Crimson Tide
1995 · TMDB 7.2/10 · 2,027 votes
After the Cold War, a breakaway Russian republic with nuclear warheads becomes a possible worldwide threat. This title fits the list's theme and selection thresholds.
Curated by SceneIt · United States
Tense Movies
This SceneIt list helps you quickly choose thrillers with sustained tension and strong audience response. Results are selected for the United States and balance audience response with practical watchability.
Updated 2026-08-03 · Ratings from TMDB
How we chose these titles
We rank eligible titles using TMDB audience ratings, vote confidence, relevance to the theme, and current popularity. Ratings can change as new votes are added.
The Hurt Locker
2008 · TMDB 7.3/10 · 6,264 votes
During the Iraq War, a Sergeant recently assigned to an army bomb squad is put at odds with his squad mates due to his maverick way of handling his work. This title fits the list's theme and selection thresholds.
Dirty Harry
1971 · TMDB 7.5/10 · 2,789 votes
When a madman dubbed 'Scorpio' terrorizes San Francisco, hard-nosed cop, Harry Callahan – famous for his take-no-prisoners approach to law enforcement – is tasked with hunting down the psychopath. This title fits the list's theme and selection thresholds.
When Evil Lurks
2023 · TMDB 7.2/10 · 1,507 votes
When brothers Pedro and Jimi discover that a demonic infection has been festering in a nearby farmhouse, they attempt to evict the victim from their land. This title fits the list's theme and selection thresholds.
Last Night in Soho
2021 · TMDB 7.3/10 · 3,940 votes
A young girl, passionate about fashion design, is mysteriously able to enter the 1960s where she encounters her idol, a dazzling wannabe singer. This title fits the list's theme and selection thresholds.
I Saw the Devil
2010 · TMDB 7.8/10 · 3,090 votes
Kyung-chul is a dangerous psychopath who kills for pleasure. This title fits the list's theme and selection thresholds.
Forgotten
2017 · TMDB 7.9/10 · 1,360 votes
Jin-seok, 21-year-old, moves into a new house with his family. This title fits the list's theme and selection thresholds.
The Pope's Exorcist
2023 · TMDB 6.9/10 · 3,226 votes
Father Gabriele Amorth, Chief Exorcist of the Vatican, investigates a young boy's terrifying possession and ends up uncovering a centuries-old conspiracy the Vatican has desperately tried to keep hidden. This title fits the list's theme and selection thresholds.
The Birds
1963 · TMDB 7.5/10 · 4,519 votes
Thousands of birds flock into a seaside town and terrorize the residents in a series of deadly attacks. This title fits the list's theme and selection thresholds.
Contagion
2011 · TMDB 6.7/10 · 6,621 votes
As an epidemic of a lethal airborne virus - that kills within days - rapidly grows, the worldwide medical community races to find a cure and control the panic that spreads faster than the virus itself. This title fits the list's theme and selection thresholds.
Operation Red Sea
2018 · TMDB 7.4/10 · 439 votes
A squad of the Jiaolong Commando Unit - Sea Dragon, a spec ops team of the Chinese Navy, carries out a hostage rescue operation in the nation of Yewaire, on the Arabian Peninsula, and fiercely fights against local rebel groups and Zaka, a terrorist organization. This title fits the list's theme and selection thresholds.
Shot Caller
2017 · TMDB 7.0/10 · 2,263 votes
A newly-released prison gangster is forced by the leaders of his gang to orchestrate a major crime with a brutal rival gang on the streets of Southern California. This title fits the list's theme and selection thresholds.
Rosemary's Baby
1968 · TMDB 7.8/10 · 4,431 votes
A young couple, Rosemary and Guy, moves into an infamous New York apartment building, known by frightening legends and mysterious events, with the purpose of starting a family. This title fits the list's theme and selection thresholds.
Exhuma
2024 · TMDB 7.6/10 · 763 votes
After tracing the origin of a disturbing supernatural affliction to a wealthy family's ancestral gravesite, a team of paranormal experts relocates the remains—and soon discovers what happens to those who dare to mess with the wrong grave. This title fits the list's theme and selection thresholds.
Clue
1985 · TMDB 7.2/10 · 2,002 votes
Clue finds six colorful dinner guests gathered at the mansion of their host, Mr. This title fits the list's theme and selection thresholds.
The Kingdom
2007 · TMDB 6.7/10 · 1,857 votes
A team of U.S. This title fits the list's theme and selection thresholds.
Joy Ride
2001 · TMDB 6.5/10 · 1,388 votes
Three young people on a road trip from Colorado to New Jersey talk to a trucker on their CB radio, then must escape when he turns out to be a psychotic killer. This title fits the list's theme and selection thresholds.
The Lost Boys
1987 · TMDB 7.1/10 · 2,342 votes
When an unsuspecting town newcomer is drawn to local blood fiends, the Frog brothers and other unlikely heroes gear up to rescue him. This title fits the list's theme and selection thresholds.
Ong-Bak
2003 · TMDB 7.2/10 · 1,928 votes
When the head of a statue sacred to a village is stolen, a young martial artist goes to the big city and finds himself taking on the underworld to retrieve it. This title fits the list's theme and selection thresholds.
Don't Breathe
2016 · TMDB 7.0/10 · 8,062 votes
A group of teens break into a blind man's home thinking they'll get away with the perfect crime. This title fits the list's theme and selection thresholds.