Films that evoke strong emotions are not for everyone and work best in the right mood. Some avoid sad films or horror because fear or sorrow isn’t what they want. The same goes for super intense films — probably the last thing you need after a stressful week.
It’s like Wanted Win, a popular casino online with a huge slot library, many bonuses for both new and regular players, and fast payouts. Just as players are drawn to offers like the Wanted Win casino no deposit bonus, movie fans seek that perfect balance of tension and excitement.
If you’re into movies with suspense that keep you on edge, these films will deliver. From dramas and thrillers to war stories and a bit of horror, each proves that any genre can create tension. This collection of top suspenseful movies is ranked by intensity, from the most nerve-wracking to the most disturbing.
Boiling Point (2021)
A year before the debut of the first season of The Bear, Boiling Point was released, which makes many episodes of that infamous stressful show look like a peaceful stroll through a decidedly bear-free (national) park.
Like that show, Boiling Point is entirely devoted to the stress of working in a kitchen, and it’s a film that does a frighteningly good job of immersing you in the heat, chaos, and emotional turmoil that comes with it. The strongest aspect of Boiling Point is that it unfolds in real time and consists of either one continuous take or a series of very smoothly shot long takes strung together to look like one take.
As a result, it’s a film that rarely slows down or offers any relief, in which almost everything that can go wrong in one intense night does go wrong. It’s gripping enough that you can forget you’re not actually watching real footage, and it easily deserves a mention alongside other famous thriller movies that keep audiences on edge from start to finish.
Saving Private Ryan (1998)
Saving Private Ryan is a film about World War II that hardly needs any introduction at this point. It is one of Steven Spielberg’s best films ever made and contains some of the most heart-wrenching war scenes ever captured on film; namely, the famous opening scene depicting the Normandy landings and the equally intense climactic battle at Ramelle (a fictional town/battle, but that doesn’t detract from how authentic it feels).
Perhaps unlike some of the other intense films that will be mentioned shortly, Saving Private Ryan doesn’t always bite your nails and isn’t afraid to slow down the pace at certain moments between the opening scene and the final battle. But there is always, at least, a slight sense of danger throughout the film, and the full-bodied nature of the sets contributes greatly to the film feeling tense as a whole. For those searching for thriller movies to watch that balance emotional storytelling with raw tension, this film remains a must-see classic.
Christiane F. (1981)
Most films that tackle a serious subject like drug addiction have to be at least a little dark, but few dive into the grim (and dirty) territory as deeply as Christiane F.
This film is inspired by a true story, which makes it even more nightmarish, revolving around a young girl living in Berlin in the 1970s whose life spirals out of control due to her use of increasingly stronger drugs.
Some films that can be broadly defined as ‘anti-drug’ in nature come across as preachy or even a little manipulative, but Christiane F. makes sure to stay authentic throughout, perhaps to the point where it’s too much for some. This speaks to the fact that a film that is over 40 years old still feels just as impactful.
Gravity (2013)
Gravity is one of the most spectacular films about ‘space, which is actually very scary’ ever made, and the events unfold almost immediately.
The film begins with a sequence that looks like one continuous take, quickly establishing a small number of characters who then find themselves in a dire situation due to debris destroying their space shuttle. One dies, and the two surviving astronauts are separated.
From that point on, Gravity is about survival against all odds and an attempt to return to Earth in one piece, while debris continues to spin in orbit and occasionally destroy almost everything in its path. There are very few moments in Gravity that allow you to catch your breath, meaning that the stress level is almost always high, even when you watch it again and you already know the outcome.
Angst (1983)
Most cult classics are funny, and some are vulgar, but Angst doesn’t really fall into either category, although in some ways it is a bit like a cult horror film.
It’s also a crime/thriller about a serial killer, although the approach it takes to tracking this character makes it an uncompromising horror film, being dark and very straightforward in its depiction of a series of gruesome murders.
The story is simple, but the direction of Angst is complex and bold, with a simple premise, shocking violence, and nauseating cinematography, all of which make the film unbearably tense and nerve-wracking. Even those who don’t consider themselves particularly squeamish may struggle with the overall atmosphere and exhausting nature of a film like Angst; it is perhaps too effective in terms of the emotions it seeks to evoke.
Inglourious Basterds (2009)
Quentin Tarantino has only made one war film to date, Inglourious Basterds, but it is undoubtedly a film for the ages.
The film is set during World War II and takes some bold liberties with real life, but it doesn’t shy away from depicting the paranoia and tension that arise from living in a place torn apart by war (in this case, Nazi-occupied France).
Almost every major sequence in Inglourious Basterds contains suspense in some form, including the famous opening scene, the extended tavern sequence, and the explosive climax. This is an extremely well-developed film that is quietly tense when it’s not violent, and seems happy to unleash all hell when necessary. Tarantino feels like he’s in complete control at all times, making Inglourious Basterds equally thrilling and nerve-wracking.
The Wages of Fear (1953)
A film full of death, suffering and almost constant tension, The Wages of Fear has one of the most apt titles in cinema history. It tells the story of several men desperate for money who agree to transport explosives across very rough terrain, knowing full well that the chances of surviving such an undertaking are slim (any bump or collision could cause their vehicles to catch fire).
It’s about as simple a premise as you can get for a thriller of this kind, but it’s executed so well. It received a very good remake in 2024, but the original has a timeless anxiety that is difficult to surpass or even compare to in terms of tension. For many cinema fans, it easily earns its place among the best thriller movies of all time, thanks to its gripping pace and relentless suspense from start to finish.
Whiplash (2014)
Whiplash may not seem that relentless on paper, but it doesn’t take long into the film before you realise that this is truly one of the most relentless films ever made. It’s pretty much solely focused on two people who have as toxic a dynamic as is humanly possible. The younger of the two is a struggling drummer, while the older is a tyrannical instructor who tries to achieve perfection from his students, to varying degrees of abuse.
Taking something simple in its narrative and turning it into an instant classic, Whiplash moves to places dramatically and psychologically that feel both surprising and inevitable (the latter in a somewhat tragic way). Still, it’s hard to look away, even when the film becomes borderline overwhelming. If you didn’t break a sweat watching the last 10 minutes, you probably have the kind of nerves Chuck Norris could only dream of.
Uncut Gems (2019)
The Safdie brothers are well known for making several feature films, and Uncut Gems is arguably their best. It’s about a man who is constantly chasing the high that comes with gambling, risking everything for a series of wild schemes. In turn, his actions ensure that he never stops making enemies, and the film essentially just watches as everything around him falls apart.
It’s a dark couple of hours, but Uncut Gems is also strangely funny at times, and it gave Adam Sandler probably his best role to date. Some may feel nauseated by the whole experience of watching the film, so loud, chaotic, profane, and merciless, but the sheer immensity of it all — coupled with the intensity, of course — largely makes it the holy grail of intense films.