TheMurderMysteryhas formed an integral aspect of popular culture’s landscape since the earliest days of movies and television, a status quo that shows no sign of slowing down. From classic numbers likeCharadeandMurder on the Orient Expressto contemporary rivals such asHot FuzzandKnives Out, cinema has witnessed an array of standout genre offerings over the years, with talented directors in the vein of Alfred Hitchcock, Rian Johnson, and David Fincher all turning in a number ofthe best murder mystery movies of all time.
This extends to television;the best television shows of all timeinclude several seminal murder mystery offerings comprising wildly successful stories for smaller screens. Inviting never-ending musings and debate through their very nature, the genre has produced a diverse array of shows that received acclaim from fans and critics alike. Ranging from the cut-and-dried detective format ofclassic murder mystery TV that can still surprise viewersto evocative non-linear genre subversions,the best murder mystery showsseek to thrill, astound, and horrifytheir audiences in equal measure.
Poirot
Cast
Poirot is a British television drama series centered on Agatha Christie’s famous detective, Hercule Poirot, portrayed by David Suchet. Running from 1989 to 2013, the series follows Poirot’s meticulous and methodical investigations into various criminal cases, showcasing his unparalleled deductive skills and brilliance.
One of iconic novelist Agatha Christie’s most famous and celebrated characters,Belgian detective Hercule Poirot served as the basis for one of the most beloved and long-running murder mysteries of all time in ITV’sPoirot.Airing for 70 episodes across 13 seasons, the network’s adaptation of Christie’s Poirot crime novels sees David Suchet step into the role of the eponymous detective in one ofBritish television’s must-watch murder mysteries.
Every Major Actor Who Played Agatha Christie’s Hercule Poirot, Ranked
With Agatha Christie’s Poirot in 50 stories or more, it’s not surprising that there have been numerous adaptations. But which portrayal is the best?
Despite Kenneth Brannagh’s admirable efforts as the character in the later feature films centered on Poirot, Suchet’s impressive tenure as the mustachioed sleuth remains the greatest take on the notorious character ever seen. The ITV production faithfully adapts the author’s material in a polished fashion to produce that most ironic of things; a comforting and familiar series of whodunnits that still happens to feature many first-rate mystery stories.
9The Bridge (2011-2018)
Created By Hans Rosenfeldt
A nerve-racking Nordic murder mystery,The Bridgebegins after two halves of two separate murdered women are discovered on the border between Denmark and Sweden,prompting a joint investigation into the mysterious deaths. The show decidedly does not let up in terms of tension from there, morphing into an unpredictable, high-stakes murder mystery offering for the ages.
Carried by a superb turn fromAlex Riderstar Sofia Helin in the leading role as Swedish detective Saga Norén,The Bridge’sdomestic success meant that the series was screened in more than 100 countries, introducing Hans Rosenfeldt’s noir crime drama to international audiences. Also one of the highest-rated murder mysteries on IMDb with an impressive score of 8.6,The Bridgeis a gripping and poignant tale that will resonate with any fan of the genre, despite a language barrier for Western audiences.
Only Murders in the Building
Only Murders in the Building is a mystery-comedy series following three strangers, portrayed by Steve Martin, Martin Short, and Selena Gomez, who bond over their shared obsession with true crime. Set in a Manhattan apartment building, the trio becomes embroiled in a real murder mystery within their residence.
A compelling cocktail of comedy and mystery,Only Murders in the Buildinghas been a veritable success story for Hulu since debuting in 2021.Led by an all-star trio of Steve Martin, Martin Short, and Selena Gomez, the murder mystery show sees the unlikely group bond over a shared love of true-crime podcastsas they investigate a series of deaths in their apartment building.
A hilarious genre subversion that doubles as a stellar murder mystery,Only Murders in the Buildinghas received critical acclaim across four highly successful seasons. A show that leverages the charming chemistry between its leading trio to maximum effect,Only Murders in the Buildingis uproarious, self-aware, and relentlessly entertaining. Thankfully, this is a state of affairs that will not end in the near future, asOnly Murders in the Buildingwas renewed for season 5in September 2024.
How to Get Away With Murder
A new part of the Shonda Rhimes Shondaland productions, How to Get Away With Murder is a crime drama series created for ABC and starring Viola Davis. When law professor Annalise Keating’s (Davis) interns become involved with a murder that shakes the university and firm, the group will find themselves in an ever-spiraling saga of lies, deceit, and intrigue. The show’s format focuses on slowly unearthing the truth behind murders, all while complicated clients and cases arrive for the law firm to handle.
Spearheaded by a powerhouse performance from Viola Davis as Annalise Keating,How to Get Away With Murderfollows the lives of a college professor and a group of her students who become embroiled in an intricate murder plot.The show proved to be a resounding success for ABC, withHow to Get Away With Murderairing for six seasons and receiving positive reviews throughout its run.
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A gloriously unpredictable story full of twists and turns that features one ofShonda Rhimes' most impressive leading ladies,How to Get Away With Murderclaims all the trademark staples that one would expect from a superb murder mystery. The show is dark and thrilling, featuring a compelling cast of morally ambiguous characters who serve to ramp up the levels of tension through their volatile personalities.
Led by a magnificent turn fromOrange Is the New Blackstar Natasha Lyonne, Rian Johnson’sPoker Facefollows Charlie Cale, a casino worker with an uncanny ability to detect lies. Fleeing across the country from a vengeful tormentor, Cale finds herself inextricably caught up in a series of murders. Handling a new mystery each episode,Poker Faceadopts the story format utilized by seminal offerings such asColumbo.
Johnson’s case-of-the-week format has been a smash hit since debuting in 2023, with asecond season ofPoker Facealready commissioned. The gripping murder mysteryhas received critical acclaim, with particular praise directed towards the show’s compelling blend of intrigue and dark humor, as well as Lyonne’s amazing lead performance as Cale. A refreshing and inventive new take on the whodunnit that is off to a strong star,Poker Faceis a triumph.
5True Detective: Night Country (2024)
Created By Issa López
The second and third seasons of the crime anthologyTrue Detectivereceived a disappointing critical response, particularly because the show’s haunting first season is frequently cited as one of the single most impressive seasons of television ever produced. Fortunately, the show’s fourth season,True Detective: Night Country,proved to be a superb uptick in form for the HBO mainstay, with Issa Lopez’s Alaskan offering receiving excellent reviews upon release in 2024.
True Detective
True Detective is an anthology series exploring intricate criminal investigations through multiple timelines. Each season examines dark personal and professional secrets revealed during the course of solving complex cases, highlighting the impact of crime on individuals both within and outside the law enforcement community.
A gritty mystery drama with eerie trappings of the supernatural,Night Countryis a magnificent return to the roots of what renderedTrue Detective’soriginal outing such a success.A pair of superb leading performances from Jodie Foster and Kali Reis as detective duo Liz Danvers and Evangeline Navarro is complemented by breathtaking visuals, poignant social commentary, and an engrossing narrative, leading to a white-knuckle viewing experience that deftly sidesteps the pitfalls associated with its more recent predecessors.
Mindhunter
From executive producers David Fincher and Charlize Theron comes Mindhunter, a series that chronicles the founding of the FBI’s Behavioral Science Unit used to track and apprehend serial killers. Mindhunter follows Agent Holden Ford (Jonathan Groff) and Bill Tench (Holt McCallany) as they work to establish a framework for understanding the minds of some of America’s most dangerous serial killers. Mindhunter adapts a number of true crime stories, including the BTK murders and the notorious Co-Ed Killer, Edmund Kemper.
A terrifying deep dive into the twisted minds of an array of serial killers,David Finch’sMindhunteris one of television’s preeminent “what might have been” stories.Chronicling the inception of the FBI’s criminal profiling process and based on real-life accounts from agents tasked with interviewing some of America’s most terrifying murderers,Mindhunterfeatures the likes of David Berkowitz and Charles Manson, to name but a few.
The Best David Fincher Movie Is Zodiac — And I Will Shout That From The Rooftops
David Fincher has directed 12 feature films in his career and while fans may argue for one or another, to me, his best movie is Zodiac, hands down.
Finch’s murder mystery received critical acclaim, with critics pointing to the show’s slow-burn style, the performances of the cast, and the terrifying authenticity of the killers' interviews as notable highlights. Remarkably, despite Finch’s show rapidly gaining status as a critic’s darling and fan favorite, the acclaimed series only ran for two seasons on Netflix beforeMindhunterwas canceledover cost concerns. Fans held out hope, but Finch confirmed that the show was dead and buried in 2023.
Broadchurch
Broadchurch: Set in a small coastal town, Broadchurch follows the intense investigation into the murder of a young boy, as the case draws significant media attention and threatens the fabric of the close-knit community.
Featuring a star-studded British ensemble cast that includes David Tennant, Olivia Colman, and Jodie Whitaker, the acclaimed BBC crime dramaBroadchurchis also one of the finest murder mystery outings that television has to offer. Running for three seasons between 2014 and 2017, the show’s first installment chronicles the investigation into the unsolved murder of a young boy after his body is found on a local beach, with the ramifications of his death having an overarching effect on later seasons.
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Featuring powerhouse performances from the credentialed cast,Broadchurchhas some glorious cinematography and a haunting score to complement the show’s compelling narrative and rich array of characters.A slow-burn whodunnit of the highest order, Chris Chibnall’s crime drama received consistently positive reviews throughout its run and is regarded as one of British television’s most universally celebrated titles.
Mare of Easttown
Mare of Easttown is a mystery crime-drama that stars Kate Winslet as a detective attempting to solve a murder as her life crumbles around her. Marianne “Mare” Sheehan is assigned to investigate the murder of one girl while trying to tackle a cold case of another missing girl. Having recently lost her son, Mare’s world is steeped in chaos as she attempts to reclaim her life in the eyes of the town - and herself.
Depicting the investigation into the brutal murder of a young woman in a fictional suburb of Philadelphia, 2021’sMare of Easttownstars Kate Winslet in the leading role of Mare Sheehan. A career-best performance that earned the actress a host of rave reviews, Winslet also received numerous dramatic awards, including an Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie, courtesy of her starring role in Brad Inglesby’s impeccable drama.
The praise forMare of Easttown’s quality isn’t solely focused on the strength of Winslet’s performance, with Inglesby’s series receiving acclaim across the board for its acting and story. A suspense-laden tale that leverages the talents of its gifted ensemble cast to maximum effect,Mare of Easttownutilizes many jaw-dropping narrative twists and turns to produce an unforgettable murder mystery drama — although asecond season ofMare of Easttownfaces challenges.
1Twin Peaks (1990-2017)
Created By Mark Frost & David Lynch
A flawless murder mystery,Twin Peakshas stood the test of time to retain its status as television’s best murder mystery show.A story thatbegins under the guise of a typical whodunnit murder mystery,Twin Peaksspirals into an intricately spun spider’s web of narrative developments and supernatural twists that never cease to entertain. The show ran for two seasons on ABC until it was canceled in 1991, before returning for an acclaimed third season under Showtime’s banner in 2017.
Will Twin Peaks Season 4 Ever Happen?
Twin Peaks is a beloved mystery horror series, so why hasn’t a fourth season come out?
Widely regarded as one of the best series of all time, as well as one that has inspired a host of horror movies and television shows, it’s unsurprising thatTwin Peaksclocks in as television’s most laudedmurder mysteryoffering. The show’s unique mix of genres and lasting cultural impact render it one of entertainment history’s most storied and inimitable names, a powerful, enigmaticdrama that has entertained multiple generations.
Twin Peaks
Conceived by Mark Frost and David Lynch in 1990, Twin Peaks is a supernatural mystery-drama series that brings FBI Agent Dale Cooper to the quiet town of Twin Peaks to investigate the murder of a young woman named Laura Palmer. As Dale continues his investigation of her death, he learns that Laura’s life wasn’t as she advertised it, and the town itself is hiding far more secrets than they let on. The show received a revival for a third and final season two decades later to resolve the cliffhanger left at the end of the second season.
