Our team compiled the best mystery movies on Netflix and here is what they came up with
The mystery genre has always been a highly engaging form of storytelling. Since the intriguing tales of Poirot and Miss Marple, it’s always exciting to figure out who committed the burglary, how they did it, and what motivation they had. Or maybe there’s a darker mystery at play involving missing people or a political plot. Netflix has plenty of these types of stories to get invested in. Here are the best mystery movies on Netflix app.
Here are the 10 best mystery movies on Netflix to check out on the streaming service.
1. Best mystery movies on Netflix – Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery
As a sequel to Knives Out, Rian Johnson presents another rousing mystery for the revered detective Benoit Blanc to solve. Taking place during the year 2020, Blanc finds himself being called to the island of a tech billionaire among his party pals who identify as disruptors. What starts as a fake murder mystery game soon turns into a real murder mystery where everybody has a motive. Written and directed by Rian Johnson (Star Wars: The Last Jedi), the film features an all-star cast that includes Daniel Craig, Edward Norton, Janelle Monáe, Kathryn Hahn, Leslie Odom Jr., Jessica Henwick, Madelyn Cline, Kate Hudson, and Dave Bautista.
2. Prisoners
Director Denis Villeneuve (Sicario) helms this grueling drama of intense interrogation. Two young girls in Pennsylvania go missing, and the father, Keller Dover, grows frustrated and drained as he searches for clues. He finds a potential suspect and proceeds to kidnap and torture the man until he reveals where the girls are hidden. But as the interrogation goes on for days, there’s a deep questioning of how far inhumanity can go to save someone. The film features incredible and brutal performances by Hugh Jackman, Jake Gyllenhaal, Viola Davis, Maria Bello, Terrence Howard, Melissa Leo, and Paul Dano.
3. The Guilty
LAPD officer Joe Baylor has a troubled life, and it’s about to worsen during his time at a 911 call center. He receives a call from a distressed woman and fears she’s being kidnapped. Desperate to do the right thing, Joe keeps track of her entirely through the call center, even going over the heads of his superiors. But the more he learns about this woman, the darker the mystery becomes. Directed by Antoine Fuqua (Southpaw), this thrilling bottle mystery comes stars the talents of Jake Gyllenhaal, Ethan Hawke, Riley Keough, Christina Vidal Mitchell, Eli Goree, Da’Vine Joy Randolph, Paul Dano, and Peter Sarsgaard.
4. Sherlock Holmes
Based on the classic mystery novels by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, the iconic literature detective Sherlock Holmes is given a more action-packed interpretation by director Guy Ritchie (King Arthur: Legend of the Sword). Taking place in 1890s London, Sherlock teams up with his best friend Watson to track down the mysterious killings of an underground cult. Using his expert knowledge, Sherlock peels back the layers and uses his observant skills to find clues and survive daring fights. The cast includes Robert Downey Jr., Jude Law, Rachel McAdams, Mark Strong, and Eddie Marsan.
5. Nocturnal Animals
Based on the novel Tony and Susan by Austin Wright, Nocturnal Animals is a surreal neo-noir mystery by director Tom Ford. The film centers around the art gallery owner Susan Morrow – what follows is a dark tale of murder, robbery, and crumbling relationships. The brilliant mixture of crime and mystery features a cast that includes Amy Adams, Jake Gyllenhaal, Michael Shannon, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Isla Fisher, Armie Hammer, Laura Linney, Andrea Riseborough, and Michael Sheen.
6. Shutter Island
Director Martin Scorsese (The Departed) helms this stirring adaptation of the psychological thriller novel by Dennis Lehane. Deputy U.S. Marshal Edward “Teddy” Daniels is called upon to investigate the psychiatric facility of a remote island where a patient has gone missing. Searching for clues to this mystery, Teddy digs deep into the facility’s darkest corners. What he discovers may be more damaging to his psyche than the case itself. The film features a fantastic cast amid its mystery that includes the talents of Leonardo DiCaprio, Mark Ruffalo, Ben Kingsley, Michelle Williams, Emily Mortimer and Patricia Clarkson.
7. The Vanishing
Set in the 1900s at the remote Flannan Isles, The Vanishing centers around the mystery drama of three men serving a six-week shift at a lighthouse. During their stay, they encounter a mysterious man who attacks them. This dark period mystery comes from director Kristoffer Nyholm and stars Gerard Butler, Peter Mullan, Connor Swindells, Ólafur Darri Ólafsson, Søren Malling, and Gary Lewis.
8. Beckett
Beckett was hoping to have a relaxing vacation in Greece with his girlfriend. He finds himself running away from people trying to kill him. As he continues to flee, he soon uncovers a political mystery where he becomes a pawn in a greater plan amid the country’s chaos. Loaded with action and intrigue, this fast-paced thriller comes from director Ferdinando Cito Filomarino and stars John David Washington, Boyd Holbrook, Vicky Krieps, Alicia Vikander, and Michael Stuhlbarg.
9. Hail Caesar
Directors Joel Coen and Ethan Coen craft this wild mystery set in 1950s Hollywood. Set against the Red Scare of the era, actors and filmmakers become embroiled in several sordid affairs when a group of secret Soviet spies kidnaps one actor. The more that gets revealed about this conspiracy, the more bizarre it becomes in this uproarious period mystery packed with slapstick, absurdity, and retro song-and-dance numbers. The all-star ensemble cast includes Josh Brolin, George Clooney, Alden Ehrenreich, Ralph Fiennes, Jonah Hill, Scarlett Johansson, Frances McDormand, Tilda Swinton, and Channing Tatum.
10. Best mystery movies on Netflix – Treason
An MI6 chief’s future takes a big turn after reuniting witha Russian spy as they revisit their past through this mystery and spy drama. This stars Charlie Cox, Olga Kurylenko, Oona Chaplin and is created by Max Charman.