Silent Screams: Thrilling Classics From The 1920s

By WatchListHQSeptember 6, 2025
The 1920s was a pivotal time for the film industry, with the introduction of new technologies and techniques that would shape the course of cinematic history. Among the many genres that emerged during this period, the thriller stood out as a particularly popular and enduring form of storytelling. From the German Expressionist masterpieces to the early Hollywood classics, the 1920s produced some of the most iconic and influential thrillers of all time.

One of the key characteristics of 1920s thrillers is their use of atmospheric tension and visual suspense. Films like "The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari" and "The Lodger: A Story of the London Fog" feature eerie settings, haunting shadows, and an overall sense of unease that keeps viewers on the edge of their seats. Other films, such as "Dr. Mabuse, the Gambler" and "Spies", rely on intricate plots and clever twists to keep audiences guessing.

Despite the limitations of the silent era, these films demonstrate a remarkable level of sophistication and craftsmanship. The absence of dialogue is more than compensated for by the expressive performances, clever editing, and innovative camera work. Whether you're a fan of horror, crime, or mystery, there's something for everyone in this collection of thrilling classics from the 1920s.

So, if you're ready to experience the thrill of the silent era, look no further. From the pioneering works of German Expressionism to the early days of Hollywood, these films represent some of the most exciting and influential thrillers of the 1920s. With their unique blend of style, suspense, and intrigue, they continue to captivate audiences to this day.
The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari
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The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari

#1

Francis, a young man, recalls in his memory the horrible experiences he and his fiancée Jane recently went through. Francis and his friend Alan visit The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari, an exhibit where the mysterious doctor shows the somnambulist Cesare, and awakens him for some moments from his death-like sleep.

192077 min
DramaHorrorThriller
7.9
1675 votes
Dr. Mabuse, the Gambler
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Dr. Mabuse, the Gambler

#2

Dr. Mabuse and his organization of criminals are in the process of completing their latest scheme, a theft of information that will allow Mabuse to make huge profits on the stock exchange. Afterwards, Mabuse disguises himself and attends the Folies Bergères show, where Cara Carozza, the main attraction of the show, passes him information on Mabuse's next intended victim, the young millionaire Edgar Hull. Mabuse then uses psychic manipulation to lure Hull into a card game where he loses heavily.

1922271 min
CrimeThriller
7.7
202 votes
He Who Gets Slapped
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He Who Gets Slapped

#3

After a baron steals his scientific discoveries, runs away with his wife, and slaps him in public, a man joins a Parisian circus sideshow as a clown whose act consists of being slapped repeatedly and becomes infatuated with a showgirl colleague whose father intends to marry her off to the baron.

192472 min
DramaThrillerRomance
7.6
96 votes
The Hands of Orlac
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The Hands of Orlac

#4

A world-famous pianist loses both hands in an accident. When new hands are grafted on, he is horrified to learn they once belonged to a murderer.

192498 min
HorrorThrillerMystery
6.8
102 votes
The Unholy Three
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The Unholy Three

#5

Three sideshow performers form a conspiracy known as "The Unholy Three" - a ventriloquist, midget, and strongman working together to commit a series of robberies.

192586 min
CrimeThrillerDrama
6.7
58 votes
The Lodger: A Story of the London Fog
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The Lodger: A Story of the London Fog

#6

London. A mysterious serial killer brutally murders young blond women by stalking them in the night fog. One foggy, sinister night, a young man who claims his name is Jonathan Drew arrives at the guest house run by the Bunting family and rents a room.

192791 min
CrimeThrillerMystery
7.1
317 votes
Spies
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Spies

#7

The mastermind behind a ubiquitous spy operation learns of a dangerous romance between a Russian lady in his employ and a dashing agent from the government's secret service.

1928145 min
ThrillerRomance
7.4
87 votes
Blackmail
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Blackmail

#8

London, 1929. Frank Webber, a very busy Scotland Yard detective, seems to be more interested in his work than in Alice White, his girlfriend. Feeling herself ignored, Alice agrees to go out with an elegant and well-mannered artist who invites her to visit his fancy apartment.

192986 min
DramaThrillerCrime
6.5
258 votes
Foolish Wives
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Foolish Wives

#9

A con artist masquerades as Russian nobility and attempts to seduce the wife of an American diplomat.

1922143 min
DramaThriller
6.5
96 votes
The Penalty
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The Penalty

#10

Blizzard, deranged from a childhood operation in which both his legs were needlessly amputated after an accident, becomes a vicious criminal, and eventually mob leader of the San Francisco underworld.

192090 min
CrimeDramaThriller
6.9
55 votes