Kidnapping movies, especially the best kidnapping movies, offer an enthralling experience with their intense and unpredictable narratives. This collection showcases the finest in the genre, from heart-pounding action to the psychological depth of films kidnapping scenarios. Whether you're drawn to gripping tales inspired by real events or fictional stories that explore the dark themes of abduction, this list has it all.
Among these top-rated kidnapping daughter movies and child abduction movie selections are Taken, Ransom, and Man on Fire, demonstrating how the theme of kidnapping can be skillfully incorporated into a movie's fabric. Other titles like Along Came a Spider and Misery delve into the psychological aspects of abduction, making them standout entries in the best abduction movies category.
Every film on this list, from the mainstream to the lesser-known, has been chosen for its impactful portrayal of kidnap movies' themes. They reflect the varied approaches filmmakers take to explore this complex subject, be it through a missing girl movie narrative or a more traditional kidnapped movie storyline.
Your participation is crucial. This crowd-sourced ranking invites movie buffs to weigh in on these films, ensuring that the list of the best kidnaping movies remains dynamic and reflective of true audience preferences. So dive in, cast your votes, and perhaps add a title or two to this carefully curated collection.
- 1
In this action-packed thriller, Denzel Washington stars as John Creasy, a former CIA agent who is hired to protect a young girl named Pita (Dakota Fanning) in Mexico City. When Pita is abducted, Creasy sets out to take revenge on those responsible, using all of his skills and resources to get her back.
- Released: 2004
- Directed by: Tony Scott
- 2
Kathy Bates delivers a memorable performance as Annie Wilkes, a crazed fan who abducts her favorite author, Paul Sheldon (James Caan), after he is injured in a car accident. As Paul struggles to escape from Annie’s clutches, he realizes he is fighting for his life.
- Released: 1990
- Directed by: Rob Reiner
votes needed!NEW TO THE LIST
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- 3
Liam Neeson stars in this intense thriller about a former CIA agent who must use his unique set of skills to rescue his abducted daughter from a sex trafficking ring in Paris. With a heart-pumping plot, expertly choreographed action scenes, and a standout performance from Neeson, Taken has become a classic in the kidnapping movie genre.
- Released: 2008
- Directed by: Pierre Morel
- 1Leland Orser17 Votes
- 2Liam Neeson15 Votes
- 3Maggie Grace11 Votes
- 4Famke Janssen20 Votes
- 4
Jodie Foster stars as Clarice Starling, an FBI trainee who is tasked with interviewing the infamous cannibalistic serial killer, Dr. Hannibal Lecter (Anthony Hopkins), to help catch a new killer who is abducting and murdering young women. As she delves deeper into the case, she realizes that she is in a race against time to stop the killer before he strikes again.
- Released: 1991
- Directed by: Jonathan Demme
- 1Anthony Hopkins102 Votes
- 2Jodie Foster78 Votes
- 3Scott Glenn44 Votes
- 4Ted Levine42 Votes
- 5
Hugh Jackman and Jake Gyllenhaal star in this intense thriller about a father who takes matters into his own hands after his daughter and her friend are abducted. As he searches for answers and becomes increasingly desperate, he must navigate a web of secrets and lies to uncover the truth.
- Released: 2013
- Directed by: Denis Villeneuve
- 6
Based on the novel by James Patterson, this psychological thriller stars Morgan Freeman as Alex Cross, a detective who is called in to help solve a string of abductions of young women. When his niece is also taken, Cross must race against time to track down the killer and bring him to justice.
- Released: 1997
- Directed by: Gary Fleder
- 7
In this crime thriller, Morgan Freeman reprises his role as Alex Cross, who teams up with a Secret Service agent (Monica Potter) to track down a kidnapper who has abducted the daughter of a U.S. senator. As they follow the clues, they realize that nothing is as it seems.
- Released: 2001
- Directed by: Lee Tamahori
- 8
Mel Gibson stars as Tom Mullen, a wealthy businessman whose son is kidnapped for ransom. As Mullen works with the FBI to negotiate his son’s release, he takes matters into his own hands and decides to turn the tables on the kidnappers.
- Released: 1996
- Directed by: Ron Howard
- 9
A woman and her son are held captive in a small room by a man who abducted her when she was a teenager. The mother and son must use their wits and bravery to escape from their captor and navigate the unfamiliar world outside.
- Released: 2015
- Directed by: Lenny Abrahamson
- 10
Man on Fire is a gripping thriller where Scott Glenn delivers an intense performance as an ex-CIA agent wrapped in a chilling tale of abduction. The film masterfully weaves suspense and emotional depth, making it a standout portrayal of the desperate and unforgiving world of kidnapping.
- Released: 1987
- Directed by: Élie Chouraqui
- 11
This crime drama stars Casey Affleck as a private detective who is hired to investigate the disappearance of a young girl from a troubled family in Boston. As he delves deeper into the case, he uncovers a web of corruption and deceit that threatens to destroy everything he holds dear.
- Released: 2007
- Directed by: Ben Affleck
- 12
In this sci-fi thriller, Mary Elizabeth Winstead plays a woman who wakes up in an underground bunker after a car accident, only to discover that she has been abducted by a man (John Goodman) who claims that a chemical attack has destroyed the outside world. As she tries to escape, she realizes that the situation is far more complicated than she ever imagined.
- Released: 2016
- Directed by: Dan Trachtenberg
- 13
Michael Douglas stars as a psychiatrist whose daughter is abducted by a gang of thieves who are after a valuable jewel. As he tries to save his daughter, he is forced to confront his own troubled past and the secrets that he has been keeping from his family.
- Released: 2001
- Directed by: Gary Fleder
- 14
After being mysteriously abducted and held captive for 15 years, a man is suddenly released and given only five days to figure out who his captor was and why he was imprisoned. As he sets out on a mission of revenge, he discovers that the truth is more complicated than he ever imagined.
- Released: 2003
- Directed by: Park Chan-wook
- 15
A car salesman hatches a plan to have his wife kidnapped and extort money from her wealthy father. However, things quickly spiral out of control as the criminals he hired are not as competent as he thought, and the police become involved.
- Released: 1996
- Directed by: Joel Coen
- 1Fargo147 Votes
- 2A Simple Plan65 Votes
- 3Raising Arizona62 Votes
- 4Breaking Bad75 Votes
- 16
James McAvoy delivers a tour-de-force performance in this chilling psychological thriller about a man with multiple personalities who abducts three teenage girls. As his captives try to figure out how to escape, they must also navigate the shifting identities and dangerous intentions of their captor.
- Released: 2016
- Directed by: M. Night Shyamalan
- 17An ex-con and an ex-cop meet, marry and long for a child of their own. When it is discovered that Hi is unable to have children they decide to snatch a baby. They try to keep their crime a secret, while friends, co-workers and a bounty hunter look to use the child for their own purposes.
- Released: 1987
- Directed by: Joel Coen
- 18
Sally Field stars in this heart-wrenching drama based on the true story of an American woman who is abducted by her husband and taken to Iran with their daughter. As she struggles to protect herself and her child from her increasingly violent and oppressive husband, she must also find a way to escape the country and return to her home in America.
- Released: 1991
- Directed by: Brian Gilbert
- 19
A successful art gallery owner receives a manuscript from her ex-husband that tells a dark and violent story. As she reads on, she begins to suspect that the story is actually a thinly veiled threat and that her ex-husband may be planning to kidnap her.
- Released: 2016
- Directed by: Tom Ford
- 20
A couple who recently lost their child are sailing across the ocean to cope with their grief when they come across a sinking ship with a lone survivor. As they attempt to rescue him, they realize that he may not be who he seems and that their lives may be in danger.
- Released: 1989
- Directed by: Phillip Noyce
- 21
This psychological thriller follows Allison, a successful software designer who takes in a roommate named Hedy. However, things take a dark turn when Hedy becomes obsessed with Allison and begins to copy her appearance and personality. With standout performances from Bridget Fonda and Jennifer Jason Leigh, Single White Female is a gripping and intense thriller.
- Released: 1992
- Directed by: Barbet Schroeder
- 22
Kurt Russell stars in this tense thriller about a man whose wife disappears during a cross-country road trip. As he uncovers a web of lies and deceit that has led to her abduction, he must also confront the dangerous consequences of getting involved in something he doesn't fully understand.
- Released: 1997
- Directed by: Jonathan Mostow
- 23
Directed by Neil Jordan, Greta is a psychological thriller that follows the story of Frances (Chloë Grace Moretz), a young woman who finds a lost handbag on a subway and returns it to its owner, an eccentric widow named Greta (Isabelle Huppert). Frances soon discovers that Greta's behavior is becoming increasingly obsessive and dangerous, leading to a thrilling game of cat-and-mouse as Frances tries to escape the woman's clutches.
- Released: 2018
- Directed by: Neil Jordan
- 24
A criminal on the run from the police cons his way into the home of a seemingly ordinary man by pretending to be a guest for a dinner party. However, he soon realizes that his host is not who he seems, and that he may be in over his head.
- Released: 2010
- Directed by: Nick Tomnay
- 25
Welcome to the Dollhouse is a coming-of-age comedy-drama about an unpopular and awkward middle-schooler named Dawn Wiener (Heather Matarazzo) who is constantly bullied by her classmates and ignored by her family. When she is kidnapped by a high-schooler named Steve (Eric Mabius), she finds herself in an unexpected situation that changes her life forever.
- Released: 1995
- Directed by: Todd Solondz
- 26
This crime-comedy follows struggling screenwriter Marty Faranan (Colin Farrell) as he inadvertently becomes entangled in the Los Angeles criminal underworld after his friends kidnap a gangster's beloved Shih Tzu. With a star-studded cast including Christopher Walken, Sam Rockwell, and Woody Harrelson, Seven Psychopaths is a clever and entertaining take on the kidnapping genre.
- Released: 2012
- Directed by: Martin McDonagh
- 27
Chris Hemsworth stars in this intense action thriller as a black-market mercenary hired to rescue the kidnapped son of an international crime lord. As he navigates through a dangerous criminal underworld, he must also confront his own demons and grapple with the moral implications of his deadly line of work.
- Released: 2020
- Directed by: Sam Hargrave
- 28
This horror classic follows two men who wake up in a grimy, abandoned bathroom, only to realize that they have been abducted by a notorious serial killer known as Jigsaw. As they try to figure out a way to escape, they are forced to confront their own dark pasts and the twisted motivations of their captor.
- Released: 2004
- Directed by: James Wan
- 1Jigsaw1,414 Votes
- 2Amanda Young1,242 Votes
- 3Lawrence Gordon1,166 Votes
- 4Adam Stanheight845 Votes
- 29
Tommy Lee Jones and Cate Blanchett star in this gripping western about a father's desperate search for his kidnapped daughter in the American frontier. As he enlists the help of a local Apache tracker, he must confront his own past and face the brutal reality of life on the frontier.
- Released: 2003
- Directed by: Ron Howard
- 30
This critically acclaimed horror-thriller follows Chris, a young African-American man who visits his white girlfriend's family in a wealthy suburb. As the weekend progresses, Chris begins to uncover a sinister plot involving hypnosis and brainwashing, leading him to fight for his life and escape the clutches of his girlfriend's family.
- Released: 2017
- Directed by: Jordan Peele
- 31
Arnold Schwarzenegger stars in this classic action movie about a retired special forces operative who must come out of retirement to rescue his daughter from a group of ruthless kidnappers. As he takes on the kidnappers with all his might, he also must contend with the dangerous consequences of his past actions.
- Released: 1985
- Directed by: Mark L. Lester
- 32
Michelle Pfeiffer stars in this emotional drama about a mother who must come to terms with the kidnapping of her young son. As she struggles to keep her family together and find her missing child, she also must confront her own grief and trauma.
- Released: 1999
- Directed by: Ulu Grosbard
- 33
Angelina Jolie stars in this period drama based on a true story about a mother whose son goes missing and is replaced by an imposter. As she fights to uncover the truth, she faces corruption and opposition from the police and government. With strong performances and a heartbreaking story, Changeling is a haunting and emotional film.
- Released: 2008
- Directed by: Clint Eastwood
- 34
In A Walk Among the Tombstones, Liam Neeson plays a former cop turned private investigator who is hired to find the kidnappers of a drug kingpin's wife. The film is a dark and gritty thriller with Neeson's character facing dangerous obstacles and uncovering a dark and disturbing plot.
- Released: 2014
- Directed by: Scott Frank
- 35
This 1997 Austrian film, directed by Michael Haneke, tells the story of a family that is taken hostage by two young men who force them to play a series of sadistic games. The film is a brutal examination of violence in society and the way we consume media.
- Released: 1997
- Directed by: Michael Haneke
- 36
This psychological thriller follows 14-year-old Hayley, who meets up with 32-year-old photographer Jeff in person after chatting with him online. However, their meeting takes a dark turn when Hayley accuses Jeff of being a sexual predator and seeks revenge. With intense performances from Ellen Page and Patrick Wilson, Hard Candy is a disturbing and thought-provoking look at online predator behavior.
- Released: 2005
- Directed by: David Slade
- 37
Liam Neeson returns in this sequel to the hit action thriller, where he must once again use his lethal skills to rescue his family from a group of dangerous kidnappers. As the stakes get higher and the danger grows more intense, Neeson's character must do whatever it takes to protect those he loves.
- Released: 2012
- Directed by: Olivier Megaton
- 38
In this 2007 psychological thriller, a family vacationing at their lake house are held captive and tortured by two young men who seem to take pleasure in their suffering. The film is a shot-for-shot remake of a 1997 Austrian film of the same name, and explores themes of violence, power dynamics, and the nature of entertainment. While not for the faint of heart, the film is a thought-provoking and well-crafted piece of horror cinema.
- Released: 2007
- Directed by: Michael Haneke
- 39
Oliver Stone's gritty crime thriller follows two pot growers who must rescue their shared girlfriend from a Mexican drug cartel that has abducted her. As they use their cunning and skills to outsmart the dangerous cartel, they also must confront their own complicated feelings for each other and for their captive girlfriend.
- Released: 2012
- Directed by: Oliver Stone
- 40
Russell Crowe stars in this gripping drama about a man who must negotiate with the kidnappers of an American engineer working in South America. As he navigates a complex web of politics and corruption, he also must confront his own complicated feelings for the engineer.
- Released: 2000
- Directed by: Taylor Hackford
- 41
In this drama, Samuel L. Jackson plays a blues musician who takes in a troubled young woman, played by Christina Ricci, to help her overcome her addiction and inner demons. But as their relationship deepens, the lines between caregiver and captor begin to blur.
- Released: 2007
- Directed by: Craig Brewer
- 42
In this Australian thriller, a young photographer named Clare (Teresa Palmer) travels to Berlin and meets a handsome stranger named Andi (Max Riemelt). But after spending the night at his apartment, she wakes up to find that he has locked her in and is holding her captive. Berlin Syndrome is a gripping and suspenseful exploration of power dynamics in relationships.
- Released: 2017
- Directed by: Cate Shortland
- 43
In this dark comedy, a cat burglar named Gus (Denis Leary) takes a bickering couple, Caroline (Judy Davis) and Lloyd (Kevin Spacey), hostage on Christmas Eve. But as the night goes on and the couple’s family starts to arrive, Gus finds himself caught up in their hilarious dysfunction.
- Released: 1994
- Directed by: Ted Demme
- 44
The Vanishing is a Dutch-French thriller about a young couple on a road trip who stop at a gas station and the woman disappears without a trace. The man spends the next three years searching for her, even as the truth about her disappearance becomes more and more disturbing. This film is known for its haunting ending.
- Released: 1988
- Directed by: George Sluizer
- 45
This fast-paced thriller follows a man who receives a desperate phone call from a woman who has been abducted and is in imminent danger. With no time to spare, he must race against the clock to track down the kidnappers and save the woman's life.
- Released: 2004
- Directed by: David R. Ellis
- 46
Ryan Reynolds stars in this intense thriller about a man whose daughter is abducted and held captive for eight years. As he becomes increasingly obsessed with finding her, he begins to uncover a complex web of deceit and corruption. With a strong cast and a gripping plot, The Captive is a dark and disturbing exploration of the lengths a parent will go to save their child.
- Released: 2014
- Directed by: Atom Egoyan
- 47
A British film about a young woman who is kidnapped and held for ransom, The Disappearance of Alice Creed is a tense and twisty thriller that keeps you guessing until the very end.
- Released: 2009
- Directed by: J Blakeson
- 48Barney (Jeff Bridges) is a disturbed man intent on abducting a woman. After numerous failed attempts, he manages to kidnap young Diane (Sandra Bullock), who is on vacation with her boyfriend, Jeff (Kiefer Sutherland). As time passes, Jeff remains determined to find out what happened to Diane. When Barney unexpectedly confronts Jeff, it leads to a tense life-or-death situation. Meanwhile, Jeff's current girlfriend, Rita (Nancy Travis), manages to follow him in hopes of keeping him out of harm.
- Released: 1993
- Directed by: George Sluizer
- 49After one of his hostage negotiations goes awry, LAPD officer Jeff Talley (Bruce Willis) quits the force and relocates his family to the suburbs. As the sheriff in a sleepy town, Jeff thinks he has escaped the hustle and bustle -- until an elaborate local heist puts him back in the center of a hostage situation. When his own family is pulled into the fray, Jeff is forced to decide whether he should try to help the hostages or follow the criminals' hands-off mandate to protect his own family.
- Released: 2005
- Directed by: Florent Siri
- 50The Mother (2023), directed by Niki Caro, is an American action thriller film. Released on Netflix, the story follows a former US army operative, known as the Mother (Jennifer Lopez), who collaborates with FBI agent William Cruise (Omari Hardwick) to rescue her kidnapped daughter from criminals. The narrative unfolds with intense action, revealing a web of betrayal, child trafficking, and a mother's relentless pursuit to protect her child. The film digs into themes of sacrifice, mother-daughter relationships, and the lengths one will go to ensure a loved one's safety.
- Released: 2023
- Directed by: Niki Caro
- 51When her mother disappears while on vacation in Colombia with her new boyfriend, June's search for answers is hindered by international red tape. Stuck thousands of miles away in Los Angeles, June creatively uses all the latest technology at her fingertips to try and find her before it's too late. However, as she digs ever deeper, her digital sleuthing soon raises more questions than answers.
- Released: 2023
- Directed by: Will Merrick, Nicholas D. Johnson
- 52The horrors of modern dating are seen through the eyes of a young woman who is battling to survive her new boyfriend's unusual appetites.
- Released: 2022
- Directed by: Mimi Cave
- 53
When his ex-wife is murdered and he is framed for the crime, ex-CIA agent Bryan Mills goes on the run to clear his name and protect his daughter from the real killer. Mills uses his special set of skills to outsmart the police and the real culprits to uncover the truth.
- Released: 2014
- Directed by: Olivier Megaton
- 54
This historical drama tells the true story of the kidnapping of oil heir John Paul Getty III in the 1970s. With his life on the line, the richest man in the world must decide whether or not to pay the $17 million ransom and save his grandson.
- Released: 2017
- Directed by: Ridley Scott
- 55
When a nurse’s wife is kidnapped, he is forced to team up with a criminal to save her and his newborn son. The duo races against time and fights through dangerous obstacles to rescue the nurse's family before it’s too late.
- Released: 2019
- Directed by: Joe Lynch
- 56
A former cage fighter takes matters into his own hands when his young daughter is abducted by the Chinese mafia. He must use his fighting skills and knowledge of the city's underground to rescue his daughter and bring the kidnappers to justice.
- Released: 2012
- Directed by: Boaz Yakin
- 57
In this cult classic, a man who has just been released from prison kidnaps a young girl in order to convince his parents that he is successful and has his life together. What follows is a twisted and darkly humorous tale of redemption and the lengths we go to impress those we love.
- Released: 1998
- Directed by: Vincent Gallo
- 58
This Spanish horror movie follows Laura, who returns to the orphanage where she grew up with her husband and son. However, when her son goes missing, Laura must confront the dark secrets of the orphanage and the supernatural forces at play. With stunning visuals and an emotionally charged storyline, The Orphanage is a haunting and unforgettable horror movie.
- Released: 2007
- Directed by: Juan Antonio Bayona
- 59During a routine pickup, an elderly Vietnamese cab driver is taken hostage at gunpoint by three recently escaped Orange County convicts.
- Released: 2023
- Directed by: Sing J. Lee
- 60After losing everything in a cryptocurrency scam, a ragtag team of vigilante Redditors tries to kidnap the kingpin who ruined their lives. However, when the home invasion takes a turn for the worse, they find themselves victims in a sadistic game.
- Released: 2024
- Directed by: Cutter Hodierne
- 61A mother embarks on a perilous quest to rescue her son from a demonic children's show host, who is kidnapping kids.
- Released: 2024
- Directed by: Brandon Espy
- 62
Ryan Reynolds stars in this claustrophobic thriller about a man who wakes up buried alive in a coffin with only a lighter and a cell phone. As he tries to figure out how he got there and how to escape, the tension and stakes rise to unbearable levels. With a unique concept and a brilliant performance from Reynolds, Buried is a thrilling and unforgettable experience.
- Released: 2010
- Directed by: Rodrigo Cortés
- 63A father, immersed in a difficult divorce process, embarks on a dangerous mission when his children disappear from their isolated country house.
- Released: 2024
- Directed by: Renato De Maria
- 64Toshiro Mifune stars as a wealthy industrialist whose family becomes the target of a ruthless kidnapper in Akira Kurosawa's exemplary film noir. Based on Ed McBain's detective novel "King's Ransom," "High and Low" is both a riveting thriller and a brilliant commentary on contemporary Japanese society.
- Released: 1963
- Directed by: Akira Kurosawa
- 65Two hapless criminals find themselves in the middle of a political conspiracy when a routine kidnapping goes wrong, plunging them into a high-speed misadventure through the streets of Port-au-Prince, Haiti.
- Released: 2024
- Directed by: Bruno Mourral
- 66A young rescue worker gets involved in the kidnapping of a powerful man's daughter and must find a way to save her, amidst many dangers.
- Released: 2024
- Directed by: Kome Kongkiat Komesiri
- 67
A journalist teams up with a brilliant hacker to solve a decades-old disappearance case involving a wealthy family. As they delve deeper, they uncover a dark and twisted web of secrets that threaten to engulf them both.
- Released: 2009
- Directed by: Niels Arden Oplev
- 68Disgraced financial reporter Mikael Blomkvist (Daniel Craig) finds a chance to redeem his honor after being hired by wealthy Swedish industrialist Henrik Vanger (Christopher Plummer) to solve the 40-year-old murder of Vanger's niece, Harriet. Vanger believes that Harriet was killed by a member of his own family. Eventually joining Blomkvist on his dangerous quest for the truth is Lisbeth Salander (Rooney Mara), an unusual but ingenious investigator whose fragile trust is not easily won.
- Released: 2011
- Directed by: David Fincher
- 69
A brutal and intense revenge thriller about a man named Joe Doucett (Josh Brolin) who is kidnapped and held captive for twenty years without explanation. When he is suddenly released, Joe discovers the truth behind his captivity and seeks vengeance against those responsible. With its shocking twists and powerful performances, Oldboy is a dark and unforgettable film that leaves a lasting impact on its viewers.
- Released: 2013
- Directed by: Spike Lee
- 70
In this suspenseful thriller, a detective races against time to find a serial killer who abducts young women from a factory district. With his daughter as the latest target, the detective must navigate through the dark underworld of the city to rescue her before it's too late.
- Released: 2011
- Directed by: Morgan O'Neill
- 71
Tallulah
Elliot Page, Allison Janney, Tammy BlanchardElliot Page stars in this indie drama as a young woman who kidnaps a baby from a negligent mother. As she seeks refuge with her ex-boyfriend's mother (played by Allison Janney), the three women must navigate their complicated relationships and past mistakes in order to find a way forward.
- Released: 2017
- Directed by: Sian Heder
- 72
Part of the "vengeance trilogy" by director Park Chan-wook, Lady Vengeance is a South Korean film that follows a woman seeking revenge after being falsely imprisoned for the murder of a child. The film is a beautifully shot meditation on the nature of revenge and forgiveness.
- Released: 2005
- Directed by: Park Chan-wook
- 73
The Man from Nowhere is a South Korean action thriller about a former special agent named Cha Tae-sik (Won Bin) who must use his skills to rescue a little girl who has been kidnapped by a drug cartel. With stunning action sequences and a touching emotional core, this film has become a cult favorite among fans of the genre.
- Released: 2010
- Directed by: Lee Jung-beom
- 74
This innovative thriller takes place entirely on computer screens and follows a father's search for his missing daughter. As he delves deeper into her online life, he uncovers secrets and dangers he never could have imagined. The film's unique format and clever twists make for an engrossing and entertaining viewing experience.
- Released: 2018
- Directed by: Aneesh Chaganty
- 75
Nancy
Andrea Riseborough, Steve Buscemi, Ann DowdAndrea Riseborough stars in this psychological thriller about a woman who becomes obsessed with a missing child case and begins to believe that she is the child's real mother. With strong performances and an unpredictable plot, Nancy is a gripping and unsettling film that explores themes of identity, trauma, and manipulation.
- Released: 2018
- Directed by: Christina Choe
- 76
This dark comedy follows the Baudelaire siblings as they are orphaned and sent to live with their evil relative Count Olaf, who will stop at nothing to get his hands on their inheritance. The siblings must use their intelligence and resourcefulness to outwit Olaf and escape his clutches. The movie is based on the popular book series of the same name and stars Jim Carrey as Count Olaf.
- Released: 2004
- Directed by: Brad Silberling
- 77
A Spanish film directed by Pedro Almodóvar, The Skin I Live In follows a plastic surgeon who becomes obsessed with creating a new kind of skin. The film is a dark and twisted examination of identity, obsession, and the lengths we will go to achieve perfection.
- Released: 2011
- Directed by: Pedro Almodóvar
- 78
This action-crime movie follows two criminals, Parker and Longbaugh, as they kidnap a surrogate mother carrying the child of a wealthy couple. However, their plan goes awry when they discover that the couple's bodyguards are more capable than they expected. With a standout cast including Ryan Phillippe, Benicio Del Toro, and James Caan, The Way of the Gun is a stylish and intense thriller.
- Released: 2000
- Directed by: Christopher McQuarrie
- 79
The Chaser is a South Korean thriller about a former police detective turned pimp who must race against time to find one of his girls who a serial killer has kidnaped. With a complex plot and intense action sequences, The Chaser is a standout in the genre.
- Released: 2008
- Directed by: Na Hong-jin
- 80
Also part of Park Chan-wook's "vengeance trilogy," Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance follows a deaf-mute man who kidnaps the daughter of a wealthy businessman to pay for his sister's kidney transplant. The film is a dark and violent exploration of the consequences of desperation.
- Released: 2002
- Directed by: Park Chan-wook
- 81A group of would-be criminals kidnaps the 12-year-old daughter of a powerful underworld figure. Holding her for ransom in an isolated mansion, their plan starts to unravel when they discover their young captive is actually a bloodthirsty vampire.
- Released: 2024
- Directed by: Matt Bettinelli-Olpin, Tyler Gillett
- 82Finney Shaw is a shy but clever 13-year-old boy who's being held in a soundproof basement by a sadistic, masked killer. When a disconnected phone on the wall starts to ring, he soon discovers that he can hear the voices of the murderer's previous victims -- and they are dead set on making sure that what happened to them doesn't happen to Finney.
- Released: 2021
- Directed by: Scott Derrickson
- 83
A Spanish film about a man who kidnaps an actress in order to make her fall in love with him, Tie Me Up! Tie Me Down! is a darkly comic exploration of love and obsession. The film is directed by Pedro Almodóvar and stars Antonio Banderas and Victoria Abril.
- Released: 1990
- Directed by: Pedro Almodóvar
- 84
This 2021 film tells the story of a woman who becomes involved in human trafficking in New York City's Chinatown. The film is a gritty and realistic look at the lives of immigrants and the criminal underworld.
- Released: 2021
- Directed by: Evan Jackson Leong
- 85
Joaquin Phoenix stars in this intense and disturbing thriller about a traumatized veteran who tracks down missing girls for a living. When he takes on a job to rescue a senator's daughter, he uncovers a dark and twisted conspiracy. With a haunting score and a fearless performance from Phoenix, You Were Never Really Here is a brutal and unforgettable film.
- Released: 2017
- Directed by: Lynne Ramsay
- 86After being presumed dead, mercenary Tyler Rake returns for another high-stakes mission.
- Released: 2023
- Directed by: Sam Hargrave
- 87A cold-blooded killer hunts a widow in the wilderness after she escapes from his remote cabin in the Pacific Northwest.
- Released: 2020
- Directed by: John Hyams
- 88
In this Vietnamese action-thriller, a former gangster's daughter is abducted and sold into the sex trade. When the police are unable to help, the mother takes matters into her own hands and sets out to rescue her daughter in a series of intense and exhilarating fight scenes.
- Released: 2019
- Directed by: Lê Văn Kiệt
- 89
Based on the true story of Jesse James Hollywood, Alpha Dog follows a group of young drug dealers in California as they kidnap and hold for ransom the brother of a customer who owes them money. Featuring a standout performance from Emile Hirsch as Johnny Truelove, this crime drama is a harrowing look at the consequences of youthful recklessness.
- Released: 2006
- Directed by: Nick Cassavetes
- 90
This horror film follows two sisters as they come to terms with the disappearance of their younger sibling. When the missing sister reappears years later, her return sets off a chain of terrifying events that force the sisters to confront their worst nightmares.
- Released: 2011
- Directed by: Mike Flanagan
- 91
This Italian film follows a young boy who discovers a boy his age locked up in a hole. As he tries to uncover the truth behind the boy's imprisonment, he learns some dark secrets about his own family.
- Released: 2003
- Directed by: Gabriele Salvatores
- 92
Beneath Us tells the story of a group of undocumented workers who are lured into a wealthy couple’s home with the promise of work, only to become trapped and exploited. This tense thriller examines issues of class, immigration, and power dynamics in modern-day America.
- Released: 2019
- Directed by: Max Pachman
- 93
A South Korean film about a family that must rescue their daughter from a river monster, The Host is a unique blend of horror, comedy, and family drama. The film is a sharp critique of the government's handling of environmental disasters and the effects of pollution on the natural world.
- Released: 2006
- Directed by: Bong Joon-ho
- 94
Julia Roberts stars in this emotional drama as a mother who must confront her troubled past when her son unexpectedly returns home from rehab for Christmas. When her son's past catches up to him, the family is thrown into a dangerous situation that tests their love and loyalty.
- Released: 2018
- Directed by: Peter Hedges
- 95
Buster's Mal Heart
Rami Malek, DJ Qualls, Kate Lyn SheilIn this mind-bending thriller, a man with a troubled past (played by Rami Malek) is haunted by his dreams of a coming apocalypse. When he becomes a fugitive on the run, he must confront the demons of his past in order to find redemption and freedom.
- Released: 2016
- Directed by: Sarah Adina Smith
- 96A typical afternoon in the park turns into a nightmare for single mother Karla Dyson when kidnappers snatch her young son Frankie. With no cellphone and no time to wait for police, Dyson jumps into her car to follow the vehicle that holds Frankie. As the pursuit turns into a frantic, high-speed chase, Karla must risk everything and push herself to the limit to save her beloved child.
- Released: 2017
- Directed by: Luis Prieto
- 97
This infamous horror film follows a mad scientist who kidnaps three tourists and surgically attaches them together mouth-to-anus to create a "human centipede." With grotesque imagery and disturbing themes, The Human Centipede is not for the faint of heart.
- Released: 2009
- Directed by: Tom Six
- 98Two ex-cons make a plan to abduct a wealthy young woman and hold her for ransom.
- Released: 2019
- Directed by: Thomas Sieben, J Blakeson
- 99When a villain kidnaps Santa Claus from the North Pole, an E.L.F. (Extremely Large and Formidable) operative joins forces with the world's most accomplished tracker to find him and save Christmas.
- Released: 2024
- Directed by: Jake Kasdan
- 100Joey fears there could be trouble ahead after her brother invites a childhood friend with a troubled past on their whitewater rafting adventure. When they become stranded in raging rapids, the thrill-seeking trip quickly turns into a desperate fight for survival as someone seems intent on sabotage to ensure shocking secrets stay buried.
- Released: 2023
- Directed by: Ben Ketai
- 101In the chilling film I Saw the Devil, Kim Soo-hyeon (Lee Byung-hun), a secret agent, embarks on a relentless quest for revenge after his fiancé becomes the latest victim of a brutal serial killer, Kyung-chul (Choi Min-sik). The ensuing cat-and-mouse game spirals into a vortex of violence and horror as Soo-hyeon employs increasingly ruthless tactics to outwit his adversary. This South Korean thriller, lauded for its intense performances and unflinching depiction of evil, won the Best Film award at the 2010 Baeksang Arts Awards. It remains a stark exploration of retribution's corrosive effects and the thin line separating hunter from hunted.
- Released: 2010
- Directed by: Kim Jee-woon
- 102Levon Cade left behind a decorated military career in the black ops to live a simple life of working construction. However, when human traffickers kidnap his boss's daughter, his search to bring her home uncovers a world of corruption far greater than he ever could have imagined.
- Released: 2025
- Directed by: David Ayer
- 103A child disappears in a supermarket.
- Released: 2017
- 104
This Austrian psychological horror film tells the story of a man who is released from prison and immediately sets out to commit a series of brutal murders. With a visceral and unsettling tone, Angst explores the mind of a killer and the horrors that lurk within.
- Released: 1983
- Directed by: Gerald Kargl
- 105
In this powerful drama from Russia, a young boy disappears and his estranged parents must come together to search for him. As the search intensifies, the couple's toxic relationship is put under the microscope, revealing the emotional and societal ills that led to their son's disappearance.
- Released: 2017
- Directed by: Andrey Zvyagintsev
- 106
This animated drama tells the story of a Cambodian woman's struggle to reunite with her son after he is taken from her by the Khmer Rouge regime. The film, which is based on the director's own family history, is a poignant and powerful portrayal of one of the darkest periods in Cambodian history.
- Released: 2019
- Directed by: Denis Do
- 107Ex-military ops officer Conner Connolly must reunite with his old crew to save his kidnapped wife from a ruthless drug lord by repaying $2 million in 12 hours.
- Released: 2022
- Directed by: Wes Miller
- 108A detective and her DA boyfriend are both informed that the other has been kidnapped. Ahead of the holiday, they are locked out of their computers and phones and must follow the demands of a menacing voice giving them orders.
- Released: 2023
- Directed by: Nicole G. Leier
- 109Determined to find his missing daughter, Detective Danny Rourke finds himself spiraling down a rabbit hole while investigating a series of reality-bending crimes. Aided by Diana Cruz, a gifted psychic, Rourke simultaneously pursues and is pursued by a lethal specter, the one man he believes holds the key to finding the girl.
- Released: 2023
- Directed by: Robert Rodriguez
- 110
Decalogue VII
Bogusław Linda, Darius Jablonski, Artur BarciśIn this critically acclaimed episode of the Polish television series Decalogue, a young woman is abducted and held for ransom by a man with a troubled past. As the situation escalates, both the kidnapper and victim must confront their deepest fears and desires in order to survive.
- Released: 1988
- Directed by: Krzysztof Kieślowski
- 111Enticed by the promise of high-paying jobs, a Chinese programmer and a model find themselves trapped in a foreign country, prisoners of a ruthless gang and forced into online gambling fraud.
- Released: 2023
- Directed by: Ao Shen
- 112When a bounty hunter and a band of unlikely heroes pursue a brutal killer, they find themselves in a deadly no-man's-land known as the Thicket.
- Released: 2024
- Directed by: Elliott Lester
