The Best Mystery Movies Of All Time
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- 1James Stewart, Grace Kelly, Wendell Corey
Often considered one of Hitchcock's best, the film is a thrilling exploration of voyeurism and suspense set in a Greenwich Village courtyard. The plot centralizes around a wheelchair-bound man who becomes certain his neighbor has committed murder. Well-received by both critics, scholars, and audiences alike, the movie holds four Academy Awards nominations to its name. Preserving its cultural, historical, and aesthetic significance, the American Film Institute positions the film on its 100 Years...100 Movies list, while it also receives a place in the United States National Film Registry.
More Rear Window
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- 2Ray Milland, Grace Kelly, Bob Cummings
Helmed by the illustrious Alfred Hitchcock, this captivating 1954 thriller features outstanding performances from Ray Milland and Grace Kelly. The film delves into the plot of a retired tennis player planning the perfect murder of his wealthy wife for her inheritance. While the film didn’t gather any Oscar nominations, it cemented Hitchcock’s legendary status in the thriller genre. Unique to its time, it was originally intended to be exhibited in 3-D, although ultimately shown in ordinary 2-D due to the complexities involved. This technical peculiarity, combined with Hitchcock's signature storytelling style, make the film a remarkable piece in cinema history.
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NEW#94Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery
- 3James Stewart, Kim Novak, Barbara Bel Geddes
This 1958 classic features the compelling story of a former police detective, portrayed by James Stewart, who suffers from an extreme fear of heights and a false sense of motion. Though the film did not receive any award recognition during its time, it has since been considered Hitchcock's magnum opus. Distinguished by its innovative use of the 'dolly zoom' to portray the lead character's acrophobia, an effect now referred to as "the Vertigo effect," and the aesthetic brilliance of its on-location shooting in the city of San Francisco, the film endures as a classic in psychological thrillers.
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- 4Albert Finney, Lauren Bacall, Martin Balsam
This classic 1974 British mystery film, directed by Sidney Lumet, revolves around the gripping story of a detective investigating the murder of an American business tycoon aboard a luxurious long-distance train. With an outstanding all-star ensemble cast, the film garnered substantial critical and commercial success. Actress Ingrid Bergman won an Academy Award for her performance and the film was nominated in multiple other categories including Best Actor, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Original Score, and Best Cinematography. With its unique setting of a murder investigation inside a train, combined with an all-star cast, this film offers a unique piece of cinematic history.
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- 5Humphrey Bogart, Mary Astor, Peter Lorre
Helmed by John Huston in his directorial debut, this 1941 film noir piece features Humphrey Bogart as a private detective dealing with three unscrupulous adventurers in San Francisco on the hunt for a jewel-encrusted statuette. This undeniable classic showcased memorable performances from Mary Astor, Peter Lorre, and Sydney Greenstreet. Due to its adherence to the original novel's dialogue and its in-sequence filming, the movie helped define the film noir genre, while introducing audiences to Bogart's iconic private eye persona and creating the foundation for a whole host of detective movies to follow.
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- 6Peter Ustinov, Bette Davis, David Niven
Based on the novel by the queen of crime, Agatha Christie, the British film features an all-star cast and introduces Peter Ustinov for the first time as the legendary Belgian detective Hercule Poirot. The film is set mostly on a period paddle steamer on the Nile River in Egypt, with its plot revolving around a murder investigation. Awarded with an Academy Award for Best Costume Design, the movie stands out primarily for its remarkable on-location filming at various famous Ancient Egyptian sights and the unique and vivid portrayal of 1930s Egypt.
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- 7Cary Grant, Grace Kelly, Jessie Royce Landis
This 1955 romantic thriller stars Cary Grant as a retired cat burglar attempting to clear his name by catching an impostor operating in the French Riviera. The film is notable for its on-location filming in the French Riviera, capturing the region's glamour. It also marks Hitchcock's first usage of the VistaVision widescreen process. The lead actress, driving a distinct Sunbeam Alpine Mk I adds to the film's charm. Visually stunning, the movie won an Academy Award for Best Cinematography and received additional nominations for Best Art Direction and Best Costume Design. The coupling of suspense with romance crafted in Hitchcock's adept hands makes this film a unique and enduring classic.
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- 8Cary Grant, Raymond Massey, Priscilla Lane
This 1944 screwball mystery comedy film, directed by Frank Capra, stars Cary Grant as a drama critic who must deal with his eccentric family, including the shocking discovery of a body in the window seat, on his wedding day. Based on a popular stage play, it remains a classic in the screwball comedy genre. The film is set apart by its unique blend of comedy and macabre themes, and was notable for the contract stipulation delaying its release until the end of the Broadway run.
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- 9Stephen Baldwin, Gabriel Byrne, Chazz Palminteri
This riveting 1995 mystery thriller by director Bryan Singer, follows the intricate interrogation of a small-time con man, one of two survivors of a mysterious massacre. The film chronicles the complex series of events leading to the incident through ardent storytelling from the protagonist's view. The film swept major awards, with Kevin Spacey winning the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor and Christopher McQuarrie landing the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay. What sets the film apart is its unexpected narratives, layered with deceit and twists within a simple plot. The infamous line questioning the identity of the elusive Keyser Söze became an iconic part of film history.
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- 10Harrison Ford, Tommy Lee Jones, Sela Ward
This 1993 action thriller is an adrenaline-filled chase movie that follows a framed vascular surgeon, played by Harrison Ford, trying to prove his innocence whilst on the run from a relentless U.S. Marshal, brought to life by Tommy Lee Jones. The film was a critical and commercial success, garnering seven Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture, while Jones took home the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor. Remarkable for its picturesque locations and conveyance of 'real-time' pursuit, the film heightens the tension beyond its TV series predecessor, reaffirming the movie's legacy as one of the most engaging chase thrillers ever produced.
- 11Humphrey Bogart, Lauren Bacall, Martha Vickers
Welcome to the shadowy corridors of film noir masterpieces, where director Howard Hawks expertly twists the viewers in a riveting web of blackmail and murder. The captivating screenplay, co-authored by literary virtuoso William Faulkner, comes to life through the dynamic performances of Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall. Although the film carries the unique distinction of having two versions (1945 original and 1946 release), each offers a thrilling journey into the world of crime and suspense. Surprisingly, this classic missed the Academy's eye for an Oscar nomination, yet it's cherished for its rich historical value, earning a preserved spot in the U.S. Library of Congress.
- 12Bruce Willis, Haley Joel Osment, Toni Collette
Don't sleep on the mastery of M. Night Shyamalan showcasing a chilling tale anchored by the superlative performances of Bruce Willis, Haley Joel Osment, and Toni Collette. The saga of a child psychologist grappling with a young patient's unsettling assertions about the supernatural won six Academy Award nominations including Best Picture, Director, Original Screenplay, Supporting Actor, and Supporting Actress. What sets this movie apart is its notorious plot-twist and its daring fusion of classic Hollywood stylings with modern horror's dark undertones. Yet, its universal success, being the second-highest-grossing film of its release year, truly attests to its enduring appeal.
More The Sixth Sense - 13Brad Pitt, Morgan Freeman, Gwyneth Paltrow
Shimmering with a grim beauty, this 1995 American crime thriller operates on a chilling premise: a string of murders orchestrated around the seven deadly sins. Directed by David Fincher and penned by Andrew Kevin Walker, the film conscripts formidable talents Brad Pitt, Morgan Freeman, and Gwyneth Paltrow into its shadow-laden textures. The originality of its design innovations, particularly the title sequence, and a highly unexpected plot twist serve as key identifiers of its distinguished aura.
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- 14Kevin Spacey, Russell Crowe, Guy Pearce
This classic noir film, directed by Curtis Hanson, vividly portrays the seedy underbelly of 1950s Los Angeles where police corruption entwines with Hollywood celebrity. The multi-layered plot features standout performances from Russell Crowe, Guy Pearce, and Kim Basinger (who clinched an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress). The film earned an impressive nine Academy Award nominations. Its uniqueness lies not only in the casting of relatively unknown actors at the time in leading roles but also in painstaking attention to authentic period details, set against the backdrop of distinct Hollywood landmarks.
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- 15Jack Nicholson, Faye Dunaway, John Huston
This iconic neo-noir mystery thriller offers an intricate narrative enriched by the powerhouse performances of Jack Nicholson and Faye Dunaway. The plot uncovers the grim secrets of Los Angeles' water corruption through the eyes of a dogged private investigator. Receiving 11 Oscar nominations, the film walked away with a well-deserved Best Original Screenplay award. Unique for its choice to draw from real-life California water wars and its unsettling visage of sunny Southern California, this thriller continues to hold cinematic significance and stands as a testament to the enduring draw of noir film aesthetics.
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- 16James Stewart, Lee Remick, Ben Gazzara
This landmark courtroom drama, directed by Otto Preminger, chronicles a United States Army lieutenant's defence trial after he is charged with murdering the man who assaulted his wife. Recognized for its realism and outstanding performances, especially from James Stewart who was nominated for Best Actor at the International Film Festival, the film impressively unfolds the layers of legal proceedings. Distinctively, it is famous for its jazz score composed by Duke Ellington, marking it as the first significant Hollywood film with a non-diegetic score by African American musicians. The movie's significance was acknowledged when it joined the National Film Registry in 2012.
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- 17Sidney Poitier, Rod Steiger, Warren Oates
In this boundary-breaking 1967 film, Sidney Poitier gives a riveting performance as a Black police detective from Philadelphia who becomes engulfed in a murder investigation in a small Mississippi town. Rod Steiger co-stars as the initially dismissive but reluctantly cooperative local police chief. While the noir mystery drama was not just a commercial but also a critical success, it won five 1968 Academy Awards, including Best Picture, that truly cemented its place in film history. Notably, the famous slap-back scene defended by Poitier during production became a symbol of racial defiance, while the film's memorable line "They call me Mister Tibbs!" is noted by AFI as one of the top film quotes. This film's cultural, historical, and aesthetic significance led to its preservation in the United States National Film Registry.
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- 18Lana Turner, John Garfield, Cecil Kellaway
A compelling adaptation of James M. Cain's novel, this 1946 film noir weaves an intricate narrative of passion, deception, and murder. Starring Lana Turner and John Garfield, the plot centers around a philandering wife and a wandering drifter in their disruptive alliance against the woman's elder husband. Critics celebrated Turner’s performance, with Bette Davis remarking on the unfairness of Turner not receiving a nomination. This adaptation holds unique significance as the first film to use the novel's original title and was one of the first instances of a major studio incorporating actual locations into its filming process.
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- 19Eileen Brennan, Martin Mull, Lesley Ann Warren
Released in 1985, this black comedy mystery film, set in a secluded New England mansion, unravels an intriguing narrative around a group of strangers lured into a lethal game of cat and mouse. In a scrumptious display of ensemble acting, the cast, including Eileen Brennan, Tim Curry, and Madeline Kahn, deliver performances that breathe life into this multi-ended plot based on the well-known board game. The film, which originally screened one of three possible endings at different theaters, created a considerable cult following, despite its initial mixed reviews and underwhelming box office outcomes. A standout feature is its novel approach to story-closure, housing three akin, yet distinct, conclusions providing multiple perspectives on 'whodunit'.
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- 20Cary Grant, Audrey Hepburn, Walter Matthau
This classic 1963 film deftly intertwines elements of comedy, mystery, and romance in a mesmerizing narrative helmed by Stanley Donen. The story centers on a woman, wonderfully portrayed by Audrey Hepburn, who becomes entangled in a deadly pursuit for her murdered husband's stolen fortune. Cary Grant delivers a charming performance as her unexpected but dubious ally. Largely filmed on location in Paris, the film's distinct backdrop and captivating animated titles by Maurice Binder add a layer of uniqueness. Despite being Oscar-nominated only for music, the film has gained notable fame as the 'best Hitchcock movie Hitchcock never made.' Known for its remarkable blend of genres, compelling score, and electric chemistry between Hepburn and Grant, it continues to be a cherished part of cinematic history.
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- 21Gene Hackman, Fernando Rey, Roy Scheider
This acclaimed neo-noir action thriller from 1971 foregrounds a relentless pair of NYPD detectives, brilliantly portrayed by Gene Hackman and Roy Scheider, on the trail of a wealthy French heroin smuggler. The film, based on Robin Moore's non-fiction book and directed by William Friedkin, garnered eight nominations at the 44th Academy Awards and emerged victorious in five key categories including Best Picture, Best Actor, Best Director, Best Film Editing, and Best Adapted Screenplay. The film's most recognized scene, an adrenaline-fueled car chase, is considered one of the greatest ever filmed and has since influenced numerous subsequent cinematic car pursuits. Its cultural, historical, and aesthetic significance led to its preservation in the United States National Film Registry.
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- 22Harrison Ford, Brian Dennehy, Raul Julia
In this intricate legal thriller, Harrison Ford plays an esteemed prosecutor who finds himself in the defendant's seat, accused of a murder he purports not to have committed. The film, based on Scott Turow's best-selling novel, brought to the fore an engaging narrative penned by Alan J. Pakula and Frank Pierson, and directed by Pakula himself. It became a noteworthy part of cinematic history for its layered narrative with the use of an assumedly transparent standpoint, which in turn fuelled uncertainty and suspense in a world of legal intricacies.
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- 23Johnny Depp, Christina Ricci, Miranda Richardson
Inspired by Washington Irving's classic tale, this gothic mystery follows Ichabod Crane as he investigates a series of grisly murders in the isolated village of Sleepy Hollow. As he delves deeper into the supernatural lore surrounding the enigmatic Headless Horseman, he soon discovers that not everything is as it seems. With its atmospheric setting, chilling visuals, and haunting score, this macabre film brings the spirit of the original story to life.
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- 24Orson Welles, Joseph Cotten, Ruth Warrick
Widely considered one of the greatest films in cinematic history, this innovative masterpiece delves into the life and legacy of a powerful media tycoon. As a reporter investigates the meaning of his final word, "Rosebud," he uncovers a complex web of ambition, betrayal, and regret. This riveting character study is not only a captivating mystery, but also a profound reflection on the nature of power, isolation, and the human condition.
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- 25Yoo Ah-in, Steven Yeun, Jeon Jong-seo
A chilling descent into ambiguity, this 2018 South Korean-Japanese psychological thriller narrates the story of a young deliveryman's suspense-filled journey as he stumbles upon suspicious circumstances concerning his childhood friend and a mysterious man. Directed by Lee Chang-dong and based on Haruki Murakami's short story from The Elephant Vanishes, the film intricately weaves elements inspired by William Faulkner's story of the same name. While it wasn't nominated for Best Foreign Language Film at 91st Academy Awards, it earned the distinction of being the first Korean film shortlisted in the final nine. What sets it apart is its multilayered exploration of societal pressures, especially on women, while keeping viewers on their toes with its narrative suspense.
- 26Leonardo DiCaprio, Mark Ruffalo, Ben Kingsley
This 2010 psychological thriller, skillfully directed by Martin Scorsese, explores the perilous investigation of a missing patient in a psychiatric facility. Adapted from Dennis Lehane's 2003 novel, the film gathers a power-packed ensemble led by Leonardo DiCaprio, supported by Mark Ruffalo, Ben Kingsley, Max von Sydow, and Michelle Williams. With its considerable commercial success grossing $295 million worldwide and acclaim from the National Board of Review, the film is unique for its multifaceted narrative complexities as it alludes to multiple genres, notably film noir and horror, and induces viewers to reflect on its conclusion long after the credits roll.
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- 27Guy Pearce, Carrie-Anne Moss, Joe Pantoliano
In the masterful execution of this 2000 mystery psychological thriller, the film plunges the audience into the perplexing world of an anterograde amnesia patient, brilliantly portrayed by Guy Pearce. Grappling with his condition, the protagonist implements an elaborate system of notes, photos, and tattoos to uncover the culprit behind his trauma. Notably, the film garnered Academy Award nominations for Best Original Screenplay and Best Film Editing, further acknowledging its critical acclaim. The unique narrative structure, notably its non-chronological sequence of events, encourages viewers to step into the protagonist's fragmented reality, making the film a hallmark in cinematic storytelling.
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- 28Nicole Kidman, Christopher Eccleston, Alakina Mann
In Alejandro Amenábar's enthralling gothic supernatural psychological horror film from 2001, Nicole Kidman's portrayal of a woman tending to her photosensitive children in a secluded manor amid strange occurrences makes her one of the most compelling screen presences of recent years. The film achieved enormous success, grossing over $210 million worldwide against a modest $17 million budget. It holds the unique distinction of being the first English-language film to win Best Film at Spain's Goya Awards, without a word of Spanish dialogue. Its narrative acumen and atmospheric bravura make it an indelible benchmark in the annals of horror cinema.
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- 29Peter Falk, Peter Sellers, Truman Capote
This 1976 American comedy mystery captures a slew of unique characters, mirroring well-known fictional detectives from Agatha Christie and Dashiell Hammett, invited to a potentially deadly dinner party in a country house. The film, written by Neil Simon and directed by Robert Moore, showcases an ensemble of notable actors with ingenious execution. What sets it apart is its broad parody nature - a spoof of the classic country-house whodunit - layered with captivating humor from an expert comedic cast. The film's presentation at the esteemed Venice International Film Festival further substantiates its cinematic impact.
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- 30Hugh Jackman, Christian Bale, Michael Caine
This 2006 psychological thriller, directed by Christopher Nolan, stages the intriguing rivalry between two Victorian London stage magicians, outstandingly portrayed by Hugh Jackman and Christian Bale. The film, also featuring Michael Caine and David Bowie, was met with a warm critical reception and secured Academy Award nominations for Best Art Direction and Best Cinematography. Part of its uniqueness lies in the captivating duel for magical supremacy, intertwined with themes of secrecy and sacrifice. It continues to bewitch audiences with its complex narrative and visually stunning cinematography.
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