Do you love a good murder mystery? The movie Knives Out came out in 2019 and became an instant classic. Audiences fell in love with Detective Benoit Blanc, the rich thrombey family, and the beautiful mansion. The film was full of color, dark humor, and wild plot twists. It made people crave classic detective stories all over again.
If you have already watched Knives Out multiple times, you might be looking for something new. Fortunately, cinema has a rich history of whodunits, comedic crime thrillers, and psychological mysteries. This guide highlights the 15 best mystery movies like Knives Out that will keep you guessing until the very last frame.
What Makes a Mystery Movie Like Knives Out?
A true Knives Out style film is not just about a crime. It is about how the story unfolds. These specific types of movies usually feature:
- An Ensemble Cast: A large group of eccentric suspects, usually trapped in one place.
- A Clever Detective: A brilliant investigator who sees clues that others miss.
- A Touch of Humor: Smart dialogue and funny situations that keep the mood from getting too dark.
- An Intricate Plot: Multiple layers of secrets, lies, and red herrings.
Let us dive into the ultimate list of brilliant whodunit thriller movies you need to watch next.
The 15 Best Mystery Movies Like Knives Out
1. Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery (2022)
The most obvious choice after watching the first movie is its official sequel. Director Rian Johnson brings back the beloved southern detective Benoit Blanc for a brand-new case. This time, the mystery takes place on a private island in Greece. A tech billionaire invites his eccentric friends for a murder mystery game, but someone ends up dead for real. It matches the original film perfectly in tone, style, and humor.
| Feature | Details |
| Director | Rian Johnson |
| Main Cast | Daniel Craig, Edward Norton, Janelle Monáe, Kate Hudson |
| Runtime | 139 Minutes |
| Key Appeal | Beautiful settings, modern satire, and incredible plot twists. |
2. Clue (1985)
Clue is the ultimate granddad of the modern ensemble comedy mystery. Based on the classic board game, this movie gathers six guests at a secluded mansion. They are all blackmailed by an anonymous host who quickly turns up dead. The movie is famous for its fast dialogue, physical comedy, and multiple endings. It is a perfect match for anyone who loved the chaotic family dynamic in Knives Out.
| Feature | Details |
| Director | Jonathan Lynn |
| Main Cast | Tim Curry, Eileen Brennan, Madeline Kahn, Christopher Lloyd |
| Runtime | 97 Minutes |
| Key Appeal | Hilarious jokes, rapid pacing, and vintage mansion aesthetics. |
3. Murder on the Orient Express (2017)
Agatha Christie is the queen of crime fiction, and her stories heavily inspired Knives Out. In this grand adaptation, the famous Belgian detective Hercule Poirot must solve a murder on a luxurious train stuck in a snowdrift. Everyone on the train is a suspect, and everyone has a secret motive. The film features beautiful costumes and an all-star cast.
| Feature | Details |
| Director | Kenneth Branagh |
| Main Cast | Kenneth Branagh, Penélope Cruz, Willem Dafoe, Daisy Ridley |
| Runtime | 114 Minutes |
| Key Appeal | Classic literature adaptation, snowbound tension, and drama. |
4. See How They Run (2022)
Set in the 1950s London theater world, this delightful comedy-mystery follows a weary inspector and an overeager rookie constable. They are tasked with solving the murder of a Hollywood director who was killed backstage. The film directly pokes fun at classic mystery tropes while delivering a highly entertaining whodunit.
| Feature | Details |
| Director | Tom George |
| Main Cast | Sam Rockwell, Saoirse Ronan, David Oyelowo |
| Runtime | 98 Minutes |
| Key Appeal | Fun historical setting, meta-humor, and great chemistry between leads. |
5. Death on the Nile (2022)
Following the success of Murder on the Orient Express, Kenneth Branagh returned as Hercule Poirot. This time, the mystery happens aboard a glamorous river steamer in Egypt. A wealthy heiress is murdered during her honeymoon, and Poirot must find the killer among a group of jealous friends and relatives.
| Feature | Details |
| Director | Kenneth Branagh |
| Main Cast | Kenneth Branagh, Gal Gadot, Armie Hammer, Annette Bening |
| Runtime | 127 Minutes |
| Key Appeal | Exotic locations, romantic drama, and classic betrayal. |
6. Game Night (2018)
If you loved the dark humor and chaotic energy of Knives Out, Game Night is a modern must-watch. A group of friends find themselves in a real-life mystery when one of them is kidnapped by actual criminals. The twist? The friends think it is all part of an elaborate murder mystery game party. It is packed with action, laughs, and genuine suspense.
| Feature | Details |
| Director | John Francis Daley, Jonathan Goldstein |
| Main Cast | Jason Bateman, Rachel McAdams, Kyle Chandler |
| Runtime | 100 Minutes |
| Key Appeal | Non-stop laughs, unique camera work, and high-stakes action. |
7. A Haunting in Venice (2023)
This film is the third entry in Branagh’s Poirot series, but it adds a spooky twist. Retired and living in Italy, Poirot attends a Halloween seance at a decaying, haunted palazzo. When one of the guests is murdered, the detective must figure out if the killer is human or a supernatural spirit. It is darker than Knives Out but keeps the brilliant puzzle-solving elements.
| Feature | Details |
| Director | Kenneth Branagh |
| Main Cast | Kenneth Branagh, Tina Fey, Michelle Yeoh |
| Runtime | 103 Minutes |
| Key Appeal | Eerie atmosphere, gothic horror elements, and sharp logic. |
8. The Nice Guys (2016)
This film blends private detective mystery with a buddy-cop comedy. Set in the colorful world of 1970s Los Angeles, a bumbling private eye and a tough enforcer team up to find a missing girl. Their investigation uncovers a massive conspiracy involving the auto industry. The hilarious chemistry between the two leads mirrors the fun banter found in Knives Out.
| Feature | Details |
| Director | Shane Black |
| Main Cast | Ryan Gosling, Russell Crowe, Angourie Rice |
| Runtime | 116 Minutes |
| Key Appeal | Retro visual style, brilliant physical comedy, and sharp writing. |
9. Gosford Park (2001)
For fans who enjoyed the look at wealth and class differences in Knives Out, Gosford Park is a masterpiece. The story takes place during a shooting party at an English country estate in the 1930s. When the host is killed, the film looks at the motives of both the wealthy guests upstairs and the hard-working servants downstairs.
| Feature | Details |
| Director | Robert Altman |
| Main Cast | Maggie Smith, Helen Mirren, Clive Owen, Michael Gambon |
| Runtime | 137 Minutes |
| Key Appeal | Deep character studies, social commentary, and elegant style. |
10. Crooked House (2017)
Based on another famous Agatha Christie novel, this film features a private detective who is hired to find a killer inside a grand estate. The twist is that the detective used to date the granddaughter of the murder victim. Every family member living in the crooked house has a strong reason to want the old billionaire dead, leading to a shocking finale.
| Feature | Details |
| Director | Gilles Paquet-Brenner |
| Main Cast | Max Irons, Glenn Close, Gillian Anderson, Christina Hendricks |
| Runtime | 115 Minutes |
| Key Appeal | Twisted family secrets, elegant set designs, and a cold atmosphere. |
11. Murder Mystery (2019)
If you want something lighter and more comedy-focused, this hit film delivers. A New York City cop and his hairdresser wife go on a long-awaited European vacation. Through a chance meeting, they are invited to a family gathering on a billionaire’s yacht. When the billionaire is murdered, the American couple becomes the prime suspects and must solve the case to clear their names.
| Feature | Details |
| Director | Kyle Newacheck |
| Main Cast | Adam Sandler, Jennifer Aniston, Luke Evans |
| Runtime | 97 Minutes |
| Key Appeal | Great star power, easy-to-watch comedy, and fast action. |
12. Sherlock Holmes (2009)
This film breathes dynamic new life into the world’s most famous detective. Director Guy Ritchie uses fast editing and exciting action scenes to show the genius of Sherlock Holmes. Along with Dr. John Watson, Holmes investigates a mysterious cult leader who seems to have risen from the grave. It features the same type of hyper-observant detective work that makes Benoit Blanc so fun to watch.
| Feature | Details |
| Director | Guy Ritchie |
| Main Cast | Robert Downey Jr., Jude Law, Rachel McAdams |
| Runtime | 128 Minutes |
| Key Appeal | High energy, heavy action, and detailed detective deductions. |
13. Manhattan Murder Mystery (1993)
This classic comedy-mystery follows a middle-aged married couple living in New York City. The wife becomes convinced that her older neighbor secretly murdered his wife, even though everyone else thinks it was a normal heart attack. She drags her reluctant husband into a homemade investigation. It is full of witty dialogue and relatable relationship humor.
| Feature | Details |
| Director | Woody Allen |
| Main Cast | Diane Keaton, Woody Allen, Alan Alda, Anjelica Huston |
| Runtime | 104 Minutes |
| Key Appeal | Urban setting, fast talking, and charming amateur detective work. |
14. Bullet Train (2022)
While it has much more action than a traditional whodunit, Bullet Train shares the same DNA as Knives Out. Five assassins find themselves on a fast-moving train from Tokyo to Kyoto. They soon realize their individual missions are all secretly connected. The movie is a massive puzzle full of colorful characters, flashy flashbacks, and dark humor.
| Feature | Details |
| Director | David Leitch |
| Main Cast | Brad Pitt, Joey King, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Brian Tyree Henry |
| Runtime | 127 Minutes |
| Key Appeal | High-octane fights, massive star cameos, and an interconnected plot. |
15. Murder by Death (1976)
This vintage spoof is a direct inspiration for modern mystery comedies. A bizarre billionaire invites the world’s five greatest fictional detectives to his spooky mansion for dinner. He offers a million dollars to whoever can solve a murder that has not even happened yet. The film is a hilarious parody of classic detective tropes and features an iconic ensemble cast.
| Feature | Details |
| Director | Robert Moore |
| Main Cast | Peter Falk, Alec Guinness, Maggie Smith, Peter Sellers |
| Runtime | 94 Minutes |
| Key Appeal | Spoof humor, classic Hollywood nostalgia, and silly fun. |
Why the Whodunit Genre is Back
For many years, Hollywood focused mostly on massive superhero blockbusters and gritty crime dramas. Traditional mystery movies seemed to fade away. However, the huge success of Knives Out proved that audiences still want smart, original storytelling.
People love trying to solve a puzzle along with the characters on screen. A good whodunit lets the viewer become a detective. You look for clues in the background, analyze facial expressions, and guess who is lying. It is an active viewing experience that brings people together.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Is there a Knives Out 3 coming out?
Yes. Rian Johnson is making a third movie in the series titled Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery. Daniel Craig will return as Detective Benoit Blanc with a brand-new cast of suspects.
2. Can I watch Glass Onion without watching Knives Out first?
Yes, you can. Glass Onion is a standalone sequel. The only connection between the two movies is the main character, Detective Benoit Blanc. The story, location, and all other characters are completely new.
3. What is the difference between a mystery movie and a thriller movie?
A mystery movie focuses on a puzzle, such as finding out who committed a crime. The audience looks for clues along with the characters. A thriller movie focuses more on tension, excitement, suspense, and danger. Many films blend both genres together.
4. Are these mystery movies safe to watch with family?
Most of these movies contain some mature themes or mild violence because they involve murder investigations. Films like Murder Mystery and Clue are lighter and more family-friendly, while The Nice Guys and Bullet Train have stronger language and action violence. Always check the official age ratings before watching.
Final Words
The magic of Knives Out lies in its perfect balance of a complex puzzle and pure cinematic fun. Whether you want a historical train ride with Hercule Poirot, a laugh-out-loud game night gone wrong, or a classic spoof in a haunted mansion, this list has something for you. Every single one of these 15 films offers great performances, sharp scripts, and endings that will leave your jaw on the floor. Grab your popcorn, put on your detective hat, and start streaming these amazing mysteries today.
