Murder Mysteries are the golden edge of thrillers. I say they deserve a separate genre. Even from the 1990s, directors have always had a niche in creating this vibe. Whether it’s classic, modern, or psychological, twists are always right before the eyes. Also, when a murder awaits, it evokes hidden emotions, a rare pleasure to watch in theaters. This list is not a comparison but just a ranking of the best to the best in order.
Se7en
Detective David Mills, aka Brad Pitt, & Somerset join hands with seasoned cops to solve the connected murders. On the way, they find the killer’s inspiration from a folklore that he is performing based on the seven deadly sins: Lust, Gluttony, Greed, Sloth, Wrath, Envy, and Pride. The entire game of chasing and tracking him till the end is nerve-pulling, and all the haunting scenarios make it an iconic film. Curious! Stream free on Netflix today.
IMDb: 7.7/10, Rotten Tomatoes: 97%
LA Confidential (1997)
The story revolves around three LAPD policemen in the 1950s. It unravels how unique each one of them approaches their suspects, investigates the evidence, and connects the trail of homicides to corruption & hidden Hollywood scandal. This film, directed by Curtis Hanson, is a classic; even today, it’s a joy to watch. Furthermore, she bagged two Academy Awards for Best Supporting Actress and Screenplay. It’s streaming on Hotstar.
IMDb: 8.2/10, Rotten Tomatoes: 99%
Knives Out (2019)
If you’re a die-hard fan of James Bond, aka Daniel Craig, then Benoit Blanc & Knives Out should be your next stake. The murder of a big shot, Harlan Thrombey, and his assumed illicitly distributed inheritance cause a large mess among the family, including the caretaker Marta. The detective Benoit gets into action and follows up on all clues and finds out the real murderer. It’s a gem for a reason, available on Prime Video, so see it this weekend.
IMDb: 7.9/10, Rotten Tomatoes: 97%
Murder On The Orient Express
This famous book-to-film adaptation is a textbook example of an investigative thriller. Detective Hercule Poirot, world-renowned detective, is called to solve the murder case of Edward Rarchett, aka Johnny Depp, which happened on the luxurious Orient Express. The film’s intriguing mystery of uncovering the hidden motives of everyone aboard and the cast’s grand visual appeal on screen are the catch. It’s streaming free on Hotstar.
IMDb:Â 7.2/10, Rotten Tomatoes: 89%
Scream (1996-2026)
The Infamous Scream, a stretch of seven films from 1996 with heavy murder orientation and Knife-play, is one of a kind. Most of them are well-received with grand box office success. In the town of Woodsboro, a masked killer, Ghostface (typical mask in all films), targets high school girls. Even after the death of the original, there are still psychos that follow this propaganda and do brutal murders on innocents, as in the rest of the films.Â
IMDb: 7.4/10, Rotten Tomatoes: 77%
Conclusion
All his years of hard work are going to one last run as Ethan Hunt, aka Tom Cruise, is preparing for his Mission: Impossible film. It’s sad, but it’s the end of this film series. Also, despite this much effort into filming them, he’s never been awarded an Oscar. Let’s hope he’s the next Best Actor award winner with his run to MI: Final Reckoning.
Written by – Meghana Pinninti