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Now that it’s a global streaming giant, it’s easy to forget that Netflix first made waves in 2013 with the political thriller House of Cards, which set a new standard for on-demand television and earned multiple Emmy Awards.
Since then, Netflix has continued to deliver top-notch thrillers across genres, including Squid Game, a pandemic-era phenomenon that captivated audiences with its high-stakes survival drama and social commentary. The platform is also home to modern classics like Breaking Bad, which redefined crime dramas, and new favorites like Yellowjackets, which perfectly blends ’90s nostalgia with survival horror.
Whether you’re in the mood for tense political dramas, gritty crime sagas, or mind-bending psychological stunners, these 26 shows will keep you on the edge of your seat. Here are the best thriller series on Netflix right now, as of October 2025.
Black Doves (2024–present)
Ludovic Robert/NetflixThis pulpy spy thriller series goes down best if you don’t think too hard about the plausibility of its plot. Keira Knightley stars as Helen Webb, the wife of the Secretary of State for Defence who is also a spy covertly working for a mercenary group known as the Black Doves. After her secret lover is murdered, Helen goes down a dangerous path to investigate the culprit and teams up with her hitman friend Sam (Ben Whishaw) to find answers. EW’s critic calls Black Doves “a remarkably fresh, exciting, and laugh-out-loud funny caper,” buoyed by complex performances from Knightley and Whishaw, plus a scene-stealing Sarah Lancashire as Helen’s enigmatic handler. —Kevin Jacobsen
Where to watch Black Doves: Netflix
EW grade: A–
Cast: Keira Knightley, Ben Whishaw, Sarah Lancashire
The Blacklist (2013–2023)
Scott Gries/NBC
The Blacklist is thrilling for James Spader’s performance alone. The series begins with criminal mastermind Raymond “Red” Reddington (Spader) turning himself in to the FBI and offering information about his shady cohorts, but only if he can work with a specific profiler, Elizabeth “Liz” Keen (Megan Boone). With 10 seasons of twists and turns, The Blacklist evolves far beyond the question of why Red is so interested in Liz and remains binge-worthy all the way through (even if the plot is a tad bit ridiculous at times). —Janey Tracey
Where to watch The Blacklist: Netflix
Cast: James Spader, Megan Boone, Diego Klattenhoff
Bloodline (2015–2017)
Netflix
Bloodline centers on the Rayburns, a highly respected family in Florida. When the black sheep brother, Danny (Ben Mendelsohn), returns home, old tensions resurface and set off a chain of events that leads to betrayal, murder, and cover-ups. It’s a slow-burn thriller series that’s never boring thanks to the intense performances, especially Mendelsohn’s Emmy-winning turn and Friday Night Lights‘ Kyle Chandler playing a sheriff caught between his loyalty to his brother and his duty to the law. —J.T.
Where to watch Bloodline: Netflix
EW grade: B+
Cast: Kyle Chandler, Ben Mendelsohn, Linda Cardellini
Bodyguard (2018)
World Productions/Netflix
A sleeper hit that became the U.K.’s most-watched drama on record, Bodyguard stars Richard Madden as a war veteran with PTSD assigned to protect a high-profile politician with controversial views. Madden’s performance won him a Golden Globe, and the nerve-shredding action sequences make it a supremely thrilling watch. EW’s writer praises the portrayal of women in positions of power and the “what-the-heck-is-even-happening moments” that keep you clicking “next episode.” —J.T.
Where to watch Bodyguard: Netflix
Cast: Richard Madden, Keeley Hawes, Gina McKee, Sophie Rundle
Breaking Bad (2008–2013)
Frank Ockenfels/AMC
Widely considered one of the best TV series of all time, Breaking Bad charts the rise and fall of Walter White, a down-on-his-luck chemistry teacher who is diagnosed with terminal cancer and starts manufacturing meth to provide for his pregnant wife and teenage son. Bryan Cranston delivers a career-defining performance, and Walt’s transformation from family man to ruthless drug lord is one of the most gripping arcs in television history.
The series’ success led to a prequel spinoff centered on fan-favorite character Saul Goodman, as well as a movie sequel in which Aaron Paul reprises his role as Walt’s troubled yet empathetic young accomplice, Jesse. —J.T.
Where to watch Breaking Bad: Netflix
Cast: Bryan Cranston, Aaron Paul, Anna Gunn, Dean Norris, Bob Odenkirk
Dare Me (2019–2020)
Rafy/USA NetworkThink Bring It On meets Euphoria; part coming-of-age story, part murder mystery, Dare Me delves into the dark undercurrents of high school cheerleading (with a side of glittery face makeup). The story follows two best friends, Addy (Herizen Guardiola) and Beth (Marlo Kelly), whose close relationship starts to unravel when they become entangled with their new coach (Willa Fitzgerald). Created by Megan Abbott, who also wrote the novel it’s based on, this twisted, addictive show does justice to the “most dangerous” sport and the complicated, messy young women who participate in it. —J.T.
Where to watch Dare Me: Netflix
Cast: Willa Fitzgerald, Herizen Guardiola, Marlo Kelly
Dark (2017–2020)
Julia Terjung/NetflixThis German thriller starts with the disappearance of two children from a small town, but it quickly morphs into a labyrinthine tale of time travel and interconnected families across generations. The series’ non-linear narrative and intricate puzzles demand your full attention — this is not the kind of show you can watch while doing your laundry — but it’s worth it, as the unfolding mystery explores heady concepts like parallel worlds, timeline paradoxes, and the idea that the past, present, and future are all inextricably linked. —J.T.
Where to watch Dark: Netflix
Cast: Louis Hofmann, Oliver Masucci, Karoline Eichhorn
Dept. Q (2025)
NetflixThe sins of the past intersect in both the personal and professional life of Deputy Chief Inspector Carl Morck (Matthew Goode) in this moody psychological crime thriller. Following a shooting incident, Morck returns to the force, where the department chief assigns him the responsibility of solving the city’s many cold cases. The thrills of Dept. Q are more of a slow, building suspense but no less satisfying, with an eye for character development as Morck adjusts to his new reality and grapples with various traumas. —K.J.
Where to watch Dept. Q: Netflix
EW grade: A–
Cast: Matthew Goode, Kelly Macdonald, Chloe Pirrie, Alexej Manvelov, Leah Byrne, Steven Miller, Mark Bonnar, Jamie Sives, Shirley Henderson, Kate Dickie
The Diplomat (2023–present)
Courtesy of NetflixKeri Russell casting and marital strife are always a good mix. On The Diplomat, Russell gives a standout, Emmy-nominated performance as Kate Wyler, a newly appointed U.S. ambassador navigating geopolitical conflicts while struggling to keep her tumultuous marriage intact. While not nearly as serious as The Americans, the show’s blend of international affairs, witty dialogue, and relationship drama is a fresh and engaging take on the political thriller genre. —J.T.
Where to watch The Diplomat: Netflix
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Cast: Keri Russell, Rufus Sewell, David Gyasi
