The 1990s were a great decade for thriller movies, producing many which are now considered classics. Thrillers toyed with dark psychological concepts in new ways throughout the '90s, creating some completely original stories. The decade was also categorized by unpredictable twists, complex villains and a sensual style.

Directors like David Fincher, Michael Mann and M. Night Shyamalan all produced some of their best work in the 1990s, which underlines how strong the decade was for thrillers. There was a wide range of high-quality thrillers, with different subgenres, settings and styles.

10 Eyes Wide Shut (1999)

Kubrick's Final Flourish Is Continually Rewarding

Although Eyes Wide Shut doesn't usually rank among Stanley Kubrick's best movies, the director's swansong is an engrossing thriller that has grown in stature over the years. Its strange patterns and constantly unsettling tone have given it a lot of rewatch value.

Its strange patterns and constantly unsettling tone have given it a lot of rewatch value.

It should be noted that Kubrick rated Eyes Wide Shut as his personal favorite of his movies shortly before his death, which should be enough to urge his fans to think about it in a different light. While the scenes at the party are instantly eye-catching, Kubrick seems just as fascinated by the mundanity of cushy urban life.

9 Cape Fear (1991)

Scorsese Gets The Best Out Of De Niro Once Again

Martin Scorsese and Robert De Niro always seem to do their best work together, but Cape Fear tends to get overlooked alongside the likes of Goodfellas and Taxi Driver. Nevertheless, De Niro is at his most chilling and most engaging as the slimy ex-con Max Cady, who gets released from prison with revenge on his mind.

Cape Fear is a remake of a 1962 movie starring Gregory Peck and Robert Mitchum, but De Niro's performance is unparalleled. While there are better Martin Scorsese movies, Cape Fear is still a cut above the bulk of '90s crime thrillers, as the director ratchets up the tension expertly.

8 Primal Fear (1996)

Primal Fear Is A Perfect Example Of The '90s Thriller

Primal Fear ticks off many of the conventions that made '90s thrillers such a distinct group. There's a twisty criminal case, a main character whose personal struggles almost destroy his work, and a dark commentary on the state of American society - in this case focused on media sensationalism and criminal justice. Primal Fear even has a generic name that could be lost alongside the likes of Basic Instinct, Double Jeopardy or Presumed Innocent.

Primal Fear may embody the spirit of many '90s thrillers, but it proves itself to be miles ahead of the competition. Richard Gere delivers one of his finest performances, but he's just one member of a captivating cast. As the story takes its unpredictable twists and turns, the dialogue and Gregory Hoblit's direction combine to create a disturbing atmosphere that goes far deeper than the surface level events.

7 The Sixth Sense (1999)

M. Night Shyamalan's Ghost Story Is More Than Just Its Famous Twist

M. Night Shyamalan began to earn his reputation as a lover of twists with The Sixth Sense. While twists often work best when they're showing the audience something they had never considered possible, there's a lot about The Sixth Sense that feels familiar. Unlike the gritty psychological thrillers that characterized the '90s, The Sixth Sense is an old-fashioned, eerie ghost story, content to play with the same rule book that dates back hundreds of years.

Shyamalan's ability to find something original and unexpected within this familiar framework is what makes The Sixth Sense so memorable. Of course, Haley Joel Osment's performance is also a huge bonus. Child actors rarely have such a compelling presence, but Osment and Willis work well together.

6 Misery (1990)

Stephen King's Story About A Writer Seems Personal

Misery is one of the best Stephen King movies, and it's yet another example of King's ability to create intense horror out of everyday ingredients. While the author is certainly fond of the supernatural, Misery manages to be just as terrifying without any such spectacle.

The story about a writer who finds himself trying to finish a story to the liking of one dangerously obsessive fan may well have come from King's own fears about satisfying his audience. Kathy Bates' pitch-perfect performance does a lot of the heavy lifting in translating this idea to the big screen.

5 The Fugitive (1993)

The Movie Outstrips The TV Series With Ease

The power of The Fugitive can be summed up by the iconic exchange shared between Harrison Ford's escaped convict and Tommy Lee Jones' grizzled U.S. marshal at the top of a dam. The convict pleads his innocence, but his cries fall on deaf ears. "I don't care" is the only response. These are two men bent on winning, more dedicated and resourceful than anybody else.

Ford and Jones are both at the peak of their powers in The Fugitive. They grab hold of every line of dialogue with the kind of gusto that elevates a cat-and-mouse thriller into something unmissable. There's an element of mystery and some exciting action scenes, but the narrative's main draw is the western-style showdown between a lawman and a convict.

4 Heat (1995)

Pacino And De Niro Combine To Create A Heist Classic

Heat is one of the best heist movies ever, with two outstanding performances from Al Pacino and Robert De Niro. While most heist movies focus on either the thieves or the detectives, Heat manages to have it both ways without ever feeling overstuffed. By fleshing out both of its main characters, it becomes extremely hard to predict, right until the climactic final showdown.

Michael Mann brings his mastery of style and suspense to Heat. He manages to make quiet conversations between his characters just as thrilling as the famous shootouts and car crashes. There isn't a single wasted scene in Heat's almost three-hour runtime, nor is there a shot without some intrinsic beauty or crafty intelligence.

3 Fight Club (1999)

David Fincher's Psychological Thriller Is Intelligent And Intense

Fight Club was originally a box office failure, partly because it's the kind of movie that's hard to market. Even though it's now evolved from a cult film to a true classic, it's still hard to categorize. Part psychological thriller, part dark comedy and part crime drama, Fight Club cuts a unique dash.

Many of David Fincher's best movies are crime thrillers of some kind. Fight Club also highlights the director's uncanny ability to peer into the minds of his characters. Still, Fincher saves a few secrets for the third act. Fight Club's twist may be common knowledge by now, but it's a credit to the film that it's worth watching even if it's been spoiled many times over.

2 Se7en (1995)

Fincher Strikes Again With A Powerful Detective Thriller

Another of David Fincher's best thrillers, Se7en pairs Brad Pitt and Morgan Freeman as two detectives tracking a deranged serial killer. The power of the script and the performances separate Se7en from its large following of copycats, while Fincher is just as keyed into the dark corners of criminal pathology as ever.

Se7en's shocking ending is the perfect final flourish. The twist packs a punch, but Fincher also displays enough poise to ensure that Se7en lingers long in the memory. Its biblical allusions lend an epic weight to the moral battle between good and evil that colors the narrative.

1 The Silence Of The Lambs (1991)

The Best Picture Winner Is As Powerful As Ever

The Silence of the Lambs achieved the rare distinction of winning Oscars in the five major categories, which had only happened twice before and never since. This is an accurate reflection of the intense power of the crime thriller, which continues to captivate audiences over 30 years later.

The Silence of the Lambs achieved the rare distinction of winning Oscars in the five major categories.

While Anthony Hopkins' performance is the more eye-catching, Jodie Foster deserves plenty of credit for her portrayal of a young FBI agent trying to get to grips with her first assignment while a devilish serial killer toys with her mind. She provides the emotional heart of the story.