As 2026 winds down and the year's best films get their due, it's also the perfect moment to look ahead. The release calendar still holds some major titles, some already earning buzz from festival screenings, others still shrouded in secrecy. And then there are the early 2027 releases, many just starting to build momentum. Among all the genres, none gets the pulse racing quite like the thriller. While the next few months don't offer an overwhelming number of pure thrillers, the ones on the horizon come from some seriously talented directors and feature intriguing premises. Here are the five upcoming thrillers generating the most excitement, ranked by hype.
5. 'Above the Below' (2026)
Idris Elba has been a commanding screen presence for years, but he's rarely found a project that fully capitalizes on his star power. His upcoming sci-fi survival thriller, Above the Below, which he co-directs with Martin Owen, might just change that. The premise is elegantly simple: three astronauts—played by Elba, Caitlin FitzGerald, and Hero Fiennes Tiffin—are knocked off course during reentry and end up stranded in the deep ocean. It's a stripped-down survival scenario that could either ratchet up tension effectively or fall back on familiar genre tropes. With Elba both in front of and behind the camera, there's genuine hope this one delivers. It hits theaters in early December, and while it may not have the loudest buzz, it's certainly one to watch.
4. 'River' (2027)
Another film with a lean, high-concept setup is River, which already has some festival goodwill from its TIFF premiere. This is the feature directorial debut for Joshua Giuliano, but the cast brings serious genre credibility: Jane Levy (from Don't Breathe), Jessica Rothe (of Happy Death Day fame), and Dane DiLiegro, who played the Predator in Prey, as the antagonist. The story follows two sisters and their brother (Max Mattern) who reunite after their father's death to scatter his ashes in a remote river. Their somber moment is shattered by a killer, and when their boat dies, they're stranded in the water. Small-scale thrillers often thrive when they keep the pressure on, and early reviews suggest River does exactly that. It's poised to be a standout in January.
3. 'Slayground' (2027)
Jeremy Saulnier has built a reputation as one of the most reliable thriller directors working today, with films like Blue Ruin, Green Room, and Rebel Ridge. His latest, Slayground, looks to be his most pulpy and brutal yet. The trailer alone sent chills down spines, and fans are eager to see what nasty surprises Saulnier has in store. Cory Michael Smith stars as a scare actor at a haunted Halloween attraction who wakes up with amnesia, surrounded by his slaughtered coworkers. Wanted for murder, he goes on the run to uncover the truth. It's a deliciously dark hook that blends fugitive thriller with horror, and it's set to hit theaters at the end of January. If Saulnier's track record is any indication, Slayground will be a bloody good time.
2. 'Ray Gunn' (2026)
Brad Bird returns to animation after an eight-year hiatus with Ray Gunn, a passion project that fuses sci-fi with noir mystery. The film premiered in October to generally positive reviews, with some critics saying Bird has recaptured the magic of The Incredibles. Sam Rockwell voices the titular private eye in a retro-futuristic world, alongside his alien partner (Tom Waits). He's hired to protect a pop star (Scarlett Johansson), but when she's implicated in a murder, he's drawn into a conspiracy. It's a tantalizing setup, and even if it doesn't reach the heights of Bird's best work, it's sure to be a thrilling ride. Ray Gunn is set for release at the end of the year, and it's already one of the most anticipated animated films in recent memory.
1. 'The Thomas Crown Affair' (2026)
Topping our list is the remake of The Thomas Crown Affair, starring Michael B. Jordan. The original 1968 film and its 1999 remake with Pierce Brosnan are beloved, and Jordan's involvement has generated massive buzz. While details are still under wraps, the combination of a charismatic lead, a classic heist-thriller premise, and modern filmmaking sensibilities has audiences eagerly awaiting its release. Jordan has proven his action chops in films like Creed and Black Panther, and this project seems tailor-made for his star power. It's the kind of movie that could dominate the box office and become a cultural touchstone. With such high expectations, it's no surprise this is the thriller generating the most hype right now.
These five films represent the best of what's coming in the thriller genre. Whether you're drawn to deep-sea survival, rural horror, or high-concept animation, there's something to get excited about. And if you're looking for more thrills, check out our list of Netflix's most anticipated thrillers or dive into 25 years of nail-biters. The future of suspense looks bright.
