19 OF THE (MOSTLY) OLD FASHION STYLE WHODUNIT MYSTERY MOVIES
When it comes to movies to watch and enjoy during the darker and colder months of autumn and winter, there is a genre that always feels appropriate. Sure many, myself included, will settle in and watch the silly Christmas movies, but a good mystery is not far from the seasonal movie mind either. There’s something about the atmosphere of a mystery that fits and works for this season. Following up our 2020 British TV mystery list, this time we’re looking at some of the classic whodunit mystery movies you can see – and where to find them!
LIST | 11 PERFECT MOVIES TO WATCH SET DURING THE AUTUMN SEASON
🔎19 OF THE (MOSTLY) OLD FASHION STYLE WHODUNIT MYSTERY MOVIES🔍 #BRITISHMYSTERY #MYSTERY #GOODMOVIES #WHODUNIT #MYSTERYMOVIES #FUNMOVIES #MYSTERIES Share on XMy goal for this list is to feature the famous and obscure, to offer variety. Because that’s my favorite thing. Offering different types even within the same genre. I’m sure I’ll add a few that don’t fit. That said the goal it still to curate a mostly fitting list. I asked a group of Facebook users on a page I’m part of what they could think of for genre fitting title. Honestly, I may run short on time (again), so who knows how many I’ll be able to add here. That said between those from Facebook and the titles that already immediately came to mind for me, here’s what we’re collecting.
CLASSIC WHODUNIT MYSTERY MOVIES
AN INSPECTOR CALLS
This one is a British film set in the 1900s. The suicide of a girl calls into question a wealthy family and their possible part in her gruesome death. Find with BritBox
AND THEN THERE WERE NONE
There’s more than one version of this Agatha Christie story. I saw the latest one that is a three-part movie event. The film is, really, kind of “creepy” just in its build up of death and of course, the foreboding title. The cast is impressive though and includes Aiden Turner. Find streaming with Acorn TV
CHARADE
Despite its immense popularity, I’ve not seen this film with Audrey Hepburn. Many did recommend it in my comment section though so I’m including it as a possible good option. The film follows a woman with a fortune from a husband who was murdered, and the many men who pursue her for that.
CLUE
Classic, yes, but also a little silly. Nonetheless, Clue is a kind of cult favorite that I intended to add to this list. This was further confirmed by how many recommendations the Facebook group left for this one. It’s inspired by the classic board game and features a few different possible endings, which is fun but also makes you question, what did happen?
CROOKED HOUSE (2018)
It’s been a while since I saw this, probably since its release. It’s about a family with some twisted secrets and the detective who must untangle them.
DEATH COMES TO PEMBERLEY
This is technically a “series” in that its multiple parts, but it’s not a show series. So I’m allowing it. It’s a fun period mystery that reunites us with Lizzy, Mr. Darcy and so many favorites as they sleuth! Find streaming with PBS Masterpiece
DEATH ON THE NILE (2022)
Another one that has multiple adaptations, this film is an Agatha Christie (lots of those here) and tells the story of newlyweds who are trying to escape the groom’s obsessive ex. Find streaming with HBO Max and Hulu
GOSFORD PARK
Before Downton Abbey, Julian Fellows wrote Gosford Park. An award-winning film, this has a host of impressive cast and is the story about a group of guests at a weekend house party. classic whodunit mystery movies
KNIVES OUT
I’m probably the only one not super impressed with this film. Don’t misunderstand, I did enjoy it, but I guessed the “who” long before the reveal (just seemed really “easy”) so the payoff wasn’t there. But the cast is impressive and I agree with all of the Facebook recommendations in that this is a classic whodunit sort of movie.
LADY ON A TRAIN
One of the Deanna Durbin movies and maybe her only in the mystery genre, what I remember about this is that it’s fun. Truth is, I’m curious to see it again after talking about it here; in very Agatha Christie fashion, we follow Durbin’s character who witnesses a murder from a train window! Shop for DVD at any online retailer that sells DVDs
THE LADY VANISHES (2013)
This is one of those I saw years ago and enjoyed. It’s about a curious woman who works to solve a mystery and the guy who pairs up with her (and of course, develops a crush, too!).
MURDER BY DEATH (1976)
Adding this one may be a mistake since I know nothing about it. It sounds fun though. Peter Falk stars in a film about an eccentric millionaire who invites the worlds greatest detectives to his home in the belief he can outwit them all.
MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS (2017)
There’s a consensus that this adaptation is better than 2022’s Death on the Nile (comparing Agatha Christie stories), but I still enjoy both. I do agree there’s something about this one that’s better though. Find streaming with Disney+
MYSTERY OF THE HANSOM CAB
I saw this one a while ago and quite randomly. Back then, I saw comments of people who didn’t care for this one making me think it’s really not that good. But I’m holding on to it even with its flaws. It’s entertaining following the story of a man murdered in a hansom cab and the case of solving who committed the murder! Find streaming Acorn TV
MURDER MYSTERY
More comedy than serious, Adam Sandler and Jennifer Aniston co-star in this film about a married couple who find their vacation taking unexpected detours and even coinciding with a murder investigation! Stream exclusively on Netflix
NANCY DREW (2007)
Including this for nostalgic purposes (plus I just re-watched it!) and it really does lean into the “old fashion” style of mysteries. Not just with dressing Emma Roberts’ Nancy in old fashion styles, but also the mystery following a film star from the earlier eras of Hollywood whose death is unsolved.
NO CLUE
This one is one of those “find the right audience” type of movies. It’s quite different than the norm. In a phrase, it’s one of those fish out of water movies. An average man, who is anything but a detective, becomes wrapped up in the shenanigans of a woman who wrongly assumes he’s a detective. classic whodunit mystery movies
REBECCA (2020)
Probably stretching my scope for this list slightly, but I wanted to add it. Lots don’t care for this one either and I can understand. It does have problems and I can admit that. But I also think the choice the heroine makes is telling and therefore I’m not as “bothered” by the romance as some. Stream exclusively with Netflix
WITNESS FOR THE PROSECUTION (2017)
A more recent re-make adaptation with Toby Jones, this one follows a solicitor who defends a man accused of murder, a man who proclaims his innocence from the beginning. Find streaming on Acorn TV
THE CLASSIC (HOLLYWOOD) TITLES
So many from the 30s, 40s and 50s were recommended for my list! Honestly, I wish I could say I’ve seen many of these, but haven’t. It’s just that I’ve heard of them. Many thanks to Julianna, Micah, Nicole for their recommendations of most of these titles.
THE BIG CLOCK (1948); A man becomes a murder suspect after spending a night with his boss’ mistress.
DIAL M FOR MURDER (1954); ran across this one while looking for some other titles but it’s Alfred Hitchcock so it has to be a classic type mystery, right? The plot says a man sets off a series of events, quite unknowingly, that leads to murder. Find, at publication, with Tubi.
THE HOUND OF BASKERVILLES (1959); classic Sherlock Holmes I am sure!
THE KILLERS (1946); Burt Reynolds stars as an unsuspecting victim in this mystery about the investigator who must untangle his victim’s past.
THE LADY VANISHES (1938); haven’t seen this one but do enjoy the newer version. Find, at publication with Freevee, HBO Max and Pluto to name a few
THE MAN WHO KNEW TOO MUCH (1956); a vacationing couple witnesses a murder that draws them into a tangled web and endangers their lives.
NORTH BY NORTHWEST (1959); mistaken for a government agent, a man goes on the run. Find, at publication, with HBO Max
REAR WINDOW (1954); James Stewart stars in this film from Alfred Hitchcock about an injured man, confined to his apartment who witnesses a murder!
SUSPICION (1941); an Oscar winner from Alfred Hitchcock, I randomly came across this one too about a woman who suspects her penniless husband wishes her to die.
THE THIRD MAN (1950); a man investigates the death of his old friend in postwar Vienna.
MORE TITLES TO CONSIDER
THE ABC MURDERS
THE CHEAP DETECTIVE
ORDEAL BY INNOCENCE (2018)
WITNESS FOR THE PROSECUTION (1958)
Which of these have you seen? Would you like to see any of these? Which would you add??? (Always open to making edits to add more titles and I know I miss titles!) What type of film do you enjoy this time of year? Let’s chat all the things!
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