5 Most Underrated Thriller Shows To Watch On Netflix

Published Aug 29, 2026, 8:30 AM EDT Shealyn Scott is a Senior Writer at Screen Rant. She has been writing for the site since 2024, focused on network, reality, streaming, and classic television. A creative writer, journalist, and lover of the written word in all its forms, Shealyn enjoys deconstructing scenes from her favorite shows, using context clues and historical precedent to predict major plot points (which, due to her successful track record, has sparked rumors of clairvoyance). As an award-winning student journalist, Shealyn spent her college years advocating for the humanities while studying English Literature. Her love of storytelling propelled her to expand her degree with minors in Writing and History, believing life to be a mere collection of stories that can be framed in as many ways as a movie scene. As a Senior member of the TV Team, Shealyn treats the series she covers like books, analyzing every line, camera angle, and lighting choice. Thankfully, her personal mission statement lines up perfectly with Screen Rant: every creative work deserves just as much thought from the viewer as it received from its creator. Netflix is irrefutably one of the biggest trendsetters in the modern television landscape, but some of its best series fly under the radar. Of course, there are plenty of Netflix thrillers that garner international acclaim, be it the chilling death trials of Squid Game or the morbidly fascinating psychological horror of Mindhunter. Nevertheless, the sheer scope of the streaming service's original content means that every day, incredible stories slip through the cracks and are rendered into perpetual hidden gems. Thankfully, it is never too late for a series to find its perfect audience and finally earn the reputation it deserves. From forgotten crime thrillers that delve into the seedy underbelly of society to supernatural adventures that make the viewer rethink reality itself, Netflix's ever-expanding library is filled to the brim with shockingly underrated series. Furthermore, the thriller genre in general is so ubiquitous that countless subscribers may not even realize a seemingly simple plot is actually fueled by suspense, mystery, and head-turning twists. Whether you're in the market for some low-stakes chills and thrills or simply need to find your next binge watch, the most overlooked thrillers on Netflix deserve a chance to prove their mettle— and terrify their viewers. 1899 1899 isn't the most renowned mystery box show of recent memory, but the surreal period drama is truly in a league of its own. The 2022 series follows a group of passengers aboard Kerberos, a steamship headed to New York City at the turn of the 20th century. What at first seems to be a straightforward journey, however, quickly devolves into chaos as a vast conspiracy begins to unravel at the hands of neurologist Maura (Emily Beecham). Alongside a diverse ensemble of amateur sleuths, Maura sets out to uncover the truth behind the Kerberos voyage— and, in turn, that of its presumed-lost sister ship, Prometheus. With dreamlike vision sequences, mysterious symbols, and a few well-timed deaths, 1899 balances the intrigue of a classic Agatha Christie novel with the sci-fi spectacle of Arthur C. Clarke. Similarly, the grounded performances of each cast member keep the winding plot anchored, even as more and more uncanny mysteries take hold. There are so many fascinating aspects of 1899 that cement it as one of Netflix's most unique original series— there are eight different languages built into the plot, the cinematography is absurdly beautiful, and the climactic ending recontextualizes the entire viewing experience. Unfortunately, what was conceived as a complex three-season narrative was cut off after its first batch of episodes. Regardless of its premature cancellation, though, 1899 remains a wonderfully satisfying watch that will undoubtedly keep you at the very edge of your seat. Behind Her Eyes At first glance, Behind Her Eyes is a run-of-the-mill psychological thriller, but the six-episode miniseries is a certified roller coaster of emotions. The series centers on Louise (Simona Brown), a single mother who strikes up a torrid affair with her boss, David (Tom Bateman). The infidelity plot alone is thrilling in its own right, but Behind Her Eyes ups the ante by having Louise form an unlikely connection with David's wife, Adele (Eve Hewson). The strange friendship between Louise and Adele is immediately uncomfortable, but the tension grows thicker with each passing episode, culminating in one of the most infamous plot twists in modern TV history. Without question, Behind Her Eyes is highly divisive, but a thriller that fails to shock you isn't much of a thriller at all. As such, the miniseries may have a controversial ending, but loving or hating the final reveal is far better than indifference. Behind Her Eyes was adapted from Sarah Pinborough's 2017 novel of the same name by Steve Lightfoot, a producer best known for titles like Hannibal, Spider-Noir, and The Punisher. Arguably the best part of Behind Her Eyes is the main cast of characters and their unsettling interpersonal dynamics. David and Louise have palpable sexual chemistry, but each taboo scene is shrouded in guilt and shame. Meanwhile, Louise and Adele have an unusual bond, but the skeletons in each character's closet weigh heavily in the background. Had Behind Her Eyes been a stripped-down drama, it may have been more palatable, but the supernatural edge was invaluable to the story's depth. Admittedly, it isn't an easy binge that you'll rewatch every weekend, but Behind Her Eyes is a thriller every genre fan should see at least once. The Midnight Club Netflix Many of Netflix's most popular thrillers were created by Mike Flanagan, but The Midnight Club is constantly forgotten. Whereas The Haunting of Hill House breathed new life into a seminal piece of Gothic literature and Midnight Mass constructed a brand-new bastion of religious horror, The Midnight Club took the works of Christopher Pike and crafted a captivating slow-burn mystery. At the heart of the drama is the eponymous club, composed of young adults with terminal illnesses who take turns spinning twisted tales under the cover of darkness. Between the spooky stories and the real-life tragedy of imminent death, the club members find solace in the macabre and forge infallible friendship— but reality is darker than fiction, and the truth behind the central hospice facility will leave you reeling. Between the cast's indomitable acting and the ample inspiration available in Pike's bibliography, the Netflix original thriller could have run for years. Sadly, The Midnight Club's frustrating cancellation remains one of the streaming service's most painful decisions, nearly half a decade later. Nonetheless, the 10 episodes that did air house bite-sized horror stories for the ages, and Mike Flanagan's lesser-known masterpiece is absolutely still worth the watch. Bloodhounds Soyun Jeon, Seowoo Jung / Netflix Even the staunchest subtitle haters would have to admit that Korean thrillers are on another level entirely. In stark contrast to the aforementioned fantasy, sci-fi, and supernatural elements, the suspense of Bloodhounds is built on a foundation of profoundly human conflicts. Kim Gun-woo (Woo Do-hwan) is a skilled boxer, but his dreams take a backseat when his mother is scammed by a band of loan sharks known as Smile Capital. With the help of fellow boxer and former marine Hong Woo-jin (Lee Sang-yi), Gun-woo sets out on a quest of vigilantism. Bloodhounds season 2 is just as excellent as the first installment, and fans have high hopes for a potential third season. Despite the K-drama only having 15 episodes, each entry is rich in subtext and thought-provoking examinations of what justice truly entails. With powerhouse performances and expertly choreographed fight sequences to boot, Bloodhounds will get your heart racing within minutes, and you won't be able to look away until the credits roll. Bodies Most shows about time travel are hit or miss, but anyone who has seen Bodies can confirm: it is an uncontested work of art. The miniseries takes place in four distinct settings— 1890, 1941, 2023 and 2053— as era-specific detectives all investigate the same body. Incredibly, the show doesn't simply flash between the different time periods; there are full casts, costume schemes, and realistic subplots that bolster each case. To that end, Bodies ties in nuanced historical context that makes each time period feel like a completely different show. Without a doubt, someone catching a glimpse at the 1890 investigation would never assume it overlaps with the speculative sci-fi bearings of 2053. Yet, that's precisely what makes Bodies so impressive: the mystery thriller is one of the most ambitious stories Netflix has ever told. While it is typically eclipsed by contemporaries like Dark, Bodies is a must-watch for any thriller lover. Even if you hold no affinity for the genre, however, let these titles be a reminder that the best series Netflix has to offer aren't always celebrated far and wide. Rather, the most visionary and boundary-breaking narratives often lay dormant, waiting for their time in the sun. Release Date 2023 - 2023-00-00 Showrunner Paul Tomalin Directors Marco Kreuzpainter, Haolu Wang Writers Paul Tomalin, Danusia Samal