Classic movies are those considered to be timeless and widely impactful. They are universal favorites that have been repeatedly recognized for greatness. The purpose of merging film genres is to use different narrative elements to create a cohesive story. This is also referred to as “genre-crossing” or “genre mashups.” It’s used in many art forms such as film, music, and literature.

Romantic Thrillers revolve around romance and suspenseful adventures. The characters are usually caught up in a larger-scale intrigue. This genre became increasingly popular during the ’80s with movies like Fatal Attraction and Sea of Love. Who doesn’t love a good movie that gets your blood pumping and heart racing? There are several thrillers that are heavy on the romance. Let’s explore some of the classics!

MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY

7 Rebecca (1940)

     United Artists

Rebecca is a film directed by Alfred Hitchcock. This was his first American movie. Joan Fontaine and Laurence Olivier star in this story about a widower who meets his self-conscious second wife. The film explores the power of the dead over the living and is driven by mystery and unsaid emotions. It’s considered to be a psychological masterpiece. In 1941, Rebecca received 11 nominations at the 13th Academy Awards, more than any other movie that year. Lily James & Armie Hammer recently did a remake of this classic in 2020 and knocked it out of the park.

MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY

MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY

MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY

6 Final Analysis (1992)

     Warner Bros.

Issac Barr (Richard Gere) and Heather (Kim Basinger) deliver a passionate performance in Final Analysis. When a psychologist falls for his patient’s sister, he finds himself standing in the face of danger. Their secret affair is complicated by Heather’s intimidating husband and her own mental health issues. This 1992 Thriller was directed by Phil Joanou and written by Wesley Strick. The movie is action-packed and keeps you on your toes.

5 Basic Instinct (1992)

     TriStar Pictures (1992)

Basic Instinct is a Thriller that’s heavy on the romance and seduction. It’s directed by Paul Verhoeen and written by Joe Eszterhas. The 1992 film stars Sharon Stone and Michael Douglas. Stone plays a clever crime novelist who is accused of murdering her boyfriend. Detective Nick (Michael Douglas) ends up falling for her and engages in a dangerous affair to prove her guilt. Perhaps the movie is best known for Stone’s iconic leg scene. She recreated the steamy scene in 2019 for her Woman of the Year speech. Basic Instinct landed number 2 on our best Sharon Stone performances list.

4 Conspiracy Theory (1997)

     Warner Bros. 

Conspiracy Theory is a 1997 Thriller starring Academy Award Winners Mel Gibson and Julia Roberts. Jerry Fletcher (Gibson) is a taxi driver who is obsessed with conspiracy theories. He’s also in love with a federal attorney named Alice (Roberts) who he spies from a distance. After publishing a theory that comes true, he finds himself in a whirlpool of trouble with the CIA. Jerry needs Alice’s help to make it out alive. Gibson and Roberts team up and take viewers on a wild ride to uncover the truth. Conspiracy Theory was directed by Richard Donner, who is also known for other classics like Lethal Weapon.

3 True Romance (1993)

True Romance is a story about love, murder, and sacrifice. Clarence (Christian Slater) and Alabama (Patricia Arquette) meet to form an unlikely romance. He’s a lonely comic book geek, and she’s a prostitute. After he kills her pimp and steals his drugs, they both become on the run from the mafia. The film is directed by Tony Scott and written by Quentin Tarantino. Clarence and Alabama are mentioned on our most destructive couples in movie history list. True Romance is considered to be one of the most important movies of the 90s. The film was recently released on 4k UltraHD and Blu-ray disc last year.

2 To Catch a Thief (1955)

     Paramount Pictures

To Catch a Thief is an old school classic directed by Alfred Hitchcock. It’s based on the 1952 screenplay by John Michael Hayes. The film is filled with passion, thrills, and action. John Robie (Cary Grant) plays a retired thief who’s accused of returning to his old ways. He sets out to prove his innocence by catching the real thief himself. Along the way, he forms a connection with Frances Stevens (Grace Kelly). The two are perfectly matched and deliver heartwarming performances. There are talks of a remake in the works starring Gal Gadot.

1 Revenge (1990)

     Columbia Pictures

Revenge was directed by Tony Scott, who is also known for Top Gun and many other iconic films. Jay Cochran (Kevin Costner), is retired U.S. Navy pilot who travels to Mexico on a business trip with his friend Tibey Mendez (Anthony Quinn). He meets Tibey’s beautiful wife Miryea (Madeleine Stowe), and they end up having a dangerous forbidden affair. When Tibey discovers the truth, he sets out for revenge on both of them. The movie has elements of Thriller, Romance, drama, Crime, and action. It is based on a novella written by Jim Harrison in 1979. Revenge is a heartbreaking love story with thick tension from start to finish.