There is nothing like a captivating, well-made mystery movie. For many decades, the genre has been mesmerizing its audiences with its clever stories, interesting characters, and surprising twists. As a viewer, it is incredibly easy to get invested in a well-executed mystery, keeping them on the edge of their seats as they try to figure out who did the crime, even movies based on mysteries that were never solved. In recent years, the genre has experienced a new explosion in popularity thanks to the widespread appeal of comedic murder mystery movies like the Knives Out franchise or the revival of the Agatha Christie murder mystery movie.
Of course, not every great mystery movie has received quite as much recognition. In fact, many thrilling mysteries have flown under the radar for many years, failing to attract major audiences despite presenting captivating stories. With countless viewers anxiously waiting for the next blockbuster mystery to be released, now would be an excellent time to look back on some other additions to the genre that didn’t quite receive the love they deserved. These mystery movies may not be super popular, but they nonetheless are excellent options for any fan of the genre.
1
Evil Under The Sun (1982)
Directed By Guy Hamilton
The name Hercule Poirot is bound to be quite familiar to mystery lovers everywhere. The iconic detective first appeared in a series of novels and short stories by legendary mystery author, Agatha Christie. Since then, the astute detective has appeared in numerous feature films over the years, most notably in multiple adaptations of Murder on the Orient Express. However, while it may not be as popular as Murder on the Orient Express or Death on the Nile, one of the most stunning films to ever feature Poirot is Guy Hamilton’s 1982 adaptation of Christie’s 1941 novel, Evil Under the Sun.
Evil Under the Sun brings Poirot to a beautiful beach resort, where numerous high-profile individuals happen to be spending some time. When a glamorous actress is discovered dead on the beach, it is up to the clever crime-solver himself to get to the bottom of things. The film stars two-time Academy Award winner Peter Ustinov as Poirot, marking his second time stepping into the role. Colin Blakely, Jane Birkin, and Maggie Smith also appear among the cast, helping to make Evil Under the Sun a captivating mystery from beginning to end.
2
The Outfit (2022)
Directed By Graham Moore
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The Outfit
R
DramaCrimeMystery
The Outfit is a 2022 crime drama directed by Graham Moore. Set in 1950s Chicago, The Outfit centers on Leonard Burling, an English tailor whose primary customers are gangsters that run the neighborhood. Mark Rylance stars as Leonard, alongside Zoey Deutch, Dylan O’Brien, and Johnny Flynn. Graham Moore wrote the film’s script with Jonathan McClain.
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Release Date
March 18, 2022
Runtime
105 minutes
Main Genre
Crime
Cast
Zoey Deutch
, Nikki Amuka-Bird
, Mark Rylance
, Alan Mehdizadeh
, Johnny Flynn
, Dylan O’Brien
, Simon Russell Beale
Director
Graham Moore
Writers
Jonathan McClain
, Graham Moore
Budget
$5 million
Studio(s)
Focus Features
, Universal Pictures
Distributor(s)
Focus Features
, Universal Pictures
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For a recent example of an entertaining mystery flying under the radar, one should look no further than Graham Moore’s 2022 film, The Outfit. The film stars Mark Rylance as Leonard Burling, a once-prominent English tailor who opens up a new shop in Chicago, where he finds himself becoming heavily involved with a family of gangsters looking to control the area. Twists and turns abound as tensions begin to rise, elevated by the discovery that there may be someone on the inside giving away valuable information to the family’s enemies.
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Along with Rylance, The Outfit is backed by a strong cast including Zoey Deutch and Dylan O’Brien. The film works effectively not only as a gripping mystery, but as a multilayered crime drama, presenting many complex characters throughout its engaging setting. Straight to its twisty ending, The Outfit constantly keeps viewers on their toes, leaving them unsure of who they can really trust at all times. It may not be a straightforward murder mystery, but for viewers looking for something even more complex, The Outfit is a great choice.
3
All-American Murder (1991)
Directed By Anson Williams
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All-American Murder
R
HorrorMysteryRomance
All-American Murder follows Artie Logan, a new student at Fairfield College, who becomes the prime suspect in a high-profile murder. After a disastrous date with Tally Fuller, Artie must work with detective P.J. Decker to clear his name within 24 hours, pursuing the real culprit responsible for the crime.
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Release Date
September 22, 1992
Runtime
94 Minutes
Main Genre
Horror
Cast
Christopher Walken
, Charlie Schlatter
, Josie Bissett
, Joanna Cassidy
, Richard Kind
, Woody Watson
, Mitchell Anderson
, Amy Moore Davis
Character(s)
Artie Logan
, P.J. Decker
, Tally Fuller
, Erica Darby
, Lou Alonzo
, Frank Harley
, Doug Sawyer
, Wendy Stern
, Harry Forbes
, Laurie Grant
, Judge Logan
Director
Anson Williams
Producers
Barry Barnholtz
, Bill Novodor
Writers
Barry Sandler
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Anson Williams may be best known for playing Potsie on Happy Days, but he decided to try out something quite different in 1991, directing the mystery thriller film, All-American Murder. All-American Murder highlights the deadly events that ensue following the shocking, violent death of one of Fairfield College’s most beloved students. When everyone begins to suspect Artie, a fellow student, he takes it upon himself to track down the blowtorch-carrying killer and reveal his identity before he can claim his next victim.
All-American Murder may have originated as just a straight-to-video movie, but that doesn’t detract from the fact that it is a thrilling mystery, one which is more than capable of keeping viewers glued to the screen for its entire runtime. A chilling performance from legendary actor Christopher Walken helps bring the riveting premise to life, adding a real sense of danger to the film. With the tension constantly building as more victims are claimed, All-American Murder culminates in an exciting climax that is not easy to forget.
4
The Clovehitch Killer (2018)
Directed By Duncan Skiles
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The Clovehitch Killer
Unrated
CrimeDramaMystery
The Clovehitch Killer centers on Tyler Burnside, a teenager who lives in a seemingly idyllic small town. His world is upended when he discovers evidence suggesting his father might be the infamous Clovehitch Killer, responsible for a series of unsolved murders. As Tyler grapples with this harrowing possibility, he embarks on a chilling quest for the truth, placing him and those he loves in grave danger.
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Release Date
November 16, 2018
Runtime
109 Minutes
Main Genre
Crime
Cast
Dylan McDermott
, Charlie Plummer
, Samantha Mathis
, Madisen Beaty
, Brenna Sherman
, Lance Chantiles-Wertz
, Emma Jones
, Jonathan K. Riggs
Director
Duncan Skiles
Writers
Christopher Ford
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For a thrilling blend of mystery and horror in recent cinema, one should definitely consider checking out The Clovehitch Killer. Inspired by true events, this haunting film follows a teenager named Tyler who gradually begins to piece together that his father may have secretly been the Clovehitch Killer, a serial murderer confirmed to have been responsible for at least ten killings a decade before. The film includes all the elements of any great mystery, while also infusing the story with an undeniably horror-driven feel.
Part of what makes The Clovehitch Killer such a unique, compelling mystery movie is the dynamic between the main characters. It is very rare in the mystery genre to have the person investigating the crime be directly related to the primary suspect, and the film explores this tense relationship quite effectively. Beyond that, the film thrives on its ability to build suspense, slowly accumulating more and more tension until it reaches its shocking conclusion. The Clovehitch Killer is a great showcase of how horror and mystery can be combined.
5
Nandor Fodor And The Talking Mongoose (2023)
Directed By Adam Sigal
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Nandor Fodor and the Talking Mongoose
PG-13
Comedy
Nandor Fodor and the Talking Mongoose is a comedy film by writer-director Adam Sigal. The film is a darkly comedic telling of the legend of a talking mongoose known as Gef, which was covered extensively by British tabloids in the 1930s. When Paranormal Psychologist Dr. Nandor Fodor decides to investigate a talking animal that supposedly took up residence on a family’s farm, the path to the truth begins to reveal a web of lies at the center of it all.
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Release Date
September 1, 2023
Runtime
96 Minutes
Cast
Simon Pegg
, Minnie Driver
, Christopher Lloyd
, Neil Gaiman
, Edmund Kingsley
Director
Adam Sigal
Writers
Adam Sigal
Studio(s)
Future Artists Entertainment
, Legion M
Distributor(s)
Saban Films
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The only thing more unusual than the premise of Nandor Fodor and the Talking Mongoose is the fact that the film is entirely based on a series of true events. Set in the 1930s, this comedic mystery film stars Simon Pegg as Nandor Fodor, an acclaimed parapsychologist who travels to the Isle of Man with his assistant (played by Minnie Driver) in order to investigate reports of a family who claim to be living with a talking mongoose named Gef. Matters begin to spiral out of hand for Fodor as he finds himself incapable of disproving the strange, mysterious phenomenon.
Despite having a thoroughly unique premise and a strong cast, Nandor Fodor and the Talking Mongoose failed to make much of a splash in 2023, only being given a very limited theatrical release. Regardless, the film truly makes the most of its unusual concept, effectively making the audience begin to question whether it could really be possible for the four-legged animal to speak. In addition to a perplexing mystery and many moments of humor, the film presents a compelling commentary on humankind’s desire to explain everything, and the beauty of occasionally being unable to.
6
Identity (2003)
Directed By James Mangold
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Identity
R
MysteryThriller
Identity is a psychological thriller directed by James Mangold. The film centers on ten strangers who are stranded at a desolate Nevada motel during a torrential rainstorm. As they seek refuge, they discover a common link and must unravel the mystery behind their newfound connection while a series of shocking murders ensue. Starring John Cusack, Ray Liotta, and Amanda Peet, Identity delves into themes of fear and survival.
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Release Date
April 25, 2003
Runtime
90 Minutes
Main Genre
Mystery
Cast
John Cusack
, Ray Liotta
, Amanda Peet
, John Hawkes
, Alfred Molina
Director
James Mangold
Writers
Michael Cooney
Budget
28000000.0
Studio(s)
Konrad Pictures
, Columbia Pictures
IMDb ID
tt0309698
TMDB User Rating
7
.183
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Director James Mangold’s name has been in the headlines quite often recently thanks to his work on the Bob Dylan biopic, A Complete Unknown, but not nearly as many people are familiar with his 2003 murder mystery film, Identity. The film, which was inspired by Agatha Christie’s And Then There Were None, follows what seems to be a rather straightforward premise. A group of ten strangers from all walks of life find themselves stuck together in a remote motel where they must work together to solve the deadly events that begin unfolding around them.
The concept of Identity may sound like that of any ordinary whodunit story, but the creative execution of the idea smoothly elevates the film into something much more impressive. The film plays around with time in a way that will delightfully boggle the minds of its audiences, presenting a series of events in a non-chronological sequence, forcing viewers to puzzle together what is happening for themselves. With this clever storytelling and a stacked ensemble cast (including John Cusack, Ray Liotta, and Alfred Molina), Identity is a thrilling murder mystery that reinvents a classic concept.
7
Copycat (1995)
Directed By Jon Amiel
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Copycat
R
DramaMysteryThriller
Copycat is a psychological thriller directed by Jon Amiel. The film stars Sigourney Weaver as a criminal psychologist who becomes the target of a serial killer. Holly Hunter co-stars as a detective working to catch the killer. The story delves into themes of fear, crime, and the mind of a murderer.
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Release Date
October 27, 1995
Runtime
123 Minutes
Main Genre
Thriller
Cast
Sigourney Weaver
, Holly Hunter
, Dermot Mulroney
, William McNamara
, Will Patton
, John Rothman
, J. E. Freeman
, Harry Connick Jr.
Director
Jon Amiel
Writers
Ann Biderman
, David Madsen
Budget
$27 Million
Studio(s)
Regency Enterprises
Distributor(s)
Warner Bros.
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Over the years, plenty of infamous serial killers have inspired similarly murderous characters in movies. The main antagonist of the 1995 mystery, Copycat, however, draws his inspiration from more than just one killer. The film stars Sigourney Weaver and Holly Hunter as a homicide detective and a criminal psychologist (respectively) who team up to thwart the plans of a serial killer who commits a string of heinous crimes modeled after those of various murderers throughout history. The situation becomes even more dangerous when they discover that they may be the next targets.
For a thrilling and refreshingly female-led mystery, Copycat is a prime option. The film not only offers two strong heroes for the viewer to root for, but a creative, deadly villain who poses a looming threat to them. Even before his identity is revealed, the killer establishes himself as a captivating antagonist, one who is much more complex than most murderers in mystery movies. With a nail-biting climax and a shocking twist ending, Copycat is an underappreciated showcase of what the genre was all about in the 1990s.
8
The Dry (2020)
Directed By Robert Connolly
Mystery
Based on the Jane Harper novel of the same name, The Dry is an Australian mystery film about a federal agent who returns to his hometown in the midst of a drought to investigate a deadly crime, and in doing so begins uncovering clues about a different mystery from years before. Eric Bana stars as Aaron Falk, the protagonist with a tangible sense of darkness in his past, in a performance that earned him much praise from critics.
The Dry is a definite must-see for fans of suspenseful mysteries. The film is paced incredibly carefully, never rushing toward conclusions in a way that makes them feel unearned. Instead, the film allows the gripping mystery at its core to unfold at a natural, believable pace, allowing the performances by Bana and the rest of the cast to shine. By the time The Dry reaches its climax, viewers will be brimming with anticipation about what happens next.
9
Dead & Buried (1981)
Directed By Gary Sherman
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Dead and Buried
R
In the small town of Potters Bluff, several tourists are brutally murdered by a group of locals, but they don’t stay dead for long. Shortly afterward, they reappear in the city as residents.
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Release Date
May 29, 1981
Runtime
94 minutes
Main Genre
Horror
Cast
Melody Anderson
, Jack Albertson
, Robert Englund
Director
Gary Sherman
In 1981, soon after the massive success of Alien, the creators of that iconic horror classic returned with a new project, one which combined their horror expertise with a riveting mystery story. The film, titled Dead & Buried, follows a small-town sheriff as he investigates the unsettling reason why every tourist who enters the town gets violently murdered. The sheriff soon finds that he may have bitten off more than he can chew when some of the supposed victims are found walking out and about again.
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Dead & Buried may not be for the faint of the heart, but for those who don’t mind some macabre storytelling, it is a gripping mystery from beginning to end. After all, this is about as far from a simple murder mystery as it could be, particularly when it is discovered that seemingly everyone in town knows what is happening except for the one person trying to investigate. Unfortunately, Dead & Buried did underperform at the box office when it was released, but this doesn’t stop it from creating a deeply entertaining experience for horror fans and mystery lovers alike.
10
Deathtrap (1982)
Directed By Sidney Lumet
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Deathtrap
PG
MysteryThrillerComedy
Deathtrap is a mystery thriller directed by Sidney Lumet and starring Michael Caine and Christopher Reeve. Released in 1982, the film follows a formerly successful playwright who hatches a plot to steal a brilliant new script from an emerging writer. The narrative unfolds with elaborate twists and turns, maintaining an atmosphere of suspense throughout. Based on Ira Levin’s play, the film explores themes of deception, ambition, and morality within the theater world.
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Release Date
March 19, 1982
Runtime
116 Minutes
Main Genre
Mystery
Cast
Michael Caine
, Christopher Reeve
, Dyan Cannon
, Irene Worth
, Henry Jones
Director
Sidney Lumet
Writers
Jay Presson Allen
, Ira Levin
Budget
10000000.0
Studio(s)
Warner Bros. Pictures
IMDb ID
tt0083806
TMDB User Rating
6
.61
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In 1982, Sidney Lumet stepped up to the task of adapting Ira Levin’s comedy-mystery play, Deathtrap, into a feature film. While film adaptations of stage shows have proven to be rather hit-or-miss, the consistent humor and clever story of Deathtrap make it a definite hit. The story follows an aging playwright who, desperate for another success, develops a plot to kill his gifted student and claim the student’s latest script as his own. Of course, a series of ingenious twists keep the story from ending there.
For a relatively lighthearted mystery, Deathtrap has everything the viewer could be looking for. The film is stuffed with one plot twist after another, with a delightfully humorous tone in place to keep viewers laughing with every redirection. With a charming cast led by Michael Caine and Christopher Reeve, Deathtrap is the perfect type of mystery to watch with friends, with additional props to anyone who is able to guess how it ends.