Top 10 US Thrillers

Description: This film is a masterclass in psychological thrillers, featuring a chilling performance by Anthony Hopkins as the cannibalistic psychiatrist Hannibal Lecter. It delves into the dark psyche of a serial killer and the intense pursuit by a young FBI agent.

Fact: Jodie Foster won an Oscar for Best Actress for her role as Clarice Starling. The film is one of only three films to win the "Big Five" Academy Awards.

Description: A dark, gritty thriller about two detectives tracking a serial killer who uses the seven deadly sins as his modus operandi. Its bleak atmosphere and shocking ending have cemented its place in thriller history.

Fact: The film was originally titled "Seven," but the stylized "Se7en" was used for marketing. The ending was kept secret from most of the cast and crew.

Description: M. Night Shyamalan's breakout film about a young boy who communicates with spirits, and the child psychologist who tries to help him, culminating in one of cinema's most famous twists.

Fact: The film was nominated for six Oscars, including Best Picture. Bruce Willis and Haley Joel Osment both received critical acclaim for their performances.

Description: Christopher Nolan's innovative thriller tells the story of a man with short-term memory loss who uses notes and tattoos to hunt for his wife's killer, with the narrative unfolding in reverse.

Fact: The film was shot in two sequences: one in color, moving backwards, and one in black and white, moving forward. Guy Pearce had to keep his head shaved for continuity.

Description: A tale of moles, loyalty, and betrayal set in Boston's criminal underworld, this film is a thrilling cat-and-mouse game between the police and the mob, with Leonardo DiCaprio and Matt Damon delivering standout performances.

Fact: Martin Scorsese won his first Best Director Oscar for this film. It's a remake of the Hong Kong film "Infernal Affairs."

Description: Based on the true story of the Zodiac Killer, this film meticulously details the investigation into one of America's most infamous unsolved cases, offering a chilling look at obsession and the quest for truth.

Fact: David Fincher, the director, spent years researching the case, ensuring the film's accuracy. The film's title sequence was designed by the same artist who created the original Zodiac ciphers.

Description: This Coen Brothers' adaptation of Cormac McCarthy's novel is a tense, slow-burn thriller about a man who stumbles upon a drug deal gone wrong and the relentless killer who pursues him.

Fact: The film won four Oscars, including Best Picture. Javier Bardem's character, Anton Chigurh, was ranked as one of the greatest villains in film history by AFI.

Description: Martin Scorsese's psychological thriller about a U.S. Marshal investigating the disappearance of a patient from a psychiatric hospital, only to find himself questioning his own sanity.

Fact: The film is based on the novel by Dennis Lehane. The ending was kept a secret from the cast and crew until the last day of shooting.

Description: A gripping tale of a father's desperate search for his missing daughter, leading him to take justice into his own hands, this film explores moral dilemmas and the lengths one will go to protect their family.

Fact: Hugh Jackman and Jake Gyllenhaal both underwent physical transformations for their roles. The film was shot in chronological order to capture the emotional journey of the characters.

Description: David Fincher's adaptation of Gillian Flynn's novel explores the dark side of marriage and media manipulation, with Rosamund Pike delivering a career-defining performance as the enigmatic Amy Dunne.

Fact: The film's ending was changed from the book to provide a more ambiguous conclusion. Rosamund Pike was nominated for an Oscar for her role.