Top 10 Mystery Movies

From Sidney Lumet, starring Henry Fonda, Lee J. Cobb, Martin Balsam, John Fiedler
Rated Approved

12 Angry Men is a 1957 American drama film directed by Sidney Lumet and starring Henry Fonda, Lee J. Cobb, Ed Begley, E.G. Marshall, Jack Warden, and others. In this classic courtroom drama, the jury of 12 men must unanimously decide if a young man is guilty of murdering his father. As the jury begins to deliberate, they are quickly split 11 to 1 in favor of a guilty verdict. However, one juror stands firm against the verdict, prompting the other jurors to begin a heated debate in order to prove the accused's guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. Through the course of the film, tensions rise and tempers flare as the jurors confront their own biases and prejudices in order to reach a fair and just conclusion. The film is a riveting and powerful exploration of the American justice system and the power of conscience.

From David Fincher, starring Morgan Freeman, Brad Pitt, Kevin Spacey, Andrew Kevin Walker
Rated R

Se7en is a 1995 crime drama thriller directed by David Fincher and starring Brad Pitt, Morgan Freeman, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Kevin Spacey. The film follows two detectives, David Mills (Pitt) and William Somerset (Freeman), as they investigate a series of murders inspired by the seven deadly sins. As the investigation deepens, the men uncover a twisted and sinister plot led by the enigmatic John Doe (Spacey). The film culminates in an unexpected and shocking climax that leaves the audience both shocked and enthralled. Se7en is a gripping, suspenseful, and thought-provoking exploration of the depths of evil and the power of justice.

From Alfred Hitchcock, starring Anthony Perkins, Janet Leigh, Vera Miles, John Gavin
Rated R

Psycho is a 1960 thriller film directed by Alfred Hitchcock and based on the novel of the same name by Robert Bloch. The film follows Marion Crane, a secretary who embezzles $40,000 from her employer and goes on the run. She eventually finds refuge in the rundown motel run by Norman Bates, an unhinged young man dominated by his domineering mother. As Marion's stay at the motel becomes increasingly dangerous, it becomes clear that a mysterious and deadly force is at work. Psycho is widely considered a masterpiece of suspense and horror, and is one of Hitchcock's most famous and influential films.

From Alfred Hitchcock, starring James Stewart, Grace Kelly, Wendell Corey, Thelma Ritter
Rated PG

Rear Window is a 1954 suspense thriller directed by Alfred Hitchcock. It stars James Stewart as a wheelchair-bound photojournalist who spies on his neighbors from his apartment window and becomes convinced one of them has committed murder. With the help of his girlfriend, played by Grace Kelly, he sets out to prove his suspicions are correct and bring the killer to justice. Along the way, he must dodge a nosy neighbor and a tenacious police detective who is determined to prove him wrong. The film is a classic example of Hitchcock's mastery of suspense, as viewers are kept guessing until the very end.

From Bryan Singer, starring Kevin Spacey, Gabriel Byrne, Chazz Palminteri, Stephen Baldwin
Rated R

The Usual Suspects is a 1995 neo-noir crime thriller directed by Bryan Singer. The film follows the interrogation of Roger “Verbal” Kint, a small-time con artist, who is one of only two survivors of a massacre and fire on a ship docked at the Port of Los Angeles. As Verbal recounts the events leading up to the massacre, it becomes clear that he and his four partners in crime were actually pawns in a much larger scheme devised by a mysterious criminal mastermind known as Keyser Soze. As the mystery unfolds, Verbal must ultimately confront Soze and unravel the truth behind the mysterious crime syndicate.

From Christopher Nolan, starring Guy Pearce, Carrie-Anne Moss, Joe Pantoliano, Mark Boone Junior
Rated R

Memento is a psychological thriller directed by Christopher Nolan. The story follows Leonard Shelby, a man with anterograde amnesia, a condition that prevents him from forming any new memories. After his wife is brutally murdered, Leonard's sole mission is to avenge her death by tracking down and killing her killer. In order to remember his mission, Leonard must resort to tattooing clues to his body, taking Polaroid photos, and using notes to remind himself of what he is looking for. Throughout the film, the audience is taken on a journey of suspense and mystery as we discover the truth of Leonard's past and his ultimate quest for justice.

From Orson Welles, starring Orson Welles, Joseph Cotten, Dorothy Comingore, Agnes Moorehead
Rated PG

Citizen Kane is a 1941 American drama film directed, co-written, produced, and starring Orson Welles. It follows the story of newspaper publisher Charles Foster Kane's life and his relentless quest for power and control. Through flashbacks, a newsreel reporter attempts to uncover the mystery of Kane's dying word, "Rosebud". The film is often acclaimed as one of the greatest films ever made and is widely considered to be Welles' masterpiece. It won an Academy Award for Best Writing, Original Screenplay and was highly praised for its innovative cinematography, acting, directing, and narrative structure. It is also renowned for its use of deep focus cinematography and numerous innovative camera techniques. The film has been named by the American Film Institute as the greatest American movie of all time.

From Alfred Hitchcock, starring James Stewart, Kim Novak, Barbara Bel Geddes, Tom Helmore
Rated PG

Vertigo is a 1958 psychological thriller directed by Alfred Hitchcock. The film stars James Stewart as Scottie Ferguson, a former police detective who is forced into early retirement after suffering from acrophobia, or fear of heights. Scottie is hired by an old college friend to follow his wife, Madeleine (Kim Novak) who appears to be possessed by a mysterious and sinister force. As Scottie investigates, he finds himself falling in love with Madeleine and desperate to save her from whatever is controlling her. Meanwhile, Scottie discovers that the mysterious force is connected to a traumatic event from his past. As he unravels the secrets of Madeleine's past, he is also forced to confront his own demons and confront the deep psychological issues that have been affecting him. As the film reaches its climax, Scottie must come to terms with his own vertigo and accept the truth of the past.

From Alfred Hitchcock, starring Cary Grant, Eva Marie Saint, James Mason, Jessie Royce Landis
Rated Approved

North by Northwest is a classic Alfred Hitchcock thriller starring Cary Grant as Roger O. Thornhill, a successful advertising executive who is mistaken for a government agent and becomes the target of a deadly cross-country chase. When his life is threatened, he must outwit and outrun a group of foreign spies led by the dangerous Vandamm. Along the way, he meets the beautiful and mysterious Eve Kendall, played by Eva Marie Saint, and the two must battle against time and the enemy agents in order to survive. With its thrilling car chases, iconic crop-duster scene, and a thrilling climax atop Mt. Rushmore, North by Northwest is considered one of Hitchcock’s greatest films.

From Roman Polanski, starring Jack Nicholson, Faye Dunaway, John Huston, Perry Lopez
Rated R

Chinatown is a 1974 neo-noir crime film directed by Roman Polanski and starring Jack Nicholson and Faye Dunaway. Set in Los Angeles in 1937, the film tells the story of private investigator J. J. "Jake" Gittes, who is hired to investigate the adultery of Hollis Mulwray, the chief engineer of the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power. Gittes is soon drawn into an elaborate conspiracy involving Mulwray's murder, municipal corruption, and real estate fraud. In the end, Gittes discovers the truth and has to face the consequences of his actions. The film is regarded as one of the best and most influential films of all time, and won the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay.

From Martin Scorsese, starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Emily Mortimer, Mark Ruffalo, Ben Kingsley
Rated R

Shutter Island is a psychological thriller directed by Martin Scorsese and starring Leonardo DiCaprio. The film follows U.S. Marshal Teddy Daniels as he investigates a psychiatric facility located on a remote island off the coast of Massachusetts. As Daniels delves into the mysteries of the island, he discovers that there is more going on than meets the eye. It becomes apparent that some of the patients are part of a dangerous experiment involving mind control, while others may actually be innocent. With the help of his partner, Chuck Aule, Daniels must piece together the truth before it's too late. Along the way, he encounters the mysterious Dr. Cawley, a spiteful nurse, and the dark secrets that Shutter Island is hiding. The film is a fast-paced thriller full of twists and turns, and an intense ending that will leave viewers guessing until the very end.

From Curtis Hanson, starring Kevin Spacey, Russell Crowe, Guy Pearce, Kim Basinger
Rated R

L.A. Confidential is a 1997 crime film directed by Curtis Hanson and based on the novel of the same name by James Ellroy. The film follows three Los Angeles police officers–Ed Exley, Bud White, and Jack Vincennes–as they investigate a series of murders and develop a conspiracy involving the city's powerful crime bosses. Along the way, they uncover a web of corruption, bribery, and lies leading to a powerful and wealthy real estate developer, Pierce Patchett. The film stars Russell Crowe, Guy Pearce, Kim Basinger, Kevin Spacey and Danny DeVito and was nominated for nine Academy Awards and won two, for Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Supporting Actress.

From Carol Reed, starring Orson Welles, Joseph Cotten, Alida Valli, Trevor Howard
Rated Approved

The Third Man is a 1949 British-American film noir directed by Carol Reed. It stars Joseph Cotton, Alida Valli, Orson Welles, Trevor Howard, and Bernard Lee. The story takes place in the aftermath of World War II in the divided city of Vienna. Holly Martins (Cotton), an American writer of pulp westerns, arrives in Vienna to stay with an old friend, Harry Lime (Welles). However, he finds out that Harry has recently died in a traffic accident, and he begins to investigate the circumstances of Harry's death. As he digs deeper, Holly discovers that Harry was involved in a lucrative crime ring involving the black-market sale of diluted medical supplies. Holly must choose between his friendship for Harry and what is right and ultimately, justice prevails. The Third Man is a suspenseful and hauntingly atmospheric film, and is considered a classic of film noir.

From Alfred Hitchcock, starring Laurence Olivier, Joan Fontaine, George Sanders, Judith Anderson
Rated Approved

Rebecca is a 1940 romantic psychological thriller directed by Alfred Hitchcock and based on the 1938 novel of the same name by Daphne du Maurier. The film stars Laurence Olivier and Joan Fontaine. Set in the 1930s, the story follows a young woman who marries a widowed aristocrat and moves into his grand mansion, only to find her husband is haunted by the spirit of his dead first wife, Rebecca. The young woman must also contend with her domineering housekeeper, Mrs. Danvers, who is deeply devoted to the memory of Rebecca. As the young woman discovers more about Rebecca's past, she begins to suspect her husband of foul play and must figure out the truth in order to reclaim her new home and her own identity.

From John Huston, starring Humphrey Bogart, Mary Astor, Gladys George, Peter Lorre
Rated Passed

The Maltese Falcon is a 1941 crime drama film directed by John Huston and starring Humphrey Bogart as private detective Sam Spade. The film follows Spade and his partner Miles Archer (Jerome Cowan) as they investigate the disappearance of their client's sister, Ruth Wonderly. Their investigation leads them to a dangerous web of deceit involving a valuable statuette known as the Maltese Falcon. Spade and Archer find themselves pitted against a variety of dangerous people, including a mysterious woman (Mary Astor), a shady underworld figure (Sydney Greenstreet), and a shady lawyer (Elisha Cook Jr.). As the story progresses, Spade discovers the truth behind the Maltese Falcon and the real motives behind the people he has been investigating. Along the way, Spade must make difficult choices in order to protect those he cares about and to bring justice to the criminals he has been pursuing.

From Clint Eastwood, starring Sean Penn, Tim Robbins, Kevin Bacon, Emmy Rossum
Rated R

Mystic River is a crime drama directed by Clint Eastwood, starring Sean Penn, Tim Robbins and Kevin Bacon. The film follows the intertwined lives of three childhood friends, Dave Boyle (Tim Robbins), Jimmy Markum (Sean Penn) and Sean Devine (Kevin Bacon), who are reunited after a shocking tragedy. Dave, who has recently been released from prison, finds his life upended when his daughter disappears. Jimmy, who has become a powerful local crime boss, is struggling with his own daughter's death, and is determined to find out what happened to Dave's daughter. Meanwhile, Sean is a homicide detective assigned to investigate the case, and is forced to confront his own troubled past. As the story unfolds, the three men's lives become inextricably linked, and ultimately collide in a dramatic and unexpected conclusion.

From Roman Polanski, starring Catherine Deneuve, Ian Hendry, John Fraser, Yvonne Furneaux
Rated Not Rated

Repulsion (1965) is a psychological horror film directed by Roman Polanski. It tells the story of Carol Ledoux, a young Belgian woman living in London. She is increasingly troubled by her growing feelings of isolation and alienation, which she expresses through her fear of men and her increasing paranoia. As her mental state deteriorates, she begins to suffer terrifying hallucinations, leading her to commit acts of violence. In the end, she is unable to cope with the reality she has created and descends into an irreversible madness. The film is an exploration of the human mind, and its capacity to create terror through fear and isolation.

From Alfred Hitchcock, starring Cary Grant, Joan Fontaine, Cedric Hardwicke, Nigel Bruce
Rated Approved

From Neil Jordan, starring Stephen Rea, Jaye Davidson, Forest Whitaker, Miranda Richardson
Rated R