Mystery movies have been around since the very early days of cinema, and are still incredibly popular today. For over a century, audiences have loved watching as a mystery unfolds onscreen. After all, it is difficult to resist a film that allows the viewer to feel like an active participant, getting roped into the story and trying to solve the crime before the characters onscreen. The best mysteries, though, are often the ones that the viewers are unable to solve on their own. These movies keep their audiences guessing until the last moment.
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While filmmakers have been making mystery movies for generations upon generations, few eras have been quite as exciting for the genre as the 1980s. This decade featured an onslaught of well-executed mysteries covering a wide range of topics. With films ranging from silly whodunits to dark, serious investigations, the ’80s promised something for all sorts of mystery lovers. Even decades after their initial release, these ’80s mystery movies are guaranteed to keep audiences guessing from beginning to end.
10 Blow Out (1981)
Directed by Brian De Palma
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Over the years, there have been plenty of movies about the filmmaking process, as well as plenty of thrilling movies about mysteries. Brian De Palma’s 1981 feature, Blow Out, manages to effectively combine these two elements. The thrilling mystery stars John Travolta as Jack Terry, a sound technician working on a cheap slasher movie. While recording audio in a local park as a means of obtaining sound effects for the project, Jack discovers that his audio may actually serve as valuable evidence of an assassination attempt, prompting him to search for the root of the shady events around him.
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Brian De Palma’s films (such as Scarface and Mission: Impossible, to name a couple others) seldom disappoint, and Blow Out easily lives up to the director’s high caliber. His captivating style perfectly complements the unique, compelling story and the impressive performances of Travolta, as well as his co-stars, Nancy Allen and John Lithgow. Although the film failed to recuperate its entire budget at the box office, it has since gathered a dedicated following, with fans coming to realize the true cleverness and complexity of the story over time.
9 Dead & Buried (1981)
Directed by Gary Sherman
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Dead and Buried R Director Gary Sherman Release Date May 29, 1981 Cast Melody Anderson , Jack Albertson , Robert Englund Main Genre Horror
With a screenplay by the creators of the iconic horror classic Alien, one can assume that Dead & Buried is sure to pack some unsettling horror elements into its eerie mystery story. The haunting film explores the disturbing events unfolding within a small coastal town, and the determined sheriff investigating them. Matters only get stranger and stranger as the townspeople continue killing all tourists who enter their community (although the dead do seem rather unwilling to stay that way for long).
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The film is packed with one twist after another, constantly pulling the rug out from under the audience as soon as they begin to think they may know what’s going on.
Dead & Buried is a thrilling mystery that is bound to be a favorite among horror fans. It becomes abundantly clear early in the film that this is no typical murder mystery, and that there is something much more unnatural going on in Potters Bluff. The film is packed with one twist after another, constantly pulling the rug out from under the audience as soon as they begin to think they may know what’s going on. With a haunting ending that raises as many questions as it answers, Dead & Buried is sure to stay in viewers’ minds long after the credits roll.
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8 Cutter’s Way (1981)
Directed by Ivan Passer
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Cutter’s Way RCrimeDramaMystery
Cutter’s Way is a neo-noir drama directed by Ivan Passer, featuring Jeff Bridges as Richard Bone and John Heard as Alex Cutter. The film follows Bone as he becomes entwined in a murder investigation led by Cutter, a disabled and disillusioned Vietnam vet who suspects a wealthy tycoon of the crime. Their quest for justice exposes the darker side of American society and questions the cost of loyalty and obsession.
Director Ivan Passer Release Date February 10, 1982 Writers Newton Thornburg , Jeffrey Alan Fiskin Cast Jeff Bridges , John Heard , Lisa Eichhorn , Ann Dusenberry , Stephen Elliott , Arthur Rosenberg , Nina van Pallandt , Patricia Donahue Runtime 109 Minutes Main Genre Crime Expand
There’s more than one way to solve a crime. This is a lesson quickly learned by Richard Bone in the 1981 mystery thriller, Cutter’s Way. After being deemed a suspect in a deadly crime he believes he may have witnessed, Bone piques the interest of his veteran friend, Alex Cutter, who becomes increasingly determined to get to the bottom of the strange incident. Cutter’s deep investment in the case quickly becomes perilous, with the lives of his friends and family soon being threatened.
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Cutter’s Way puts an intriguing twist on the mystery genre by having the primary focus shift partway through the story. With the opening of the film being from his perspective, the audience is led to believe that Bone will likely be the one desperately trying to unravel the mystery. Therefore, an interesting dynamic between the characters is created when Cutter seems to take the lead, and becomes dead-set on taking violent actions against the true killer. Cutter’s Way keeps viewers guessing not only whether the crime will be solved, but whose methods will be used to do so.
7 Mississippi Burning (1988)
Directed by Alan Parker
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Mississippi Burning RDramaCrimeMystery
Mississippi Burning, released in 1988, follows two FBI agents as they investigate the murder of civil rights workers in a racially divided Southern town during the 1960s. The agents struggle to penetrate the town’s conspiracy of silence amid tensions between one agent’s procedural methods and the other’s local experience.
Director Alan Parker Release Date January 27, 1989 Writers Chris Gerolmo Cast Gene Hackman , Willem Dafoe , Frances McDormand , Brad Dourif , R. Lee Ermey , Gailard Sartain Runtime 128 minutes Main Genre Drama Expand
For a dramatic mystery inspired by true events, Alan Parker’s 1988 film, Mississippi Burning, is a strong option. The film stars Gene Hackman and Willem Dafoe as a pair of FBI agents sent to investigate the disappearance and potential murder of three civil rights workers in the 1960s American South. Although the events are fictionalized, Mississippi Burning offers a haunting reminder of the real crimes (and so many others like it) that occurred throughout this chapter of American history.
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While the film did spark some controversy for its fictionalization of certain events,
Mississippi Burning
received very high praise from critics.
The film was nominated for seven Academy Awards, including Best Picture, and earned a win in the Best Cinematography category. Hackman and Frances McDormand were praised for their performances in particular. Mississippi Burning is a rare film that manages to depict a thrilling mystery story which is based on actual events, making its narrative all the more compelling.
6 Blue Velvet (1986)
Directed by David Lynch
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Blue Velvet RCrimeDocumentaryDramaMysteryThriller
Written and directed by David Lynch, Blue Velvet is a 1986 Thriller and Mystery film. Starring Kyle MacLachlan and Isabella Rossellini, the film follows a young man that becomes embroiled in a crime.
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*Availability in US Director David Lynch Studio(s) De Laurentiis Entertainment Group Distributor(s) De Laurentiis Entertainment Group Writers David Lynch Cast Isabella Rossellini , Kyle MacLachlan , Dennis Hopper , Laura Dern , Hope Lange , dean stockwell Runtime 120 minutes Expand
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Fans of David Lynch’s dreamlike, surrealist style should definitely check out Blue Velvet, a 1986 mystery from the acclaimed director behind iconic films like Eraserhead and Mulholland Drive. The film tells the bizarre story of a college student named Jeffrey, who is thrust into the midst of a disturbing conspiracy after he discovers a severed ear in a vacant lot. Over time, the film has received increasing levels of acclaim, and is now widely regarded as a masterpiece of cinematic storytelling.
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Like most of Lynch’s filmography, Blue Velvet is far from a simple, straightforward story. However, even if the audience has moments where they don’t fully understand the true depth of the narrative, the feelings evoked by Lynch’s unique style are persistent and undeniable. The film proves highly effective at building suspense, frequently inspiring genuine concern for the safety of the characters. Boosted even further by the performances of its stellar cast (including Kyle MacLachlan, Isabella Rossellini, Laura Dern, and Dennis Hopper), Blue Velvet features a real sense of danger only achieved by the most effective mystery movies.
5 Clue (1985)
Directed by Jonathan Lynn
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Clue PGComedyMysteryThrillerCrime
Based on the classic board game, Clue features an ensemble cast that includes Tim Curry, Eileen Brennan, Madeline Kahn, Christopher Lloyd, Michael McKean, Martin Mull, and Lesley Ann Warren. In the film, six strangers, each with a dark secret, are lured to a mansion by a mysterious blackmailer who is then killed when everyone has arrived. The group, accompanied by the butler and the maid, must work together to determine who the murderer is before it’s too late.
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*Availability in US Director Jonathan Lynn Release Date December 13, 1985 Studio(s) Paramount Pictures Distributor(s) Paramount Pictures Writers John Landis , Jonathan Lynn , Anthony E. Pratt Cast Eileen Brennan , Tim Curry , Madeline Kahn , Christopher Lloyd , Michael McKean , Martin Mull Expand
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Not every murder mystery has to be dark and dramatic. Based on the beloved board game of the same name, Jonathan Lynn’s comedy-mystery film, Clue, finds the humorous side of a classic murder mystery setup. Using the characters from the board game (as well as a handful of new additions), Clue focuses on an eccentric group of strangers who must work together to solve a crime when the man who had been blackmailing all of them is found dead. With a hilarious cast led by Tim Curry, Clue promises to deliver big laughs from start to finish.
Unlike many mystery movies, Clue thrives by never taking itself too seriously. The film is full of witty dialogue, goofy characters, and campy fun. An additional element that sets Clue apart from other films of the genre is its inclusion of three distinct endings. Instead of having one grand reveal at the conclusion of the film, Clue offers three different versions, each one revealing a different culprit, while also explaining the clues that hint at the given character’s guilt. With three endings and countless laughs, Clue is an excellent choice for mystery lovers with a silly side.
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4 Frantic (1988)
Directed by Roman Polanski
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Frantic RThrillerDramaMystery
Frantic, directed by Roman Polanski, follows an American doctor whose wife mysteriously vanishes during a trip to Paris. As he searches for her, he becomes entangled in a complex web of language barriers, unhelpful local authorities, and a mysterious woman who holds crucial information.
Director Roman Polanski Release Date February 26, 1988 Studio(s) Warner Bros. Pictures Distributor(s) Warner Bros. Pictures Writers Roman Polanski , Gerard Brach Cast Harrison Ford , Emmanuelle Seigner , Betty Buckley , Gérard Klein , Jacques Ciron , Dominique Pinon , Robert M. Ground , John Mahoney Runtime 120 minutes Main Genre Thriller Expand
As the title suggests, Frantic is a high-energy option for mystery lovers everywhere. The film stars Harrison Ford as Dr. Richard Walker, a surgeon in the midst of a trip to Paris with his wife, Sondra (played by Betty Buckley). When Sondra is suddenly kidnapped from their hotel room after discovering she had grabbed the wrong suitcase from the airport, Walker takes it upon himself to figure out why Sondra was taken, and how to get her back. Despite an underwhelming box office performance, the film was highly praised by critics.
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Part of the appeal of Frantic is the humble nature of its protagonist. Unlike most mystery films, the main character of Frantic is not someone whose life revolves around solving crimes; he is not a detective, or an FBI agent, or anything of the sort. Instead, he is an average man, willing to do whatever it takes to find his missing wife. With a thrilling, action-packed climax and a protagonist you can’t help but root for, Frantic is a strong addition to the world of ’80s mystery movies.
3 Evil Under the Sun (1982)
Directed by Guy Hamilton
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Evil Under the Sun
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.
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*Availability in US 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
When it comes to murder mystery stories, few names are better known than Hercule Poirot, the iconic detective featured in many novels by acclaimed mystery writer, Agatha Christie. In Evil Under the Sun, the famous sleuth played by Peter Ustinov travels to an island on the Adriatic Sea to investigate the murder of Arlena Stuart Marshall, an actress with a rather tumultuous love life. With a large cast of potential suspects, this case proves to be no easy feat for Poirot to solve.
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Viewers know they will be introduced to the potential suspects, a deadly crime will occur, and Poirot will use his natural gifts to unravel the case.
Like other Hercule Poirot mysteries, Evil Under the Sun is an enjoyable film to watch because of its consistency with the other films in the series. Viewers know they will be introduced to the potential suspects, a deadly crime will occur, and Poirot will use his natural gifts to unravel the case. This steady structure encourages viewers to try to solve the crime alongside Poirot, seeing if they can piece together the clues and identify the culprit before the famous detective. Whether or not they succeed, Evil Under the Sun promises an exciting mystery full of surprises for the audience.
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2 Deathtrap (1982)
Directed by Sidney Lumet
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Deathtrap PGMysteryThrillerComedy
Deathtrap is a mystery thriller directed by Sidney Lumet and starring Michael Caine and Christopher Reeve. Released in 1982, the film follows a formerly successful playwright who hatches a plot to steal a brilliant new script from an emerging writer. The narrative unfolds with elaborate twists and turns, maintaining an atmosphere of suspense throughout. Based on Ira Levin’s play, the film explores themes of deception, ambition, and morality within the theater world.
Director Sidney Lumet Release Date March 19, 1982 Cast Michael Caine , Christopher Reeve , Dyan Cannon , Irene Worth , Henry Jones Runtime 116 Minutes Studio(s) Warner Bros. Pictures Writers Jay Presson Allen , Ira Levin Main Genre Mystery Expand
Based on the stage play of the same name, Sidney Lumet’s 1982 mystery film, Deathtrap, is brimming with both suspense and comedy. The zany film follows struggling playwright Sidney Bruhl as he schemes to kill a gifted former student and steal his new manuscript, intending to use it as his own in order to revitalize his career. As the main characters, Michael Caine and Christopher Reeve dominate the screen, infusing the film with a thoroughly entertaining blend of nail-biting suspense and sidesplitting comedy.
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Major twists are generally a staple of the mystery genre, but Deathtrap manages to include one right after another, making sure the audience is never able to guess the next moves of the characters. The film effectively lures the audience right into the shoes of the characters onscreen, allowing them to share the feeling of being completely unsure who else can be trusted. All the humor, twists, and unconventional weapons ultimately culminate in a surprising ending that is hilarious, satisfying, and refreshingly unique.
1 Road Games (1981)
Directed by Richard Franklin
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Road Games is a suspenseful thriller directed by Abner Pastoll. Set on the desolate roads of rural France, the film follows hitchhiker Jack and fellow traveler Véronique, who unwittingly delve into peril when they accept hospitality at an enigmatic couple’s mansion amidst a regional serial killer scare.
Director Abner Pastoll Release Date September 10, 2015 Cast Andrew Simpson , Joséphine de la Baume , Frédéric Pierrot , Barbara Crampton , Féodor Atkine , Pierre Boulanger , Susanna Cappellaro , Edward Hogg , Clémentine Alexandre , Erwan Hiernard , Lucie Belhomme , April Kelley Runtime 95 minutes Expand
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The Australian thriller, Road Games, offers a captivating mystery story with a clever spin, largely taking place on the road as the characters travel across rural Australia. The 1981 film stars Stacy Keach as Pat Quid, a truck driver who enlists the help of a hitchhiker (played by Jamie Lee Curtis) in order to track down and stop a deranged killer who has been disposing of his victims along the remote highway. The film was not overly successful at the box office, but did receive widespread praise from critics.
Road Games stands out as a film that works effectively across multiple genres. The film functions not only as a mystery, but as a chilling horror movie and a sprawling road movie as well. Though the mystery story lies at its core, the violent acts and disturbing methods of the killer give the film an undeniably haunting feel. Additionally, having the story play out over a vast stretch of highway puts an extra twist on each genre. The film is more widespread than most mysteries, and much darker than most road movies, making it an intriguing feature altogether.
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