11 Suspenseful Movies Like ‘Gone Girl’ to Add to Your Queue

In 2014, millions of fans flocked to theaters to see Rosamund Pike and Ben Affleck star in Gone Girl. The mind-bending thriller, which follows a husband who becomes a prime suspect in the disappearance of his wife, is dark, intense and guaranteed to keep viewers guessing until the end. In honor of the film’s success, we’re turning our attention to other compelling movies like Gone Girl, from the star-studded Gone Baby Gone to classic gems like To Die For. Keep reading for 11 of the best films to add to your queue.

1. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2011) 

• Cast: Daniel Craig, Mikael Blomkvist, Rooney Mara
• Rating: R

Gone Girl director David Fincher spearheaded this gripping psychological thriller, which follows Lisbeth Salander, a troubled computer hacker who is hired by a journalist to investigate a disappearance that occurred 40 years ago. They soon discover that the crime is part of a big conspiracy. (Inspiring female leads, FTW.)

2. A Simple Favor (2018) 

• Cast: Anna Kendrick, Blake Lively
• Rating: R

Based on Darcey Bell’s novel of the same name, A Simple Favor follows Stephanie, a single mom and vlogger who launches an investigation into the sudden disappearance of her rich best friend, Emily. As she digs deeper into Emily’s past, Stephanie realizes there’s way more to her BFF than meets the eye. The film perfectly balances mystery, humor and deep themes.

3. Gone Baby Gone (2007) 

• Cast: Casey Affleck, Michelle Monaghan, Ed Harris, Morgan Freeman
• Rating: R

In Ben Affleck’s directorial debut, two private investigators set out to find a 4-year-old girl who was abducted at her mother’s apartment. This mystery thriller is packed with stellar performances—plus, it’s thought-provoking and the kind of film that haunts you long after the credits roll. 

4. The Girl on the Train (2016)

• Cast: Emily Blunt, Rebecca Ferguson, Haley Bennett, Justin Theroux
• Rating: R

If you’re into trippy movies that feature an unstable or unreliable narrator, you’ll love The Girl on the Train. Blunt stars as Rachel Watson, a divorcee who struggles with alcoholism. She develops an obsession with a young couple who she passes on the train every day, but everything goes south when she witnesses a murder. And when the police start to investigate, Rachel becomes the prime suspect.

5. Fractured (2019)

• Cast: Sam Worthington, Lily Rabe, Stephen Tobolowsky
• Rating: TV-MA

Fractured is the movie to watch if you’re into mind-bending psychological thrillers with major twists. It follows a man named Ray, whose wife and daughter mysteriously vanish after they visit the hospital together. As he tries to search for them, he suspects that the hospital staff had something to do with their disappearance. But when they assure him that he walked in alone, Ray begins to wonder if he’s imagining things.

6. The Woman in the Window (2021)

• Cast: Amy Adams, Julianne Moore, Gary Oldman, Wyatt Russell
• Rating: R

This psychological thriller is as close as you can get to The Girl on the Train, thanks to a strikingly similar plot. The film follows Anna, an agoraphobic woman who starts spying on her new neighbors—a seemingly perfect family. When she witnesses a crime in their home, she’s faced with a dilemma.   

7. The Little Things (2021) 

• Cast: Denzel Washington, Rami Malek, Jared Leto
• Rating: R

Deputy Sheriff Joe Deacon and Sgt. Jim Baxter team up to investigate a series of murders in 1990s Los Angeles. As they work on the case, they discover some dark secrets that could threaten the entire investigation. Trust us, the suspense will keep you on the edge of your seat from start to finish.

8. Thoroughbreds (2018)

• Cast: Olivia Cooke, Anya Taylor-Joy, Anton Yelchin, Paul Sparks
• Rating: R

Nothing good can come from two scheming teenage girls who are determined to get their way—especially if they have psychopathic tendencies. Set in suburban Connecticut, Thoroughbreds follows Amanda and Lily, two unlikely friends who devise a dangerous plan to handle a family issue.

9. Tell No One (2006)

• Cast: François Cluzet, Marie-Josée Croze
• Rating: R

Dr. Alexandre Beck is still mourning the death of his wife, Margo—who was murdered eight years ago—when the police find two dead bodies near his home, along with a wealth of evidence that connects him to the crime. Meanwhile, Alexandre also receives mysterious emails that seem to suggest his wife is still alive. Determined to find the truth about what happened, he goes on the run.

10. Side Effects (2013)

• Cast: Jude Law, Rooney Mara, Catherine Zeta-Jones
• Rating: R

Emily starts seeing a new therapist to deal with her mental health issues. When she is prescribed an experimental drug, she starts to commit brutal crimes as one of the side effects. Like Gone Girl, the film is riveting and suspenseful, complete with smart writing. Expect some sharp commentary on the mental health care system.

11. To Die For (1995)

• Cast: Joaquin Phoenix, Matt Dillon, Illeana Douglas, Nicole Kidman
• Rating: R

Kidman delivers an unforgettable performance as Suzanne, a psychopathic killer who will stop at nothing to get ahead in her career and achieve fame. Convinced that her husband is holding her back, Suzanne plots to have her husband killed. Watch for the suspense and the stellar cast.