10 Most Exciting Thrillers of the 21st Century, Ranked

This collection focuses on thrillers made after the year 2000, a look at movies that aim primarily to thrill even when they borrow elements from action, horror, or crime. The 21st century’s most exciting thrillers might not have come out yet, but for now, these are about as good as things get.

Grindhouse is an intentional double feature—Planet Terror and Death Proof—that works best as the original pairing, a homage to grindhouse cinema and exploitation movies that almost elevates the schlocky subgenre. Planet Terror delivers over-the-top violence while Death Proof offers jaw-dropping sequences and a climactic car chase that stands out.

How to Blow Up a Pipeline is a no-nonsense film about environmental activists enacting an extreme plan, offering a compelling spin on the heist template. Wild Tales is an anthology of darkly funny, uncomfortable stories in which bad situations spiral out of control, delivering tense, rapid payoffs across its segments.

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