Several outlets have published lists of highly-regarded spy thrillers, with some lists including 25 notable films and others featuring slightly different numbers, such as 24 or 28. The lists appear to be focused on espionage movies, but some outlets have also published lists that seem unrelated, such as best movies on a streaming platform or notable films from a specific year. It is unclear what specific criteria are being used to determine the "best" spy thrillers.