10 Most Exciting Drama Movies of All Time, Ranked

Action movies and thrillers often wear excitement on their sleeve, but dramas can be thrilling too. Many of the films here are principally dramas, and when they cross into other genres it’s not always with typical thrill-movie trappings; a few are romantic or biographical, and others blend art-house or sports elements.

The goal is to show that being primarily a drama doesn’t preclude intensity, excitement, or even shock. The Social Network already felt like a classic on release, and its take on ambition, greed, power and betrayal helps it feel timeless, perhaps even outliving Facebook itself.

Mishima: A Life in Four Chapters turns biography into expressionistic fiction, blending Yukio Mishima’s work with a revolutionary portrait that sticks in the mind. Slumdog Millionaire eventually becomes feel-good but forces its protagonist through intense ordeals, framing his life through a game show and using editing and shooting that make it feel like a thriller.

drama, social network, slumdog millionaire, mishima, biographical, romantic, arthouse, thriller, game show, editing