The genre of espionage always has something special to offer audiences. Seeing spies engage in perilous missions is full of thrill and suspense. It can be written in either seriousness or humor, making it quite adaptable. Some espionage thrillers go darker,

depicting the futility of taking revenge. With one of the biggest streaming services, Netflix has a wonderful lineup of espionage, spy, and secret agent movies. Whether you want action-packed thrills or a more measured take on betrayal and repercussions, it has a lot of exciting possibilities to explore, and we have prepared a selection of the finest spy films on Netflix that you should watch.

13. Yaksha: Ruthless Operations (2022)

Directed by Na Hyeon, ‘Yaksha: Ruthless Operations’ is a gripping mission about a lofty prosecutor who is dispatched to inspect a Black Ops unit in a troubled city. Following his immersion in the world of clandestine spying in Shenyang, China, he has to deal with a fatal network of dishonesty and duplicity. As he partners with the mysterious head of the Black Ops unit, he finds himself in a greater conspiracy that would upset the balance of global power. The South Korean action movie puts action and suspense on the main stage with Sol Kyung-gu (Han Ji-hoon) as the protagonist. It presents a dark and immersive look at the extreme world of espionage. The movie’s suspenseful action scenes, coupled with its tight plot, provide a gripping experience for viewers of spy thrillers. Stream the movie here.

12. Khufiya (2023)

‘Khufiya’ is an engaging Indian spy thriller that explores the life of undercover agents. The movie tracks a brilliant intelligence officer who is presented with a delicate mission encompassing espionage, deception, and self-sacrifice. Against the background of political drama, the narrative delves into the price of loyalty and the border between patriotism and treason. With outstanding performances by Tabu as the chief agent, Ali Fazal, and Wamiqa Gabbi, the movie injects high drama and tension into the world of espionage. This Vishal Bhardwaj-directed movie is an interesting watch throughout. If you get hooked on it, watch it here.

11. Operation Mincemeat (2022).

Based in 1943, ‘Operation Mincemeat’ movie is about a group of British intelligence officers who come up with a masterplan to mislead the Nazis by placing fictitious documents on a body that had been killed during an airplane crash, which makes them alter their military plan. John Madden’s direction of the film features Colin Firth as Ewen Montagu and Matthew Macfadyen as Charles Cholmondeley, who feature prominently in the execution of the operation. Based on the book ‘Operation Mincemeat: The True Spy Story That Changed the Course of World War II’ by Ben Macintyre, Operation Mincemeat offers a thrilling look at one of the most ingenious covert operations in history. The movie blends historical accuracy with dramatic tension, making it an engaging watch for fans of real-life espionage and war stories. For fans of such cinema, the movie can be streamed here.

10. The Angel (2018)

Ariel Vromen’s ‘The Angel’ is a gripping espionage thriller about the real-life story of Ashraf Marwan, an Egyptian businessman and spy who was a pivotal figure in Middle Eastern politics in the 1970s. The film follows Marwan (Mahershala Ali) as he comes to terms with his dual life, working as a spy for Israel while maintaining his position as a trusted confidant to Egyptian President Nasser. If you’re intrigued by true stories of espionage, political intrigue, and secretive alliances, ‘The Angel’ offers a fascinating and thrilling watch. The film is ideal for those who love historical spy tales full of moral complexity and suspense-ridden plots. You may view this gripping thriller here.

9. Mosul (2020)

Directed by Matthew Michael Carnahan, ‘Mosul’ is an intense war thriller based on a real-life story. The film follows the heroic struggle of the Nineveh SWAT team, a group of rogue cops who struggle to retake their city of Mosul from ISIS. The team goes on a daring guerrilla operation, battling through perilous conditions and personal losses, all in an effort to save their home and families. Starring Suvendu Misha and Adam Bessa, ‘Mosul’ delivers an intense and emotional portrayal of courage under fire. With its gritty portrayal of actual heroism, Mosul is a movie not to miss for people who enjoy war movies based on real hardships and the endurance of people fighting against tremendous adversity. If you are up to such a storyline, you can view the film here.

8. Number 24 (2024)

Directed by John Andreas Andersen, ‘Number 24’ is a captivating wartime thriller during World War II about the Norwegian resistance. The movie traces the life of the main character, Gunnar Sønsteby (Sjur Vatne Brean), and his reflections on his activities in secret operations against the Nazi regime. The movie starts with simple acts of resistance that escalate gradually to ferocious, bloody sabotage, espionage missions, and moral dilemmas. The main character witnesses the implications of war and struggles with guilt and the implications of his decisions. The film’s violent and action-packed climax provides an unforgettable experience. ‘Number 24’ is a gritty, realistic, and intense depiction of the resistance, providing a gripping story that will have you on the edge of your seat. If you enjoy wartime thrillers with depth, you can view this movie. To do so, stream here.

7. Munich: The Edge of War (2021)

‘Munich: The Edge of War’ is a historical spy thriller based on the 1938 Munich Agreement. The movie tracks the story of British diplomat Hugh Legat (George MacKay) and former Oxford classmate Paul von Hartmann (Jannis Niewöhner), a German official now. As the tension mounts, Legat and von Hartmann discover a secret plan by Adolf Hitler (Ulrich Matthes) to attack Czechoslovakia, which would threaten the precariously maintained peace of Europe. They have to battle a conspiracy of political machinations and personal allegiance to avoid a catastrophic war. Christian Schwochow’s directorial based on Robert Harris’s novel ‘Munich’ is a gripping and thought-provoking drama of a turning point in history. You can watch it here.

6. Back in Action (2025)

‘Back in Action’ tracks top spies Matt (Jamie Foxx) and Emily (Cameron Diaz), who have been leading a peaceful existence following their disappearance from the CIA to begin a family. When their cover is, however, compromised, they are back in the risky business of espionage, and they have to deal with previous enemies as well as fight sophisticated global threats. The Seth Gordon directed film guarantees suspenseful action, clever banter, and captivating missions. With Jamie Foxx and Cameron Diaz at the helm, ‘Back in Action’ provides a fun mix of suspense and excitement. A film that guarantees to entertain you with a hint of humor and heart is what this movie is all about. You can stream the movie here now.

5. Heart of Stone (2023)

‘Heart of Stone’ tells the tale of Rachel Stone (Gal Gadot), a skilled secret agent employed in a world peacekeeping agency called Charter. After a mission turns sour, she must deal with a perilous conspiracy that puts the world’s most precious resource, The Heart—a potent technology—to risk. Tom Harper directs the film, presenting high-stakes action complemented by a solid lead performance courtesy of Gal Gadot. The movie shines with its powerful woman character and suspenseful plot turns, making it a thrilling ride for those seeking a new twist on spy adventures. Watch the movie here if you enjoy this concept.

4. The Gray Man (2022)

Anthony and Joe Russo’s ‘The Gray Man’ takes us through the life of Court Gentry (Ryan Gosling), a top CIA agent whose existence is not known by anyone—until he discovers secrets of the dark agency. Now, his ruthless ex-boss offers a price on his head, sending top assassins from across the globe after him. As Gentry tries to survive, he’ll have to use his training, brains, and unlikely allies to get out alive. From the best-selling novel by Mark Greaney, the movie delivers exhilarating action, heart-stopping set pieces, and relentless espionage suspense. With a tour-de-force performance by Gosling and Evans, The Gray Man is not to be missed for anyone who loves intense spy thrillers. If you like relentless chases, pulse-pounding action, pulse-pounding plot twists, and a duel of wits between two titans, this movie is for you. Watch The Gray Man here.

3. Red Notice (2021)

Rawson Marshall Thurber’s ‘Red Notice’ tracks FBI Special Agent John Hartley (Dwayne Johnson), who is sent to apprehend two thieves: the globe’s most wanted art thief, Nolan Booth (Ryan Reynolds), and his arch rival, Sarah Black (Gal Gadot). After the pursuit begins, roles become reversed as hunter and hunted blend in this action thriller heist movie. ‘Red Notice’ is a fun and thrilling ride, blending humor, action, and clever plot twists. The dynamic performances by Dwayne Johnson (John Hartley), Ryan Reynolds (Nolan Booth), and Gal Gadot (Sarah Black) make this a must-watch for fans of lighthearted, fast-paced espionage films. If you’re looking for a thrilling adventure with lots of action and comedic banter, Red Notice is the perfect pick. The film can be streamed here.

2. Safe House (2012)

When finally arrested and brought in a rogue CIA agent, Tobin Frost, who has murdered numerous other agents, is sent to a safehouse that junior CIA officer Matt Weston is in charge of, the latter finally has something to do after months of inactivity. But his life takes a dramatic turn soon when the safehouse is ambushed by mercenaries and he manages to escape along with Tobin. As they both run for their lives, Tobin makes it amply clear to Matt that the game is more than what he imagined and everything is not as it appears. Now that Matt is involved in the game, he has to uncover the truth and expose it for the world to know before being killed. Starring Denzel Washington as Tobin Frost and Ryan Reynolds as Matt Weston, ‘Safe House’ extracts more from its viewers because of the star power and the action than the plot. You can see it here.

1. Spy Game (2001)

Tony Scott directs ‘Spy Game,’ a Cold War-set film. It depicts soon-to-retire CIA agent Nathan Muir being pulled back in the game to rescue his protégé, Tom Bishop, who has been captured in Suzhou, China. The film alternates between past and present, while past describes the lives of Muir and Bishop, whose friendship was created through their experiences, and present depicts the strings Muir uses to save his friend from certain death. Strong performances by Robert Redford as Nathan Muir and Brad Pitt as Tom Bishop make ‘Spy Game’ an intense drama enriched by the filming of real locations and action sequences. You can view it here. Read More: Most Underrated Movies on Netflix