Top 30 Greatest Mystery Movies of All Time

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.

Director Denis Villeneuve may be known today for his science fiction efforts, but “Prisoners” from 2013 is a great example of how the director was able to craft a compelling mystery. The question of who abducted a pair of young girls resides at the center of this film’s narrative. This already-tense scenario is enhanced by the strong performances of its leads, Jake Gyllenhaal and Hugh Jackman, although the entire ensemble here is great. “Prisoners” asks a lot of questions from its audience, specifically concerning justice, punishment, and parental quests for difficult answers. The journey is more than worth this weighty subject matter, however, making “Prisoners” a film that you’ll likely not soon forget.

It's clear Steven Spielberg has always been interested in the intersection of conspiracy and sci-fi. One of his first films, "Close Encounters of the Third Kind," introduced audiences to mysteries hidden in plain sight. Years later, "Minority Report" took his vision further. Spielberg presents us with a high-tech dystopia where "Precrime" officers arrest people before they can commit crimes. Tom Cruise stars as John Anderton, a dedicated cop who suddenly finds himself the system’s target. Anderton's flight from the law is replete with the action-heavy sequences we've all come to associate with Tom Cruise. Even so, the film also deftly explores themes of free will versus determinism, casting doubt on the seemingly infallible technology controlling society.

"Soylent Green" is that rare conspiracy flick that imagines a bleak future rather than focusing on the bleak present. It's a dystopian tale set in a 2022 rife with overpopulation, corruption, and environmental collapse. Grizzled NYPD Detective Robert Thorn, played by Charlton Heston, investigates the murder of a wealthy businessman tied to the powerful Soylent Corporation. Thorn’s search for answers uncovers shocking truths about the world’s food supply. Edward G. Robinson’s moving performance as Thorn’s wise, world-weary friend Sol adds a much-needed human touch, a contrast from the bleak universe of the movie.

This film from Martin Scorsese has, depending upon who you ask, one of the most successful or predictable twists in mystery history. Thankfully, the execution here is tense and stylish enough to make the entire viewing experience worthwhile. Actually, make that multiple viewing experiences, because those that don’t pick up on the twist will adore catching all the signals during round two. The premise of a mysterious, remote mental hospital is a creepy one. “Shutter Island” delivers all of the disturbing and compelling imagery we’d expect from Scorsese’s journey into this genre.

Ben Affleck proved that he could direct as well as act with this satisfying thriller from 2007. “Gone Baby Gone” deals with the troubling subject of child abduction, and is set within Affleck’s beloved city of Boston. This location becomes a character unto itself as Michelle Monaghan and Casey Affleck’s detectives attempt to solve the case. An outstanding supporting cast assists along the way, one that includes Morgan Freeman and Ed Harris. Critics also seemed to approve since one Dutch reviewer even remarked how this adaptation of the “Gone Baby Gone” novel was superior to its source material.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

We realize that the original “Oldboy” from director Park Chan-wook was released back in 2003, but if for some reason the twist here hasn’t been spoiled for you… well, then our lips are sealed! This South Korean thriller captured the attention of many, thanks to a brutal and maddening mystery regarding an imprisonment. It isn’t until the infamous climax of “Oldboy” that the reasoning becomes more clear, and the suffering of Choi Min-sik’s character is finally revealed. It’s a gut punch that feels like a Russian Doll of uneasiness and perversion, sending shockwaves through any audience watching “Oldboy” for the first time.

The truth behind the JFK assassination has fascinated conspiracy theorists for decades. Thirty years after Kennedy was assassinated, Oliver Stone directed "JFK," an in-depth and fictionalized look at the investigation. Kevin Costner stars as New Orleans District Attorney Jim Garrison. As he investigates the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, Garrison is forced to question the official narrative. Stone’s use of documentary-style footage, flashbacks, and stylistic cinematography pulls viewers into a whirlwind of evidence, suspicion, and paranoia. A fictionalized scene where Garrison speaks with an 'inside man,' X, leaves the viewer wondering who inside the U.S. government may have been involved.

The fiction of Dashiell Hammett has laid the groundwork for countless noir and mystery films in his wake. “The Thin Man” was just one of Hammett’s stories to be adapted to the silver screen, while remaining one of the best from a pre-Code era. Hammett’s penchant for spaghetti-tied plot threads and hard-boiled dialogue is intact here in “The Thin Man.” The fact that normal people just don’t tend to speak the way Hammett writes them is inconsequential because audiences will be too busy admiring the film’s balancing act of comedy and mystery. The dinner party sequence in particular is essential viewing, both for mystery buffs as well as for those who wish to seek out pre-Code Hollywood greatness.

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 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.

“Brick” director Rian Johnson breathes new life into the Agatha Christie-style whodunit with "Knives Out.” 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.

Long before solving mysteries as crime writer Jessica Fletcher, Angela Lansbury was at the center of a mysterious conspiracy in "The Manchurian Candidate." The film follows Raymond Shaw, a Korean War hero. Thanks, in no small part to his mother - played by Lansbury - Shaw is unknowingly programmed to become an assassin in a Communist conspiracy. Frank Sinatra stars as Major Bennett Marco, investigating the sinister forces controlling Shaw. "The Manchurian Candidate" presents a labyrinthian tale of mind control, deceit, and political machinations. The film is a Cold War classic, a deep dive into the world of power, influence, and manipulation.

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’ zither score, "The Third Man" creates an atmosphere that is as thrilling as it is unsettling.

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.

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.

The time just seemed to be right back in the early nineties for this classic 1960s television program to receive a silver screen update. Thankfully, “The Fugitive” boasts Harrison Ford in the lead as Richard Kimble, a man who is set up for the murder of his wife. The original series was one of the first narrative-driven T.V. programs to receive a proper pay-off and finale. Meanwhile, screenwriters David Twohy and Jeb Stuart successfully update the premise of “The Fugitive” for the nineties. Co-star Tommy Lee Jones is particularly memorable as the U.S. Marshall who’s obsessed with bringing in Kimble… guilt or innocence be damned.

The 2017 film “The Post” captures The Washington Post's bold decision to publish the Pentagon Papers - a classified history of America's involvement in Vietnam. That battle was only the paper's first skirmish with Nixon. "All the President’s Men" masterfully chronicles the real-life investigation by Post reporters Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein. Their dogged determination exposed one of the largest political scandals in U.S. history. With meticulous attention to detail, the film immerses viewers in the reporting process. From painstaking research to late-night calls, the depth of the conspiracy behind Watergate is slowly revealed. The viewer is immersed in the hunt for truth. Each scene drives home the stakes of holding power accountable, crafting a suspenseful, enduring tale of dedication in the face of corruption.

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.

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 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.

One of the most interesting things to come out of New Hollywood cinema is the complete subversion of the protagonist: the good guy didn't always win. There is no better example than "The Parallax View," a chilling tale of political conspiracy. The film follows journalist Joe Frady as he investigates the assassination of a U.S. senator. Frady quickly discovers the existence of a shadowy organization that recruits individuals for covert political killings. As Frady digs deeper, he becomes ensnared in a dangerous game of cat and mouse. As the story progresses, the line between victim and perpetrator becomes increasingly blurred.

In between directing the first two "Godfather" films, Francis Ford Coppola delivered a woefully under-appreciated masterpiece. Gene Hackman takes the lead as Harry Caul, an audio surveillance expert. Hired by a shadowy figure known only as The Director, Caul uses his skills to surreptitiously record a conversation in a public park. The conversation, he learns, may or may not be part of a murder plot. As Caul listens to the audio, he becomes increasingly obsessed with the lives of those he’s spying on. Both his moral compass and sense of reality start to fracture. The cinematography and audio design are meant to make the audience uncomfortable. They are forced to figure out the lines between privacy and guilt - and between security and manipulation.

The oldest movie on our list comes from Austrian-German filmmaker Fritz Lang. 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.

The Zodiac Killer was a prolific serial killer who terrorized the San Francisco Bay Area in the late 1960s and 1970s. “Seven” and “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo” director David Fincher depicts the 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.

It took a director with a pedigree the likes of Alfred Hitchcock to knock “Citizen Kane” from atop its perch of “Sight & Sound” magazine’s “Great Films of All Time” list. Still, it’s easy to see films like “Rear Window” and “Vertigo” remain so beloved, since it taps into Hitch’s legacy as “The Master of Suspense.” “Vertigo” remakes the French novel “D'entre les morts” with a remarkable amount of style. This can be seen in the ways Hitchcock displays the crippling fear of heights that torments James Stewart’s Detective John “Scottie” Ferguson. Additionally, Ferguson’s history of regret and trauma makes his character interesting, as “Vertigo” taps into our own paranoia and phobias as misdirected members of Hitchcock’s captive audience.

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.

“The Maltese Falcon” isn’t just the best whodunit movie; it’s also arguably the most important one, alongside 1946’s “The Big Sleep.” 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.


Which genre do you feel best vibes with a traditional mystery? Let us know in the comments!