With plenty of thriller shows having been released over the past decade, there has been no shortage of gripping drama and chilling storylines to keep viewers on the edge of their seats. The acting is typically first-rate, with beautifully tragic performances to enhance storylines, making them even more terrifying.
Dark in tone and perhaps commenting on the negative aspects of society, the thriller shows on this list stand out from the crowd as being unique in both plot and execution. Being released in the 2010s, many of these shows are very memorable for the decade and some have even continued into the 2020s.
10 Black Mirror (2011-2019)
Spanning across five seasons, Charlie Brooker's Black Mirror was groundbreaking for its time as it explored not only a variety of genres, but also many dystopian realities. Technology was often at the forefront of the episodes, with the internet, data privacy and surveillance serving as prevalent themes to comment on contemporary society.
Often with a dark or politically satirical tone, the show received rave reviews and had a large cultural impact mostly in part due to critical comparisons to reality. It is still well regarded due to its subject matter and the fact that viewers can watch episodes as stand alone, rather than having to watch the series in chronological order.
9 Mindhunter (2017-2019)
Mindhunter is not your average detective thriller, as its extreme attention to detail and introspective look into criminal psychology is immense. Mostly directed by show runner and Oscar-nominated director David Fincher, the show tackles detectives seeking to understand the thought processes behind serial killers in order to solve cases.
The show was very well received across its two seasons for its ability to unsettle and absorb the viewer. However, a third season is not currently in the works with the show being placed on indefinite hold whilst Fincher explored other projects. With a very passionate audience, Mindhunter could easily resume in the future.
8 Big Little Lies (2017- )
Based on the 2014 novel of the same name by Liane Moriarty, Big Little Lies saw Nicole Kidman, Shailene Woodley and Reese Witherspoon become embroiled in a murder investigation. The initial show saw these three actresses as mothers at the same school who each have their own struggles to contend with behind the scenes, creating some deeply dramatic moments.
The thriller has been very well received mostly due to the stellar A-list performances, realistic setting and immersive filming style with a handheld camera making the atmosphere even darker. Originally billed as a miniseries, the show was then commissioned for a second season which aired in 2019. Meryl Streep starred in the second series to create even more drama, which was also very well received by audiences and critics alike.
7 Doctor Foster (2015-2017)
Starring Suranne Jones and Jodie Comer, Doctor Foster was a primetime BBC psychological thriller that focused on Doctor Gemma Foster (Jones) suspecting her husband of an affair. As she takes it upon herself to investigate, she slowly unravels as several events come to light.
As usual, Jones is the star of the show with her deeply unsettling and moving characterization of Gemma as she becomes more and more obsessed with discovering the truth. Although the show received mixed reviews at the time, the episodes were very intelligently planned out with disturbing themes.
6 How To Get Away With Murder (2014-2020)
Shonda Rhimes' legal drama thriller remains fantastic in its portrayal of a dark and twisted legal system, as a group of lawyers seeks to solve near-impossible cases whilst being embroiled in their own murder plot. The show itself was regarded to high critical acclaim, with Viola Davis' performance in particular being celebrated. Her portrayal of criminal lawyer Annalise Keating resulted in her becoming the first black woman to win the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series.
What makes the show so thrilling is the multiple melodramatic twists and turns seen throughout every season. Viola Davis' performance in particular is deeply complex and captivating which makes the show even more engaging. With endless mystery and dark humor, this is a show that continued to improve with time.
5 American Horror Story (2011- )
A long-standing show that still continues to this day, American Horror Story is a thrilling horror show that found popularity in reinventing itself every season. With each season remaining a self-contained miniseries, the show takes delight in exploring new themes and ideas, causing it to be very highly received by audiences and critics alike.
Primarily starring Sarah Paulson, Evan Peters and Lily Rabe to name a few, Ryan Murphy has successfully created a chilling camp horror that remains memorable no matter the season or the theme. As it has been renewed for future seasons, it is exciting to see what lengths the show will go to next.
4 Peaky Blinders (2013-2022)
On the air until very recently, BBC's fictional period crime dramaPeaky Blinders follows a criminal gang in the aftermath of The First World War. Based on a real life street gang from that time, the show was widely well regarded and boasted a large and incredibly talented cast of actors. Receiving rave reviews, this thriller remains unforgettable and well worth watching.
Storylines are memorable and not overly complicated, as tends to sometimes happen with thrillers, which allows viewers to continue to connect with the show. It takes on wild themes of crime, money and politics all within a backdrop of charismatic characters that are engaging and powerful with their performances.
3 The Walking Dead (2010-2022)
Zombies and mayhem characterized the largely beloved and thrilling horror series, The Walking Dead, causing the show to amass a large cult following. It is a simple survival tale, but executed brilliantly as characters who are still alive after a zombie apocalypse search for safety and avoid the undead along the way.
First released in 2010, the constant threats and questions of morality concerning the group caused The Walking Dead to be successful as a franchise. The show always had a large and very talented rotating ensemble cast, all of whom created an intelligently immersive show. In testament to the audience's love of the show, The Walking Dead also has several spin-offs and webisodes to contribute even more to the world.
2 You (2018- )
You is a psychological murder thriller following a bookstore manager and serial killer, Joe, who falls in love with Guinevere and ultimately develops an obsession with her. With the narration of the show being the inside of Joe's head, his viewers are given a clear and honest insight into his mindset. His thoughts are totally exposed.
Despite its largely positive following, the series has also sparked many conversations concerning the subject of erotomania and stalking, as well as the dangers of social media culture. Ultimately, the show is very well-produced and each scene is executed with plenty of thought. The first part of the fourth season of You is set to be released in February 2023.
1 Stranger Things (2016- )
Existing on Netflix, Eleven and the gang unite to take on the monsters within the 'Upside Down' underworld in this 1980s trippy science fiction thriller. It is scary due to the unpredictable nature of the plot, the knowledge that children are under threat, and not knowing what else could be lurking in the dark.
Stranger Things remains one of the best and most popular shows on the Netflix platform, having developed a cult-like following. It is a deeply unsettling, yet intelligent show, as show creators The Duffer Brothers have been celebrated for their commitment to characterization, atmosphere and a nostalgic 80s vibe. With the show continuing after four very successful seasons, it is exciting for fans to see what happens to this group of teenagers next.