- 1Ben Affleck, Rosamund Pike, Neil Patrick Harris
- Released: 2014
- Directed by: David Fincher
Gone Girl is a 2014 American psychological thriller directed by David Fincher and written by Gillian Flynn, based on her 2012 novel of the same name. The film stars Ben Affleck as Nick Dunne, a man who becomes the prime suspect in the disappearance of his wife Amy (Rosamund Pike). As the search for Amy unfolds, Nick's portrait of a blissful union begins to crumble and dark secrets from his past are revealed.
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- #10 of 251 onThe 200+ Best Psychological Thrillers Of All Time
- #8 of 23 onOscar-Nominated Movies With Plot Holes You Can't Unsee
- #169 of 375 onThe Best Movies Based On Books
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- 2William Hurt, Kathleen Turner, Richard Crenna
- Released: 1981
- Directed by: Lawrence Kasdan
In Body Heat, Kathleen Turner plays a sultry, manipulative woman who seduces a man (played by William Hurt) and convinces him to help her murder her husband. The movie is a classic film noir, filled with sexual tension and double-crosses. Turner's performance is one of the most iconic femme fatale roles in cinema history.
More Body Heat- #201 of 251 onThe 200+ Best Psychological Thrillers Of All Time
- #50 of 53 onThe Best Movies Where The Bad Guy Wins
- #25 of 75 onThe Best Movies Of 1981
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- 3Michael Douglas, Sharon Stone, George Dzundza
- Released: 1992
- Directed by: Paul Verhoeven
Basic Instinct is a 1992 neo-noir erotic thriller directed by Paul Verhoeven and written by Joe Eszterhas, starring Michael Douglas and Sharon Stone. The film follows a police detective, Nick Curran (Douglas), who is investigating the brutal murder of a rock star. His main suspect is the victim's girlfriend, Catherine Tramell (Stone), an enigmatic writer with a penchant for dangerous sex games. As the investigation unfolds, Nick finds himself becoming increasingly obsessed with Catherine, despite the warnings of his partner (George Dzundza) and ex-wife (Jeanne Tripplehorn).
In the thrilling world of Basic Instinct, a seductive crime noir, we find Detective Nick Curran (Michael Douglas) ensnared in a web of danger and deception. The prime suspect in his latest murder case is Catherine Tramell (Sharon Stone), an enticing and enigmatic novelist who seems to have an eerie knack for predicting real-life crimes through her fiction. As Curran delves deeper into Tramell's mysterious life, he finds himself caught between duty and desire, truth and deception. This film, layered with suspense and eroticism, is one of director Paul Verhoeven's most notable works, earning several award nominations.More Basic Instinct- #55 of 251 onThe 200+ Best Psychological Thrillers Of All Time
- #157 of 278 on'Old' Movies Every Young Person Needs To Watch In Their Lifetime
- #47 of 82 onThe 75+ Best Whodunit Murder Mystery Movies
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- 4Linda Fiorentino, Peter Berg, Bill Pullman
- Released: 1994
- Directed by: John Dahl
Looking to escape her unhappy marriage, villainous femme fatale Bridget Gregory (Linda Fiorentino) convinces her husband, Clay (Bill Pullman), to sell cocaine, then steals the profits and runs out on him. She stops in a small town en route to Chicago, where she ensnares her next conquest, insurance man Mike Swale (Peter Berg). After getting a job at his insurance company, Bridget convinces Mike to run a scam -- but things take a deadly turn when she recruits him to help get rid of her husband.More The Last Seduction- #52 of 53 onThe Best Movies Where The Bad Guy Wins
- #339 of 379 onThe Best Movies Of The '90s, Ranked
- #79 of 85 onThe Best Movies Of 1994, Ranked
- 5Gene Tierney, Dana Andrews, Clifton Webb
- Released: 1944
- Directed by: Otto Preminger
Laura is a 1944 film noir directed by Otto Preminger and starring Gene Tierney, Dana Andrews, and Vincent Price. The film follows New York City police detective Mark McPherson as he investigates the murder of a young woman named Laura Hunt. McPherson becomes obsessed with Laura's life and death, and as he delves deeper into the case, he finds himself falling in love with her. Laura is a classic film noir with a twist ending that will leave audiences guessing.
More Laura- #197 of 251 onThe 200+ Best Psychological Thrillers Of All Time
- #28 of 82 onThe 75+ Best Whodunit Murder Mystery Movies
- #137 of 184 onThe Greatest Movie Themes
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- 6Fred MacMurray, Barbara Stanwyck, Edward G. Robinson
- Released: 1944
- Directed by: Billy Wilder
Double Indemnity is a 1944 film noir directed by Billy Wilder, and considered to be one of the best movies about femme fatales. The film stars Fred MacMurray as an insurance salesman who becomes entranced by the beautiful and deadly Phyllis Dietrichson (played by Barbara Stanwyck). Phyllis convinces him to help her kill her husband so that she can collect on his life insurance policy, but things quickly spiral out of control. Double Indemnity is a classic film noir with excellent performances from its two leads, and a twisty plot that will keep you guessing until the very end.
More Double Indemnity- #23 of 93 onThe Best Movies About Tragedies
- #1 of 62 onThe 60+ Best Movies of 1944
- #8 of 28 onThe Best Movies Directed by Billy Wilder
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- 7Kevin Bacon, Matt Dillon, Neve Campbell
- Released: 1998
- Directed by: John McNaughton
In the steamy thriller Wild Things, Sam Lombardo (Matt Dillon), a well-liked high school counselor, finds his life turned upside down when students Kelly Van Ryan (Denise Richards) and Suzie Toller (Neve Campbell) accuse him of rape. As the scandal unfolds, Detective Ray Duquette (Kevin Bacon) starts digging deeper into the case, unearthing a web of deceit, greed, and revenge. The movie is replete with plot twists that keep viewers on their toes. Amidst the sultry backdrop of Florida's Blue Bay, Wild Things weaves an intricate narrative that challenges perceptions of innocence and guilt.More Wild Things- #112 of 251 onThe 200+ Best Psychological Thrillers Of All Time
- #217 of 278 on'Old' Movies Every Young Person Needs To Watch In Their Lifetime
- #23 of 98 onThe Best Movies Of 1998, Ranked
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- 8Michael Douglas, Glenn Close, Anne Archer
- Released: 1987
- Directed by: Adrian Lyne
In the heart-stopping thriller Fatal Attraction, a casual fling spirals into a fierce obsession. Dan Gallagher (Michael Douglas), a successful lawyer, has his life turned upside down when he engages in an affair with Alex Forrest (Glenn Close). What seems like a fleeting indiscretion soon morphs into a chilling nightmare as Alex refuses to let go, disrupting Dan's peace and threatening his family. This movie, a gripping exploration of infidelity's devastating consequences, bagged six Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture. With its riveting plot and unforgettable performances, Fatal Attraction is an unmissable cinematic experience.More Fatal Attraction- #48 of 251 onThe 200+ Best Psychological Thrillers Of All Time
- #156 of 399 onThe Best Movies Of The 1980s, Ranked
- #161 of 278 on'Old' Movies Every Young Person Needs To Watch In Their Lifetime
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- 9Jack Nicholson, Faye Dunaway, John Huston
- Released: 1974
- Directed by: Roman Polanski
In the heart of Los Angeles, private investigator Jake Gittes (Jack Nicholson) is immersed in a web of deceit and corruption in the neo-noir classic Chinatown. Directed by Roman Polanski, this 1974 film delves into the city's grim underbelly, exposing water supply conspiracies and shocking family secrets. With Evelyn Mulwray (Faye Dunaway) at the center of the mystery, Gittes navigates treacherous waters to uncover the truth. The film clinched an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay while earning eleven nominations. Chinatown remains an enduring testament to masterful storytelling in cinema.More Chinatown- #120 of 251 onThe 200+ Best Psychological Thrillers Of All Time
- #123 of 149 onMovies That Should Never Be Remade
- #34 of 53 onThe Best Movies Where The Bad Guy Wins
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- 10Humphrey Bogart, Mary Astor, Peter Lorre
- Released: 1941
- Directed by: John Huston
In the intricate web of The Maltese Falcon, private detective Sam Spade (Humphrey Bogart) finds himself entangled in a dark mystery. A femme fatale, Brigid O'Shaughnessy (Mary Astor), hires him for what appears to be a simple case. But when his partner is murdered, things take a sinister turn. The plot thickens as an elusive artifact - the titular Maltese Falcon - comes into play. John Huston directs this noir classic, which was nominated for three Academy Awards in 1942. Amidst shadowy allies and treacherous enemies, Spade navigates deception and danger in this gripping tale of greed and betrayal.More The Maltese Falcon- #35 of 112 onThe Greatest Movie Remakes Of All Time
- #71 of 193 onThe Best Movies For Men
- #668 of 769 onThe Most Rewatchable Movies
- 11Clint Eastwood, Jessica Walter, Donna Mills
- Released: 1971
- Directed by: Clint Eastwood
Popular radio show host Dave Garver (Clint Eastwood) becomes restless in his relationship with his girlfriend (Donna Mills). Impulsively, he goes out and sleeps with a woman (Jessica Walter) he meets at a nightclub. After the fact, he finds out she was not an anonymous hookup, but an obsessive fan who has called in repeatedly to request he play the song "Misty." Garver soon discovers extricating himself from the woman will be no easy feat as she becomes increasingly psychotic.More Play Misty for Me- #119 of 251 onThe 200+ Best Psychological Thrillers Of All Time
- #40 of 63 onThe Greatest Directorial Debuts Of All Time
- #22 of 45 onThe Best Movies Starring Clint Eastwood
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- 12
Bound
Jennifer Tilly, Gina Gershon, Joe Pantoliano- Released: 1996
- Directed by: Lilly Wachowski, Lana Wachowski
The film "Bound" is a crime thriller about a femme fatale named Corky who becomes involved with an ex-con named Violet. Violet has been hired by her mobster boyfriend Caesar to help him with a heist, and she enlists Corky to help her. The two women develop a sexual relationship, which complicates things when the heist goes wrong and they find themselves on the run from the mob. "Bound" is a stylish and sexy film that features strong performances from its two leading ladies.
More Bound- #336 of 675 onThe Best Movies Roger Ebert Gave Four Stars
- #56 of 117 onThe Best Movies Of 1996
- #10 of 15 on15 Underrated Hyper-Stylized Action Movies
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- 13Robert Mitchum, Jane Greer, Kirk Douglas
- Released: 1947
- Directed by: Jacques Tourneur
The quiet life of small-town gas station owner Jeff Bailey (Robert Mitchum) is interrupted when a figure from his shady past, small-time crook Joe Stephanos (Paul Valentine), recognizes him. Stephanos' boss, crooked gambler Whit Sterling (Kirk Douglas), had hired Jeff to track down Kathie Moffat (Jane Greer), a girlfriend who shot Whit and made off with $40,000 of his. Jeff and Kathie fell in love, but she left him to go back to Sterling, who now wants Jeff to settle a few old scores. - 14Jack Nicholson, Jessica Lange, John Colicos
- Released: 1981
- Directed by: Bob Rafelson
Itinerant troublemaker Frank Chambers (Jack Nicholson) has a meal at a roadside restaurant and meets devastating femme fatale Cora Papadakis (Jessica Lange). As it turns out, Cora is married to the restaurant's owner, Nick (John Colicos). Happy to have a visitor, Papadakis offers Chambers a job. Chambers stays on and begins to help himself to whatever he likes -- including Cora. The two dive headlong into a torrid romance and begin to plot the perfect murder.- #40 of 75 onThe Best Movies Of 1981
- #15 of 98 onThe Best Movies About Plotting A Murder
- #87 of 110 onThe 90+ Top R-Rated Thriller Movies
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- 15William Holden, Gloria Swanson, Erich von Stroheim
- Released: 1950
- Directed by: Billy Wilder
Gritty, noir-ish, and deeply captivating, Sunset Boulevard spins a tale of faded fame in the heart of Hollywood. The plot swirls around Norma Desmond (Gloria Swanson), a forgotten silent film star, and Joe Gillis (William Holden), an out-of-luck screenwriter. Gillis, desperate and on the run, finds himself ensnared in Desmond's delusional world, resulting in a dangerous liaison. A classic Billy Wilder film noir masterpiece, Sunset Boulevard won three Academy Awards. It is a stark depiction of ambition, desperation, and the haunting specter of obsolescence in Tinseltown's golden age.More Sunset Boulevard- #21 of 91 onThe 90 Best Black And White Movies
- #30 of 62 onThe Best Movies with Rich People Spending Big
- #14 of 36 onThe Greatest Classic Noir Movies, Ranked
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- 16Debra Winger, Theresa Russell, Sami Frey
- Released: 1987
- Directed by: Bob Rafelson
The movie Black Widow is about a woman who is a skilled assassin and seductress. She uses her powers of seduction to lure her victims into traps and then kills them. The movie follows her as she tries to escape from her past and avoid being caught by the police.
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- 17Rebecca Romijn, Antonio Banderas, Peter Coyote
- Released: 2002
- Directed by: Brian De Palma
Femme Fatale is a 2002 film directed by Brian De Palma and starring Rebecca Romijn. The film follows Laure Ash, a beautiful and deadly con artist, as she manipulates her way through the lives of those around her. Femme Fatale is a stylish and sexy thriller that is sure to keep you on the edge of your seat.
More Femme Fatale- #94 of 152 onThe Best Movies of 2002
- #571 of 675 onThe Best Movies Roger Ebert Gave Four Stars
- #12 of 80 onThe 75+ Sexiest Thriller Movies, Ranked
- 18Humphrey Bogart, Lauren Bacall, Bruce Bennett
- Released: 1947
- Directed by: Delmer Daves
Vincent Parry (Humphrey Bogart) has just escaped from prison after being locked up for a crime he did not commit -- murdering his wife. On the outside, Vincent finds that his face is betraying him, literally, so he finds a plastic surgery to give him new features. After getting a ride out of town from a stranger, Vincent crosses paths with a young woman (Lauren Bacall) who lets him stay in her apartment while he heals and continues to try and clear his name.Available On:
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- 19Joan Crawford, Jack Carson, Ann Blyth
- Released: 1945
- Directed by: Michael Curtiz
When Mildred Pierce's (Joan Crawford) wealthy husband leaves her for another woman, Mildred decides to raise her two daughters on her own. Despite Mildred's financial successes in the restaurant business, her oldest daughter, Veda (Ann Blyth), resents her mother for degrading their social status. In the midst of a police investigation after the death of her second husband (Zachary Scott), Mildred must evaluate her own freedom and her complicated relationship with her daughter.More Mildred Pierce- #49 of 91 onThe 90 Best Black And White Movies
- #35 of 67 onThe Best Movies That Pass the Bechdel Test
- #14 of 70 onThe Best Oscar-Nominated Movies of the 1940s
- 20Keanu Reeves, Ana de Armas, Lorenza Izzo
- Released: 2015
- Directed by: Eli Roth
Two nubile, stranded women (Ana de Armas, Lorenza Izzo) reveal a sinister agenda after they spend the night with a married architect (Keanu Reeves).More Knock KnockAvailable On:
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