The thriller genre holds an interesting place in cinema, but especially in the case of award nominations. On the one hand, thrillers can be ᴀssociated with B-movies, which draw audiences in with high-octane drama.

Something like The Amateur could partially fit into this category. Despite heavy marketing for its IMAX screenings, the movie was widely considered to be thinly plotted. That said, it is now doing well on digital, showing the audience’s interest in the thriller genre regardless of the quality.

Thriller can also be considered among many subgenres. Unlike The Amateur, Sinners received extremely positive reviews and is in early talks for potential awards. That particular film is pretty genre-bending, but the thrilling aspects are among its best.

The back end of this year is interesting as it will see multiple major directors release content in the thriller genre. Here is a breakdown of what thrillers are well worth seeing later this year, and how exciting they are.

10

Eden

Directed By Ron Howard

Eden is the first of three remaining thrillers this year that feature Sydney Sweeney. This movie tilts towards the psychological end of the thriller spectrum as it chronicles the story of a group of people traveling to the Galápagos, who discover the threats to both the wildlife and each other.

Of the thrillers remaining this year, Eden could go either way. Ron Howard has been hit or miss when it comes to based-on-a-true-story dramas, so whether it sinks or swims is still to be revealed.

9

Nuremberg

Directed By James Vanderbilt

Nuremberg is a thriller that few people may have heard about, but should be excited about going into this fall. The film is both a period piece and a thriller, tackling the story of a WW2 psychiatrist who evaluates Nazi leaders before the Nuremberg trials, working hard to understand evil.

The film has a superstar cast full of many former Oscar nominees and winners, including Rami Malek, Russell Crowe, Michael Shannon, and Richard E. Grant. Its all-star cast and gripping story make the movie more likely to get Oscar attention, so it is not one to miss come this fall.

8

Caught Stealing

Directed By Darren Aronofsky

Caught Stealing is a rare genre departure for director Darren Aronofsky. While it is both a crime and a thriller movie, the Caught Stealing trailer makes it clear that this movie will also have elements of humor. Aronofsky usually sticks to more dramatic work, which will make this an interesting genre-blended breaking of the status quo.

From a thriller perspective, the movie looks like a fast-paced romp that will leave audiences guessing what is coming next. It will help that the cast also includes the great Austin Butler and Matt Smith, both of whom are stepping outside their more typical roles.

7

Americana

Directed By Tony Tost

Americana is another Sweeney thriller coming out next month. The movie originally premiered at SXSW in 2023, before finally securing an August 2025 release date.

The plot focuses on a group of outsiders who fight for control over a rare Lakota Ghost shirt after it falls on the Black Market. The Americana trailer has already warranted comparisons to Quentin Tarantino, building up the excitement towards the film.

6

The Housemaid

Directed By Paul Feig

Sweeney’s most exciting thriller this year is The Housemaid. While audiences will have to wait until Christmas for this film, it has an intriguing plot, following the story of a financially struggling woman who tries to start a new life by working as a housemaid for an elite, wealthy couple. It is based on the popular novel by Freida McFadden.

Sweeney plays a housemaid, while the wealthy couple is played by Amanda Seyfried and Brandon Sklenar. As in the case of Caught Stealing, it will see a director step outside their usual comfort zone, with the typically comedic Paul Feig coming in to direct a thriller.

5

After The Hunt

Directed By Luca Guadagnino

Luca Guadagnino was ignored by the Oscars last year despite having two acclaimed releases, but this might change. After the Hunt takes on themes that are highly relevant in the post-#MeToo era. It tells the story of an accomplished college professor whose worldview is rocked when one of her prized students accuses her colleague of ᴀssault.

The After the Hunt trailer was recently released, revealing how this twisty drama could easily take on a thrilling tone. The film will feature exciting performances from Julia Roberts, Ayo Edebiri, and Andrew Garfield, making it one of the movies to watch out for this year.

4

It Was Just An Accident

Directed By Jafar Panahi

It Was Just An Accident was the winner of the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival this year. Winning this award has typically been a strong predictor of movies getting Oscar attention over the past couple of years. Despite being international, it managed to score an October 15 release date in the United States.

The film comes from director Jafar Panahi, who is known for his politically bold work. As such, this movie will be expected to show complex human relationships while also crafting a thrilling story. For those wanting to keep up with potential Oscars films, this is especially one to check out.

3

Die My Love

Directed By Lynne Ramsay

Die My Love is another movie out of the Cannes Film Festival this year. The movie chronicles the story of a mother who struggles to maintain her sanity while living in a remote rural area. The film has gotten positive early reviews, with particular praise directed towards the lead performances of Jennifer Lawrence and Robert Pattinson.

Lynne Ramsay is one of the most exciting directors working today, and she is getting the opportunity to work with a great team on Die My Love. The film is slated to be deeply psychological, having elements of both a thriller and a dark comedy. It will be interesting to see Ramsay play around with these genres in one of the year’s most anticipated movies overall.

2

Highest 2 Lowest

Directed By Spike Lee

Another major director returning this year is Spike Lee. Highest 2 Lowest is a crime thriller about a music mogul who is caught in a ransom plot. It is a remake of the Akira Kurosawa film High and Low and is releasing in theaters on August 15 before hitting Apple TV+ in September.

The film will see Lee reunite with lead actor Denzel Washington for the first time in 19 years. The director has already hinted that Highest 2 Lowest is likely to be the pair’s last movie together. This makes Highest 2 Lowest extra exciting, solidifying it as one of the most exciting thrillers still to come this year.

1

One Battle After Another

Directed by Paul Thomas Anderson

One Battle After Another is one of the most epic thrillers slated for release this year. With a runtime of nearly three hours, the film will chronicle the complex and intertwining story of a group of revolutionaries who reunite to save one of their daughters after an enemy resurfaces. It is a potential Best Actor chance for Leonardo DiCaprio, among other recognitions.

It is not every day that Paul Thomas Anderson has a new movie out, and it’s been four years since his previous feature, Licorice Pizza. Both that and its predecessor, Phantom Thread, have shown off Anderson’s range and depth of talent. One Battle After Another is likely no exception and is the most exciting thriller coming out this fall.