🎙️ Voice is AI-generated. Inconsistencies may occur.
Mystery movies let viewers pit their wits against thrilling plot twists, with the very best culminating in a director's delicious reveal.
For this list, Newsweek scoured review aggregator Metacritic, which ranks movies by their composite critical reception, scoured major streaming sites such as Netflix, Amazon Prime and Now TV, and checked out the Rotten Tomatoes reviews.
Cinema has a rich history of entertaining audiences and both contemporary titles and classics of the genre are available right now on streaming sites such as Netflix, Amazon Prime and Now TV.
Newsweek has rounded up some of the very best and critically acclaimed mystery films that you can stream right now.
Please be aware that streaming services regularly cycle through movies, meaning some of these titles may be unavailable at certain times.
Pan's Labyrinth (2006)
R | Netflix
Visionary director Guillermo Del Toro's fantasy finds Young Ofelia meet a mythical faun who claims she is destined to become princess of the Underworld—however, she must first she must carry out three perilous tasks.
Rotten Tomatoes' critical consensus states: "Pan's Labyrinth is Alice in Wonderland for grown-ups, with the horrors of both reality and fantasy blended together into an extraordinary, spellbinding fable."
The Souvenir (2019)
15 | Amazon Prime
An ambitious film student falls into an intense relationship with a charismatic but untrustworthy older man in this romantic drama.
Rotten Tomatoes' critical consensus states: "Made by a filmmaker in command of her craft and a star perfectly matched with the material, The Souvenir is a uniquely impactful coming of age drama."
Uncut Gems (2019)
R | Netflix
Adam Sandler plays a charismatic and increasingly desperate New York jeweller in this engrossing crime caper.
Rotten Tomatoes' critical consensus states: "Uncut Gems reaffirms the Safdies as masters of anxiety-inducing cinema—and proves Adam Sandler remains a formidable dramatic actor when given the right material."
Burning (2018)
R | Netflix, Hoopla
This South Korean psychological thriller mystery starts with an aspiring writer collect a high school friend from the airport.
Rotten Tomatoes' critical consensus states: "Burning patiently lures audiences into a slow-burning character study that ultimately rewards the viewer's patience – and subverts many of their expectations."
The Wicker Man (1974)
R | Amazon Prime
British cult horror musical The Wicker Man begins with a policeman's arrival on as remote Scottish island to investigate a reported missing child.
Rotten Tomatoes' critical consensus states: "This intelligent horror film is subtle in its thrills and chills, with an ending that is both shocking and truly memorable".
The Departed (2006)
R | Netflix
All-star crime drama The Departed, about a mole for the mob in the South Boston police, won four Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director for Martin Scorsese.
Rotten Tomatoes' critical consensus states: "Featuring outstanding work from an excellent cast, The Departed is a thoroughly engrossing gangster drama with the gritty authenticity and soupy morality we come to expect from Martin Scorsese."
The Vast of Night (2020)
PG-13 | Amazon Prime
Two friends in a rural 1950s New Mexico town discover an eerie throbbing sound in this sci-fi mystery movie.
Rotten Tomatoes' critical consensus states: "An engrossing sci-fi thriller that transcends its period trappings, The Vast of Night suggests great things for debuting director Andrew Patterson."
You Were Never Really Here (2018)
R | Amazon Prime
A jaded, brutal hitman (Joaquin Phoenix) attempts to rescue a missing teenage girl in this powerful drama-mystery movie.
Rotten Tomatoes' critical consensus states: "Bracingly elevated by a typically committed lead performance from Joaquin Phoenix, You Were Never Really Here confirms writer-director Lynne Ramsay as one of modern cinema's most unique—and uncompromising—voices."
The Forbidden Room (2015)
Not Rated | Amazon Prime
A submarine crew trapped underwater for months makes an unexpected encounter in this fantasy drama.
Rotten Tomatoes' critical consensus states: "The Forbidden Room may frustrate viewers looking for a linear experience, but those seeking a challenge – or already familiar with director Guy Maddin's work – will be rewarded."
Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988)
PG | Disney Plus
A cartoon rabbit suspects his wife (Kathleen Turner) of having an affair and hires a detective (Bob Hoskins) in this family comedy classic.
Rotten Tomatoes' critical consensus states: "Who Framed Roger Rabbit is an innovative and entertaining movie that features a groundbreaking mix of live action and animation, with a touching and original story to boot."
The Lighthouse (2019)
Rated Mature (15) | Now TV
On a remote island, Ephraim Winslow (Robert Pattinson) arrives as a lighthouse keeper to assist elderly supervisor, Thomas Wake (Willem Dafoe).
Owen Gleiberman of Variety called the mystery movie "darkly exciting" and "made with extraordinary skill."
Hugo (2011)
PG | 2h 7m | Netflix
Living inside a Paris train station, an orphan (Asa Butterfield) escapes the attentions of stern stationmaster (Sacha Baron Cohen) while enjoying numerous adventures.
Rotten Tomatoes' critical consensus states: "Hugo is an extravagant, elegant fantasy with an innocence lacking in many modern kids' movies, and one that emanates an unabashed love for the magic of cinema."
Palm Springs (2020)
Rated Mature (15) | Hulu
A pair of wedding guests (Andy Samberg and Cristin Milioti) fall in love while continuously living the same day in this sci-fi comedy.
Rotten Tomatoes' critical consensus states: "Strong performances, assured direction, and a refreshingly original concept make Palm Springs a romcom that's easy to fall in love with."
Tell No One (2008)
Unrated | Amazon Prime
This movie, based on Harlan Coben's international best selling thriller, involves the case about a man's murdered wife being reopened.
British actor Michael Caine described Tell No One as the best he had seen in 2007 and also included the movie among his Top Ten movies of all time in his 2010 autobiography.
Knives Out (2019)
PG-13 Amazon Prime
Knives Out is an A-list whodunit starring Daniel Craig, Toni Collette, Chris Evans and Jamie Lee Curtis.
Rotten Tomatoes' critical consensus states: "Knives Out sharpens old murder-mystery tropes with a keenly assembled suspense outing that makes brilliant use of writer-director Rian Johnson's stellar ensemble."
