While many mysteries are traditional murder whodunits, they can come in many forms. At its heart, a mystery is a problem to solve, a question seeking an answer. Here are the 15 greatest mystery movies of all time.
15. The Usual Suspects (1995)
A disastrous, multi-million-dollar heist has occurred, leaving several people dead or injured. Mostly told through flashbacks from the reminiscing of criminal Verbal Kint (Kevin Spacey), the police questioned him about a mysterious and fearsome crime lord, Keyser Soze. But things are far from what they seem. The twist ending turns everything upside down.
14. The Prestige (2006)
Directed by Christopher Nolan, the Prestige was nominated for two Academy Awards and features an all-star cast. It follows two-stage magicians in 1890s London. After a tragic accident, they battle to create the ultimate illusion. In doing so, they sacrifice everything they have to outwit one another. Magic is the art of deception, but the deception goes beyond the stage.
13. Se7en (1995)
A serial killer uses the seven deadly sins as the inspiration for his murder victims. A retiring detective (Morgan Freeman) is partnered with an inexperienced detective (Brad Pitt). Their styles clash as they follow the enigmatic trail. The final clue leads to one of the most intense dilemmas and shocking climaxes in film history.
12. Vertigo (1958)
A former San Francisco police detective is hired to trail a beautiful woman to prevent her from committing suicide. He suffers from acrophobia (a fear of heights) and accompanying vertigo (a spinning sensation). He begins to wonder if everything is not what it seems as he peels back the layers of the mystery. Directed by Alfred Hitchcock.
11. The Maltese Falcon (1941)
Based on the eponymous novel by Dashiell Hammett and directed by John Houston, it’s one of the first 25 films selected for preservation by the Library of Congress. After his partner is murdered, San Francisco detective Sam Spade finds himself continually deceived by three eccentric criminals in a quest to find a priceless statuette.
10. Chinatown (1974)
Nominated for 11 Oscars and winning Best Original Screenplay, this multi-layered story is part modern film noir and part psychological drama. Set in 1930s Los Angeles, a private detective is hired to expose an adulterer but soon finds himself wrapped up in a web of deceit, political corruption, and murder. Starring Jack Nicholson and directed by Roman Polanski.
9. Gone Girl (2014)
Directed by David Fincher and based on the eponymous novel by Gillian Flynn, this gripping tale blends psychological thriller and mystery. The disappearance of a famous children’s author (Rosamund Pike) causes an intense media circus. Her husband (Ben Affleck), helpful at first, soon becomes the prime suspect over his suspicious actions. But there’s more going on than anyone could imagine.
8. Memento (2000)
Director Christopher Nolan based this film on his brother Jonathan Nolan’s short story. A former insurance investigator with anterograde amnesia, unable to store recent memories, hunts for the man he believed killed his wife — which is his last memory. He uses notes, Polaroid photos, and tattoos on his body to log his memories and wade through the deceptions of others.
7. Rear Window (1954)
Director Alfred Hitchcock piles on the suspense in this nail-biter that many film scholars consider one of the greatest films ever made. A professional photographer is housebound, stuck in a wheelchair, recovering from an accident. He begins to view the activities of his neighbors through his rear window and soon is convinced one is a murderer.
6. Citizen Kane (1941)
Starring and directed by Orson Welles, Citizen Kane is frequently cited as the greatest film ever made. The film opens with publishing tycoon Charles Foster Kane on his deathbed, uttering his last word, “Rosebud,” then dies. A newspaper reporter fears he may never penetrate the mystery of the elusive man’s final word.
5. Mulholland Drive (2001)
A woman is about to be shot by her limo driver when the vehicle crashes on Mulholland Drive. She survives but suffers amnesia, yet instinctively knows she’s in danger. She meets a Hollywood-hopeful who agrees to help her unravel the mystery of her identity. This surrealist mystery is directed by David Lynch.
4. Laura (1944)
Based on the novel of the same name and directed by Otto Preminger, Laura is considered among the best films of all time. An NYPD detective investigates the murder of a beautiful ad executive, Laura Hunt, and the more he learns about her, he begins to fall in love and love with her. The film soon takes a surprising twist.
3. Knives Out (2019)
In Knives Out, writer-director Rian Johnson was nominated for an Oscar for Best Original Screenplay for his take on the murder-mystery trope to create a modern whodunit with a classic feel and light comedy. Johnson delivers twist after twist to keep viewers guessing. It boasts an all-star cast led by Daniel Craig as the detective who must unravel the crime.
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2. North by Northwest (1959)
An advertising executive, Roger Thornhill (Cary Grant), is mistaken for a government agent, Kaplan, by international spies. When Thornhill is wrongly identified as a murderer, he attempts to find the real Kaplan to clear his name. This sets off a series of wild adventures and a growing mystery that keeps getting more interesting. Directed by Alfred Hitchcock.
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1. Psycho (1960)
Based on the eponymous horror novel by Robert Bloch. Director Alfred Hitchcock creates a psychological thriller and one of the most suspenseful mystery films ever made. It’s considered one of the greatest films ever. A secretary steals 40 grand from her employer. Weather forces her to stop at a back road motel. Two people disappear. Nothing is what it seems.