Top 5 Crime Thrillers on Amazon Prime
There is nothing like a good crime thriller. The suspenseful plot twists, the heart-pounding action, and the satisfaction of solving the mystery along with the detectives make for the perfect movie night. If you are looking for your next nail-biting watch, look no further. Amazon Prime Video is a treasure trove of engaging cinematic experiences waiting to be uncovered.
We’ve searched through the vast library to bring you the best of the best. In this ultimate entertainment guide for 2025, we present the top 5 crime thriller movies currently showing on Amazon Prime in the USA. From gritty noir mysteries to high-stakes action blockbusters, this list has something for every fan of the genre. So grab your popcorn, dim the lights, and get ready to enjoy a world of suspense.
What Makes a Great Crime Thriller?
Before we dive into our top picks, let’s define what makes a good crime thriller different from a great one. It’s not all car chases and shootings. A truly memorable film in the genre should include a good mystery, well-developed characters that the audience can invest emotionally in (or against), and a plot that will leave you wondering all the way to the end. The best ones leave a mark on you long after the credits roll, leaving you wondering whatever you thought you knew.
Now, we get to the list of the top 5 crime thrillers on Amazon Prime.
1. The Silencing (2020)
A Hunter Becomes the Hunted
The Silencing is an uncompromising and visceral thriller that draws you into its chilly, unforgiving world in the opening frame. The story is about Rayburn Swanson (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau), a reformed hunter who runs a wildlife refuge. Years after his daughter went missing, he lives alone on the outskirts of the wilderness.
When the body of a young girl is found, and he catches a mysterious figure in a ghillie suit stalking another girl on his sanctuary’s surveillance cameras, Rayburn is drawn into a deadly game of cat and mouse. Working with the local sheriff (Annabelle Wallis), he turns his tracking skills loose in the search for a killer that might also be tied to the fate of his own daughter. The movie is a dark and atmospheric exploration of one man’s grief and his frantic quest for answers.
Why You Should Watch It: So if you like gritty character-driven thrillers set in a bleak background, The Silencing is for you. Coster-Waldau is a force to be reckoned with, and his portrayal of the father’s sorrow is gut-wrenchingly real.
2. The Vast of Night (2019)
Something Is Out There
The Silencing is an uncompromising and visceral thriller that draws you into its chilly, unforgiving world in the opening frame. The story is about Rayburn Swanson (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau), a reformed hunter who runs a wildlife refuge. Years after his daughter went missing, he lives alone on the outskirts of the wilderness.
When the body of a young girl is found, and he catches a mysterious figure in a ghillie suit stalking another girl on his sanctuary’s surveillance cameras, Rayburn is drawn into a deadly game of cat and mouse. Working with the local sheriff (Annabelle Wallis), he turns his tracking skills loose in the search for a killer that might also be tied to the fate of his own daughter. The movie is a dark and atmospheric exploration of one man’s grief and his frantic quest for answers.
Why You Should Watch It: So if you like gritty character-driven thrillers set in a bleak background, The Silencing is for you. Coster-Waldau is a force to be reckoned with, and his portrayal of the father’s sorrow is gut-wrenchingly real.
3. A Simple Favor (2018)
Secrets, Lies, and Martinis
A Simple Favor is just the book you feel like reading if you enjoy your crime thrillers with a touch of dark humor and glamour thrown in. Directed by Paul Feig, this stylish mystery features Anna Kendrick as the bubbly mommy blogger Stephanie and Blake Lively as the chic and mysterious PR executive known as Emily. The two unlikely friends start a friendship after their sons have a playdate.
When Emily goes missing, Stephanie gets involved to find out what happened to her. As she delves deeper into her friend’s history, she gets enmeshed in a web of secrets, betrayals, and murder. This lavish film is a whirlwind of shocking twists and turns all wrapped up in a sleek and stylish package. It’s a must-watch show for all those who are wondering where to watch a mystery of modern times in the USA.
Why You Should Watch It: Kendrick and Lively have a chemistry that is electric. Often a subversion of the traditional thriller plot, Simple Favor is funny and charming, providing a much-needed and wildly entertaining ride that reads like Gone Girl meets Gossip Girl. If you are also a lover of suspenseful series, you can check our list of the best series on Netflix in 2025 for other similar content.
4. The Killing of a Sacred Deer (2017)
A Disturbing Dilemma
Get ready for an extremely disturbing experience. The Killing of a Sacred Deer is a psychological thriller from director Yorgos Lanthimos that will crawl under your skin and not let you go. Dr. Steven Murphy (Colin Farrell) is a top cardiovascular surgeon who appears to have a perfect life: a beautiful wife, Anna (Nicole Kidman), and two great kids.
His world starts to fall apart when he befriends Martin (Barry Keoghan), a fatherless teenager whose life is somehow linked to Steven’s long-forgotten past. Martin’s role becomes more and more nightmarish as he reveals his ultimate nightmare to Steven, compelling him to make an unbearable sacrifice to prevent a supernatural curse from annihilating his family.
Why You Should Watch It: This is not a regular crime thriller. It’s a slow, careful, and harrowing film, dealing with the themes of guilt, justice, and revenge. The dialogue is unnatural and formal, and the cinematography is sterile, resulting in a powerful sense of unease. If you are seeking a film that will challenge you and leave you with a lot to chew on, then this is it. We call it our 2025 entertainment guide because it is a true work of art.
5. Wind River (2017)
Justice in the Frozen Wild
Wind River is a crime thriller that is powerful and heart-rending, and comes from the pen of Taylor Sheridan, the author of Sicario and Hell or High Water. Jeremy Renner plays Cory Lambert, a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service agent, who finds the frozen body of a young Native American woman on the Wind River Indian Reservation in Wyoming.
Jane Banner (Elizabeth Olsen) is a rookie FBI agent who is sent to investigate the murder. Nevertheless, she is not ready to face the ugly aspects of the brutal land and the social problems that shake the community. She recruits Cory to be her tracker, and the two embark on a violent and lonely world to bring the killer to justice.
Why You Should Watch It: Wind River is not only a whodunit but also a thrilling and moving narrative that tells a story that illuminates the truth about missing and murdered Indigenous women in real life. Renner and Olsen do an excellent job, and the suspense of the movie and beautiful filming make the film a memorable experience.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: Where can I watch these movies in the USA?
All five films, The Silencing, The Vast of Night, A Simple Favor, The Killing of a Sacred Deer, and Wind River, are currently available to stream on Amazon Prime Video for subscribers in the United States as of September 2025. Availability on other platforms like Netflix or HBO Max can change, so always check your local listings.
Q2: Are these movies suitable for all audiences?
Most of these films are rated R for violence, language, and mature themes. The Killing of a Sacred Deer is particularly disturbing and not for the faint of heart. A Simple Favor and The Vast of Night (rated PG-13) are less graphic but still contain mature content. Parental guidance is strongly advised.
Q3: Do any of these movies have surprising endings?
Absolutely! A Simple Favor is famous for its multiple twists that will keep you guessing. The Vast of Night has an ambiguous and thought-provoking conclusion, while Wind River delivers a powerful and conclusive ending. We won’t spoil them here, but be prepared for some shocks.
Q4: Are there similar movies on other streaming platforms?
Yes! If you enjoyed these films, you’ll find a wealth of great crime thrillers available across various services. For gritty detective stories like Wind River, you might enjoy True Detective on HBO Max. For stylish mysteries like A Simple Favor, Netflix’s Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery is an excellent choice. Our 2025 entertainment guide includes lists for all major streaming platforms.
What Are Your Favorite Prime Thrillers?
Amazon Prime has a great choice of crime thrillers that appeal to all tastes, including mysteries with slow burns and action-driven suspense. These five movies are among the finest the genre has to offer, telling interesting stories, with excellent performances, and full of suspense.
Now we want to hear from you. Have we left out any of your favorites? What is the most recent crime thriller movie you watched on Amazon Prime? Give your suggestions in the comments.
