What happens: Plans for a film version of The Mousetrap are brought to a halt when one of the crew members is murdered. It’s up to a rookie constable and an only slightly incompetent inspector to solve the puzzling whodunit.

Why it’s great: The time (1950s) and place (London) setting is really fun, it’s hilarious, and the characters are all distinct and compelling. Plus, Shirley Henderson gives a great performance as Agatha Christie herself!

Starring: Sam Rockwell, Saoirse Ronan, David Oyelowo

Where to watch: Cinemas (currently)

What happens: The wealthy McCordle family hold a weekend shooting party at their country estate, but everything goes awry when somebody is killed under suspicious circumstances.

Why it’s great: It’s an amazing encapsulation of 1930s England, it has an amazing ensemble cast, and it’s actually a blueprint for Downton Abbey.

Starring: Michael Gambon, Kristin Scott Thomas, Maggie Smith

Where to watch: Netflix (UK), Disney+ (UK), Prime Video

What happens: A former tennis star discovers his socialite wife is being unfaithful and arranges to have her killed.

Why it’s great: I mean, it’s probably one of the first movies that comes to mind when one says murder mystery!

Starring: Ray Milland, Grace Kelly, Robert Cummings

Where to watch: Prime Video, Sky Movies, tubi (US), InsideFlix (US)

What happens: A troubled reporter returns home to investigate the puzzling murder of two young girls in a rural community.

Why it’s great: This is a seriously underrated drama that boasts incredible performances across the board. It has a similar vibe to Big Little Lies – it’s tense, absorbing, and driven by intriguing female characters.

Starring: Amy Adams, Patricia Clarkson, Eliza Scanlen

Where to watch: NOW, Apple TV+, Prime Video

What happens: A Black detective is mistakenly arrested and accused of murder in a small, racially hostile Mississippi town. When the police learn that he is a top homicide inspector, he’s asked to help investigate the case.

Why it’s great: Apart from including some iconic quotes, this movie is a pioneering murder mystery with an indelible performance from Sidney!

Starring: Sidney Poitier, Rod Steiger, Warren Oates

Where to watch: insideFlix (US), Prime Video, YouTube Movies

What happens: Six inpiduals are invited to dine at a strange mansion despite not knowing one another. When their anonymous host dies suddenly, they must work together to identify the killer and avoid all being picked off.

Why it’s great: It’s inspired by the classic board game and it’s a camp cult classic!

Starring: Eileen Brennan, Tim Curry, Christopher Lloyd

Where to watch: Paramount+, Prime Video

What happens: A socialite boards a train where she is befriended by a charming older woman. However, when the woman disappears without a trace, the socialite makes it her mission to track her down despite no believing she ever existed.

Why it’s great: Tuppence (Iris Carr) is so good in this – hence why I (possibly controversially) picked this version – and the whole movie is super engaging.

Starring: Tuppence Middleton, Tom Hughes, Selina Cadell

Where to watch: BritBox (UK), Prime Video

What happens: A murder is committed aboard a luxury transcontinental train. When the train becomes stranded in the snow, detective Hercule Poirot makes it his business to find the killer from a multitude of suspects.

Why it’s great: It’s just… The best. If you want standout performances from cinematic greats and compelling period drama, this is IT. 

Starring: Albert Finney, Lauren Bacall, Sean Connery

Where to watch: BBC iPlayer (UK), Apple TV+, Prime Video

What happens: In this almost anthological movie set in the 1970s, four strangers check into a deserted hotel staffed by an odd clerk. We soon realise they all have distinct and not-so-innocent reasons for being there.

Why it’s great: From the get-go, this movie will grab you and keep you hooked. Every person involved adds so much to the film, which is also a really compelling snapshot of drifter culture in ’70s America.

Starring: Dakota Johnson, Jeff Bridges, Cynthia Erivo

Where to watch: FXNOW (US), Prime Video, Apple TV+

What happens: Bobby finds a dying man at the bottom of a cliff. Just before he passes, the man simply says “why didn’t they ask Evans?” The mystery behind his final words sends Bobby on a quest for the truth.

Why it’s great: It’s a classic Christie tale with a great cast and cosy English setting. Will and Lucy have great chemistry, and the plot keeps you guessing until the end!

Starring: Will Poulter, Lucy Boynton, Emma Thompson

Where to watch: BritBox (UK)

What happens: A San Francisco private detective agrees to take on a case concerning three ruthless and eccentric criminals and their quest to obtain and priceless falcon statuette.

Why it’s great: It’s the first major film noir and it totally lays the foundations for so many classic tropes of the murder mystery genre.

Starring: Humphrey Bogart, Mary Astor, Gladys George

Where to watch: HBO Max (US), Prime Video, Apple TV+

What happens: A marshal travels with his partner to a remote psychiatric facility for the criminally insane in order to help track down a missing patient. There, he’s haunted by visions of his tragic past.

Why it’s great: The acting, the special effects, the story, the editing – it’s just all phenomenal. Every second of the 139 minute run-time is fantastic.

Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Mark Ruffalo, Ben Kingsley

Where to watch: Netflix (UK), Paramount+ (US), Prime Video

What happens: Ten strangers are invited to an isolated island to attend a dinner, but when they arrive, their hosts are absent. They are then accused of murder via a gramophone record, which sets off a desperate chain of events.

Why it’s great: This three-part series draws together a fantastic ensemble cast, a beautiful setting and stunning cinematography. Also, the story’s a classic!

Starring: Charles Dance, Maeve Dermody, Aidan Turner

Where to watch: Apple TV+, Prime Video

What happens: An inspector is called in to solve a series of murders taking place in East London. Meanwhile, an up-and-coming music-hall star is accused of poisoning her husband, but insists she is innocent.

Why it’s great: More than anything, I love the encapsulation of Victorian East-End London in this movie. The story is intriguing and the performances are great, especially from Olivia!

Starring: Olivia Cooke, Bill Nighy, Douglas Booth

Where to watch: Prime Video, Apple TV+, Hoopla (US)

What happens: Marge Gunderson might be pregnant, but that’s not going to stop her finding out who killed a state trooper and two passers-by in a messy roadside homicide.

Why it’s great: It’s the perfect black comedy! Frances is at her best, and the whole things moves with the perfect pace and strikes the perfect balance between humour and poignancy.

Starring: Frances McDormand, William H. Macy, Steve Buscemi

Where to watch: Starz (US), Prime Video, Apple TV+, Sky Movies

What happens: In 1912, a wealthy family are having dinner when an inspector calls round claiming a young girl has killed herself. He says the girl is connected to each member of the family and they are all responsible for her death.

Why it’s great: British kids will be familiar with this story, and honestly, it’s just a banger! The twist and the coded takedown of early twentieth century society are just *chef’s kiss*.

Starring: Alastair Sim, Jane Wenham, Eileen Moore

Where to watch: kanopy (US), Prime Video

What happens: An advertising executive is mistaken for a government agent and kidnapped. After surviving an attempt on his life, he goes on the run from the police and a criminal gang.

Why it’s great: It’s a proper Hitchcockian thriller with both thrilling scenes (for the time) and subtle humour.

Starring: Cary Grant, Eva Marie Saint, James Mason

Where to watch: BBC iPlayer (UK), Prime Video, Apple TV+

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