15 Best Mystery Movies On Amazon Prime Video

The mystery genre pulls audiences in with intrigue and thrills, and Amazon Prime Video has the most gripping entries in the genre available to stream. Unraveling a good mystery movie’s plot can be extremely rewarding, adding an extra layer of engagement to the film and making for a special experience that other genres can’t always match. Mystery movies also build suspense organically, as audiences are naturally inclined to keep watching until they have the answers they’re hoping for.

Among the best Prime Video movies available, the streamer offers users plenty of great mystery films, ensuring that fans of this genre have a solid selection to choose from. They include modern movies with memorable twists, films with hilarious comedy elements, and a few legitimate classics. From those older classics of the genre to modern takes to dark and brooding cases, the best mystery movies on Prime Video show how the genre has evolved and remained so popular for so long.

10 Memento (2000)

A Man With Anterograde Amnesia Looks For His Wife’s Killer

Memento

Christopher Nolan’s Memento is a psychological thriller that tells the story of Leonard, a former insurance investigator who suffers from a disease that prevents his brain from storing short-term memories. The one thing he can remember is murder of his wife, for which he wishes to exact revenge. Starring Guy Pearce and Carrie-Anne Moss, the movie was released in 2000 to widespread acclaim, launching the director’s successful Hollywood career.

Release Date

May 25, 2001

Distributor(s)

Newmarket Films

Cast

Joe Pantoliano , Guy Pearce , Carrie-Anne Moss , Stephen Tobolowsky , Mark Boone Junior

Runtime

113 minutes

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Before he became the most successful director working in Hollywood today, Christopher Nolan started his career with smaller movies where he played with what a movie could look like. His debut movie was a mystery called Following, where all the scenes were misarranged like a puzzle, with the pieces coming together by the end. His second movie did something similar by reversing all the movie’s scenes and showing the story in reverse until the Memento ending revealed what was really happening.

The story follows Leonard (Guy Pearce) as a man who suffers a traumatic moment that leaves him unable to form and maintain new memories. This happened when his wife was murdered, and Leonard spends his days now searching for clues and finding a way to ensure he finds ways to keep these as he wakes up each day with no new memories. However, this mystery movie throws things off by the end, which helped it earn a screenwriting nomination at the Oscars.

9 The Bone Collector (1999)

A Paralyzed Police Officer Helps Catch A Killer

The Bone Collector

The Bone Collector is a crime thriller directed by Phillip Noyce, starring Denzel Washington as a quadriplegic detective and Angelina Jolie as a young patrol officer. The film follows their efforts to solve a string of brutal murders in New York City, with Washington’s character guiding Jolie’s through the investigation from his immobilized state. The suspense-driven narrative explores themes of determination and partnership.

Director

Phillip Noyce

Release Date

November 5, 1999

Writers

Jeremy Iacone

Runtime

118 minutes

The Bone Collector is based on the novel by Jeffery Deaver and stars Denzel Washington as a forensics expert named Lincoln Rhyme. He was in an accident that left him paralyzed from the neck down, which could have ended his career. However, his brain is as sharp as ever, and when a new patrol officer named Amelia (Angelina Jolie) finds a mutilated corpse, Rhyme helps her work the case by using his forensics knowledge to aid her in deciphering the clues.

The movie has a similar format to Silence of the Lambs, but Lincoln is not a villain helping the police, but is instead a former expert leading the investigation from his bed. It is also a dramatic turn for Washington, as he plays a character contemplating suicide until he realizes that his life isn’t over and he can still make a difference, albeit in a very different manner. The movie received negative critical reviews, but it was still popular and spawned a TV series in 2020.

8 Evil Under the Sun (1982)

A Hercule Poirot Agatha Christie Mystery

Evil Under the Sun (1982)

Evil Under the Sun is a 1982 mystery film featuring Peter Ustinov as the astute detective Hercule Poirot. In this adaptation of Agatha Christie’s novel, Poirot investigates the murder of a glamorous stage actress during a luxurious island vacation. Directed by Guy Hamilton, the film boasts an ensemble cast including Maggie Smith, Diana Rigg, and James Mason, and is set against an opulent Mediterranean backdrop.

Director

Guy Hamilton

Release Date

March 5, 1982

Cast

Peter Ustinov , Jane Birkin , Colin Blakely , Nicholas Clay , James Mason , Roddy McDowall , Sylvia Miles , Denis Quilley , Diana Rigg , Maggie Smith

Runtime

117 Minutes

There are a lot of movies and TV shows based on Agatha Christie’s novels. This should come as no surprise, since Christie is the best-selling novelist of all time, and her mysteries with Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple remain the template for most mystery stories to this day. Amazon Prime Video has the 1982 adaptation of Christie’s Evil Under the Sun. This is a Hercule Poirot mystery, with Peter Ustinov starring as the detective and Dame Maggie Smith starring as a hotel owner named Mrs. Castle.

The mystery sees Poirot seeking to find clues to the mysterious death of an actor in the hotel. However, there are several suspects because no one liked the deceased actor. Poirot is on vacation but is forced to interview suspects and put clues together before he can get back to his rest and relaxation. The movie was a major success, the second of a planned six-movie series. It won an Edgar Award nomination for Best Motion Picture.

7 The Third Man (1949)

A Film Noir Masterpiece

The Third Man

Set in postwar Vienna, Austria, Carol Reed’s classic The Third Man stars Joseph Cotten as Holly Martins, a pulp writer who is set to be reunited with childhood friend Harry Lime (Orson Welles), only to discover he’s been murdered. Investigating Lime’s death, Martins forms a conspiracy theory centered on the presence of a “third man” present when he died. Romance, intrigue and espionage combine for an all-time noir classic.

Director

Carol Reed

Release Date

February 1, 1950

Distributor(s)

Selznick Releasing Organization

Writers

Graham Greene , Orson Welles , Alexander Korda

Cast

Orson Welles , Joseph Cotten , Alida Valli , Trevor Howard , Paul Hörbiger

Runtime

93 Minutes

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The Third Man is one of cinema’s best Film Noir movies. The British mystery stars Joseph Cotton as Holly Martin, a man called to Vienna to pay his respects to a childhood friend who mysteriously dies there. However, while Holly is at his hotel, waiting to return home, he looks out his window and sees his friend, Harry Lime (Orson Welles), standing in the shadows on the street below. He then sets out, along with a police detective, to learn the truth.

The movie remains a masterpiece, with its expressionistic lighting, striking black-and-white visuals, and perfect use of Film Noir techniques to create a perfect mystery. It also has one of the best monologs in movie history when Harry finally tells Holly why he faked his death and what it means for society as a whole at that time in history. It was a success when released, ranks as one of Britain’s best movies ever, and even earned two Oscar nominations.

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6 The Illusionist (2006)

Rival Magicians In A Murder Mystery

The Illusionist

Set in 1889 Vienna, The Illusionist centers on Eisenheim (Ed Norton), a renowned magician, who uses his talents to rekindle a forbidden romance with Duchess Sophie. Their love affair is entangled with political conspiracy, leading to a series of mesmerizing performances and unexpected revelations that challenge reality itself.

Director

Neil Burger

Release Date

August 18, 2006

Cast

Edward Norton , Paul Giamatti , Jessica Biel , Rufus Sewell , Eddie Marsan , Jake Wood

Runtime

109 Minutes

Neil Burger directed the romantic mystery movie The Illusionist for a 2006 release, with Edward Norton as a magician involved in a tale of murder. Edward Norton stars as Eisenheim, a magician in Vienna who comes across his childhood love, Duchess Sophie von Teschen, a woman above his social standing. While they tried to remain together, they ended up being removed by force, and Eisenheim used his magic skills to find a way to get back to her when the time was right.

Based on the short story Eisenheim the Illusionist by Steven Millhauser, Jessica Biel stars as his love interest, and Paul Giamatti as a Chief Inspector investigating the mysterious case of Eisenheim “summoning” her spirit after her murder in an attempt to find who killed her. However, as with the best movies about magic, the entire mystery was never what it seemed. The Illusionist mainly received positive reviews, with a 74% on Rotten Tomatoes. and an Oscar nomination for its cinematography.

5 Brick (2005)

Rian Johnson’s First Mystery Movie

brick

Release Date

March 31, 2006

Runtime

110 minutes

Rian Johnson has become a master at mystery movies thanks to his Knives Out franchise. However, his debut movie was also a mystery movie and it is available on Amazon Prime Video for anyone to discover for the first time. Brick is a quirky mystery movie starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt as a high school student named Brendan Frye who wants to find out who killed his girlfriend Emily (Emile de Ravin). This movie is fascinating because it plays like an old-school Film Noir.

Everyone talks in weird slang, similar to gumshoe detective novels from the 1930s, except these characters are all in a present-day high school setting. Brendan crosses drug dealers in the high school who look and act like a mafia boss in a Sam Spade movie, and the entire premise sees Brendan as a modern-day gumshoe looking for clues while often getting beaten up along the way. Brick won the Special Jury Prize at Sundance and helped Johnson kickstart his career.

4 The Name Of The Rose (1986)

A Monk Investigates Murders At A Medieval Abbey

The Name Of The Rose (1986)

The Name of the Rose, directed by Jean-Jacques Annaud, is a mystery thriller set in a 14th-century Italian monastery. Sean Connery stars as William of Baskerville, a Franciscan monk who, along with his novice Adso, played by Christian Slater, investigates a series of enigmatic deaths. The film, based on Umberto Eco’s novel, delves into themes of faith, knowledge, and reason.

Director

Jean-Jacques Annaud

Release Date

September 19, 1986

Runtime

130 Minutes

Cast

Sean Connery , F. Murray Abraham , Feodor Chaliapin Jr. , William Hickey , Michael Lonsdale , Ron Perlman , Christian Slater , Valentina Vargas

The Name of the Rose, one of Sean Connery’s best non-James Bond movies, follows friar William of Baskerville’s attempts to solve a string of mysterious murders in a medieval abbey in Northern Italy. Connery portrays William alongside Christian Slater, who plays William’s apprentice, Adso of Melk. The movie also features an incredible supporting cast that includes the likes of F. Murray Abraham and Ron Perlman.

This gripping mystery movie is full of shocking twists and turns, and Connery’s performance is excellent. The Name of the Rose‘s well-conceived script is executed brilliantly by this talented cast. The period setting for the movie provides an interesting and unique element not typically seen in mystery movies. The lifestyle, traditions, and prejudices of this monk society make for a compelling backdrop for Connery’s determined detective character to battle against in order to get the truth.

3 Mr. Holmes (2015)

An Older Sherlock Holmes Reflects On A Past Case

Mr. Holmes

Mr. Holmes stars Ian McKellen as an old and retired Sherlock Holmes struggling with dementia. Throughout the film, he attempts to recall the details of his final case and the memory of a mysterious woman. Despite being retired for decades, a young fan, the son of his housekeeper, tries to get him to investigate a new case.

Director

Bill Condon

Release Date

July 17, 2015

Writers

Jeffrey Hatcher

Cast

Laura Linney , Milo Parker , Hiroyuki Sanada , Ian McKellen

Sir Ian McKellen plays Sherlock Holmes, one of the quintessential characters of the mystery genre, in the quiet yet compelling film, Mr. Holmes. The movie takes a look at the world of an older Holmes who is settling into a quieter life in the country while his age begins to affect his once-unmatched skills in deduction. As he contends with the realities of aging that even he cannot solve, he looks back on a past case that has stayed with him.

There are so many Sherlock Holmes movies to enjoy through the years with many different actors taking on the role of the famous detective but Mr. Holmes offers a new and fascinating insight into the character with McKellen proving to be particularly excellent in the main role. While it is perhaps more of a character study, the mystery within the story brings an impactful element to the movie.

2 Tell No One (2006)

A Man Tries To Clear His Name While Learning The Truth Of His Wife’s Death

Tell No One (2006)

Tell No One is a French thriller directed by Guillaume Canet, centering around Dr. Alexandre Beck, who becomes embroiled in a web of mystery and danger after receiving an email suggesting that his wife, who was murdered years ago, might still be alive. The film is based on the novel by Harlan Coben and features François Cluzet in the lead role.

Director

Guillaume Canet

Release Date

November 1, 2006

Cast

François Cluzet , Marie-Josée Croze , André Dussollier , Kristin Scott Thomas , Francois Berleand , Nathalie Baye , Jean Rochefort , Guillaume Canet

Runtime

131 Minutes

There are a lot of great international options on Prime Video, which includes movies in the mystery genre. Based on the novel by renowned mystery writer Harlan Coben, Tell No One is a French mystery thriller film that follows a man’s attempts to figure out what happened to his supposedly murdered wife while also trying to clear his name after being accused of a double homicide he knows nothing about.

Tell No One has a riveting storyline with a wonderful pace that keeps the audience entertained until the very end. This well-thought-out mystery film swept the César Awards in France after its 2007 release, speaking to its overall quality. The cast of Tell No One carries the intriguing plot expertly, with an emotional yet gripping story with high stakes of seeing the truth finally revealed.

1 And Then There Were None (1945)

A Group Of People Are Picked Off One-By-One By A Killer Among Them

And Then There Were None (1945)

And Then There Were None is a 1945 film adaptation of Agatha Christie’s classic mystery novel. Directed by René Clair, the film follows ten strangers who are invited to a remote island under different pretexts. Once there, they discover that they are being systematically killed off according to a sinister nursery rhyme. The ensemble cast includes Barry Fitzgerald, Walter Huston, and Louis Hayward.

Director

René Clair

Release Date

October 30, 1945

Cast

Barry Fitzgerald , Walter Huston , Roland Young , June Duprez , Louis Hayward , Mischa Auer

Runtime

97 Minutes

And Then There Were None is a 1945 classic mystery film based on the Agatha Christie novel of the same name. The plot follows 10 people gathered on a small island off the coast of England, all of whom end up being trapped and accused of murder. As people continue to die on the island, the guests become increasingly paranoid with the killer still at large and the threat of this unknown villain killing the remaining witnesses standing in their way.

When it comes to mystery movies, Agatha Christie adaptations are always a safe bet. The iconic author has a brilliant talent for building suspense and keeping the audience on their toes. And Then There Were None does a great job of bringing that style to the screen with subversion of expectations and red herrings all leading up to the thrilling finale. It is one of Christie’s darker stories as well as one of the best adaptations of her work.