The 10 Best Whodunits and Mystery Thrillers to Stream Right Now
Fall nights are made for a good puzzle, and this lineup has plenty of them. We have gathered 10 mysteries that reward close attention, from drawing-room murders and locked-room secrets to detectives who refuse to let a case go cold. Each one is streaming right now, with a mix of free options supported by ads and titles that need a subscription. Turn the lights down, grab a blanket, and pick the one that matches your mood for a Saturday in.
Quick picks
- Knives Out (2019)
- The Usual Suspects (1995)
- Murder on the Orient Express (1974)
- Witness for the Prosecution (1957)
- Shutter Island (2010)
- Zodiac (2007)
- L.A. Confidential (1997)
- Clue (1985)
- Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery (2022)
- Primal Fear (1996)
1. Knives Out (2019)
A famous crime novelist turns up dead on his estate, and the sharp, well-dressed Detective Benoit Blanc is quietly brought in to sort out the truth. Every member of the family and staff has a reason to lie, and Blanc peels back their stories one layer at a time. It is witty, twisty, and great fun to play along with.
Directed by Rian Johnson. Starring Daniel Craig, Chris Evans, Ana de Armas, Jamie Lee Curtis. Comedy, Crime, Mystery. Rated PG-13.
Free with ads on The Roku Channel · Where to watch
2. The Usual Suspects (1995)
A lone survivor of a heist that went badly wrong tells interrogators how five strangers were brought together in a police lineup. His account builds toward a mysterious criminal mastermind at the center of everything. The storytelling is tight, and the final reveal rewards a second look.
Directed by Bryan Singer. Starring Stephen Baldwin, Gabriel Byrne, Benicio del Toro, Kevin Pollak. Drama, Crime, Thriller. Rated R.
Subscription: Max · Where to watch
3. Murder on the Orient Express (1974)
A snowstorm traps a train, and a murder has happened in one of its cars overnight. Detective Hercule Poirot must interview every passenger and test each alibi before the killer can slip away. It is a classic closed-circle puzzle with a starry cast and a steady, elegant pace.
Directed by Sidney Lumet. Starring Albert Finney, Lauren Bacall, Martin Balsam, Ingrid Bergman. Drama, Thriller, Mystery. Rated PG.
Free with ads on YouTube. Subscription: MGM+ · Where to watch
4. Witness for the Prosecution (1957)
An ailing barrister is pulled back into the courtroom to defend a man accused of killing a socialite. The case takes surprising turns, and the lawyer must weigh every word and every witness. Its courtroom tension and sharp dialogue make it a rewarding evening watch.
Directed by Billy Wilder. Starring Tyrone Power, Marlene Dietrich, Charles Laughton, Elsa Lanchester. Drama, Mystery, Crime. Rated NR.
Free with ads on Fandango at Home, YouTube. Subscription: MGM+ · Where to watch
5. Shutter Island (2010)
A federal marshal arrives at a remote island hospital for the criminally insane to look into a patient who has vanished. As he digs deeper, his investigation is clouded by unsettling visions and a doctor whose motives are hard to read. It is an eerie, atmospheric puzzle that keeps you guessing about what is real.
Directed by Martin Scorsese. Starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Mark Ruffalo, Ben Kingsley, Max von Sydow. Drama, Thriller, Mystery. Rated R.
Free with ads on YouTube · Where to watch
6. Zodiac (2007)
Police and reporters chase a serial killer who taunts the San Francisco Bay Area with letters and ciphers sent to newspapers. The investigation stretches across years, and the obsessed people working it grow more and more consumed. It is a patient, methodical manhunt for viewers who enjoy the grind of real detective work.
Directed by David Fincher. Starring Jake Gyllenhaal, Mark Ruffalo, Anthony Edwards, Robert Downey Jr.. Crime, Mystery, Thriller. Rated R.
Free with ads on YouTube. Subscription: MGM+ · Where to watch
7. L.A. Confidential (1997)
Three very different detectives in 1950s Los Angeles pursue a conspiracy behind a brutal diner shooting, each using their own methods and loyalties. The deeper they go, the more the corruption in the police department comes into view. It is a richly plotted, gritty crime story with a lot of moving parts.
Directed by Curtis Hanson. Starring Kevin Spacey, Russell Crowe, Guy Pearce, James Cromwell. Crime, Mystery, Thriller. Rated R.
Free with ads on Plex · Where to watch
8. Clue (1985)
Six guests gather at a mansion for dinner, and their host turns up dead after his blackmail scheme comes to light. The guests and the chatty butler must work out which of them is the killer before the body count grows. It is a playful, fast-moving comedy that pays off well for a relaxed night in.
Directed by Jonathan Lynn. Starring Tim Curry, Eileen Brennan, Madeline Kahn, Christopher Lloyd. Comedy, Crime, Mystery. Rated PG.
Free with ads on Pluto TV · Where to watch
9. Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery (2022)
Detective Benoit Blanc travels to Greece to untangle a mystery surrounding a tech billionaire and his circle of friends. Each new layer of the group's history makes the story more tangled and more entertaining. It is a clever, colorful follow-up that rewards viewers who like to test their own deductions.
Directed by Rian Johnson. Starring Daniel Craig, Edward Norton, Janelle Monáe, Kathryn Hahn. Comedy, Crime, Mystery. Rated PG-13.
Subscription: Netflix · Where to watch
10. Primal Fear (1996)
A defense attorney who usually takes cases for money and prestige is handed a shocking case involving an altar boy accused of murdering a prominent archbishop. As he digs in, he finds his former pupil and former lover on the other side, and the case reveals darker secrets. It is a tense courtroom thriller with a strong final act.
Directed by Gregory Hoblit. Starring Richard Gere, Laura Linney, Edward Norton, John Mahoney. Crime, Drama, Thriller. Rated R.
Subscription: MGM+ · Where to watch
If you are not sure where to start, the more playful picks suit a lighter night and the darker ones suit a quiet, serious one. Streaming availability changes often, so check the service listed before you press play.
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Streaming catalogs change often. Availability was checked the morning this was published. Streaming data from JustWatch via TMDB; this product uses the TMDB API but is not endorsed or certified by TMDB.
