Thrillers have become the backbone of modern television, perfectly suited for the binge-watching era. With every streaming platform vying for your attention, a great thriller hooks you from the first scene and doesn't let go until the credits roll on the season finale. But for every standout like Ozark or Dark, there are countless forgettable shows that rely on cheap twists and lose their way. We've sifted through the best thriller series released since 2020 to bring you the cream of the crop—shows that truly deliver on suspense, mystery, and tension.
6. The Day of the Jackal (2024–)
This cat-and-mouse procedural is executed with such precision that it makes most modern action movies look lazy. Eddie Redmayne stars as the Jackal, an assassin who travels the globe eliminating targets in elaborate set pieces that rival big-budget blockbusters. The show meticulously details every step of his process—from applying prosthetics to rehearsing speech patterns—so you're fully immersed in his world. Unlike Mission: Impossible, where the mask usually means another actor takes over, Redmayne is genuinely underneath the disguise, and it's mesmerizing to watch.
You also see him assemble his sniper rifle piece by piece, set up a fan to measure wind, and fire trial shots to gauge bullet drop. It feels like a HITMAN game brought to life, but the show smartly avoids making the Jackal a one-note killer. By the end of the first episode, you learn he's living a double life as a family man whose wife and daughter have no idea who he really is. As MI6 closes in, his two lives begin to collide, and the stakes escalate with every episode.
5. Severance (2022–)
Severance feels like a top-tier Black Mirror episode stretched into a full series, but it never runs out of ideas. The core premise: Lumon Industries offers employees a procedure that splits their consciousness. The "outie" lives a normal life and remembers nothing about work. The "innie" exists only inside Lumon's windowless basement, with no memory of the outside world and no idea who their outer half is.
That's where the mystery begins. What exactly are they doing on the severed floor? Why are the numbers scary? What do the data file names mean? And what's with the baby goats? It's become one of the most meticulously constructed mystery boxes on TV, where every strange detail hints at something bigger. It's like Lost, but you actually get answers, and it never feels like the writers are making it up as they go. Ben Stiller has confirmed he knows how the series ends, so you're in good hands.
4. Task (2025–)
From Mare of Easttown creator Brad Ingelsby, Task follows Tom Brandis (Mark Ruffalo), an FBI agent pulled off desk duty to lead a task force investigating a string of violent home invasions. On the other side is Robbie Prendergast (Tom Pelphrey), a sanitation worker moonlighting as the crew's leader, robbing drug houses to pay off his family's debt. The series starts as a standard cat-and-mouse story, but then one robbery goes sideways, and the crew ends up with a kid who was never supposed to be part of the plan.
Everyone is incredibly likable, on both sides of the law. You root for the task force because you love these characters, but you also root for the criminals, and that cognitive dissonance gives the show its edge. It also refuses to play it safe—characters you love, even those with apparent plot armor, can and do get killed off. That willingness to follow through on real consequences makes Task one of the best crime dramas in years.
3. Squid Game (2021–2025)
Few shows have had a premise this instantly gripping. Hundreds of desperate people compete in twisted versions of childhood games for a life-changing cash prize. But then the first game begins—Red Light, Green Light—and players who move after the stop signal are gunned down. That's when you realize the real catch: losing means instant death, and there can only be one winner.
The sets are stunning, the cast brings their A-game, and the world-building around the games, the guards, and the mysterious VIPs gives the show a scale beyond a simple survival contest. It's fascinating to see how the games bring out the worst in people, and the social commentary on capitalism and inequality resonates deeply. Squid Game became a global phenomenon for a reason—it's a masterclass in tension and moral ambiguity.
2. Slow Horses (2022–)
This spy thriller, based on Mick Herron's novels, follows a team of MI5 rejects who are relegated to Slough House, a dumping ground for agents who've screwed up. Led by the brilliant but foul-mouthed Jackson Lamb (Gary Oldman), these "slow horses" stumble into conspiracies that threaten national security. The show balances sharp wit with genuine suspense, and Oldman's performance is a career highlight.
What sets Slow Horses apart is its character work—these are flawed, often pathetic people, but you can't help rooting for them. The plots are intricate, the twists are earned, and the pacing is relentless. It's a reminder that even in a genre crowded with imitators, a well-crafted story with memorable characters can still stand out.
1. Dark (2017–2020)
Though it began before 2020, Dark concluded its run in 2020, and it remains the gold standard for thriller television. This German series weaves a complex narrative across four generations, involving time travel, family secrets, and a small town's dark history. Every detail is meticulously planned, and the show rewards careful viewing with layers of meaning.
What makes Dark the best is its ambition—it tackles big philosophical questions about fate, free will, and the nature of time, all while delivering genuine suspense and emotional weight. The final season ties everything together in a satisfying, emotionally resonant conclusion. If you haven't watched it, now is the time. For more great thrillers, check out our list of the best thrillers since 2010.
These shows prove that the thriller genre is alive and well, offering smart, gripping entertainment that respects your intelligence. Whether you're in the mood for a high-concept sci-fi mystery or a gritty crime drama, there's something here for you. And if you're looking for more recommendations, explore our picks for top soft sci-fi films or the scariest books ever written.
