20 Best Thriller Series of All Time, Ranked According to IMDb

Who doesn’t love a good thriller series? A TV show that hooks you at the end of each episode, almost forcing you to watch another episode immediately, so you can find out what happens next. The best thriller TV shows are almost timeless, with people still talking about past hits and debating the best among the best.

Though viewers spend hours arguing with friends over which series is better than the other, IMDb has provided fans with the definitive top 10 best thriller series of all time. With new seasons of thriller TV series always affecting ratings, it’s not surprising that IMDb’s ranking of the best thriller series to watch is constantly shifting. As audiences discover new shows or revisit classic series, ratings on the platform continue to change to reflect viewers’ current tastes when it comes to riveting TV thrillers.

20 ‘Ozark’ (2017 – 2022)

IMDb Rating: 8.5/10

Ozark is a suspense-filled drama that explores the themes of survival and the far-reaching consequences of criminal activity. The series centers on Marty Byrde (Jason Bateman), a financial advisor whose life takes a dangerous turn. Forced to relocate his family to the Missouri Ozarks after a money-laundering scheme for a Mexican drug cartel goes wrong, Marty finds himself in a desperate struggle for survival.

Marty must carefully tread the ruthless criminal world while protecting his family. It shows the difficult decisions Marty has to make, with most of them having devastating consequences and even heartbreaking deaths. Critical praise for Ozark is focused on its stellar acting performances and its exploration of moral complexities, as well as its dark and moody atmosphere that complements the narrative.

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19 ‘Mr. Robot’ (2015 – 2019)

IMDb Rating: 8.5/10

In Mr. Robot, Elliot Alderson (Rami Malek), a brilliant but troubled cybersecurity engineer, joins a clandestine hacking group. Elliot struggles with social anxiety and delusions, blurring the lines between reality and his own perceptions. With the help of the enigmatic Mr. Robot (Christian Slater), Elliot tries to bring down E Corp, a powerful conglomerate he believes is responsible for societal ills.

But as Elliot becomes enmeshed in society’s mission to dismantle E Corp, he grapples with his own mental health, making viewers question the nature of truth and reality throughout the series. The show was praised for its innovative approach to storytelling and unique blend of a cyber-thriller plot with a deep dive into the protagonist’s psychology. Mr. Robot also tackles relevant issues like corporate greed, mental health, and the influence of technology, making it a must-binge show for every thriller fan.

18 ‘Sons of Anarchy’ (2008 – 2014)

IMDb Rating: 8.6/10

Sons of Anarchy follows the adventures of SAMCRO, a motorcycle club in Charming, California. Led by Jax Teller (Charlie Hunnam), the club walks a tightrope between a seemingly ordinary motorcycle repair business and a brutal underworld of illegal arms dealing and turf wars. The show explores the complex dynamics within the club, where brotherhood and loyalty clash with criminal activity and dark secrets — all of which threaten to tear the entire organization apart.

Thrill-seeking viewers won’t want to miss Sons of Anarchy. The show’s relentless pacing, high-stakes situations, and intricate plot twists create an addictive viewing experience. It has plenty of adrenaline-pumping action sequences with emotional depth, keeping audiences hooked from episode to episode, with scenes like the intense abduction of Jax’s son to Opie’s (Ryan Hurst) brutal death in prison.

17 ‘Mindhunter’ (2017 – 2019)

IMDb Rating: 8.6/10

Mindhunter is a gripping thriller that takes a look at the birth of criminal profiling in the FBI. Set in the late 1970s and early 1980s, a critical period in criminal justice, the series follows FBI agents and a psychologist who challenge conventional methods. Through interviews with incarcerated serial killers like Ed Kemper (Cameron Britton) and Charles Manson (Damon Herriman), they shed light on the psychology of these criminals.

Mindhunter not only offers a thrilling exploration of the criminal mind but also provides a valuable historical perspective on the development of criminal profiling techniques used by law enforcement today. It eschews gratuitous violence for a more cerebral exploration of the criminal mind. The series meticulously recreates unsettling atmospheres, which perfectly harmonizes with David Fincher‘s masterful direction.

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16 ‘Daredevil’ (2015 – 2018)

IMDb Rating: 8.6/10

Gritty and action-packed, Netflix’s Daredevil takes viewers into a crime-filled New York City. Charlie Cox portrays Matt Murdock, a lawyer by day who moonlights as the masked vigilante Daredevil. Blinded as a young boy, Matt’s heightened senses make him a formidable force against the criminal underworld. The show chronicles his battles against powerful comic book villains like Wilson Fisk (Vincent D’Onofrio), also known as the Kingpin.

Daredevil stands out from other superhero TV shows as it seamlessly blends elements of crime drama and superhero fiction. The dark atmosphere, intense fight choreography, and realistic portrayal of violence set also elevate the tension of the show. Daredevil also goes beyond mere thrills as it shows the ethical dilemmas Matt Murdock faces and explores the personal struggles that make him a remarkable superhero.

15 ‘Dexter’ (2006 – 2013)

IMDb Rating: 8.6/10

The infamous TV serial killer, Dexter Morgan (Michael C. Hall), is a Florida-based blood splatter expert by day and a vigilante murderer by night. In Dexter, he balances his police work with this dangerous side gig, but his double life soon catches up to him in ways that could affect his closest relationships. The show sees the anti-hero evolve and do more heinous things, for which he keeps making bizarre rationalizations for, even as it hurts those around him.

Inspiring a limited series, Dexter: New Blood, and an upcoming prequel series titled Dexter: Origins, it’s not an overstatement to say that Dexter is among the most beloved crime-drama shows out there. Its compelling premise gets a little old sometimes, but its core narrative is interesting enough to keep viewers coming back. Although it didn’t always manage to stick the landing with some of its storylines, it more than makes up for its misses with a truly wild ride.

14 ‘Dark’ (2017 – 2020)

IMDb Rating: 8.7/10

Anyone who appreciates a good thriller series is likely already familiar with Dark, a German sci-fi thriller series co-created by Baran bo Odar and Jantje Friese. Set in Winden, Germany, the show chronicles the residents’ experiences after children begin to go missing. What follows is a mind-bending tale that spans generations of families who are seemingly involved in a massive conspiracy.

Gritty, bizarre, and genuinely unpredictable, Dark is a compelling show that will keep audiences glued to their screens. It’s now considered among the best Netflix original series ever, with the show gaining a reputation for its twisty and often unsettling narrative that’s often unpredictable. The intensity of each episode only continues to build as more pieces of the puzzle come together, which makes for a completely engaging viewing experience unlike any other.

13 ‘The Last of Us’ (2023 – )

IMDb Rating: 8.7/10

HBO’s The Last of Us is a great adaptation of the 2013 video game of the same name. Set in an alternative 2023, the zombie thriller depicts a world overrun with Infected, initially promoted by a mass fungal pandemic. It follows Joel Miller (Pedro Pascal), a jaded smuggler who embarks on a mission to transport the wisecracking teenager, Ellie (Bella Ramsey), across the country. While he initially sees it as a transactional relationship, Joel’s past soon makes it impossible to ignore the connection he forms in the present.

The Last of Us amazed everyone with its best episodes that featured stunning set pieces, flawless visuals, and stellar performances from its cast. Of course, the most impressive part of the series is its faithful adaptation of the original, even managing to make the tear-jerking stories better through excellent world-building and complex characters (like Bill and Frank). While it may take a while for another season of the high-budget series to make it to small screens, fans will undeniably be eagerly waiting.

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12 ‘Severance’ (2022 – )

IMDb Rating: 8.7/10

A criminally underrated sci-fi psychological thriller directed by Ben Stiller and Aoife McArdle, Severance has a fascinating premise – it’s set in a dystopian world where office workers’ memories and consciousness can be surgically divided between the workplace and their personal lives. It follows Mark (Adam Scott), an employee who has undergone the procedure and now works for Lumon Industries, which turns out to be hiding a horrific secret.

With mesmerizing and stylistic visuals, fantastic performances from its cast, and a wholly original and intriguing story that seems to get more messed up with each new episode, it’s a must-see for fans of the genre. Severance provides a chilling commentary on corporate greed and “work-life balance” initiatives, presenting a scary yet familiar dystopian future that isn’t too far from reality.

11 ‘Black Mirror’ (2011 – )

IMDb Rating: 8.7/10

Black Mirror has proved to the world that Charlie Brooker, creator of the series and writer of most episodes, is one of the most creative people in the TV industry. The anthology series explores the dangers of technology in which humanity’s greatest innovations and darkest instincts collide. It does so by imagining and exaggerating the capacity of tech any viewer will recognize – whether that’s social media or tracking devices – turning the dial up to the extreme and crafting terrifying versions of the future with these items.

Across its five seasons, the series has featured a plethora of huge stars, including Daniel Kaluuya, Jon Hamm, Bryce Dallas Howard, and Hayley Atwell, to name just a few. It has had numerous iconic episodes, from the surprisingly light-hearted “San Junipero” to the frightening “Hated in the Nation.” Black Mirror‘s sixth season changed the formula in an exciting (and divisive) way, making it worth watching.

10 ‘Stranger Things’ (2016 – 2025)

IMDb Rating: 8.7/10

Among the most popular Netflix original shows ever made, Stranger Things is a global phenomenon that needs no introduction. Set in 1980s Indiana, the massively successful series follows a group of friends who become entangled in government conspiracies after uncovering the truth behind supernatural forces right under everyone’s noses. Its fantastic ensemble cast includes Winona Ryder, David Harbour, Millie Bobby Brown, Natalia Dyer, and more.

Created by the Duffer Brothers, the sci-fi series often delves into thriller rather than horror territory, as it doesn’t contain shockingly gory scenes or truly disturbing moments. Instead, it tells the exhilarating stories of the main characters, who fans have grown to love over the years. As their story comes to a close soon, it’s the perfect time to catch up with what will surely go down in history as one of the most defining shows of this era.

9 ‘Twin Peaks’ (1990 – 1991)

IMDb Rating: 8.8/10

It’s impossible not to mention Twin Peaks when discussing the top thriller series of all time. Created by Mark Frost and David Lynch, the influential thriller drama show is set in the titular fictional town where FBI Agent Dale Cooper (Kyle MacLachlan) and Sheriff Harry S. Truman (Michael Ontkean) are investigating the peculiar murder of the high school student Laura Palmer (Sheryl Lee). Along the way, they run into some unexpected and disturbing clues.

Twin Peaks‘ groundbreaking combination of soap opera tropes, eccentric characters, and campy humor turned it into a cult classic that received a much-needed revival back in 2017. Plus, Lynch’s touch is obvious in the cinematographic techniques that perfectly complement the show’s tense atmosphere. Its aesthetic and narrative choices are still informing modern entries in the genre, which is a testament to just how influential the series is.

8 ‘Narcos’ (2015 – 2017)

IMDb Rating: 8.8/10

Narcos deserves a lot of credit. It gave Pedro Pascal the chance to shine in a leading role and surrounded him with other exceptional actors, including Wagner Moura, Boyd Holbrook, and Paulina Gaitan. The show ran for three seasons, airing thirty episodes that chronicled the criminal activity of the infamous Colombian drug lord Pablo Escobar and the other drug kingpins active in this era. Its latter episodes focused on the complex case of the Cali cartel, and how they were eventually brought down.

The show was a mammoth hit for Netflix, and the spin-off series, Narcos: Mexico, aired its highly anticipated third season in 2021. Narcos is still often cited alongside the best thriller series to watch for those who are into gripping procedural dramas and have the stomach for some jarring and violent scenes. The fact that it’s based on real stories only makes it more intriguing.

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7 ‘Death Note’ (2006 – 2007)

IMDb Rating: 8.9/10

Based on the Japanese manga series written by Tsugumi Ohba and illustrated by Takeshi Obata, Death Note follows the story of Light Yagami, an outstandingly smart high school student who also happens to be a misanthrope. One day, he discovers the titular notebook, which belongs to the shinigami named Ryuk. The protagonist soon finds that he can kill anyone whose name he writes in the notebook’s pages.

A popular anime series for beginners, Death Note has engrossing world-building and a classic story beloved by fans around the world. It has inspired more than a few adaptations, but the 2006 anime still manages to be the top-rated version that’s the most faithful to its source material. Its short length also makes it ideal for those who are hesitant to jump into the genre, as it’s hard to get bored with how fast-paced and packed each episode can be.

6 ‘Fargo’ (2014 – 2024)

IMDb Rating: 8.9/10

People were skeptical when the TV series Fargo was first announced, with many worried it would taint the reputation of the beloved Coen Brothers film. Those fears were quickly laid to rest when the first season aired, winning audiences over with Fargo‘s stellar performances, wacky characters, and thrilling plot.

Five series of Fargo were released, starring a host of A-list names, including Martin Freeman, Patrick Wilson, Ewan McGregor, and Chris Rock. The fifth season of the anthology series continued that tradition, with Juno Temple, Jon Hamm, and Joe Keery starring in a darkly comedic story of a kidnapping gone wrong (similar to the original film). Every season is worth seeing for fans of the Coen Brothers and their signature black comedy, as Fargo truly captures that and offers incredible performances, too.

5 ‘True Detective’ (2014 – )

IMDb Rating: 8.9/10

Many people credit True Detective with showing A-list actors the true potential of TV. The first series, which starred the incredible Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson, was a revelation that used its twist-filled plot and layered performances of its stars to attract a massive audience. The anthology series is essentially a gritty and bleak police procedural that sees investigators use their own distinct methods to uncover what happened that led up to a gruesome crime.

Though the second and third seasons struggled to recapture the magic of the original, each is enjoyable in its own right. The fourth season, titled “Night Country” and starring Jodie Foster, has already been praised for being a return to form thanks to a similar tension-filled, incredibly gripping plot seen in the first season. While it’s a hit or miss overall, True Detective‘s first and latest seasons should be considered essential viewing for fans of the genre.

4 ‘Sherlock’ (2010 – 2017)

IMDb Rating: 9.1/10

Based on Sir Arthur Conan Doyle‘s Sherlock Holmes detective stories, Sherlock is among the most beloved British thriller TV shows that follows the titular detective (played by Benedict Cumberbatch) and the reliable Doctor John Watson (Martin Freeman). The duo works together to solve urgent cases, both big and small, while also dealing with their messy personal lives. The series eventually turns its attention more towards the lovable duo and their complicated personal lives, with their romantic entanglements, complicated families, and biggest villains becoming the focus of its most popular storylines.

From its well-written dialogue and complex characters to its witty humor and unexpected twists, there’s more than one reason to enjoy the renowned series. 221B Baker Street and its residents have become unforgettable and iconic parts of pop culture, and have made their mark in TV history.

3 ‘Chernobyl’ (2019)

IMDb Rating: 9.3/10

Chernobyl is an in-depth look at the Chernobyl disaster in April 1986, when an explosion at the nuclear power plant became one of the world’s worst man-made catastrophes. It’s known for its accurate and unflinching depiction of the real-life reactions to and effects of the accident, which means there are some frustrating and controversial scenes that highlight the incompetence of authorities at that time.

Despite lasting for only five episodes, the renowned HBO thriller miniseries made a huge impression, in large part due to its raw and unsettling portrayal of the historic event. Jessie Buckley, Jared Harris, and Stellan Skarsgard all gave memorable performances in the beloved miniseries, with the latter two actors each winning an Emmy for their work. Equal parts thrilling and horrifying, Chernobyl is a miniseries that cannot be missed, as it’s a great way of learning about and remembering the disaster and all the lives that were lost.

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2 ‘The Wire’ (2002 – 2008)

IMDb Rating: 9.3/10

It’s hard to think of another TV show with a cast quite as stacked as The Wire. The series, which aired between 2002 and 2008, starred Dominic West, Lance Reddick, Wendell Pierce, and Idris Elba, to name just a few. With a cast like this, it’s no surprise that the performances are excellent across the board, which is just one of many reasons the show is considered among the best thriller TV series of all time.

The Wire gave audiences an in-depth look at the Baltimore drug scene through the eyes of drug dealers and law enforcement. Through its well-written storylines, it showed the greed and corruption that often influenced any interaction between institutions and authorities, as well as how this affects regular people. For any fans of crime dramas, The Wire is an absolute must-see and one of the best crime thriller series to binge-watch out there.

1 ‘Breaking Bad’ (2008 – 2013)

IMDb Rating: 9.5/10

Is anybody surprised that Breaking Bad is considered the best thriller TV series of all time? The acting is stupendous, with Bryan Cranston and Aaron Paul both giving iconic performances that will never be forgotten. The plot is intricate and incredibly detailed, showing Walter White’s rise from a desperate family man to power-hungry, money-seeking drug kingpin Heisenberg.

The relationship between Walt and Jessie is one of the most interesting dynamics ever put to film. Creator Vince Gilligan knows this world like the back of his hand, which is why it’s no surprise that Better Call Saul is held in the same regard as Breaking Bad. Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ve likely already seen Walter White’s epic, tragic journey, but no series has ever been more deserving of a rewatch than the exceptional Breaking Bad.

NEXT: The Best Thriller Movies of All Time, Ranked According to IMDb