EntertainmentMoviesThriller MoviesThe best mystery movies of all time, rankedWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
EntertainmentMoviesThriller MoviesThe best mystery movies of all time, rankedWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: Lionsgate)
But where would a novice detective looking to solve their first mystery begin? Well, you don’t need to be Sherlock Holmes or Poirot to solve this case because you’re already in the right place. We’ve put together a list of the 10 best mystery movies ever made, so you don’t waste time chasing down any false leads or red herrings. So what are you waiting for? Let’s get sleuthing.
10. Gone Girl
(Image credit: 20th Century Fox)
Director: David FincherReleased: 2014
RELATED:Gone Girl review: “An American crime story with specificity to its geography and psychopathology”
9. Knives Out
(Image credit: Lionsgate)
Director: Rian JohnsonReleased: 2019
In 2019, director Rian Johnson took a break from making one of thebest Star Wars moviesto prove mystery movies don’t have to be grim and gritty. The result was Knives Out, a love letter to the mystery shows of yesteryear (Columbo and Murder She Wrote’s fingerprints are all over this film) that made morning television such a delight. Good-humored and gripping throughout, Knives Out is a truly sensational mystery movie that embraces the genre’s inherent silliness and makes it its own. The true strength of the film, though, is in its impressive all-star cast (this might be the best Chris Evans has ever been) and in Daniel Craig’s charmingly odd detective Benoit Blanc, who may just be the finest fictional sleuth since Peter Falk slipped on Columbo’s rumpled mac.
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RELATED:Knives Out review: “An irresistible whodunnit from Star Wars: The Last Jedi director Rian Johnson”
8. The Conversation
(Image credit: Paramount Pictures)
Director: Francis Ford CoppolaReleased: 1974
While Francis Ford Coppola is probably best remembered for making some of thebest gangster movies– introducing the world to Michael Corleone with The Godfather – you shouldn’t sleep on what’s arguably his finest film, The Conversation. Starring the one and only Gene Hackman in what some have called a career-best performance, The Conversation is a tightly told, atmospheric, and ever so slightly paranoid tale of a man struggling with his own mortality after uncovering a possible murder. Come for the murder; stay for scenes of a man rewinding a tape repeatedly, which have no right to be as exciting as they are.
7. Who Framed Roger Rabbit
(Image credit: Touchstone Pictures)
Director: Robert ZemeckisReleased: 1988
On paper, a film about a cartoon rabbit teaming up with a washed-up detective to prove he’s not a murderer reads like a recipe for disaster. Still, director Robert Zemeckis managed to turn the ridiculous into the sublime with Who Framed Roger Rabbit, a groundbreaking film that merged live-action and animation together in ways previously thought impossible. Technical achievements aside, Who Framed Roger Rabbit is a wildly funny movie that deftly balances the contrary tones of a goofy cartoon and a macabre murder mystery. It’s technically one of thebest fantasy moviesaround although be warned: Roger Rabbit isn’t for the faint of heart, and Christopher Lloyd’s Judge Doom will likely live on in your nightmares long after you’ve stopped watching.
6. Zodiac
(Image credit: Paramount Pictures)
Director: David FincherReleased: 2007
A sensitive and character-driven thriller, Zodiac tells the real-life story of the hunt for the eponymous Zodiac, a serial killer who terrorized San Francisco in the ’70s. While the film never shies away from the terror this murderer inspired, director David Fincher (him again!) cleverly eschews gory spectacle or over-the-top action to instead focus on the impact the murders have on the city and our central cast. The result is a meditative and gripping mystery that’s as tense and exciting as any big-budget action movie.
5. The Fugitive
(Image credit: Warner Bros.)
Director: Andrew DavisReleased: 1993
Possibly the greatest ‘dad movie’ ever made, The Fugitive comes from a time when Hollywood was obsessed with adapting forgotten TV series for the big screen (we have this time period to thank for the Mission: Impossible movies). Yet despite these slightly inauspicious beginnings, The Fugitive is one of the most explosive and exhilarating films ever made. While it can feel a little breathless at times, there’s a propulsiveness and innovativeness to The Fugitive, which separates it from lesser thrillers. Still, what really drives the film forward is the superb rivalry between Dr Richard Kimble (Harrison Ford) – a man wrongfully accused of killing his wife – and Deputy U.S. Marshal Sam Gerard (Tommy Lee Jones), who’s been charged with hunting him down. Ford and Jones just have such an engaging back-and-forth you end up unsure who to root for. Still, Jones gets the best line in the movie, “I don’t care”. If you know, you know.
4. Memento
(Image credit: Newmarket)
Director: Christopher NolanReleased: 2000
3. Oldboy
(Image credit: Show East)
Director: Park Chan-wookReleased: 2003
Loosely based on a manga of the same name, Park Chan-wook’s Oldboy is an intense and twisted morality tale of sorts that’s as brilliant as it is brutal. What drives the whole thing forward, though, is the central mystery of why our lead, Oh Dae-su (Choi Min-sik), was imprisoned for more than a decade. It’s a quest that takes Dae-su (and his trusty hammer) to some truly dark places, all of which culminate in a reveal so shocking it’ll make you want to rush to the hospital to make sure you didn’t inadvertently bite into a live wire. If that’s not enough to make you want to watch it, Oldboy also features what might be the most extraordinary fight scene ever filmed. Just do yourself a favor and make sure you’re watching the original Korean film and not the dreadful American remake; you’ll thank me for warning you later.
2. Vertigo
(Image credit: Paramount Pictures)
Director: Alfred HitchcockReleased: 1958
It took an incredible amount of restraint on my part not to flood this list with Hitchcock’s entire filmography (he didn’t earn the nickname “Master of Suspense” making rom-coms), but let’s be honest if you had to pick one, you’d choose Vertigo. An enthralling psychological thriller and warped romance, Vertigo is an offbeat masterpiece. On a technical level, the film’s superbly shot and wildly innovative – Hitchock and cameraman Irmin Roberts pioneered the dolly shot while making Vertigo – yet it’s James Stewart’s, playing against type, as the obsessive detective John “Scottie” Ferguson that makes this film so memorable. Ironically, while modern critics have praised Hitchcock’s clever casting, contemporary writers hated the decision to cast the kindly Stewart as a tormented detective.
1. Seven
(Image credit: New Line Cinema)
Director: David FincherReleased: 1995
The Mona Lisa of mystery movies and darker than a room painted black at midnight, Seven is simply unforgettable. While there’s no denying the film’s inherent pulpiness (it’s about a serial killer committing murders based on the seven deadly sins), what elevates it beyond entertaining schlock is David Fincher’s thoughtful visuals and the sincerity of the storytelling. Never for a second does the film treat its subject matter with irony or scorn; instead, it approaches everything with grim-faced seriousness.
Typically, this would be pretty tedious, but the cast – most notably Morgan Freeman – do such a great job with the material that it’s hard not to be drawn into their pitch-black world. While these days, Se7en’s fallen victim to memeification (“What’s in the box?"), it’s important to remember just how shocking and warped the film’s cruel ending was when audiences first saw it. So, if you’ve only ever enjoyed Fincher’s greatest film as a GIF on social media, do yourself a favor and give this a watch – you honestly won’t regret it, it remains one of thebest ’90s movies.
Looking for more movie recommendations? Check out our list of thebest thrillers, or look into all of the fantasticupcoming movieson the near horizon.
Seven$6.99at Amazon$11.99at Walmart$24.99at Walmart
Seven
$6.99at Amazon$11.99at Walmart$24.99at Walmart
$6.99at Amazon
$11.99at Walmart
$24.99at Walmart
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GAME REVIEWSMOVIE REVIEWSTV REVIEWS1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension"2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package"3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure"4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years"5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths"1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show"2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie"3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action"4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien"5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite"1Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat"2Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses"3Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist"4Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands"5Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place”
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GAME REVIEWSMOVIE REVIEWSTV REVIEWS1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension"2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package"3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure"4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years"5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths"1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show"2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie"3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action"4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien"5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite"1Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat"2Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses"3Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist"4Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands"5Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place”
GAME REVIEWSMOVIE REVIEWSTV REVIEWS1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension"2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package"3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure"4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years"5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths"1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show"2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie"3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action"4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien"5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite"1Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat"2Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses"3Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist"4Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands"5Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place”
GAME REVIEWSMOVIE REVIEWSTV REVIEWS
1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”
1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”
1
Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”
2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package”
2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package”
2
Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package”
3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure”
3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure”
3
Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure”
4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years”
4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years”
4
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years”
5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths”
5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths”
5
Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths”
1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show”
1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show”
1
Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show”
2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie”
2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie”
2
Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie”
3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action”
3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action”
3
Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action”
4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien”
4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien”
4
The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien”
5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite”
5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite”
5
Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite”
1Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat”
1Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat”
1
Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat”
2Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses”
2Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses”
2
Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses”
3Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist”
3Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist”
3
Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist”
4Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”
4Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”
4
Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”
5Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place”
5Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place”
5
Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place”