seven Academy Awards out of 13 nominations, including the awards for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor (Cillian Murphy), and Best Supporting Actor (Robert Downey Jr.).
‘Saltburn’ (2023)
Rotten Tomatoes: 71% | IMDb: 7.0/10
Written, directed, and co-produced byEmerald Fennell,Saltburnis a 2023 black comedy thriller set in Oxford and Northamptonshire. The film starsBarry Keoghanas Oliver Quick, a scholarship student at Oxford who befriends the aristocratic Felix Catton (Jacob Elordi), who invites Oliver to spend the summer at his family estate. Besides Keoghan and Elordi, the film also starsRosamund Pike,Richard E. Grant,Alison Oliver,Archie Madekwe, andCarey Mulligan.
Saltburnhad its world premiere at the 2023 Telluride Film Festival, receiving largely favorable reviews from critics. The film also had a successful run at the box office and became one of Prime Video’s most-streamed movies after its release on the platform. A movie with gorgeous cinematography and excellent performances,Saltburnmight not be for everyone, but its visual style and narrative make it an enjoyable experience even when the plot gets a bit uneven. The movie went on to receive several accolades, including two Golden Globe nominations and five BAFTA nominations.
‘Synchronic’ (2019)
Rotten Tomatoes: 78% | IMDb: 6.2/10
Synchronic
Directed and produced byJustin BensonandAaron Moorhead,Synchronicis a sci-fi horror thriller that’s set in the same continuity as the duo’s previous filmsResolutionandThe Endless. StarringAnthony MackieandJamie Dornan, the film follows a pair of paramedics who come across a series of inexplicable deaths, all connected to a new designer drug. When one of them is accidentally infected with the substance, it sets off a strange, mind-bending journey that tests their bond and threatens their very lives.
Synchronicpremiered at the 2019 Toronto International Film Festival and was released in theaters in October 2020. The movie received largely favorable reviews from critics and fans, with praise for its visual style, screenplay, and powerful performances, especially by Anthony Mackie. A deeply intriguing film that features both complex concepts and a compelling emotional narrative,Synchronicisn’t without its flaws, but it does deliver a fascinating experience nonetheless.
‘The Ides of March’ (2011)
Rotten Tomatoes: 84% | IMDb: 7.1/10
The Ides of March
A political drama thriller,The Ides of Marchwas directed byGeorge Clooney, who also co-wrote the screenplay withGrant HeslovandBeau Willimonand has a starring role in the film. Adapted from Beau Willimon’s playFarragut North, the film follows a junior campaign manager (Ryan Gosling) working for a presidential candidate (Clooney) who stumbles upon a major political scandal. Besides Clooney and Gosling, the movie’s ensemble cast also includesPhilip Seymour Hoffman,Paul Giamatti,Marisa Tomei,Jeffrey Wright, andEvan Rachel Wood.
The Ides of Marchpremiered as the opening film at the 2011 Venice International Film Festival, receiving widespread critical acclaim. The movie also went on to gross over $76 million worldwide and was named one of the top 10 films of the year by the National Board of Review. A brilliantly directed and flawlessly acted drama,The Ides of Marchis a gripping look at the power struggles and moral compromises that hide behind a political campaign. The movie earned Gosling a Golden Globe Award nomination for his performance, and the film was also nominated for the Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay.
‘Sicario’ (2015)
Rotten Tomatoes: 92% | IMDb: 7.7/10
A neo-Western action thriller,Sicariowas directed byDenis Villeneuveand written byTaylor Sheridan. The first of a planned trilogy, the film stars Emily Blunt as an FBI special agent who teams up with a CIA Officer (Josh Brolin) and an assassin (Benicio del Toro) to bring down a brutal Mexican cartel boss. But as she is confronted by the realities of cartel violence and the secret machinations of government agencies, she comes to question the point of it all. Besides its leading trio, the movie also featuresDaniel Kaluuya,Victor Garber,Jon Bernthal, and more in key supporting roles.
Sicariopremiered at the 2015 Cannes Film Festival, where it competed for the Palme d’Or and earned near-universal acclaim. The film has received praise from critics for its performances, writing, direction, and action. An intense thriller that explores the conflict between ideals and reality, the film is further enhanced byJóhann Jóhannsson’s musical score and the stellar cinematography byRoger Deakins.Sicarioearned several accolades, including three Academy Award nominations, and a sequel,Sicario: Day of the Soldado, was released in 2018. A third movie in the series,Sicario: Capos, is currently in development.
‘Coherence’ (2013)
Rotten Tomatoes: 89% | IMDb: 7.2/10
Written and directed byJames Ward Byrkitin his directorial debut,Coherenceis a 2013 sci-fi psychological thriller. The film follows a group of friends at a dinner party who experience a series of increasingly strange events after a comet passes by the Earth. The movie starsEmily Foxler,Hugo Armstrong,Nicholas Brendon,Elizabeth Gracen,Lauren Maher,Alex Manugian,Lorene Scafaria, andMaury Sterling.
Coherencehad its world premiere at the 2013 Fantastic Fest, receiving critical acclaim. The movie also earned a number of accolades from various film festivals. An ambitious yet low-budget thriller set within a contained, minimalistic setting,Coherencepresents a mind-blowingTheTwilight Zone-esque story that’s grounded by its brilliant performances. The film is easily one of the most underrated sci-fi thrillers of the 2010s, a movie that does so very much with so very little by utilizing its resources to maximum effect. An Indian adaptation, titledBlack, was released in 2024.
