Top 20 Murder Mystery Movies

#20: “The Long Goodbye” (1973)

Director Robert Altman was one of the fresh new faces redefining the film industry during the 1970s. His adaptation of Raymond Chandler's "The Long Goodbye" helped usher in the era of neo-noir crime films. Eschewing the high-key dramatic lighting for a more realistic look, Altman brings murder into the light of day. Altman's loose, improvisational style injects fresh vitality into the classic hardboiled detective tale. Elliott Gould stars as PI Philip Marlowe. Unlike Humphrey Bogart's take, Gould's Marlowe is a laid back - yet sharp-witted - detective navigating a labyrinth of deceit. With its unpredictable characters, haunting score, and layered storytelling, “The Long Goodbye” blurs the lines between friend and foe, good and evil.

#19: “Brick” (2005)

Long before "Knives Out," Rian Johnson dove head-first into the detective genre with his brilliant film, "Brick." Johnson blends the gritty, stylized tropes of classic film noir with the unexpected setting of a California high school. This bold reimagining of the detective story follows Brendan, played by Joseph Gordon-Levitt. Brendan is a well-known teen detective who must investigate the murder of his ex-girlfriend. The film’s unique dialogue and moody cinematography lend a surreal edge to its high-stakes plot. Every character - whether Brendan's ally or adversary - is mired in their own murky desires. The high school world Johnson builds is both familiar and unsettling, and one filled with darkness.

#18: “Charade” (1963)

Two years after dazzling audiences in "Breakfast at Tiffany's," Audrey Hepburn co-starred with Cary Grant in "Charade." Mystery, suspense, romance: "Charade" has it all. Part romantic comedy, part crime caper, the two superstars ride the waves of intrigue and romance from the Alps to the streets of Paris. The chemistry between Audrey Hepburn and Cary Grant is electric. After a lovely mountain vacation, Regina[a] returns to Paris and discovers her murdered husband’s double life and missing fortune. She’s drawn into a dangerous chase with Peter, a man of uncertain loyalties. With clever twists, sharp dialogue, and a memorable score by Henry Mancini, “Charade” captivates with each turn. "Charade" balances tension and humor, while immersing the viewer in a memorable European mystery.

#17: “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo” (2011)

In "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo," director David Fincher expertly adapts the acclaimed Stieg Larsson[b] novel. Fincher's version captures Larsson's moody, captivating world. Set against the bleak Swedish winter, it follows journalist Mikael Blomkvist and the enigmatic hacker Lisbeth Salander as they unravel a family's sinister history. They avoid danger at every turn, excavating a maze of secrets and corruption. With Fincher's signature atmospheric direction, the film tackles complex themes like abuse and vengeance with aplomb. Fincher paints a haunting portrait of horrors hidden beneath the seemingly mundane. Rooney Mara's transformative portrayal of Lisbeth is haunting and unforgettable.

#16: “The Third Man” (1949)

In the aftermath of World War II, Vienna was a hotbed of political and criminal intrigue. That is the backdrop of "The Third Man," easily one of the greatest film noirs of all time. The film begins by following American writer Holly Martins, a new arrival searching for his old friend Harry Lime. He’s devastated to learn that Harry has apparently died under suspicious circumstances. But Lime was no angel, and his murky past immediately pulled Holly into a dangerous criminal game. As Holly investigates both Harry's mysterious life and even more mysterious death, he is thrust into Vienna’s black-market underworld. With striking cinematography, angular shadows, and Anton Karas[c]’ zither score, "The Third Man" creates an atmosphere that is as thrilling as it is unsettling.

#15: “Who Framed Roger Rabbit” (1988)

Bugs Bunny meets Mickey Mouse in "Who Framed Roger Rabbit," a groundbreaking blend of live-action and animation. Set in a dazzling 1940s Hollywood where toons and humans coexist, "Roger Rabbit" is a murder mystery the whole family can enjoy. The story follows down-on-his-luck detective Eddie Valiant, played by Bob Hoskins. Valiant harbors a not-so-subtle bigotry towards toons. That complicates matters as he’s reluctantly drawn into a mystery involving Roger Rabbit, a zany Toon accused of murder. What begins as a simple case of infidelity explodes into a plot involving corruption, greed, and the fate of Toontown itself. The film’s innovative visual effects wowed audiences and set a new standard for blending animation with live-action.

#14: “Gosford Park” (2001)

One of Robert Atman's last films, "Gosford Park," is a brilliant ensemble murder mystery set in 1930s England. An upstairs-downstairs mystery, "Gosford Park" is a satirical poke at class structures with a classic whodunit twist. Altman’s deft direction immerses viewers in the intersecting lives of the characters and the Oscar-winning script offers biting social commentary. The story unfolds at an opulent country estate, where aristocrats and their servants gather for a weekend hunting party. When the wealthy host is found murdered, tensions simmer as secrets and resentments surface. With a star-studded cast including Maggie Smith, Helen Mirren, and Clive Owen, every character adds a layer to the intricate plot.

#13: “Zodiac” (2007)

The Zodiac Killer was a prolific serial killer who terrorized the San Francisco Bay Area in the late 1960s and 1970s. David Fincher's "Zodiac" is a chilling and meticulous exploration of the hunt for the killer. The story follows a trio of obsessive figures - a cartoonist played by Jake Gyllenhaal, a reporter played by Robert Downey Jr., and a detective played by Mark Ruffalo. The three men delve into the killer’s cryptic messages and brutal crimes, trying to crack his ciphers and get into his head. Each becomes increasingly consumed by the search for truth. Fincher’s direction brings a slow-burning tension to every frame. It is, at its core, an atmospheric tale of obsession.

#12: “Memories of Murder” (2003)

Before "Parasite," "Snowpiercer," and "The Host," South Korean director Bong Joon-ho gave us "Memories of Murder." The 2003 crime drama is based on a real-life string of murders dating from 1986 to 1994. Set in a rural town plagued by a series of brutal killings, the film follows two detectives: an overwhelmed local cop and a big city detective from Seoul. The duo clash as the case grows more complex and elusive. The humor and bleak atmosphere help highlight themes of societal anxiety, corruption, and the tragic futility of justice. The cinematography and unsettling realism draw viewers into the detectives' escalating desperation. "Memories of Murder" is fundamentally about the toll of the unresolved trauma of crimes that wouldn't be solved for another sixteen years.

#11: “Memento” (2000)

From the critically acclaimed Christopher Nolan, “Memento” is one of the director’s most ambitious departures from the traditional narrative structure. The neo-noir film follows the journey of Leonard, a man searching for his wife’s killer despite his anterograde[d] amnesia. Unable to form new memories, Leonard must utilize a system of photographs and tattoos to keep track of the clues he gathers. Chronological black and white sequences give the audiences the background leading up to the murder while color sequences follow the murder in reverse chronological order. The effect is a masterfully complicated story that keeps the audience on the edge of their seats until the separate portions meet at the end and make “Memento” a truly unforgettable flick.

#10: “Clue” (1985)

Who says a murder mystery has to be dark and ominous? This film, based on the classic board game and featuring a who’s who ensemble comedy cast, brings out the lighter side of murder when anonymous guests at a dinner party realize that Mr. Boddy has invited them all because he has access to their darkest secrets. Faced with blackmail, one of the guests takes the opportunity to murder him while the power is out. Now the guests must discover the true identity of the killer before they are killed next! When the film was originally released, different theaters were given one of three endings to create a unique viewing experience for each audience, so it’s not surprising that “Clue” ultimately attained cult status.

#9: “Seven” (1995)

Hollywood in the 1990s cranked out some of the best crime thrillers of all time, but few hold a candle to "Seven." It's possibly one of the most gripping thrillers ever made. It delves into the darkest and most disturbing depths of human nature. The story follows detectives Somerset and Mills as they pursue a twisted serial killer. The seven deadly sins serve as his modus operandi, and the bodies quickly start to stack. The film is unrelenting and bleak, and its oppressive visuals are a stark reflection of the city’s moral decay. Each crime scene reveals chilling clues that lead the detectives deeper into the killer’s psyche, culminating in an unforgettable and shocking finale.

#8: “Murder on the Orient Express” (1974)

This film is a classic example of the “dark house horror” genre except for the fact that it takes place on a train. In this British flick, a group of strangers is trapped in an isolated location due to the amount of snow on the tracks. After a number of threats are made on his life, Ratchett implores Detective Hercule Poirot for protection. Uninterested in taking the case, Poirot declines, and the next morning, Ratchett is found dead in his cabin. With the murder on his conscience and a train full of passengers, Ratchett must figure out who murdered the well-to-do businessman and the result is a stylish and entertaining flick.

#7: “The Silence of the Lambs” (1991)

In "Silence of the Lambs," Jodie Foster stars as Clarice Starling - an FBI recruit caught between two serial killers. She is tasked with seeking the help of incarcerated cannibalistic killer Dr. Hannibal Lecter to catch Buffalo Bill, a brutal serial killer targeting young women. As Lecter and Starling engage in chilling cat-and-mouse conversations, he toys with her vulnerabilities while providing cryptic clues. Anthony Hopkins and Foster deliver iconic performances that elevate the film’s unsettling vibe. It is a beautiful, slow-burn blend of suspense and complex character studies. The tense pacing, eerie music, and unforgettable dialogues have cemented "The Silence of the Lambs" as a landmark film.

#6: “L.A. Confidential” (1997)

This entry contrasts the investigative methods of three drastically different detectives in 1950s L.A. Ed Exley serves as the righteous hand of the law, agreeing to testify against crooked cops. Bud White is the hot-head with a penchant for roughing up criminals. Jack Vincennes[e] is just in it for the money he can make giving hot tips to tabloids about the latest celebrity arrests. Though their cases differ, the intricate way these detectives work together to solve them has made it both a critic and a fan favorite. Much of the story is based off of real events involving police brutality and gang-related crime, and that realism shows.

#5: “Knives Out” (2019)

With "Knives Out," Rian Johnson breathes new life into the Agatha Christie-style whodunit. When wealthy crime novelist Harlan Thrombey is found dead, every member of his eccentric family becomes a suspect. Enter Benoit Blanc, a charmingly unconventional detective played by Daniel Craig. Armed with a sharp eye for deception, Blanc expertly unravels secrets, motives, and alibis. The pacing keeps the mystery engaging and unpredictable, with witty dialogue and vibrant characters keeping the audience glued to their seats. The film’s success paved the way for
“Glass Onion,” a sequel that leans into Blanc's silliness as he untangles new puzzles on a billionaire's secluded island.

#4: “Rear Window” (1954)

No list of murder mystery thrillers would be complete without Alfred Hitchcock. With "Rear Window," the master was somehow able to create one of the most brilliant mysteries ever wherein the protagonist almost never leaves his home. At its heart, "Rear Window" is about voyeurism, suspicion, and secrets hidden in plain sight. Confined to his apartment with a broken leg, photographer L.B. “Jeff” Jefferies passes the time by observing his neighbors. What begins as harmless curiosity takes a dark turn when Jeff becomes convinced he’s witnessed a murder across the courtyard. Jimmy Stewart delivers a masterclass, ramping up tension with his growing sense of confinement and terror.

#3: “Chinatown” (1974)

This Roman Polanski film tells the story of Jake Gittes -- a small-time P.I. who spends his days chasing cheating husbands. While investigating an engineer for the L.A. Department of Water and Power, Jake realizes he’s been set up. The woman who hired him wasn’t the real wife, and the next day the engineer is found dead in a reservoir. In a place as dry as Los Angeles county, the price of water is going up, and someone is killing to control where it goes. The title symbolizes the feelings of confusion and frustration police often felt while investigating in Chinatown, while the neo-noir flick itself earned 11 Oscar nods and a spot in the National Film Registry.

#2: “M” (1931)

The oldest movie on our list comes from Austrian-German filmmaker Fritz Lang[f]. After a series of child murders, the police try desperately to find the killer by shaking down known criminals. Upset by the interruption of their businesses, the crime bosses take the matter into their own hands. “M” criticizes the ability of police to catch murderers despite the new forensic tools at their disposal and warn parents about child neglect. Lang also presents the moral contradiction of criminals, including other murderers, who take it upon themselves to catch the killer. His first sound film, “M” is also notable for Lang’s use of several new techniques that made it a cinematic masterpiece.

#1: “The Maltese Falcon” (1941)

Approached by a beautiful bombshell to find her missing sister, Detective Sam Spade quickly finds himself in a complicated murder plot with a priceless falcon figurine in the middle. This film is notable for both the top-notch casting of Humphrey Bogart and Peter Lorre as well as the technical direction of John Huston. Despite “The Maltese Falcon” being his first film, Huston was able to use peculiar lighting and unusual camera angles to make it an iconic film. Huston also challenged the physical limits of cameras at the time with intricate, flowing shots. All of these aspects combined make it a classic film noir murder mystery you can’t miss.


Think we missed a clue about the best mystery movies? Set the record straight in the comments below!

[a]https://youtu.be/cU-ltmUTSHc?si=6WRe5Z71ysYPQKh5&t=183

[b]steeg LAR-shawn https://forvo.com/search/Stieg%20Larsson/
mick-ALE blum-kvist https://youtu.be/DqQe3OrsMKI?t=137
sah-LAND-ur https://youtu.be/L7xcop8Qubw?t=2330
mare-uh https://youtu.be/GQMCduLE7II
[c](german) ANN-tawn KAH-hrrahs https://youtu.be/G_jZgI5PFRU?si=PH4thWl-9mkZsVtF&t=365
[d]ANTA-roh-grade https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/anterograde
[e]vin-SENS https://youtu.be/0tdcuaYdTTs?si=MaP5Hv_qvYM82Uhq
[f]lahng https://forvo.com/word/fritz_lang/#de