The 35 Best Murder Mystery Movies to Watch Right Now
Channel your inner detective with our favorite whodunits.
The murder mystery genre is having a moment.
Why? "There's an element of comfort," Rian Johnson, Knives Out writer/director told Town & Country earlier this year. "The form itself is an inherently conservative form. Not politically conservative, but fundamentally conservative: The simplest form of chaos is created by a crime. The paternal detective comes in, finds the truth, and sets everything back right at the end of it by punishing the guilty. In a way, it's the most basic kind of 'break a thing and then restore it,' and everything's okay at the end of the day. There's something comforting about that."
There's a real resurgence of murder mysteries on television—from Johnson's own Poker Face, to Hulu's Only Murders in the Building and A Murder of the End of the World, or Apple TV+'sThe Afterparty—but what about murder mystery movies?From Alfred Hitchcock to Jordan Peele, whodunits have always had a particular knack for captivating audiences, and so we've set out to gather some of our favorite murder mystery movies from over the years. Below, the 35 best murder mysteries you can stream now, from comedic takes on the genre to true throwback classics.
Clue (1985)
A dark comedic take on the murder mystery, Clue has become a cult classic. Based on the board game by the same name, the movie starts with a group of strangers, a New England mansion, a stormy night, and—you guessed it—a murder.
Knives Out (2019)
A movie perhaps best known for its slew of cable-knit sweaters, this star-studded feature revolves around the mysterious death of a crime novelist. Detective Benoit Blanc, played by Daniel Craig, enters the picture and tries to piece together this curious case.
Get Out (2017)
Get Out was Jordan Peele's directorial debut and was widely lauded for its social commentary. In the film, Chris Washington (Daniel Kaluuya), a young Black man, uncovers dark, disturbing information while visiting his white girlfriend's family.
Murder on the Orient Express (1974)
Another murder mystery based on a book, Murder on the Orient Express is an adaptation of Agatha Christie's detective novel. If you like this version, watch the 2017 adaptation and feel free to compare and contrast.
Gosford Park (2001)
If Downton Abbey were a murder mystery, it would be Gosford Park. Starring Maggie Smith and Kristin Scott Thomas, the movie begins with a group arriving at a posh English country estate, but a murder and an ensuing investigation, needless to say, complicate the weekend plans.
The Lovebirds (2020)
After witnessing a murder, a couple (Issa Rae, Kumail Nanjiani) goes on the run to find the real killer, and clear their names. The movie definitely sits at the intersection of "murder mystery" and "romantic comedy."
Rear Window (1954)
One of Alfred Hitchcock's most famous films, an injured news photographer (James Stewart) becomes convinced he witnessed a murder in a nearby apartment. He and his girlfriend (played by Grace Kelly) then attempt to solve the mystery themselves.
Charade (1963)
Even if you're not into mysteries, Charade is worth viewing for its cast and costumes alone. When Regina "Reggie" Lampert's (Audrey Hepburn) husband dies unexpectedly, she faces sudden danger. However, a mysterious-yet-charming American, Peter Joshua (Cary Grant), wants to help.
Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery (2022)
The second Knives Out film is equally as entertaining as the first, with Daniel Craig returning as Benoit Blanc to solve a new murder at a billionaire's compound, featuring an all-star cast (Edward Norton, Janelle Monáe, Kathryn Hahn, Leslie Odom Jr., Jessica Henwick, Madelyn Cline, Kate Hudson, and Dave Bautista).
Gone Girl (2014)
Based on the bestselling book by the same name, Gone Girl is a psychological thriller about a man (Ben Affleck) who becomes the lead suspect in his wife's (Rosamund Pike) disappearance. However, in this movie, nothing is as it seems.
Bad Times at the El Royale (2018)
A celebrity ensemble cast, including Jeff Bridges, Cynthia Erivo, and Dakota Johnson, stars in Bad Times at the El Royale. The plot centers on a group of strangers meeting up at a seedy hotel in 1969, though they share more in common than they reveal at first.
The Pink Panther (2006)
In this remake of a classic, Steve Martin stars as the bumbling French Inspector Clouseau, who is tasked with solving the murder of a famous soccer coach and finding the priceless Pink Panther diamond ring. Plus, Beyoncé also stars! It's a goofy murder mystery perfect for the whole family.
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2011)
David Fincher's thriller follows disgraced journalist, Mikael Blomkvist (Daniel Craig), and tattooed computer hacker, Lisbeth Salander (Rooney Mara), as they attempt to solve a 40-year-old murder case.
L.A. Confidential (1997)
L.A. Confidential transports viewers to 1950s Los Angeles, as three detectives investigate a murder. Sounds simple enough, but the investigation leads the detectives into a wild web of corruption closer to home than they anticipated.
The Last of Sheila (1973)
A movie producer, Clinton Greene, gathers six friends aboard his luxury yacht, on the one year anniversary of his wife's death. All but one were present on the day of her death, when she was killed in a hit and run. Greene, however, thinks there's more to the story, and is determined to find out everyone's secrets.
The Third Man (1949)
Set in Vienna at the start of the Cold War, The Third Man is a classically British murder mystery. The basic premise? An American arrives in Austria to work for his friend, only to find that the friend mysteriously died.
Murder By Death (1976)
An oddball millionaire hosts a dinner party with the world's leading detectives as guests. However, he reveals that the evening is more than a social event, and a murder will occur in the house that night. The reward for finding the killer? $1 million.
A Simple Favor (2018)
A truly delightful recent crime comedy from writer-director Paul Feig (Bridesmaids). A Simple Favor stars Anna Kendrick as a mommy blogger who becomes fascinated by a stylish, mysterious young woman (Blake Lively)— and then even more fascinated by her sudden disappearance.
Evil Under the Sun (1982)
Another Agatha Christie adaptation, Evil Under the Sun features Hercule Poirot (Peter Ustinov) trying to solve how a millionaire ended up with a phony diamond on an exclusive island resort.
In A Lonely Place (1950)
Humphrey Bogart gives one of the best performances of his career in this silver screen classic, playing a screenwriter who's implicated in a brutal murder. As he pursues a romance with his neighbor (Gloria Grahame), his increasingly erratic behavior starts to suggest he's guilty.
Emily Burack (she/her) is the Senior News Editor for Town & Country, where she covers entertainment, culture, the royals, and a range of other subjects. Before joining T&C, she was the deputy managing editor at Hey Alma, a Jewish culture site. Follow her @emburack on Twitter and Instagram.
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