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The 40 Best Murder Mystery Movies of All Time

Murder mysteries have long captivated audiences, taking us on thrilling journeys to uncover clues and reveal the identity of the killer. From classics like Alfred Hitchcock’s Rear Window to modern hits like Knives Out, the murder mystery genre features some of the most gripping and entertaining films of all time. In this article, we count down the top murder mystery movies that will have you on the edge of your seat trying to solve the crime. From tales of serial killers like Se7en and The Silence of the Lambs featuring Anthony Hopkins‘ chilling Hannibal Lecter to whodunits like Murder on the Orient Express with its all-star cast, you’ll find the most suspenseful and sharply-written mysteries ever put on celluloid.

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Classic noir mysteries like LA Confidential and modern masterpieces like Gone Girl all have twists and turns that will catch you completely off guard. In addition, these fascinating movies keep you guessing while making you laugh at the same time with their hilarious cast. So grab some popcorn and get ready to match wits against cinema’s craftiest killers, detectives, and plotters in the most engrossing murder mystery movies of all time!

1. The Silence of the Lambs (1991)

The Silence of the Lambs is a very popular and scary movie that came out in 1991. It is about a young FBI trainee named Clarice Starling. She has to talk to a prisoner named Hannibal Lecter to try and catch another killer. Hannibal Lecter seems like a nice and polite man at first. But he is a crazy serial killer who ate people! He was nicknamed “Hannibal the Cannibal.” Even though he is very scary, Clarice needs Hannibal’s help. There is a killer named “Buffalo Bill” who is killing and hurting young women. Clarice must get clues from Hannibal about Buffalo Bill before he attacks his next victim. Talking to Hannibal puts Clarice in a very dangerous position.

2. Se7en (1995)

Se7en is a very dark and creepy detective movie from 1995. It is about two cops named Detective Mills and Detective Somerset. They have to team up to catch a scary serial killer who is committing murders based on the seven deadly sins. This killer does very strange and shocking things to his victims. The city where the movie takes place always seems dark, rainy, and hopeless. No one can predict what creepy thing the killer will do next. Detective Mills has a short temper and often gets angry at the killer’s crimes. Detective Somerset is older and wiser, but the evil murders are starting to wear him down. Tracking the seven deadly sins killer puts both cops in terrible danger, but they will not give up on catching him.

3. Gone Girl (2014)

Gone Girl tells the story of Nick and Amy Dunne, a married couple who seem to have the perfect life. On their fifth wedding anniversary, Amy suddenly disappears from their home. At first, it looks like Amy was kidnapped. However, as the police investigate, clues start to point to Nick as the possible killer. Nick acts very strangely and lies about things, making himself look guilty. The big question becomes: did Nick kill his wife? Or is Amy framing Nick as part of an evil plan? The truth is revealed halfway through the movie and completely changes how we see Nick and Amy’s marriage. In Gone Girl, things and people are not what they first seem. Full of sneaky twists, this movie will keep you guessing until the very last minute about what happened to Amy.

4. L.A. Confidential (1997)

L.A. Confidential takes place in Los Angeles in the 1950s. At that time, the police in L.A. were very corrupt and violent. The story follows three very different cops: Officer Bud White, Sergeant Jack Vincennes, and Detective Ed Exley. After a bloody murder at a coffee shop, these cops have to work together to solve the case. They soon realize the murder involves the dangerous world of Hollywood actors, politicians, police, and gangsters. Many dangerous people do not want the truth to come out. The three cops are thrown into a messy web of lies, crimes, scandals, and cover-ups happening under the glamorous surface of Hollywood. To crack the coffee shop case, they will risk their lives taking on the corrupt police system they work for. L.A. Confidential shows the dark secrets hiding behind the shiny image of 1950s Los Angeles.

5. Knives Out (2019)

Knives Out is a very entertaining murder mystery full of twists that keep you guessing. When famous crime novelist Harlan Thrombey dies, it seems he killed himself. Nevertheless, famed detective Benoit Blanc believes Harlan was murdered. The large and greedy Thrombey family all live off Harlan鈥檚 money. Any one of them could be the killer trying to get more money! The family fights while Blanc digs into their lies and secrets. He tries to solve the case with the help of Harlan鈥檚 nurse, Marta. From rich family members to Harlan’s staff, Blanc suspects nearly everyone in the huge mansion! Knives Out has lots of drama, humor, and clues for viewers to piece together. However, just when you think you know the ending, a big surprise twist changes everything.

6. Rear Window (1954)

The thriller Rear Window takes place almost entirely inside the apartment of L.B. 鈥淛eff鈥� Jefferies. Jeff is a photographer who broke his leg and is stuck using a wheelchair. Out of boredom, he spends all his time looking out his apartment window into other people鈥檚 homes. He watches the neighbors through their windows with his camera and binoculars. At first, it is harmless entertainment for Jeff. Then he starts to think one of his neighbors may have committed murder! Jeff tries to prove Raymond murdered his wife by watching his apartment for clues. Nevertheless, Raymond also starts to notice Jeff spying on him. Soon, Jeff is in over his head, as Raymond seems to threaten him. Jeff is left helpless in his wheelchair as the suspense builds over what Raymond will do next.

7. Psycho (1960)

Alfred Hitchcock鈥檚 thriller Psycho has one of the most famous horror scenes in movie history. The story starts following Marion Crane, a secretary who takes money and runs away from her life. On the road, she stops to sleep at the remote Bates Motel. That night, she is brutally stabbed to death while taking a shower in her motel room. The shy motel manager, Norman Bates, helps hide Marion鈥檚 body since his mother seems to have killed Marion in a jealous rage. Nevertheless, there may be more to the story than Norman lets on. Psycho is filled with thrills and surprises you will not see coming as people keep trying to find out the truth about Marion鈥檚 death.

8. North by Northwest (1959)

North by Northwest is a fun, fast-paced thriller starring Cary Grant as New York ad man Roger Thornhill. Dangerous spies led by the sinister Phillip Vandamm mistake him for a secret agent. Roger finds himself chased all across America as he tries to convince people he is not a spy while also falling for the exotic Eve Kendall. She is helping the spies but also has feelings for Roger. The movie darts from suspense to romance and is full of twists and turns. We watch as Roger scrambles to avoid being killed as Vandamm鈥檚 men hunt him. Most famous is the finale with Roger dodging a crop duster plane before racing to save Eve on the face of Mount Rushmore.

9. Murder by Death (1976)

Murder by Death is a silly mystery comedy movie with an all-star cast. Eccentric millionaire Lionel Twain invites five famous fictional detectives to his mansion for dinner. There is Sam Spade and Miss Marbles, who are like characters from old mystery books and movies. Also invited is bumbling inspector Sidney Wang, based on characters from silly mystery stories. Twain tells them he will stage a fake murder for them to solve over dinner. However, Twain’s blind butler is murdered for real and it is up to this odd group of detectives to crack the case. With its whacky characters failing to solve obvious clues, Murder by Death affectionately makes fun of all the tropes and clich茅s from murder mysteries.

10. Memories of Murder (2003)

Memories of Murder is a thriller based on South Korea鈥檚 first real serial killer case. In a small town in 1986, two local police detectives investigate a series of bizarre murders targeting women. Detective Park and Detective Seo use very rough, brute-force methods to try to catch the killer. However, the murders continue and the pressure builds as fear spreads in the town. The detectives then get help from an expert city detective who teaches them about more modern investigation techniques like DNA. Together, the very different detectives race to stop the murders before more victims are discovered. Nevertheless, the murders keep happening in shocking and horrible ways. With lots of twists and intensity, this movie will keep you on edge wondering how the dangerous killer might be caught.

11. Zodiac (2007)

The Zodiac is based on a real unsolved case from the 1960s and 70s. A mysterious serial killer called Zodiac terrorizes San Francisco. He taunts the police and newspapers with coded messages that reveal his future targets. However, no one can figure out his identity. A newspaper cartoonist named Robert Graysmith becomes obsessed with cracking Zodiac鈥檚 secret codes. Police inspectors David Toschi and William Armstrong have worked for years searching for the twisted killer, chasing down leads and suspects. Nevertheless, every time they feel close, the Zodiac disappears back into the shadows, leaving innocent victims dead in his wake. Zodiac examines how the mystery man was able to avoid capture for decades, while also exploring the toll such a case takes on those trying desperately to solve it.

12. The Fugitive (1993)

The Fugitive begins with Dr. Richard Kimble wrongly accused of killing his wife. After his prison bus crashes, Kimble escapes custody desperate to prove his innocence. At the same time, famous U.S. Marshal Sam Gerard is pursuing Kimble across the country. Gerard is convinced of Kimble鈥檚 guilt and will not let him get away. As Kimble stays one step ahead of the relentless Gerard, he searches for the mysterious “one-armed man鈥� who may have killed his wife. Kimble risks capture over and over to follow clues about the one-armed man. Gerard starts to wonder if Kimble could be innocent. The two men are locked in a breathless game of cat-and-mouse filled with narrow escapes and explosive confrontations.

13. Witness for the Prosecution (1957)

Witness for the Prosecution centres around Leonard Vole. He is on trial for murdering a rich older woman who left him money in her will. The evidence looks bad against Leonard. His alibi comes only from his wife, Christine. She tries to give testimony to prove Leonard is innocent. However, Christine is still recovering from a serious illness that has affected her memory. The famous lawyer Sir Wilfrid takes a chance defending Leonard in this tricky case. Nonetheless, Christine soon shows she may not be the witness Sir Wilfrid was counting on to keep Leonard from prison. Filled with legal twists and surprises in the courtroom, Witness for the Prosecution keeps everyone guessing if Leonard committed murder.

14. Memento (2000)

Memento tells the unique story of Leonard, who suffers from short-term memory loss. He cannot form any new memories and forgets things after just a few minutes. This affects everything in Leonard’s life following the attack that killed his wife and caused his injury. As Leonard tries to hunt down the man responsible for the attack, he must rely on tactics like photos, notes, and tattoos to guide him. The movie shows scenes in backward order to put viewers in Leonard’s mindset. Just as Leonard struggles to piece together clues, the audience struggles to understand the plot. Full of manipulation, Memento challenges our ideas of memory, grief, and revenge.

15. Murder on the Orient Express (1974)

Murder on the Orient Express is based on an Agatha Christie book about the elegant Orient Express train. On board is the brilliant detective Hercule Poirot. While riding overnight, one of the passengers is found murdered in his compartment. Since a killer is now loose on the train, the Orient Express gets stuck in the snowy mountains until Poirot can solve the case. Poirot discovers every single passenger had a secret reason to want Ratchett dead. Using his legendary smarts to uncover lies and alibis, Poirot tries to determine which of these suspicious people committed the crime. Nevertheless, the shocking solution ends up revealing a hidden link that changes what the murder was really about in a clever whodunit that keeps you guessing until the end.

16. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2011)

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo follows a disgraced journalist named Mikael Blomkvist. He is hired by a wealthy businessman to investigate the disappearance of his niece, Harriet. Mikael teams up with an edgy, tattooed computer hacker named Lisbeth Salander to try to solve this cold case. Together, they uncover dark secrets and violence hidden behind the Vanger family鈥檚 respected Swedish business. Lisbeth鈥檚 excellent hacking skills help them hunt for clues overlooked by years of police investigations. As they get closer to the truth, the Vanger family and others try to block Mikael and Lisbeth from revealing hidden crimes.

17. Dial M for Murder (1954)

The crime drama Dial M for Murder is about a former tennis player, Tony. When he discovers his wealthy wife Margot is cheating on him, Tony secretly plots her murder. He blackmails an old friend into carrying out his revenge plan while he is away. However, Margot manages to kill her attacker in self-defense when he tries strangling her. Soon after, she is arrested for murder. The charming Tony works to manufacture false evidence against his wife, attempting to convince the detectives that Margot plotted everything. What Tony does not know is that Margot hides an important secret piece of evidence that could reveal the cheating husband as the real mastermind behind the crimes. This Alfred Hitchcock thriller weaves deception and survival into a deadly game of cat and mouse.

18. Gosford Park (2001)

Gosford Park explores life above and below stairs in a fancy English mansion in the 1930s. Sir William and Lady Sylvia host a weekend hunting trip, inviting wealthy guests to join them. The visiting aristocrats dress elegantly and relax, while the house鈥檚 servants work hard cooking meals and cleaning up. One of the visitors is suddenly murdered and this sends shockwaves through both the entitled, unaware upper class and the gossiping staff. Famed director Robert Altman uses his signature overlapping dialogue to show how the mystery disrupts tensions already simmering in the house between classes. With plenty of dry humor and one-liners, Gosford Park reveals what goes on at a party where no one is what they seem.

19. Death on the Nile (1978)

Death on the Nile is based on an Agatha Christie murder mystery novel. While vacationing in Egypt, legendary detective Hercule Poirot meets a glamorous honeymooning couple. The happy newlyweds have rivals in love though who seem to follow them onto Poirot鈥檚 huge riverboat cruise. Tragedy strikes when the stunning young bride is found shot dead in her stateroom. With a boat full of suspicious wealthy travelers, Poirot has plenty of people and motives to sift through. Unraveling alibis and secrets from the colorful passengers, Poirot uses his 鈥�little grey cells鈥� to solve the suspenseful case before they reach the Nile鈥檚 end.

20. Chinatown (1974)

Set in 1930s Los Angeles, Chinatown follows private eye J.J. Gittes. He is hired by a woman to investigate her husband’s affairs. However, the case turns complicated when the husband ends up dead under mysterious circumstances. As J.J. digs deeper, he uncovers a tangled web of deception involving a plot by powerful people to control LA鈥檚 water supply. His investigations also connect to the past of a wealthy man named Noah Cross and his vulnerable daughter Evelyn. She seeks J.J.鈥檚 protection against danger from her dangerous father. The movie builds lots of mood and suspense as J.J. gets pulled into LA鈥檚 sinister history of corruption, manipulation, and twisted family betrayals that point to even darker crimes still hidden.

21. Charade (1963)

Charade is a fun, romantic thriller starring Audrey Hepburn as Regina. While on vacation, Regina learns her cheating husband sold secrets before being killed. She then meets a handsome stranger named Peter, who gets tangled up in the search for her husband鈥檚 missing fortune. Together, Peter and Regina stay on the run through Paris from three dangerous spies. As the mystery develops, Regina starts to have feelings for Peter, even if she cannot tell whether Peter himself is trustworthy or not. With romance combined with a hunt for stolen riches, Charade offers cool 60鈥檚 style, sparkling Audrey Hepburn glamour, and clever twists. Will the spies, police, or Peter himself reveal their identities before Regina finds out the secrets about her late husband?

22. The Long Goodbye (1973)

The Long Goodbye puts Philip Marlowe in modern 1970s Los Angeles. Marlowe is an old-fashioned private eye who helps his friend Terry after he is accused of murdering his wife. Nevertheless, Terry soon disappears, with violent criminals and corrupt police also chasing him and Marlowe across LA. Marlowe wonders if Terry was lying and did kill his wife. As bodies start piling up, Marlowe struggles through twists, trying to uncover what is happening. With his loyal, sloppy ways clashing with cynical new LA culture, Marlowe makes many enemies. Soon the only person the wisecracking detective can trust is his cat. Full of dark humor and deception, The Long Goodbye shows Philip Marlowe trying to hold onto morals in changing times.

23. The Third Man (1949)

The Third Man is a mystery thriller set in shadowy, post-World War 2 Vienna, Austria. Pulp fiction writer Holly Martins arrives to meet his old friend Harry Lime, only to learn that Harry recently died in a suspicious car accident. Holly teams up with Harry’s girlfriend Anna to investigate strange details about the accident. He soon meets British officer Major Calloway, who says Harry is a criminal peddling illegal penicillin. Trying to clear Harry’s name, Holly hunts for answers through the city’s sewers, ruins, and glowing cavernous streets at night. In the search for answers, Martins and Anna are shocked when the truth about Harry鈥檚 rackets emerges from the shadows in one of cinema鈥檚 most unforgettable entrances proving Harry鈥檚 not quite as dead as everyone thought.

24. The Night Clerk (2020)

The Night Clerk is a mysterious cinematic puzzle that follows the life of Bart Bromley, a socially awkward night clerk with a unique talent for surveillance. When a murder occurs at the hotel where he works, Bart becomes an unlikely detective, using his observational skills to unravel the truth. As the plot thickens, secrets unfold, and the line between innocence and guilt blurs. With suspenseful twists and a compelling performance by Tye Sheridan in the lead role, The Night Clerk is a rollercoaster of suspense that will leave you guessing until the very end.

25. Happy Death Day (2017)

Happy Death Day is a thrilling blend of horror and humor that turns the concept of a typical slasher film upside down. Meet Tree Gelbman, a college student stuck in a time loop, reliving her birthday and her murder repeatedly. With each loop, Tree must uncover her killer’s identity to break the cycle. Filled with unexpected twists, witty dialogue, and a charismatic lead performance by Jessica Rothe, the film transforms a familiar genre into an entertaining and unpredictable joyride. Get ready for a unique and suspenseful experience that combines chills with laughs in this inventive take on the classic horror premise.

26. Brick (2005)

Brick is a neo-noir film that takes you on a high school mystery like no other. Brendan, played by Joseph Gordon-Levitt, dives into a gritty world of crime when his ex-girlfriend goes missing. Set against the backdrop of a suburban high school, the film weaves a dark and complex narrative where teenage drama collides with hard-boiled detective tropes. With sharp dialogue, unexpected twists, and a unique atmosphere, Brick delivers a cinematic experience that is both familiar and refreshingly original. Prepare for a suspenseful journey through the hallways of high school, where every secret and betrayal adds a layer to the gripping mystery.

27. The Lovebirds (2020)

In the charming romantic comedy “The Lovebirds,” Issa Rae and Kumail Nanjiani play a couple on the verge of a breakup. Their relationship takes an unexpected turn when they stumble upon a murder scene and are mistaken for the killers. Forced to go on the run, they find themselves embroiled in a hilarious and chaotic adventure to clear their names and uncover the truth behind the crime. Amidst the madness, they rediscover their love for each other, proving that even the most troubled relationships can withstand the storm.

28. Scream (1996)

In the quiet town of Woodsboro, a terrifying figure known as Ghost Face emerges from the shadows, casting a chilling pall over the community. On the anniversary of a gruesome murder, a group of teenagers, including the haunted Sidney Prescott, finds themselves at the center of Ghost Face’s macabre game. As the masked killer stalks their every move, Sidney and her friends must confront their deepest fears and uncover the truth behind the horrifying events that have gripped their town. Amidst the chaos and terror, they discover the strength of friendship and the resilience of the human spirit in the face of unimaginable fear.

29. Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (2005)

Kiss Kiss Bang Bang is a clever crime comedy. Petty thief Harry accidentally stumbles into an acting audition while running from police. He is sent to Hollywood and lands the role of a detective in a movie. He shadows real private eye Perry to prepare for his part. Soon, Harry and Perry are chasing down clues involving Harry鈥檚 childhood crush who may be connected to a murder. With razor-sharp banter and lots of laughs, the case leads them through the glitz of Hollywood into the gritty underworld of crime rings. With many rapid-fire twists and self-referential humor poking fun at detective stories, Kiss Kiss Bang Bang offers big thrills and mystery with a fresh, funny twist on classic noir.

30. Game Night (2018)

Game Night is a comedy movie about a group of super competitive friends who regularly get together to play games. One week, Brooks decides to take game night up a notch by organizing an interactive murder mystery party. Just as the fake kidnapping plot is set in motion, real criminals crash the scene and kidnap Brooks. Thinking it鈥檚 still part of the game, Brooks’ friends set out to solve the case, quickly finding themselves way over their heads. The suspense and confusion mount as they race around the city trying to find Brooks and unravel the mystery. Game Night takes friends鈥� game night rivalries and ups the stakes for dangerous but hilarious fun.

31. Murder Mystery (2019)

Murder Mystery is a 2019 comedy starring Jennifer Aniston and Adam Sandler. In the film, a New York cop and his wife Audrey go on a long-awaited trip to Europe. While on a billionaire’s yacht, the billionaire is murdered. The cops accuse Audrey and her husband of being the killers. Suddenly, these two average people from Brooklyn are on the run across Europe, trying to clear their names and find the real murderer. They get into all kinds of antics and meet colorful characters as they race to solve the mystery. With action, humor, and charm, Murder Mystery puts a fresh spin on a classic genre. Even with danger around, the laughs never stop.

32. Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988)

Who Framed Roger Rabbit is a clever and funny movie that mixes live-action with colorful cartoon characters. It takes place in Hollywood in the 1940s, where cartoon characters known as “toons” interact with people in the real world. When Marvin Acme, the owner of the cartoon studio, is mysteriously killed. Roger Rabbit is accused of the murder. Private detective Eddie Valiant, who hates toons, is forced to help Roger clear his name. Eddie teams up with Roger’s wife Jessica to find the real killer. With dazzling animation and zany humor, Who Framed Roger Rabbit brings toon town to life on the big screen in an imaginative adventure mystery filled with twists and turns.

33. Clue (1985)

Clue is a hilarious, unpredictable mystery movie based on the classic Hasbro board game. It takes place in 1954 at a creepy mansion where six quirky guests are invited to dinner. When their host Mr. Boddy turns up dead, the guests and staff have to figure out which one of them is the murderer. Was it Colonel Mustard in the kitchen with the candlestick? Or Miss Scarlet in the lounge with the rope? Part of the fun is the movie has three different endings, just like how the board game has multiple solutions. With funny characters, witty dialogue, and lots of twists, Clue keeps viewers guessing from start to finish. Even if you figure out one ending, another will surprise you.

34. The Nice Guys (2016)

The Nice Guys is a hilarious detective romp set in 1970s Los Angeles. Ryan Gosling plays a down-on-his-luck private eye named Holland March who gets roped into helping Jackson Healy, played by Russell Crowe. They team up to investigate the case of a missing girl named Amelia, crossing paths with dangerous hitmen and uncovering a major conspiracy along the twisty way. Though they are almost complete opposites personality-wise, March and Healy unexpectedly make a great friend crime-fighting duo with sparks flying every step and punch of the comedic action.

35. Primal Fear (1996)

Primal Fear is a gripping courtroom drama starring Richard Gere as a slick defense attorney named Martin Vail. He takes on the high-profile case of Aaron Stampler, played by Edward Norton, who is accused of brutally murdering a Catholic archbishop. When Vail first meets the stuttering, nervous Aaron, he believes he is innocent. However, as the trial progresses and evidence mounts against Aaron, Vail starts to question if his client is as harmless as he seems. Full of clever twists and turns, Primal Fear builds suspense around whether Aaron ruthlessly murdered the priest or if he is the victim of a complex conspiracy.

36. The Black Dahlia (2006)

The Black Dahlia is a gripping crime drama based on the infamous real-life murder of an aspiring young actress in 1940s Los Angeles. The man assigned to solve the case is Dwight 鈥淏ucky鈥� Bleichert, played by Josh Hartnett. He gets drawn ever deeper into the mysterious and gruesome crime alongside the alluring but troubled Madeleine Linscott, played by Scarlett Johansson. As the evidence begins to point closer to home and corruption runs deep, Bleichert has to ask how much the all-American dream city of Hollywood is just a beautiful illusion hiding an ugly underbelly of lies.

37. The Girl on the Train (2016)

The Girl on the Train is a gripping 2016 thriller starring Emily Blunt. She plays Rachel, a troubled woman going through a divorce. To cope, Rachel has taken to alcoholism and aimlessly commuting by train past her old house every day, fantasizing about the seemingly perfect couple who lives there now. She cannot remember her frequent blackout drunk episodes but is horrified one day to learn that the woman who lives in that house has gone missing. With Rachel’s erratic behavior, she becomes a suspect in the disappearance. Full of obsessive characters, dark secrets, and intense flashbacks, The Girl on the Train tells an intriguing mystery that will leave viewers guessing over what the truth is.

38. A Simple Favor (2018)

A Simple Favor is a stylish mystery thriller filled with sly humor and crafty twists. Anna Kendrick stars as mommy vlogger Stephanie who seeks to uncover the truth behind her best friend Emily鈥檚 sudden disappearance. Emily, played by Blake Lively, is Stephanie鈥檚 total opposite – glamorous, reckless and secretive. As Stephanie probes more into Emily鈥檚 past and relationships, unraveling her complex life, a darker side emerges to this missing persons鈥� case. Full of fashion, wit, and calculated revelations, A Simple Favor stylishly blends humor and crime.

39. Laura (1944)

Laura is a 1944 murder mystery about the investigation into the death of a beautiful advertising director named Laura Hunt. When Laura is found brutally murdered, Detective Mark McPherson starts digging into her life to find suspects and motives. The case takes a strange turn when McPherson finds himself increasingly obsessed with Laura even though she is dead. When a woman named Laura suddenly shows up alive, the mystery spins into overdrive. This famous noir film keeps viewers guessing with its strange relationships and shadowy, stylish lighting. Its twists and turns lead to a thrilling conclusion.

40. The Maltese Falcon (1941)

The Maltese Falcon is a legendary 1941 detective story starring Humphrey Bogart as private eye Sam Spade. While searching for his partner鈥檚 killer, Sam gets caught up in the quest for a priceless statuette of a falcon. Many dangerous people are after this jewel-encrusted bird artifact dating back to the Knights of Malta. When Miss Wonderly walks into Sam鈥檚 office, she does not reveal her real motivations and things get very intriguing and deadly. Sam plays all angles of this sinister case as bodies start piling up over the coveted relic. Moody, shadowy, and full of deceitful characters, The Maltese Falcon set the gold standard for slick film noir mysteries.

From classic whodunits like The Maltese Falcon and Laura to modern hits like Knives Out and A Simple Favor, the murder mystery genre has thrilled audiences for decades. These films hook us with intriguing puzzles full of compelling characters, plot twists that always keep us guessing, and suspense to figure out 鈥渨ho did it?鈥� The best mysteries take us on heart-pounding yet fun rides. With so many great options for armchair detectives, murder mystery movie fans new and old can always find an exciting case to crack wide open and solve.