Skip to main content

Digital Trends may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site. Why trust us?

Like Missing? Then watch these 5 thrillers that are just like it

Missing was one of 2023’s most pleasant surprises. The film stars Storm Reid as June Allen, a teenager whose mother goes on vacation to Colombia with her new boyfriend. When the couple disappears mysteriously, June takes matters into her own hands and begins an investigation from Los Angeles, using the considerable technological tools at her disposal. Missing is a standalone sequel to the 2018 film Searching and became a considerable sleeper hit, opening the possibility of a sequel.

Fans who loved Missing might be in the mood to watch other similar films exploring the same thematic issues. Whether it’s dealing with the many possibilities technology offers or just a good old-fashioned mystery that keeps audiences guessing and on edge, these thrillers are ideal companions for Missing. Indeed, fans can lie back and enjoy the mix of shudders and excitement that comes with watching these intense and suspenseful films.

Searching (2018)

John Cho looking at a phone in a poster for the movie Missing.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

The ever-underrated John Cho stars in the 2018 screenlife thriller Searching. Set on computer and phone screens, the plot centers on David Kim, a father desperately trying to locate his missing daughter, Morgan, with the help of a police detective, played by Debra Messing.

Fans of Missing should undoubtedly check out Searching if they haven’t already. Twisting and hectic, the film makes the most out of its unique setting to deliver a compelling and gripping story that will keep audiences hooked. Searching further confirms Cho’s talents as a leading man and features a refreshingly against-type performance from sitcom star Messing, resulting in a must-watch thriller, especially for fans invested in the blossoming Searching cinematic universe.

Searching can be rented or purchased at a variety of digital outlets like Prime Video.

Prisoners (2013)

Jake Gyllenhaal looking pensive in the movie Prisoners
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Jake Gyllenhaal and Hugh Jackman star in Denis Villeneuve’s 2013 crime thriller Prisoners. The plot revolves around a desperate father who takes matters into his own hands following his six-year-old daughter’s disappearance. The film features an outstanding supporting cast, including Viola Davis, The Batman‘s Paul Dano, Melissa Leo, Maria Bello, and Terrence Howard.

Prisoners is among the most underrated movies on Netflix. Guided by Villeneuve’s firm hand and elevated by two career-best performances from Jackman and Gyllenhaal, Prisoners is a relentless and intense viewing experience that isn’t afraid to make audiences uncomfortable. Disturbing and eerie but undeniably rewarding, the film will satisfy thrill-seekers looking for an unforgettable mystery.

Prisoners can be streamed on Netflix.

Ratter (2015)

A couple at a coffee shop in the movie Ratter.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Ratter stars Ashley Benson as Emma, a graduate student in New York City. Unknown to her, she is the obsession of a mysterious stalker using her phone, tablet, and laptop to monitor her every move. Soon, the stalker becomes tired of only watching and decides to take action.

Stressful and genuinely scary, Ratter is an eye-opening examination of the dangers of being online 24/7. Few films do as great a job of showing how easy it is to turn technology against us as Ratter; yes, the stalker is the villain, but Emma’s technological devices are as much a part of the plot as he is, granting him everything he needs to make his move. Ratter is a chilling thriller that ends on an abrupt but undeniably effective note, leaving audiences shocked but still longing for more.

Ratter can be rented or purchased at a variety of digital outlets like Prime Video.

Gone Baby Gone (2007)

Amy Ryan and Casey Affleck looking in the same direction in the movie Gone Baby Gone.
Miramax Films

Ben Affleck’s directorial debut, the 2007 neo-noir thriller Gone Baby Gone, is among the most striking mysteries in modern cinema. Casey Affleck leads an impressive ensemble, including Michelle Monaghan, Beau is Afraid‘s Amy Ryan, Ed Harris, and Morgan Freeman, in the story about two Boston PIs looking into the disappearance of a young girl.

Gone Baby Gone is a challenging exploration of morality and belonging disguised as an old-fashioned noir mystery. The film is deceiving and includes one of the best-executed twists in modern cinema, proving Affleck’s directorial prowess. Featuring stellar work from Affleck and an Oscar-nominated turn from Ryan, Gone Baby Gone is the rare thriller that packs a deeper meaning behind its sordid façade.

Gone Baby Gone can be streamed on Max.

Profile (2018)

A young woman wearing a hijab and looking at the camera in the movie Profile.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Based on the non-fiction book The Skin of a JihadistProfile tells the story of British journalist Amy Whittaker. The film chronicles Whittaker’s efforts to go undercover in online militant extremist groups, only to find herself sucked into increasingly dangerous worlds, putting her life at risk.

Profile lives and dies with its screenlife approach to storytelling; it’s gimmicky, for sure, but effective enough to successfully pull the viewer into its world of distrust and chaos. The plot is slightly more ludicrous than most other thrillers, especially as it moves into the third act. However, Profile‘s ballsy style and Valene Kane’s committed performance make up for it, elevating Profile and turning it into a riveting cautionary tale about the dangers of online interactions.

Profile can be rented or purchased at a variety of digital outlets like Apple TV+.

Editors' Recommendations

David Caballero
Freelance Writer
David is a Mexican freelance writer with a deep appreciation for words. After three years in the cold world of Marketing…
5 winter crime thrillers like True Detective: Night Country you should watch now
Jeffrey Wright holds a gun on the poster for Hold the Dark.

True Detective: Night Country is a cold season of television — literally. Set in the small remote town of Ennis, Alaska, the Issa López-created True Detective season is defined as much by its setting’s snow-covered ground as it is by its eternally dark sky. It stands in stark contrast to the first three seasons of True Detective, all of which take place in sun-soaked environments (Louisiana, Arkansas, and Los Angeles). That fact doesn’t just make True Detective: Night Country unique in its own HBO show's history, but also in the crime genre at large.

There simply haven’t been many high-profile, Hollywood-produced crime thrillers set in snowy regions. Consequently, Night Country’s story and setting combine to create the kind of viewing experience that remains fairly hard to come by. And anyone in the mood for more crime dramas like Night Country should check out the following five films.
1. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2011)

Read more
Like Mean Girls? Then watch these 5 free movies on Tubi
A girl sits at a bench in Yes God Yes.

The Mean Girls musical remake has finally hit the big screen to mainly positive reviews from critics, who enjoyed this "new twist" from Tina Fey. Based on the hit 2017 Broadway musical, which was freely adapted from Fey's now-iconic 2004 teen comedy, Mean Girls is a classic story about self-discovery, popularity, and teen ruthlessness.

Fans who enjoyed watching The Plastics in all their musical glory might exit the theater wanting more teen stories with similar DNAs. Luckily for them, Tubi has them covered, with a strong library of teen films in the same vein as this wicked musical. These five movies are as funny, clever, and entertaining as Mean Girls, making them perfect options for a double feature of teen angst.
Heathers (1988)

Read more
Like the new Peacock show Ted? Then watch these 5 TV series and movies
Three men with their hands up in the air in a scene from Horrible Bosses.

What comes to mind when you hear the name Ted? You might instantly consider the adorable yet vulgar sentient stuffed bear from the 2012 Seth MacFarlane movie of the same name (and its 2015 sequel Ted 2). Years later, these films are now joined by a prequel series of the same name, streaming on Peacock. Set in the ‘90s, it centers around the antics that Ted (voiced by MacFarlane) gets up to with John (Max Burkholder in the role played by Mark Wahlberg in the movies) when John is just coming of age. Presented like a wholesome sitcom, Ted the series is quite the opposite, with the raunchy and foul-mouthed teddy bear just as he is in the movies.

Fans of the movies Ted and Ted 2 will want to check out the new series. But if you’re also looking for other similarly vulgar comedies to watch, these five series and movies will be right up your alley. After that, check out additional options in five great comedies from the last five years that are worth watching.
Horrible Bosses (2011)

Read more