For someone craving a story that instantly hooks them and serves shocking endings, murder mysteries are the best bet.
Netflix is a goldmine for the murder mystery genre. The platform has it all, from dark psychological thrillers to fast-paced whodunits. These titles are entertaining, but they also challenge you to think and second-guess all of your thoughts.
For anyone looking to watch murder mystery movies or series and doesn’t know where to begin, this list has got you covered. Here are 15 titles that are worth every minute.
1. Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery (2022)
A billionaire invites his friends to a luxury island getaway. This soon turns into a deadly game of deception, and detective Benoit Blanc must unravel this web of lies. The film has a star-studded cast with Daniel Craig, Edward Norton, and Janelle Monáe. Directed by Rian Johnson, the vibrant visuals and witty dialogue make it one of the best murder mystery movies on Netflix.
- IMDb rating: 7.1/10
- Runtime: 2h 19m
2. Mindhunter (2017–2019)
Profiling wasn’t always the standard, and understanding the killers used to matter. Set in the late 1970s, this series follows FBI agents Holden Ford and Bill Tench as they interview imprisoned serial killers. This leads to an extensive understanding of modern criminal psychology.
The agents are played by Jonathan Groff and Holt McCallany, whose performances are nothing short of gripping. Directed by David Fincher, the show sets itself apart from typical murder mystery content by delving into the psychological aspect of crime.
- IMDb rating: 8.6/10
- Runtime: 42-73 minutes per episode
3. The Perfect Couple (2024)
A dream wedding in Nantucket turns into a twisted nightmare when a body washes ashore. As secrets unravel, every guest becomes a suspect who has something to hide. The show, set in high society, blends glamour with suspense.
This tense drama is led by Nicole Kidman. Directed by Emmy and Oscar winner Susanne Bier, this is one of the freshest series of its genre.
- IMDb rating: 6.5/10
- Runtime: 50-60 minutes per episode
4. Bodies (2023)
A single murder spans across four timelines. Four detectives set in 1890, 1941, 2023, and 2053 all end up investigating the same corpse found in London. Each timeline unfolds a new layer to the mystery, and unexpected connections crop up.
The cast features Stephen Graham and Amaka Okafor. Directed by Marco Kreuzpaintner and Haolu Wang, the show blends sci-fi with the classic detective charm.
- IMDb rating: 7.3/10
- Runtime: Around 60 minutes per episode
5. The Pale Blue Eye (2023)
The halls of West Point conceal dark secrets. The show follows a seasoned detective as he teams up with a young Edgar Allan Poe to solve a case of brutal murders at the military academy.
Christian Bale and Henry Melling play the detective duo. Directed by Scott Cooper, the gothic ambience and historical setting make it a must-watch.
- IMDb rating: 6.6/10
- Runtime: 2h 8m
6. A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder (2024)
This series follows a school project turning into a dangerous obsession. A student revisits a closed murder case for a school project. As she digs deeper, she ends up unearthing truths that others had wanted to stay buried.
Emma Myers and Zain Iqbal play the main duo. Directed by Dolly Wells and Tom Vaughan, the show is a modern take on the murder mystery genre that caters to a younger audience.
- IMDb rating: 6.8/10
- Runtime: 40-50 minutes per episode
7. The Stranger (2020)
One secret can ruin everything. A man’s life unravels when a stranger reveals a shocking secret about his wife. This then sets off a chain of events filled with paranoia and danger.
Richard Armitage stars as the main lead. Directed by Daniel O’Hara and Hannah Quinn, the show is an instance of a murder mystery starting off with a secret instead of a corpse.
- IMDb rating: 7.2/10
- Runtime: 45 minutes per episode
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8. Behind Her Eyes (2021)
To say that nothing is as it seems is putting things lightly. The story follows a single mother who enters a complicated relationship with her boss and his wife. The story unfolds as things take a dark turn, with mind-boggling psychological twists at every stage.
Simona Brown, Tom Bateman, and Eve Hewson lead this psychological thriller. Directed by Norwegian filmmaker Erik Richter Strand, the shocking ending is something not to be missed out on.
- IMDb rating: 7.2/10
- Runtime: 46-53 minutes per episode
9. Fool Me Once (2024)
This show asks a haunting question: what if the dead didn’t stay dead? When a grieving widow spots her supposedly murdered husband on a nanny cam, she soon ends up in a dangerous conspiracy.
Michelle Keegan delivers a stunning performance as the main lead. Director David Moore put out a show that sets emotional stakes into suspenseful pacing.
- IMDb rating: 6.8/10
- Runtime: 50-54 minutes per episode
10. The Sinner (2017–2021)
This is another title that explores the psychological dimension of crime. Each season focuses on why a crime was committed rather than who committed it. Detective Harry Ambrose sets out to uncover why ordinary people have committed these crimes while dealing with his own baggage.
Bill Pullman stuns in the lead role with a calm and intense presence. The show worked with a host of directors, with Antonio Campos working on the pilot and several early episodes.
- IMDb rating: 7.8/10
- Runtime: 40-54 minutes per episode
11. High Seas (2019)
In the open ocean, even luxury can’t keep you safe. This Spanish series is set aboard a transatlantic luxury cruise in the 1940s. Mysterious deaths begin to occur onboard, and two sisters get to work unravelling the secrets that follow.
Ivana Baquero and Alejandra Onieva lead the cast. Director Carlos Sedes contrasts the glamorous setting with dark events, making it a stylish but bloody murder mystery movie.
- IMDb rating: 6.8/10
- Runtime: 37-49 minutes per episode
12. The Woman in Cabin 10 (2024)
The show follows a travel journalist who witnesses a murder on a cruise ship. She believes she saw someone thrown overboard, but all passengers are accounted for, leaving her story in doubt.
A-Lister Keira Knightley stars in this tense adaptation. Through a confined setting and heightened suspense, director Simon Stone delivers one of the best murder mystery movies.
- IMDb rating: 5.8/10
- Runtime: 1h 35m
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13. Enola Holmes (2020)
Sherlock Holmes’ mother goes missing, and his younger sister sets out to find her. While on this journey, she ends up tangled in a much more intricate conspiracy.
Millie Bobby Brown plays Enola, along with a stellar cast of Henry Cavill, Sam Claflin, and Louis Partridge. Directed by Harry Bradbeer, the film is ideal for someone looking for something a little lighter.
- IMDb rating: 6.6/10
- Runtime: 2h 3m
14. The Abandoned (2022)
This Taiwanese thriller follows a detective investigating serial murders targeting immigrant workers. The case elaborates on deeper social issues behind the superficiality of society that ignores crimes against the marginalised.
Janine Chang and Ethan Juan star in this spine-chilling film. Directed by Tseng Ying-ting, the mix of gritty realism and emotional value makes it one of the best murder mystery movies on Netflix.
- IMDb rating: 6.3/10
- Runtime: 2h 8m
15. In for a Murder (2021)
The film centres around a housewife who has a passion for crime novels and becomes an amateur detective. When she ends up solving a real murder case, her curiosity puts her in real danger.
Anna Smołowik leads this Polish comedy-mystery. Director Piotr Mularuk brings humour into the murder mystery formula, making things even more engaging.
- IMDb rating: 5.5/10
- Runtime: 1h 45m
Final Thoughts
Murder mystery has it all, the slow-burning investigations, the fast pacing, and characters that stay with you long after you switch your laptop off. The titles in this list are a testament to why the murder mystery genre dominates streaming platforms like Netflix.
Instead of scrolling endlessly, pick a title from here and get hooked. These stories will keep you guessing until the very end.
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