10 Best Mystery Movies of All Time

Are you fascinated by the thrilling and brain-burning vibe of mystery movies? We got you. A good suspense film always immerses the audience in the story, turning them into detectives who observe every suspicious clue and unravel the mystery. Whether you prefer psychological mind games or sensory-overloading horror, our list of the best mystery movies recommended today is perfect for you.

Best Mystery Movies of All Time

Here are our picks of the best mystery movies.

10. The Autopsy of Jane Doe (2016)

• Run time: 1h 26m
• Stream “The Autopsy of Jane Doe” on Tubi, The CW, AMC+, YouTube, Sling TV, The Roku Channel, Amazon Prime Video, YouTube TV, Philo, Apple TV, Google Play Movies & TV, and Fandango at Home.

Directed by André Øvredal, the film “The Autopsy of Jane Doe” has received widespread acclaim among film critics and fans of suspense films. That is indeed the case. The film’s unique premise tells the story of a father and son who are coroners tasked with performing an autopsy on an unidentified female corpse. As they delve deeper into the case, they uncover shocking secrets and ultimately fall victim to a curse.

The closed autopsy room, the female corpse full of suspicious points, the malfunctioning communication equipment, and the storm raging outside all serve to heighten the horror atmosphere leading up to the story’s climax, while making this film a unique horror thriller.

Related: 11 Best Horror Movies on Hulu [Ranked]

9. Memories of Murder (2003)

• Run time: 2h 12m
• Stream “Memories of Murder” on Tubi, YouTube, Google Play Movies & TV, Apple TV, and Fandango at Home.

The ugliness of human nature and the degeneration of society are often the focus of South Korean movies, and “Memories of Murder” presents these dark aspects in a stark and unflinching manner. The film tells the story of two detectives investigating a vicious rape and murder case in a small town in South Korea. In the story, the killer specifically targets women walking alone on rainy nights and commits other acts of madness.

The ending of the film is the same as the real case it is based on: the killer gets away with his crimes. This inevitably leads one to wonder, “If the truth is never revealed, can we still believe in justice?”

Related: 10+ Best Free Kdrama Streaming Sites with English Subtitles

8. Drishyam (2015)

• Run time: 2h 43m
• Watch “Drishyam” on Netflix, YouTube, Google Play Movies & TV, and Apple TV.

“Accidental Murder” is a Bollywood psychological thriller available on Netflix. The story follows an ordinary man who devises a meticulous plan to cover up his family’s accidental murder and evade police investigation. The film explores complex themes of human nature and social class, skillfully showcasing the boundaries between law, morality, and power.

After watching this movie, I also thought about how conflicts between social moral standards and personal interests seem inevitable at times.

7. Zodiac (2007)

• Run time: 2h 37m
• Stream “Zodiac” on Pluto TV, YouTube, Google Play Movies & TV, Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Fandango at Home.

Directed by David Fincher, “Zodiac” is one of the top psychological mystery movies based on a true story. It was acclaimed as “One of the quietest yet most oppressive serial killer movies ever made.”

Unlike traditional serial killer films that rely on thrills and sensationalism, the film unfolds at a steady, restrained yet unusually tense pace, focusing on the investigation of the case and the erosion of humanity.

The story unfolds from 1969 to 1991, with three protagonists investigating a serial killer and receiving taunts from the murderer after each case. After failing in their investigation, the three begin to fall into despair. The ending is also open-ended, leaving many questions unanswered.

6. Witness for the Prosecution (1958)

• Run time: 1h 56m
• The film is available on Tubi, Pluto TV, MGM+, YouTube, fuboTV, Sling TV, The Roku Channel, Amazon Prime Video, YouTube TV, and so on.

Adapted from Agatha Christie’s play of the same name, “Witness for the Prosecution” was widely regarded as a masterpiece of courtroom suspense movies. This film is celebrated for its clever plot twists, sharp legal exchanges, and subtle psychological maneuvering. More than just a crime drama, it’s a gripping clash of intellect and emotion.

The film primarily tells the story of a man who is suspected of murdering a wealthy woman and is subsequently put on trial, but the process is full of twists and turns that leave the audience stunned.

5. The Prestige (2006)

• Running time: 2h 10m
• Stream on: Hulu, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, Google Play Movies & TV, Apple TV, Fandango at Home, and YouTube.

“The Prestige” is one of the greatest psychological mystery movies directed by Christopher Nolan, starring Hugh Jackman, Christian Bale, and Scarlett Johansson. This film revolves around the fateful showdown between two magicians, unfolding an intense battle of obsession, deception, sacrifice, and truth.

In the story, two magicians go to great lengths to defeat each other, but in the end, both lose, leaving the audience feeling moved.

4. The Invisible Guest (2016)

• Run time: 1h 46m
• Watch on: Sling TV, Amazon Prime Video, FlixLatino, YouTube, and Google Play Movies & TV.

This gripping psychological thriller, helmed by Spanish director Oriol Paulo, centers around a classic locked-room murder that sets the stage for a tense battle between deception and truth. The plot follows a wealthy entrepreneur who is discovered in a hotel room alongside the lifeless body of his lover. Accused of murder, he enlists the help of a seasoned attorney to craft his defense within a matter of hours.

As the layers of his story begin to unravel, the reality that emerges is darker and more intricate than expected. Thanks to its tightly woven narrative, relentless pace, and a cascade of plot twists, the film has earned acclaim as one of Europe’s most compelling and intellectually stimulating thrillers.

3. Mulholland Drive (2001)

• Run time: 2h 27m
• Watch on: Amazon Prime Video, YouTube, Google Play Movies & TV, Apple TV, and Fandango at Home

Directed by David Lynch, “Mulholland Drive” was considered one of the best movies of the 21st century. The film boasts an enigmatic plot, fragmented narrative, and intense stream-of-consciousness style, leaving many viewers feeling confused and disoriented after watching.

The story follows a female actress who comes to Los Angeles to pursue her dreams, only to become entangled in a bizarre tale of mistaken identities, twisted emotions, and a blurred line between dreams and reality. In the end, the plot takes a surprising twist that leaves the audience stunned.

2. Memento (2000)

• Run time: 1h 56m
• Available on: Tubi, Pluto TV, The Roku Channel, The CW, PLEX, Peacock, Amazon Prime Video, YouTube TV, YouTube, Google Play Movies & TV, and so on.

“Memento” is Nolan’s breakthrough directorial work, ranking among the top suspense films on various lists. The film’s narrative style is highly distinctive, interweaving flashbacks and flash-forwards to fragment the plot, which is eventually pieced together into a cohesive conclusion, leaving the audience with a moment of revelation.

The story begins with a man suffering from short-term memory loss who slowly gathers clues to track down his wife’s killer, but as he delves deeper, some terrible truths are gradually revealed.

1. Identity (2003)

• Run time: 1h 31m
• Watch on: Pluto TV, Amazon Prime Video, YouTube, Google Play Movies & TV, Apple TV, and Fandango at Home.

“Identity” is a severely underrated psychological thriller based on Agatha Christie’s whodunit “And Then There Were None.” The film tells the story of ten strangers who gather at a hotel, but one by one they die mysteriously. The ending is very unexpected and completely unpredictable. If you like suspenseful films with horror, psychological elements, and unexpected endings, don’t miss this one.

Other Great Mystery Movies

Here is a list of other suspenseful movies and their brief plot summaries.

• The Sixth Sense (1999): A young boy claims to see ghosts, and a psychiatrist tries to uncover the truth behind his claims.
• The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes & Dr. Watson (1980): This is a Russian mystery film about Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson teaming up to solve a series of mysterious cases.
• Coherence (2013): On the night a comet passes by, a group of friends at a party find themselves caught up in a chaotic mess of multiple realities.
• The Butterfly Effect (2004): A man discovers he can travel back in time, but his actions trigger a series of unpredictable consequences.
• Inception (2010): A group of agents infiltrate other people’s dreams to implant ideas, blurring the lines between reality and fantasy.
• Andhadhun (2018): This is an Indian comedy-mystery movie about a blind pianist who is accidentally drawn into a murder case, with the truth unfolding in unexpected twists.
• The Body (2019): A woman’s body mysteriously disappears from a morgue, and detectives uncover more clues as they investigate.
• North by Northwest (1959): This is one of the best action movies about an advertising executive who is mistaken for a spy and becomes embroiled in a thrilling chase.
• The Kid Detective (2020): A comedy-suspense about a former child detective now down on his luck takes on a real murder case.
• El Secreto de Sus Ojos (2009): A retired judge revisits an unsolved case and uncovers a long-hidden story of love and crime.
• Chinatown (1974): A private detective investigating an affair uncovers a shocking conspiracy behind the Los Angeles water system.
• Shutter Island (2010): A federal agent investigating a missing person case at a mental hospital discovers something fishy.
• The Vanishing (2018): Three lighthouse keepers mysteriously disappear, hiding an unspeakable secret.

What Makes a Great Mystery Movie?

A great suspense movie typically offers a captivating plot, dynamic pacing, rich character development, and smartly placed hints alongside misleading cues. With a striking twist, a powerful conclusion, and a carefully crafted atmosphere, it delivers a thrilling and intellectually stimulating experience—one that both satisfies and lingers in the viewer’s mind long after the final reveal.

Where to Watch Mystery Movies?

There are many services or websites for streaming mystery movies. Services that require a subscription include Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, HBO Max, Hallmark Mystery TV, and ZEE5 (Indian). Free streaming services are like Tubi, Pluto TV, and PLEX.

However, some movies are not available in the US streaming library, such as Netflix and Amazon Prime. You can use a robust VPN to unblock the geo-restriction (e.g., LightningX VPN).

Why is LightningX VPN trustworthy?

• It uses the best VPN protocols based on top algorithms, protecting your data and privacy from being leaked or tracked.
• It offers 2,000+ servers in 70+ countries, allowing you to access streaming content from anywhere in the world.
• It is super-fast and doesn’t limit bandwidth.
• You can set it up on Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, Apple TV, Android TV, Linux, Edge, Chrome, and Firefox.
• It allows 3 simultaneous connections.

In the End

We pick the 10 best mystery movies and other great options for you to choose from. You can check them on the popular streaming websites we mentioned above. Once you have free time, immerse yourself in the detective world!