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

Horror Movie Drinking Game — Universal horror movie rules - drink for every cliche!
Stranger Things Drinking Game — Drink through the Upside Down
Harry Potter Drinking Game — Magical drinking adventure through Hogwarts
Lord of the Rings Drinking Game — One drink to rule them all
Anime Drinking Game — Drink through anime tropes
James Bond Drinking Game — Drink like a secret agent
Horror Classics Drinking — Classic horror movie drinking
Fantasy Drinking — Magic and dragons drinking

From Our Blog

Unleash the Fun: Outdoor Drinking Games for Your Next Bash — If you’re planning an epic outdoor party and want to add a splash of excitement, then you’re in for a treat. Outdoor drinking games can turn a casual gathering into a night to remember - filled with l...
Weekend Party Ideas for the Ultimate Fun — Hey! So, you're thinking about throwing a weekend party, and you're looking for some ideas that go beyond the usual hangouts. Whether you're planning to host indoors or turn your backyard into a playg...
Weekend Party Ideas That'll Make Your Friends Beg for More — Hey! So, you've asked for some killer weekend party ideas, and luckily, party planning is kinda my thing. I mean, I've been throwing game nights for ages, and I've seen it all - the good, the bad, and...

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