20 Kinds of Thrillers

As a thriller writer, you know that thrillers come in all shapes and sizes. From psychological suspense to political intrigue, there is no shortage of exciting stories out there waiting to be told. But if you’re looking for something unique and original, then it’s time to explore the many different kinds of thrillers.

From classic whodunits to heart-pounding action, the possibilities are endless when it comes to creating an unforgettable tale of suspense and mystery. Whether you’re writing a novel or crafting a screenplay, there are 20 different kinds of thrillers that can help inspire your creativity—each with its own set of conventions and tropes that will keep readers on the edge of their seats!

We’re going to group these 20 kinds of thrillers into four categories, and we'll use the mnemonic GATS (as in the 1920s gangster slang for "guns"):

General - mystery, suspense, psychological, crime
Action - heist, spy, military, technothriller, terrorist, action/adventure
Types - serial killer, domestic, romantic, supernatural/horror, conspiracy
Settings - legal, medical, political, historical, sci-fi/fantasy

You will notice that there is a fair amount of overlap between the different kinds of thrillers, and the real fun is in combining them in new and clever ways.

To illustrate the different kinds of thrillers, we will use examples from a mix of thriller novels and films.

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General

The “General” category are the broad kinds of thrillers. In fact, most, if not all, of the other kinds will be flavors of one or more of these. There are 4 kinds of thrillers in the “General” category:

Mystery
Suspense
Psychological
Crime

MYSTERY

A classic whodunit, the mystery genre is all about solving a puzzle and discovering the truth. Sub-genres of the mystery include traditional mysteries; cozy mysteries that often feature amateur sleuths and take place in small towns; historical mysteries, which explore crimes set in the past; and modern noir, which often features hard-boiled detectives living on the edge

Examples of popular mystery thrillers include Alfred Hitchcock’s Rear Window and Christopher Nolan’s The Prestige. These thrillers typically follow one or more protagonists as they uncover clues that lead to an unexpected twist or reveal.

SUSPENSE

The suspense genre focuses on tension and uncertainty, creating an atmosphere of fear and dread as the protagonist navigates their way through danger and mystery. In a suspense thriller, the reader is kept in the dark about the outcome until the very end, making them question what will happen next — and how!

Examples of popular suspense thrillers include Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho, M. Night Shyamalan’s The Sixth Sense, Steven Spielberg’s Jaws, Robert Zemeckis' The Fugitive and David Koepp’s Panic Room.

PSYCHOLOGICAL

The psychological thriller explores the inner workings of the human mind. Whether your protagonist is a criminal mastermind or an average person caught in an extraordinary situation, a psychological thriller can provide endless opportunities for tension and suspense — and a lot of fun!

Examples of popular psychological thrillers include Martin Scorsese’s Shutter Island, Alfred Hitchcock’s Vertigo, Stanley Kubrick’s (and Stephen King’s) The Shining, Francis Ford Coppola’s The Conversation, and David Fincher’s (and Chuck’s Palahniuk’s) Fight Club. These stories are often told from multiple perspectives and focus heavily on character development and internal struggles— such as fear, obsession and guilt — to keep readers hooked until the end.

CRIME

Crime thrillers typically focus on criminal activity, and the mystery and suspense around it. As a thriller writer, you can delve into a variety of sub-genres within this genre, including police procedurals, hardboiled/noir, and organized crime.

Quentin Tarantino’s Reservoir Dogs follows a group of criminals who get caught up in an over-the-top diamond heist gone wrong — with plenty of wit, bloodshed, and unexpected turns along the way!

Crime thrillers can be full of intense action sequences or slower-paced stories focusing on character development or worldbuilding.

Action

The “Action” category are fast-paced thrillers with a strong external drive that motivates the characters and the story. There are 6 kinds of thrillers in the “Action” category:

Heist
Spy
Military
Technothriller
Terrorist
Action/Adventure

HEIST

Heist thrillers focus on characters attempting to pull off a daring robbery or score a big heist, with plenty of twists and turns along the way.

The Thomas Crown Affair is a beloved heist thriller that has been adapted twice. The original 1968 version starring Steve McQueen and Faye Dunaway follows billionaire Thomas Crown as he masterminds an intricate bank heist in order to outwit the police. You can expect plenty of twists, turns, and suspense as Crown’s plan unfolds and the police try to catch him. The 1999 remake starring Pierce Brosnan and Rene Russo is also filled with thrills and spills. This time around, Crown is after a priceless Monet painting instead of money — but the stakes are still high! With a modern soundtrack, sleek visuals, and a star-studded cast, it’s no wonder that this version was so successful too. When it comes to capturing the excitement of a thrilling heist story, you can rely on these two films for lots of creative inspiration!

Try Steve McQueen’s Widows (screenplay by Gillian Flynn and McQueen). This gripping crime drama follows four women who team up to carry out a heist that was planned by their late husbands.

Guy Ritchie’s Snatch is a madcap gangster flick that follows a trio of criminals who get caught up in an underground gambling scheme populated by colorful characters from all walks of life, with wild dialogue and nonstop action.

SPY

Spy thrillers are an exciting and popular genre within the action group of thrillers. They often focus on espionage, stealth, and subterfuge — with characters ranging from renegade spies to international agents — as they attempt to uncover secrets and protect their country or cause.

One classic example is Alfred Hitchcock’s North by Northwest. This beloved thriller follows Roger Thornhill (Cary Grant) as he attempts to clear his name after being mistaken for a government agent and framed for murder. With its iconic chase scenes, witty dialogue and thrilling suspense, North by Northwest remains one of the most influential entries in this genre.

You may want to check out The Spy Who Came in from the Cold, both the classic novel by John le Carré and the 1965 film adaptation starring Richard Burton. This gripping drama follows British spy Alec Leamas as he embarks on a mission to East Germany during the Cold War. With its intense action sequences and moral ambiguity, this story has all the ingredients of a classic spy thriller. You’ll be taken on a journey through espionage, political intrigue and moral complexity — all while trying to figure out who to trust and who is playing whom — in this thrilling tale of international espionage.

Try Steven Spielberg’s Bridge of Spies. This gripping drama tells the story of James Donovan (Tom Hanks), an insurance lawyer who is enlisted by the CIA to negotiate a prisoner exchange during the Cold War era. The film features intense action sequences, morally complex characters and plenty of suspenseful moments — making it one of the better modern examples of a classic spy story.

Finally, for something a bit more lighthearted yet still no less thrilling, take a look at Matthew Vaughn’s Kingsman: The Secret Service. This over-the-top action comedy with its unique brand of humor and thrilling set pieces, follows Eggsy (Taron Egerton), an unassuming street kid who is trained to become a secret agent by Harry Hart (Colin Firth).

MILITARY

Military thrillers are a thrilling, action-packed genre of thrillers that focus on the conflict between military forces and their adversaries. Whether it’s a covert operation or an all-out war, readers will find themselves immersed in stories of suspense, intrigue, and daring heroics.

The Guns of Navarone is a classic military thriller novel by Alistair MacLean and its 1961 film adaptation starring Gregory Peck and Anthony Quinn. Both are must-reads/viewings for any thriller writer looking to capture the intensity of a military mission. This story follows Major Keith Mallory (Peck) and his team of commandos as they attempt to neutralize two giant guns that are threatening Allied ships in the Aegean Sea during World War II.

TECHNOTHRILLER

Technothrillers are an exciting and fast-paced genre of thrillers that focus on technological threats and their consequences. Whether it’s a cyber attack or a hidden conspiracy, readers will be on the edge of their seat as they race to uncover the truth.

Take a look at Arnold Schwarzenegger’s The 6th Day. This sci-fi action technothriller follows Adam Gibson (Schwarzenegger) as he is cloned illegally by a powerful corporation — and then must escape from them before they use him for nefarious purposes.

Try John McTiernan’s Die Hard with a Vengeance — an explosive adventure that pits John McClane (Bruce Willis) against cyber criminals who threaten to wreak havoc on New York City unless their demands are met.

TERRORIST

The terrorist thriller is a sub-genre of thriller that puts the audience on edge as it explores themes of political turmoil and global threats.

For a classic example in this genre, try John McTiernan’s Die Hard — an iconic action film starring Bruce Willis as NYPD officer John McClane who takes on a group of European terrorists at Nakatomi Plaza. With its explosive action sequences, intelligent plot twists and engaging characters, Die Hard remains one of the most influential films in this genre to this day.

For something more recent and cerebral, check out Kathryn Bigelow’s Zero Dark Thirty — an intense drama set during the hunt for Osama bin Laden. This gripping film follows CIA agents Maya (Jessica Chastain) and Dan (Jason Clarke) as they pursue leads that could lead them to the infamous terrorist leader. With its gritty realism and top notch performances from its cast — Zero Dark Thirty stands out as one of the best examples in this genre to date.

And if you’re looking for something more offbeat yet still no less thrilling, try Ben Affleck’s Argo — an Oscar winning drama about six American embassy workers who escape Iran during the 1979 hostage crisis by posing as filmmakers scouting locations for a fake movie project. Featuring suspenseful scenes throughout its runtime — Argo truly captures the tension of their dangerous mission in ways few other films can match.

ACTION/ADVENTURE

The action/adventure thriller is a classic genre of thriller that goes full throttle with action set-pieces and daring escapes.

Try Doug Liman’s The Bourne Identity — an intense spy thriller starring Matt Damon as amnesiac Jason Bourne who must piece together his past while evading ruthless government agents. This fast paced film features plenty of exciting chase sequences and clever plot twists that will keep you engaged from start to finish.

And for something even more thrilling and wildly imaginative, check out Christopher Nolan’s Inception — a mind bending science fiction action thriller starring Leonardo DiCaprio as Dom Cobb who is tasked with planting an idea into someone else’s dreams. This inventive film features stunning visuals and groundbreaking special effects that help bring its ambitious story to life.

Types

The “Types” category are thrillers that focus on a specific type of killer, situation, or other element. There are 5 kinds of thrillers in the “Types” category:

Serial Killer
Domestic
Romantic
Supernatural/Horror
Conspiracy

SERIAL KILLER

The serial killer thriller focuses on an individual or group of people who commit heinous crimes and the authorities trying to track them down.

If you’re looking for an excellent example in this genre, look no further than Jonathan Demme’s film (and Thomas Harris’s novel) The Silence Of The Lambs — a classic psychological thriller starring Jodie Foster as FBI agent Clarice Starling who must confront her own demons while hunting down serial killer Buffalo Bill (Ted Levine), and, of course, our favorite cannibal, Hannibal Lecter (Anthony Hopkins).

Try David Fincher’s Seven — a darkly atmospheric crime thriller with intelligent twists and turns and captivating visuals, starring Morgan Freeman and Brad Pitt as two detectives investigating a series of murders that are inspired by the seven deadly sins.

DOMESTIC

The domestic thriller focuses on crimes happening in the close environment, such as those within a family or a neighborhood. It typically centers around characters who are caught up in a web of lies and deceit, with the suspense coming from the tension between character interactions and their inner struggles as they unravel complex mysteries.

For something highly acclaimed and thought-provoking, you can’t go wrong with David Fincher’s filrm (and Gillian Flynn’s novel) Gone Girl — a gripping mystery thriller starring Ben Affleck and Rosamund Pike as Nick and Amy Dunne whose seemingly perfect marriage begins to unravel when Amy mysteriously disappears one day. .

Try Harlan Coben’s Tell No One — an ingenious mystery thriller about Alex Beck who receives an email from his wife Margot who was supposedly murdered 8 years ago.

ROMANTIC

Romantic thrillers are a popular sub-genre of the thriller genre that focus on suspenseful, romantic stories with elements of mystery and intrigue. These films typically center around a central character who is embroiled in a romance with an intriguing or dangerous individual, often leading to dramatic confrontations and tantalizing plot twists.

For something more intense yet still captivatingly romantic, check out Adrian Lyne’s Fatal Attraction — a thrilling drama starring Michael Douglas as Dan Gallagher who embarks on an extramarital affair with Alex Forrest (Glenn Close) only to be caught up in her deadly obsession.

SUPERNATURAL/HORROR

Supernatural/horror thrillers a focus on stories with supernatural elements, such as ghosts, monsters, and other paranormal activity. These films typically follow a protagonist who must confront some sort of supernatural threat while trying to discover the truth behind the mysterious events they encounter.

As a thriller writer, you may be interested in exploring some of the more popular sub-genres within this genre. The most common sub-genres include ghost stories, which tell tales of hauntings and spirits; vampire stories, which feature protagonists battling against creatures of the night; or slasher films, which involve victims being stalked by a masked killer.

For an effective ghost story that combines suspenseful horror with its own unique sense of style, check out James Wan’s The Conjuring — a gripping tale starring Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga as paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren who must battle a spirit terrorizing a family in their new home.

CONSPIRACY

Conspiracy thrillers focus on stories involving complex and often sinister plots, such as political conspiracies or other dark secrets. These novels and films typically follow a protagonist as they unravel these mysterious plots while trying to uncover the truth hidden beneath the deception.

One of the most iconic conspiracy thrillers of all time is Ron Howard’s The Da Vinci Code — an adaptation of Dan Brown’s best-selling novel about Harvard symbologist Robert Langdon (Tom Hanks) who must decipher cryptic codes hidden in Leonardo Da Vinci’s masterpieces to prevent an ancient secret from being exposed.

Setting

The “Setting” category are thrillers where the setting or “world” where the story takes place is an important element. There are 5 kinds of thrillers in the “Setting” category:

Legal
Medical
Political
Historical
Sci-Fi/Fantasy

LEGAL

Legal thrillers are a popular sub-genre of the thriller genre that focus on stories involving complex legal cases, such as courtroom dramas or procedural crime investigations. These films typically follow a protagonist — often a lawyer or an investigator — as they navigate the treacherous waters of the legal system while trying to uncover the truth and see justice prevail.

As a thriller writer, you may be interested in exploring some of the more popular sub-genres within this genre. The most common sub-genres include courtroom dramas, which feature protagonists working to prove their client’s innocence; legal procedurals, which involve attorneys digging into complex cases; or investigative thrillers, which follow investigators as they hunt for clues to solve mysterious crimes.

For an effective courtroom drama with plenty of suspense and intrigue, check out Rob Reiner’s film A Few Good Men (based on Aaron Sorkin’s play) — a thrilling drama starring Tom Cruise as Lieutenant Daniel Kaffee who must defend two Marines accused of murder at Guantanamo Bay, encountering the obstruction of the base commanding officer, Colonel Jessep (Jack Nicholson) .

Check out Michael Apted’s Class Action — a gripping thriller starring Gene Hackman and Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio as father-and-daughter lawyers who must go up against a powerful auto manufacturer in court.

And for an inspiring story about one woman’s fight for justice, look no further than Steven Soderbergh’s Erin Brockovich—a biographical drama starring Julia Roberts as Erin Brockovich who works with Ed Masry (Albert Finney) to take on a corporate giant responsible for polluting drinking water and causing medical problems among local residents.

MEDICAL

Medical thrillers focus on stories involving complex medical cases, often with dire consequences if they’re not solved in time. These films typically follow a protagonist — often a doctor or an investigator — as they navigate the dangerous waters of the medical profession while trying to uncover the truth and save lives.

As a thriller writer, you may be interested in exploring some of the more popular sub-genres within this genre. The most common sub-genres include medical mysteries, which feature protagonists working to solve mysterious illnesses; medical procedural thrillers, which involve doctors diagnosing complex cases; or investigative thrillers, which follow investigators as they hunt for clues to solve crimes related to medicine.

For an effective medical mystery filled with plenty of suspense and intrigue, check out Michael Crichton’s Coma (based on the novel by Robin Cook) — a riveting thriller starring Genevieve Bujold as Doctor Susan Wheeler who must investigate why patients at her hospital are falling into comas. Featuring fantastic performances from its leads alongside superb direction from Crichton — Coma is sure to keep you guessing until its thrilling end.

POLITICAL

Political thrillers are an exciting sub-genre of the thriller genre that explore stories involving government intrigue and political corruption. These films and novels typically follow a protagonist — often a politician or investigator — as they navigate the treacherous waters of politics while trying to uncover the truth and bring justice.

Richard Condon’s The Manchurian Candidate is a classic political thriller that explores a chilling conspiracy involving the use of mind-control techniques by an evil foreign power. The novel, published in 1959, follows Major Bennett Marco and Sergeant Raymond Shaw as they investigate a strange incident in Korea during the Korean War that left Raymond with a mysterious mental condition. They soon discover that Raymond has been brainwashed by Communist forces and was part of an assassination plot against a prominent political figure. The novel was adapted into the highly acclaimed 1962 film of the same name starring Laurence Harvey as Raymond Shaw, Frank Sinatra as Major Bennett Marco, and Angela Lansbury as Raymond’s domineering mother Eleanor.

David Baldacci’s Absolute Power is a gripping thriller novel that follows Luther Whitney, a master thief, as he attempts to evade the police and uncover the truth behind a mysterious murder involving the President of the United States. After breaking into a prestigious estate in Virginia — which happens to belong to the president — Luther witnesses something no one else should have seen: the president murdering his mistress in cold blood. The novel was later adapted into a 1997 film by Clint Eastwood, who also stars in it as Luther. In addition to its thrilling story, Absolute Power is notable for its exploration of complicated moral themes such as power and corruption within government offices. This makes it an excellent example for thriller writers looking to explore these kinds of themes in their own stories.

HISTORICAL

Historical thrillers are an exciting variant of the thriller genre that explore stories set in a past time period and often involving dramatic events in history.

As a thriller writer, you may be interested in exploring some of the more popular sub-genres within this genre. The most common sub-genres include period thrillers, which involve protagonists living through moments of historical upheaval; espionage thrillers, which follow individuals as they employ undercover tactics to reveal secrets during wartime; or mystery thrillers, which center on characters trying to find solutions to ancient riddles or uncover hidden truths.

For an inspiring story about one woman’s fight against dangerous forces, look no further than Emma Donoghue’s novel The Poison Bed — an engrossing mystery following Frances Bellingham who must protect her husband from false accusations while also finding out who truly killed Elizabeth Barry in 1615 England.

For something emotionally charged and captivatingly suspenseful, check out Lou Berney’s novel November Road — a thrilling drama following Frank Guidry as he flees New Orleans after witnessing an assassination and finds himself strangely drawn into the life of his pursuer Charlotte Roy — a woman who believes Guidry holds the key to saving her family’s future.

SCI-FI/FANTASY

If you’re looking for something more fantastical than your average thriller, then a sci-fi/fantasy thriller may just be the perfect fit. These stories typically involve elements of science fiction and fantasy, with protagonists facing off against supernatural or technological forces. Sci-fi/fantasy thrillers can often include sub-genres like space thrillers, which follow characters as they explore unknown regions of space; cyberpunk thrillers, which feature tech-savvy protagonists attempting to take down corrupt organizations using cutting-edge technology; or time travel thrillers, which see characters navigating through time to save the day.

For an iconic and thought-provoking classic of the genre, check out Ridley Scott’s Blade Runner — a stunning neo-noir sci-fi film starring Harrison Ford as Deckard — a blade runner tasked with “retiring” rogue replicants while also uncovering secrets about his own past in future Los Angeles.

Check out the Dresden Files series by Jim Butcher — a captivating series of books following Harry Dresden — a wizard turned private investigator who must deal with powerful supernatural forces while trying to unravel various mysteries.

Sci-fi/fantasy thrillers are great for introducing original concepts and pushing boundaries when it comes to storytelling within this genre. As such, these stories offer an exciting opportunity for thriller writers who want to explore new ideas and challenge their skills at creating compelling characters and gripping plots that stay true to their imaginative roots.

Resources

Here are some resources for writing thrillers. First, my article on writing thriller short stories, which includes 7 steps to write a great thriller, how to build suspense in a thriller, and how to write thrillers in the short story constraint.

Cut to the Chase — How to Write a Thriller Short Story

MY FAVORITE ALL-PURPOSE RESOURCE

The Writer's Treasure Chest - everything in one place, curated, organized, this is a great reference for all things writing craft, with tons of prompts, plot/character generators and other tools to inspire and help you as you write your thriller.

THRILLER PROMPTS

THRILLER SHORT STORIES

Here are more reference material on the writing craft that can be helpful when writing your thriller.

FREE COURSE, GUIDE AND WORKBOOK

Do you want to write fiction faster, while practicing your craft and your writing process to consistently get better? Check out this link to the "Write Fiction Faster ... and better" guide and workbook, which comes with a companion course with 23 bite-sized video lessons and 4 worksheets.

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