Netflix is leaping into 2026 by adding a couple of dozen new movies to its vast library. There are picks to suit all tastes, but whenever Netflix adds a sizeable collection of flicks, I’m always on the hunt for thriller movies.
I’m clearly not alone in my love for thrillers, as the genre consistently proves to be among the most popular with Netflix subscribers. That’s why I combed through Netflix's January 2026 slate and selected three new to Netflix thrillers that are worth adding to your watchlist this week.
If you’re ready to leave the holiday rom-coms behind and start streaming some gripping films, here are three thriller movies just added to Netflix.
Best Netflix thriller movies to watch this week
‘Green Room’ (2015)
“Green Room” was an early success story for popular movie studio and distributor A24, and celebrates its 10th anniversary in 2026. A decade on, and it’s still a frightfully gripping dark thriller. Noted for its graphic violence, effective tension and a very memorable villainous performance from the usually lovable Patrick Stewart, “Green Room” packs a real punch. Don't believe me? Perhaps its strong 90% score on Rotten Tomatoes will convince you to add this 2015 movie to your watchlist.
The flick centers on a scruffy punk band that is booked to play a small backwoods bar. Discovering the venue is actually patronized by a skinhead gang, they are eager to pack up their gear and leave. But the stakes are raised when they witness the gang murder a young woman, and are trapped in the backstage green room. To survive the night, they’re forced into a standoff against the gang's ruthless leader (Stewart).
Watch "Green Room" on Netflix now
‘Lone Survivor’ (2013)
Based on a true story of heroism, “Lone Survivor” adapts the memoir of the same name by Marcus Luttrell and Patrick Robinson, which chronicles a U.S. Navy SEAL mission to locate a terrorist leader. Starring Mark Wahlberg, Taylor Kitsch, Emile Hirsch and Ben Foster, it hits many of the action beats you’d expect from a 2010s military movie, but its biggest strength is the brotherhood between its central squad.
Set in Afghanistan in 2005, a squad of four Navy SEALs is tasked with locating and capturing a warlord known as Shah (Yousuf Azami) in a mission known as Operation Red Wings. While surveying the area, the squad is spotted by local villagers, who alert the enemy forces to their presence. Outnumbered and outgunned, the four soldiers must rely on each other to survive as they face overwhelming odds.
Watch "Lone Survivor" on Netflix now
‘Wild Things’ (1998)
“Wild Things” is a quintessentially ‘90s movie, from the hairstyles and fashion to the cast, which includes Kevin Bacon, Neve Campbell, and Matt Dillon. It’s an erotic thriller that certainly feels of its time, but has earned cult status over the years. It also spawned three direct-to-DVD sequels (remember when those were a thing?), but the original is the one still worth watching in 2026. It’s unashamedly trashy, but that proves to be compelling. And there are enough twists to give you whiplash.
Set in an upscale Miami suburb, snotty rich kid Kelly Van Ryan (Denise Richards) accuses her high school guidance counselor (Dillon) of sexual assault. Capitalizing on an immoral opportunity, outcast classmate Suzie Toller (Campbell) comes forward with her own allegations. In steps attorney Kenneth Bowden (Billy Murray) to defend Sam, and Detective Ray Duquette (Bacon), who soon discovers a twisted web of deceit.
Watch "Wild Things" on Netflix now
Follow Tom's Guide on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our up-to-date news, analysis, and reviews in your feeds.
More from Tom's Guide
You must confirm your public display name before commenting
Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.
