Youcan't have a list of the best mystery movies of all time without Agatha Christie. This adaptation of her most well-known novel stars Kenneth Branagh as the famed detective Hercule Poirot, with fun supporting roles for Penelope Cruz, Michelle Pfeiffer, and more A-listers.
If a murder mystery is inspired by Agatha Christie, it simply must be on this list. Those are the rules. See How They Run is set in 1950s London, where the writer's play The Mousetrap is celebrating its 100th performance and on the verge of a big Hollywood adaptation. But when the film's director is found killed under strange circumstances, it's up to a jaded inspector (Sam Rockwell) and an earnest new recruit (Saoirse Ronan) to solve the crime.
Storm Reid leads this clever anthology sequel to Searching (which you'll find further down this list) as a teenager who employs some serious online sleuthing skills after her mother disappears while on vacation with a new boyfriend.
Christine Lucas (Nicole Kidman) is unable to remember her life due to amnesia brought on by a violent attack. Because of this, she wakes up every morning with no memories and has to remeet everyone she knows, including her husband. Before long she finds herself questioning everything about her past.
You know those movies that leave you questioning everything you watched long after the credits roll? Well, this is one. Amy Adams stars in this sci-fi thriller that received eight Academy Award nominations, including best picture, about humans trying to communicate with extraterrestrial visitors.
When two girls go missing while on a walk, one of the fathers, Keller Dover (Hugh Jackman), becomes insistent that the owner of an RV parked on his street is responsible for the kidnappings. But when Detective Loki (Jake Gyllenhaal) finds no evidence linking the driver to the crime, Dover decides to take on the case himself.
Written, produced, and directed by M. Night Shyamalan, Unbreakable follows security guard David Dunn (Bruce Willis), who survives a train crash with no injuries. Soon after, he meets comic book store owner Elijah Price (Samuel L. Jackson), who proposes an interesting theory: What if superheroes really do exist?
Sidney Poitier stars as Virgil Tibbs, a detective from Philadelphia who becomes involved in a Mississippi murder investigation in this critically acclaimed film. It won five Academy Awards, including best picture. In fact, the film is so culturally significant that the United States National Film Registry has preserved it in the Library of Congress.
The premise of Rear Window is as enticing as it is scary. (Would you expect anything less from an Alfred Hitchcock film?) The story follows a photographer confined to a wheelchair who believes he witnessed a murder. So he spies on his neighbors in nearby apartments as he grows more and more convinced that a crime took place.
Set in 1890 London, this remake of the classic Sherlock Holmes character kicks off with the detective (Robert Downing Jr.) and his partner, Dr. John Watson (Jude Law), preventing the murder of a woman by villain Lord Henry Blackwood (Mark Strong). Despite their success, though, they realize Blackwood has an even bigger plot they must work to stop.
This neo-noir psychological thriller is not for the faint of heart, though it is one of the best mystery movies on this list. Morgan Freeman and Brad Pitt play a pair of detectives investigating a serial killer who uses the seven deadly sins as a theme for his crimes.
After two Supreme Court justices are killed, a young law student named Darby (Julia Roberts) writes a legal brief detailing her theories about their deaths. Soon after, she survives an attack and realizes her predictions were correct, so she teams up with a reporter (Denzel Washington) to uncover the truth.
After disgraced New York Times journalist Michael Finkel (Jonah Hill) realizes that alleged killer Christian Longo (James Franco) has taken his identity, he starts an investigation that turns into a cat-and-mouse game. In an effort to redeem himself, Michael meets with the accused killer.
Based on the popular novel of the same name, this comedy-mystery follows Bernadette (Cate Blanchett), an agoraphobic architect who disappears. When her husband and teen daughter set out on a quest to find her, the story explores what it means to sacrifice yourself for your family and how to find your way back home.
Jamie Foxx stars in this neo-noir film as Max, a cab driver who is taken hostage and forced to drive for a hit man played by Tom Cruise. What follows is a crazy night of fast-paced action and intrigue, all set in the streets of Los Angeles.
With one of the most famous plot twists of all time, this movie will have you thinking about it long after it ends. When a boy realizes he can see ghosts, he seeks the help of a child psychologist to understand his supernatural abilities. What follows is nothing short of a mystery classic.
This movie has it all: action, comedy, mystery, and a cast full of all your favorites. Jason Bateman, Rachel McAdams, Lamorne Morris, and more star as a group of friends whose game night turns into a real-life whodunnit.
Russell Crowe is a tough-guy private eye who prefers brass knuckles over conversation. Ryan Gosling is a down-on-his-luck private investigator and single dad. The two make a mismatched pair, but they must team up anyway to find a missing young woman and solve the somehow-connected murder of a popular porn star.
Michelle Pfeiffer stars opposite Harrison Ford in this thriller about a couple who may or may not be living in a haunted house. As the mystery surrounding their home starts to unravel, one thing becomes crystal clear: The marriage may not be as solid as they thought.
Spiral may be a spin-off of the Saw film series, but the tone is much more like a classic detective procedural than the gruesome horror of the OG franchise. While critics were torn on this new direction, others preferred it. Our suggestion? Just forget the Saw connection altogether.
From well-known classics like Shutter Island to treasured international films such as Oldboy, some of the best films in the thriller mystery genre have captured the hearts of many over the years. This is especially true when they feature a compelling, brainy narrative that keeps audiences invested and on the edge of their seats, which is the case for the entries mentioned on this list.
Based on the book of the same name, this Mike Barker film tells the story of Ani FaNelli (Mila Kunis), who endured a shocking public humiliation at a prestigious school. Years later, she finds herself leading the life of her dreams. However, it all comes crashing down when Ana finds herself forced to face her trauma.
Netflix's Luckiest Girl Alive is an example of a great thriller movie in modern-day cinema. From the plot to the storytelling, the movie unfolds events in a very fascinating manner. It reveals necessary details while leaving you wanting more at the same time. The events of the film are separate yet linked so intricately that viewers can see a cascading domino effect that leads the characters in their respective actions. Furthermore, Mila Kunis made a smashing comeback with this thrilling flick, delivering a career-best performance.
A one-of-a-kind movie with a thrilling premise, Orphan follows the story of a killer kid who finds a home in a new family that looking to adopt. Unfortunately, everything comes crashing down when the 9-year-old Esther (Isabelle Fuhrman) reveals her true dark nature. The shocking turn of events leaves audiences astonished and wondering what went wrong.
Orphan is based on a true story and is rather intense. The entire quality of the film is terrific, with powerful performances, a fantastic script, and flawless production. The movie has a lot of suspense, and the twist is expertly executed and shocking to the audience. For a more rounded experience, viewers can check out the thrilling sequel that was released in 2022.
In this most recent and well-received Agatha Christie adaptation set in post-World War II Venice, Kenneth Branagh steps into the shoes of Hercule Poirot once more. A Haunting in Venice finds the iconic character enjoying retirement when he reluctantly attends a seance. However, when one of the guests is murdered, it is up to the former detective to uncover the killer again.
A Haunting in Venice is objectively the best out of the three films in the franchise (it also features the highest scores on both IMDb and Rotten Tomatoes). It manages to capture the brilliance of Branagh in both acting and directing, making for a thoroughly entertaining must-see whodunit film that combines elements of mystery and the supernatural to great results.
Us is one of Jordan Peele's most well-known features (though perhaps one of his most underrated too). Although it is often cataloged as a psychological horror feature, it certainly contains mystery and thriller elements. Starring Lupita Nyong'o in one of her best performances alongside Winston Duke, the 2019 movie centers around Adelaide Wilson and her family as they are attacked by mysterious lookalikes dressed in red.
Peele's Us is not everyone's cup of tea. However, it is an engaging tale of duality and repression that will keep those who dare to watch it on the edge of their seats as unanswered questions pile up. Questioning privilege and freedom, Peele's entertaining film also features great acting performances and an absorbing, utterly atmospheric cinematography.
In this Steven Yeun-led Korean flick, a young writer and deliveryman (Yoo Ah-In) sees himself caught up in the middle of a love triangle between his childhood friend (Jeon Jong-seo) and her mysterious friend, Ben, whom she meets while on a trip to Africa. Upon their return, Jong-su finds himself drawn to the charismatic man, who he later discovers has a secret hobby.
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