The 100 Greatest Thriller-Suspense Films of All-Time

Thriller-Suspense Films are types of films known to promote intense excitement, a high level of anticipation, ultra-heightened expectation, uncertainty, anxiety, and nerve-wracking tension. Thriller and suspense films are virtually synonymous and interchangeable categorizations, with similar characteristics and features. However, 'thriller films' must not be confused with the 'thrills' found in most of the typical action, adventure, crime, horror or mystery films.

If the genre is to be defined strictly, a genuine thriller is a film that rentlessly pursues a single-minded goal - to provide thrills and keep the audience cliff-hanging at the 'edge of their seats' as the plot builds towards a climax. The tension usually arises when the main character(s) is placed in a menacing situation or mystery, or experiences a devastating plot twist, and/or must escape or engage in a dangerous mission from which escape seems impossible. Life itself is threatened, usually because the principal character is unsuspecting or unknowingly involved in a dangerous or potentially deadly situation. Plots of thrillers involve characters which come into conflict with each other or with outside forces - the menace is sometimes abstract, psychological or shadowy.

More About Thriller Films:

• See Filmsite's Examples of Greatest Thriller-Suspense Films
• See also AFI's 100 Greatest Thrillers from 100 Years...100 Thrills