10 Movies Like Knives Out

Grade: PG
Type: Comedies, Mysteries
Director: Jonathan Lynn
Actors: Madeline Kahn, Eileen Brennan, Tim Curry
Duration: 94 minutes
Summary: Clue is a delightfully chaotic murder mystery that is based on the traditional board game. A mysterious host invites six eccentric guests to a dinner party in a home. Chaos breaks out as allegations are made and secrets are revealed when the host is discovered dead. Clue keeps viewers wondering and smiling until the very end with its campy appeal, several possible endings, and razor-sharp wit. Tim Curry’s vivacious portrayal of Wadsworth the butler stands out in particular.

Grade: PG-13
Type: Thriller, Mystery
Director: Kenneth Branagh
Actors: Armie Hammer, Gal Gadot, Kenneth Branagh
Duration: 127 minutes
Summary: This glitzy murder mystery, which is based on Agatha Christie’s beloved book, follows investigator Hercule Poirot as he looks into a death on a lavish Nile River cruise. As each passenger turns into a suspect, the movie is filled with passion, jealousy, and treachery. In addition to the sumptuous locations and complex story twists that make it an interesting and fashionable whodunit, Kenneth Branagh excels in his role as Poirot.

Grade: PG-13
Type: Drama, Mystery
Director: Kenneth Branagh
Actors: Johnny Depp, Penélope Cruz, Kenneth Branagh
Duration: 114 minutes
Summary: Poirot is followed aboard the opulent Orient Express in this Agatha Christie dramatization. Poirot has to sort through a web of falsehoods and alibis among the diverse collection of passengers on the train after a wealthy passenger is discovered dead. A compelling story of justice and duplicity is told via the film’s outstanding ensemble cast and breathtaking cinematography.

Grade: R
Type: Drama, Mystery
Director: Robert Altman
Actors: Kristin Scott Thomas, Michael Gambon, Maggie Smith
Duration: 137 minutes
Summary: Gosford Park, which is set in 1930s England, combines a murder investigation with a scathing social critique of class differences. When a visitor is killed, a sumptuous weekend party at an aristocratic home turns fatal. Director Robert Altman creates a complex whodunit full of secrets, scandals, and intrigue with a large cast and complex storytelling.

Grade: R
Type: Thriller, Mystery
Director: David Fincher
Actors: Christopher Plummer, Rooney Mara, Daniel Craig
Duration: 158 minutes
Summary: Journalist Mikael Blomkvist and hacker Lisbeth Salander explore the long-kept secrets of a wealthy family in this dark, compelling thriller. Rooney Mara gives a strong performance, and David Fincher’s careful direction creates a spooky mood. The film is gripping and intense, making it ideal for viewers who enjoy intricate criminal dramas.

Grade: R
Type: Comedies, Mysteries
Director: Shane Black
Actors: Angourie Rice, Russell Crowe, Ryan Gosling
Duration: 116 minutes
Summary: The case of a missing girl and an unexplained death in 1970s Los Angeles is solved by a mismatched team consisting of a clumsy private detective and a tough enforcer. The film is an enjoyable, unconventional take on the mystery genre because it strikes a mix between witty comedy and gripping turns. The highlight is the hilarious chemistry between Gosling and Crowe.

Grade: R
Type: Comedies, Mysteries
Directors: Jonathan Goldstein, John Francis Daley
Actors: Kyle Chandler, Rachel McAdams, Jason Bateman
Duration: 100 minutes
Summary: When a kidnapping takes place, what begins as a pleasant game night for a bunch of friends becomes a crazy, real-life mystery. From the beginning to the end, Game Night keeps viewers enthralled with its fast-paced humor, ingenious plot twists, and exciting moments. The performances by McAdams and Bateman are funny.

Grade: R
Type: Thriller, Mystery
Director: Paul Feig
Actors: Henry Golding, Blake Lively, Anna Kendrick
Duration: 117 minutes
Summary: In this chic and twisty thriller, a mommy blogger looks into her stunning best friend’s disappearance. Everything is not as it seems as secrets come to light. The movie delivers a contemporary and elegant mystery by striking a mix between dark humor and thrilling turns.

Grade: R
Type: Neo-noir, Mystery
Director: Rian Johnson
Actors: Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Nora Zehetner, Lukas Haas
Duration: 110 minutes
Summary: Brick, which is set at a high school but is filmed more like a gritty detective noir, follows a teen recluse as he looks into his ex-girlfriend’s death. Rian Johnson breaks genre norms by creating a distinctive and captivating mystery with stylized dialogue and a somber, brooding mood.

Grade: PG-13
Type: Thriller, Mystery
Director: Aneesh Chaganty
Actors: John Cho, Debra Messing, Michelle La
Duration: 102 minutes
Summary: Searching, which is told entirely on computer screens, centers on a father’s desperate search for his teenage daughter who vanished. The shocks keep coming as he discovers secrets concealed in her online life. The film stands out in the mystery genre thanks to its inventive structure and poignant narrative.