What type of movie works best for Thriller Drinking?

Suspenseful or horror movies with plenty of jump scares, twists, or tension work best. Examples include 'Scream,' 'The Conjuring,' or even a thriller-heavy TV episode like 'Breaking Bad' Season 4, Episode 13 (Face Off).

What happens if there’s a disagreement about a trigger?

Appoint a judge before the game starts, and their word is final. If the group is split, treat it as a tie and have everyone drink.

How do penalties and assigning drinks work?

If you miss a trigger or react late, you drink as a penalty. If you correctly spot a trigger first, you can assign another player to drink instead.

What’s the 'final penalty' for the loser?

It depends on your group's preferences, but common choices include finishing the rest of their drink or acting out a dramatic scene from the movie.

Thriller Drinking - Drinking Game Rules & How to Play

Thriller Drinking is a drinking game in the Movie & TV Games category for 1-10 players that takes about 15-30 min with a medium difficulty level.

Suspense and tension drinking

Equipment Needed

TV/Streaming device
Drinks

Setup

Pick a suspenseful movie or TV episode,something with intense action, nail-biting scenes, or dramatic twists. Everyone needs their own drink, and the TV or streaming device should be set up where everyone can see comfortably. Decide on specific 'trigger points' like jump scares, dramatic reveals, or a character making a bad decision,these are what signal drinks during the game.

How to Play Thriller Drinking

Set up the game according to basic rules
Players take turns or play simultaneously
Penalties result in drinking
Success means assigning drinks
Continue until winner emerges
Loser faces final penalty
Winner earns bragging rights
Adjust rules as needed for your group

Tips & Strategies

Choose a movie everyone has seen, so people can focus on the game mechanics without getting distracted by the plot. Create a list of common thriller clichés beforehand, like 'a door creaks ominously' or 'a phone rings suddenly,' and assign specific drinking penalties to them. Watch out for fast-paced scenes,players can get hit with back-to-back penalties if triggers stack too quickly. If someone is the designated 'judge,' make sure they're paying attention to call out drinking moments fairly.

Variations

Cliché Bingo: Instead of drinking for every trigger, each player gets a bingo card of thriller clichés. First to get bingo assigns drinks to others.. The Final Girl: Pick one character to root for. Every time that character survives a dangerous situation, everyone else drinks.. Double Trouble Night: Watch two shorter movies back-to-back. The first movie sticks to normal rules, but in the second, all triggers require two sips instead of one.

Frequently Asked Questions

What type of movie works best for Thriller Drinking?: Suspenseful or horror movies with plenty of jump scares, twists, or tension work best. Examples include 'Scream,' 'The Conjuring,' or even a thriller-heavy TV episode like 'Breaking Bad' Season 4, Episode 13 (Face Off).
What happens if there’s a disagreement about a trigger?: Appoint a judge before the game starts, and their word is final. If the group is split, treat it as a tie and have everyone drink.
How do penalties and assigning drinks work?: If you miss a trigger or react late, you drink as a penalty. If you correctly spot a trigger first, you can assign another player to drink instead.
What’s the 'final penalty' for the loser?: It depends on your group's preferences, but common choices include finishing the rest of their drink or acting out a dramatic scene from the movie.

Players: 1-10 | Duration: 15-30 min | Difficulty: medium

Related Drinking Games

Wes Anderson Drinking — Drink for symmetry and aesthetics
Horror Movie Drinking Game — Universal horror movie rules - drink for every cliche!
Cooking Show Drinking Game — Drink through culinary competition
Harry Potter Drinking Game — Magical drinking adventure through Hogwarts
Fast and Furious Drinking — Drink for car chases and family
Ted Lasso Drinking Game — Drink along with AFC Richmond
The Bachelor Drinking Game — Drink through reality TV romance drama
Horror Classics Drinking — Classic horror movie drinking

From Our Blog

Unforgettable Weekend Party Ideas to Keep the Fun Rolling — When the weekend rolls around, you know it’s time to let loose and have some fun. Whether you’re planning a cozy gathering with close friends or a full-blown party, having a lineup of exciting games c...
Weekend Party Ideas That'll Kick Off Your Weekend Fun — If you're looking to throw an unforgettable weekend party, you've come to the right place. After years of hosting shindigs where laughter echoes into the early hours, I've gathered some epic party ide...
Game Spotlight: Brewing a Night of Laughter and Libations — Hey, party thrower! Ready to light up your next get-together with games that mix hilarity and a bit of buzz? Whether you're planning a chill night with friends or a full-blown bash, these games are yo...

Browse more Movie & TV Games drinking games or see all drinking games.