Wait, what’s a popcorn thriller? If you haven’t heard the term before, here’s the scoop: popcorn thrillers are fast, addictive reads that suck you in and don’t let go. Think binge-worthy stories packed with twists, high stakes, and WTF moments that keep you flipping pages late into the night.
Does this sound like your type of vibe? Let’s get into it.
1. The Housemaid by Freida McFadden
A woman desperate for work lands a job as a live-in housemaid for a seemingly normal couple. But once she moves in, the cracks start to show. Toxic dynamics, disturbing rules—and something seriously wrong behind that locked upstairs door.
Why it’s a must-read: Unreliable narrator? Check. Fast pacing? Check. Giant twist? Oh yeah.
2. The One by John Marrs
A simple DNA test can now match you with your soulmate. For some, the match leads to love. For others? Lies, obsession, and even murder. Be careful with what you wish for.
Why it’s a must-read: High-concept meets high-stakes in this psychological thriller that asks: If science promised true love, would you ignore every red flag?
3. The Only One Left by Riley Sager
A woman accused of murdering her family is confined to a crumbling mansion. When a new caregiver arrives, secrets crawl out of the walls.
Why it’s a must-read: Creepy setting, claustrophobic tension, and a twist that sucker-punches.
4. Don’t Go Down There by Kiersten Modglin
A locked basement. A family secret. A character who should definitely know better.
Why it’s a must-read: You’ll devour it in one sitting and then lock your own basement door.
5. Local Woman Missing by Mary Kubica
Several women go missing from the same neighborhood. Some return. Others don’t. And everyone has something to hide.
Why it’s a must-read: A tangled plot, shifting perspectives, and a final reveal that lands hard.
6. The Perfect Marriage by Jeneva Rose
He’s on trial for murdering his mistress. And the lawyer defending him— it’s his wife. But the deeper she digs, the more she realizes she may not be able to save him. Or want to.
Why it’s a must-read: Fast, savage, and gloriously twisty.
7. One Perfect Couple by Ruth Ware
A reality show turned deadly. Five couples are trapped on an island with a killer and the cameras are still rolling.
Why it’s a must-read: Classic Ruth Ware paranoia with popcorn pacing.
Like this list? Let me know what I missed. I’m always hunting for a thriller that will wreck my weekend in the best way.
If you love popcorn thrillers, keep your eye out for DarkBright—my next release. It’s an FBI thriller set in a creepy town with a dark secret. Readers say once they start my books, they can’t stop. Preorder DarkBright, a twisty FBI thriller that’s impossible to put down.
Want more binge-worthy thrillers? Check out my full series order guide for smart, addictive reads with fierce women.