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Harlan Coben is a New York Times bestselling author known for mystery and thriller novels with twist-filled plots involving unresolved past events, often tied to murders or tragic accidents.
Twelve of his books have been adapted for film or TV. The first was the French film Ne le dis à personne (2006), directed by Guillaume Canet. His 2003 novel No Second Chance inspired a French miniseries in 2015, followed by an adaptation of Just One Look in 2017.
Harlan Coben expanded his creative reach with the British crime drama The Five (2016) and the French-British series Safe (2018) on Netflix. In 2018, he signed a five-year deal with Netflix to adapt 14 of his books, starting with The Stranger in 2020.
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Here are the 7 best Harlan Coben shows and movies to watch in 2025, showcasing his signature themes of suspense and complex mysteries.
Disclaimer: The following list is ranked in no particular order and the opinions expressed are solely those of the author.
Missing You, Fool Me Once, and 5 other best Harlan Coben shows and movies to watch in 2025
1) Missing You (2025)
Missing You, a five-part series adapted from Harlan Coben's novel, premiered on January 1, 2025. Produced by Quay Street Productions under ITV Studios, it follows Netflix's success with Coben’s Fool Me Once.
The story follows Kat Donovan (Rosalind Eleazar), a Missing Persons detective, who discovers her fiancé Josh's (Ashley Walters) profile on a dating app 11 years after his mysterious disappearance, reopening old wounds.
This discovery pulls her back into the unsolved murder of her father (Lenny Henry), forcing her to confront hidden secrets from her past.
Missing You is one of Harlan Coben's best works due to its mix of suspense and unexpected twists. The series combines personal grief with a mystery that keeps viewers hooked as secrets from the past and present unravel.
Where to watch: Netflix
2) Fool Me Once (2024)
Fool Me Once is a British thriller TV show adapted by Danny Brocklehurst from Harlan Coben's 2016 novel. It features Michelle Keegan, Adeel Akhtar, Dino Fetscher, Richard Armitage, and Joanna Lumley.
The series premiered on January 1, 2024, and by March 31, became Netflix's seventh most-viewed English-language series, with 98.2 million viewers and 630 million hours watched.
After Maya Stern's husband, Joe Burkett, is murdered, her friend Eva Finn gives her a nanny cam to watch over her daughter, Lily. While reviewing the footage, Maya is shocked to see Joe, presumed dead, visiting Lily. Meanwhile, Maya's niece and nephew, Abby and Daniel, investigate their mother Claire Walker's murder and its possible connection to Joe's death.
This British series begins with a woman witnessing her allegedly dead husband on a nanny cam, launching her into a dangerous search for the truth. Its chilling premise and unpredictable twists keep the mystery compelling throughout.
Where to watch: Netflix
3) Tell No One (2006)
Tell No One (Ne le dis à personne in French) is a French thriller directed by Guillaume Canet, adapted from Harlan Coben's 2001 novel of the same name.
Co-written by Canet and Philippe Lefebvre and featuring François Cluzet in the lead role, the film won four awards at the 2007 César Awards: Best Director (Guillaume Canet), Best Actor (François Cluzet), Best Editing, and Best Original Music.
Dr. Alexandre Beck's life is shattered when, eight years after his wife Margot's presumed murder, he is implicated in a double homicide. He then receives an email with footage of Margot alive and a warning that they are being watched. This suspenseful thriller keeps viewers hooked with its tension and complex characters.
Where to watch: Prime Video, Apple TV+
4) Safe (2018)
The British drama-thriller miniseries Safe, known on-screen as Harlan Coben's Safe, was written by Coben himself.
The story centers on Tom Delaney, a widowed pediatric surgeon and father of two teenage daughters, who is having difficulty bonding with his children a year after his wife’s death from cancer. When his 16-year-old daughter Jenny goes missing, Tom sets out on a frantic search, unraveling a complex web of hidden truths.
The eight-episode series debuted worldwide in 190 countries on May 10, 2018.
Set in a tight-knit suburban community, this thriller explores a father's desperate search for his missing daughter, revealing buried secrets. The intriguing plot make it a standout in Harlan Coben's adaptation list.
Where to watch: Netflix
5) The Stranger (2020)
The Stranger is a British mystery thriller miniseries with eight episodes, mainly written by Danny Brocklehurst and adapted from Harlan Coben's 2015 novel of the same title.
It premiered on January 30, 2020, featuring Richard Armitage, Siobhan Finneran, and Hannah John-Kamen in the lead roles.
The story begins when a mysterious young woman in a baseball cap approaches Adam Price and exposes a startling secret that leads to his wife’s disappearance. As the narrative unfolds, the stranger's connection to other concealed truths becomes increasingly apparent.
The Stranger stands out as one of Harlan Coben's best works due to its combination of tension and unexpected revelations.
Where to watch: Netflix, Hulu
6) The Innocent (2021)
The Innocent (El inocente in Spanish) is a Spanish mystery thriller miniseries directed by Oriol Paulo, adapted from Harlan Coben's novel of the same title.
The series, featuring Mario Casas, Alexandra Jiménez, Aura Garrido, and José Coronado, debuted on Netflix on April 30, 2021.
Nine years after unintentionally killing a man in a fight, Mateo is attempting to rebuild his life with his wife, Olivia. However, unforeseen events begin to resurface, putting their lives at risk of falling apart once more.
The Innocent is one of Harlan Coben's best works, with its tale of redemption and the haunting consequences of a dark past.
Where to watch: Netflix
7) Stay Close (2021)
Stay Close is a British mystery drama miniseries adapted from Harlan Coben's 2012 novel of the same name. Produced by Red Production Company for Netflix, the eight-episode series was released on December 31, 2021.
Megan Pierce, a suburban mother with a hidden past, lives happily with her partner Dave and their three children. Ray Levine, once a successful documentary photographer, now works as a paparazzo after the loss of his true love.
Detective Michael Broome is haunted by the unsolved disappearance of Stewart Green. When another man vanishes on the anniversary of Stewart's disappearance, Broome reopens the case, uncovering buried secrets, strained relationships, and dangerous truths.
Stay Close, one of Harlan Coben's top adaptations, masterfully combines mystery and tension as hidden truths emerge, putting lives at risk.
Where to watch: Netflix
Viewers can explore other Harlan Coben shows and movies such as The Five, Shelter, and The Woods.
