Looking for a high-profile heist or a high-stakes who-dun-it to slake your thirst for solving mysteries? Whether you’re after a classic murder mystery movie or the latest and greatest film offering a crime, conspiracy or puzzle to solve, this list of the top 10 best mystery movies to watch on TV right now will keep your guessing and have you on the edge of your seat, no matter how great of an armchair sleuth you are!
Keep an eye on this list as it is updated with the latest and greatest mystery movies so you can be sure you’re in the loop. From Jaws to Murder, She Said, this list will help those who love finding clues and solving puzzles stay up to date on the most popular mystery movies available to watch on TV right now.
Watch Guide Methodology: Using proprietary viewership data, DIRECTV Insider curates lists of the most popular TV shows and movies being watched by real people, in real time, to help you pick the best trending content to watch across networks. Our rolling data collection also allows readers to see how a trending show’s ranking has changed week over week.
Stream mysteries galore with DIRECTV.
TOP 10 MYSTERY MOVIES TO WATCH
Let’s get started. Here are the trending action movies TV-watchers are enjoying right now, with all the information you need to check them out for yourself.
1. ‘Jaws’
↔ vs. Prior Week
Prepare for a deep dive into terror with the iconic blockbuster, Jaws. Released in 1975, this legendary thriller directed by Steven Spielberg still holds its terrifying charm. Watch as Police Chief Martin Brody, played by Roy Scheider, battles both the bloodthirsty great white shark terrorizing his beach town and his own fear of water. Alongside him, oceanographer Matt Hooper and grizzled shark hunter Quint engage in a life-or-death struggle to end the nightmare. Suspenseful, intense and chilling to the bone, Jaws is the ultimate test of humankind versus nature. It will leave you at the edge of your seat, prepared to jump at even the slightest hint of a dorsal fin.
2. ‘Dark Passage’
↔ vs. Prior Week
In the gripping noir classic Dark Passage, the audience embarks on a suspenseful journey with Humphrey Bogart’s character, Vincent Parry, who is wrongfully accused of murdering his wife. Parry’s frantic escape from San Quentin to prove his innocence takes an eerie turn when he undergoes plastic surgery to alter his appearance. Along the way, he finds an unlikely ally in a mysterious woman, Lauren Bacall’s character, Irene Jansen, who harbors secrets of her own. This engrossing tale blends exceptional performances with intricate plot twists, swiftly spiraling down into San Francisco’s underbelly where nothing is as it seems.
3. ‘ Super Fly’
↑ 1 vs. Prior Week
Super Fly is a defining film of the blaxploitation era, following Youngblood Priest, a stylish Harlem drug dealer who’s determined to make one last big score and leave the criminal world behind. Directed by Gordon Parks Jr., the film blends gritty realism with cool swagger, powered by Curtis Mayfield’s legendary soundtrack that became as iconic as the film itself. With its sharp fashion, streetwise dialogue, and raw social commentary, Super Fly became a cultural milestone and remains a must-watch for fans of 1970s cinema and urban crime dramas.
4. ‘ The Negotiator’
↑ 1 vs. Prior Week
In 1998’s thrilling crime drama The Negotiator, Samuel L. Jackson plays Danny Roman, the best police hostage negotiator in Chicago. When a trusted friend alerts him to a fraudulent scheme ensnaring a disability fund, calamity unfolds after the friend is found dead and Roman’s fingerprints are discovered on the murder weapon. Deemed guilty by Internal Affairs, (J.T. Walsh), Roman flips the script, becoming a hostage-taker out of desperation to prove his innocence. Another expert negotiator, Chris Sabian, played by Kevin Spacey, is called in, teeing up an exhilarating stand-off between two masters of manipulation and power. The tension races as truths unfold, keeping you on the edge of your seat.
5. ‘ The Cases of Mystery Lane: Death Is Listening’
↑ 1 vs. Prior Week
In The Cases of Mystery Lane: Death is Listening, quirky married duo Birdie and Alden Case try to rekindle their spark by diving into private investigation as hobby — but things quickly take a deadly turn. When the true-crime podcaster Laurel St. James is murdered just before revealing the identity of the infamous Roxdale Killer, the Cases are roped into the case by their unlikely ally. With a colorful cast of suspects, including a frustrated voice-over artist, a hyper-zen yoga instructor and an ambitious rival podcaster, Birdie and Alden must unravel cryptic clues to solve the murder.
6. ‘ Murder at 1600’
↑ 1 vs. Prior Week
In Murder at 1600, the death of a secretary in a White House own bathroom becomes the epicenter of an international calamity. Detective Harlan Regis is thrust onto center stage, tasked with getting to the bottom of the homicide. As his investigation deepens in partnership with Secret Service Agent Nina Chance, the pair find themselves resisting mounting pressures from powerful figures keen on sweeping the matter under the rug. Caught up in an all-consuming conspiracy, the duo, backed by Regis’ partner, resort to infiltrating the White House, fighting to reveal the real mastermind hidden behind curtains of treachery. This political thriller will leave you on the edge of your seat until the very end.
7. ‘ Jesse Stone: Sea Change’
↑ 3 vs. Prior Week
Jesse Stone: Sea Change finds Tom Selleck returning as the brooding small-town police chief in this fourth installment of the beloved crime drama series. Battling his own demons and a growing sense of loneliness, Jesse reopens an unsolved cold case involving a mysterious bank robbery and murder. Set against the moody backdrop of Paradise, Massachusetts, the film blends character-driven storytelling with gripping detective work. With Selleck’s understated performance at its core, Sea Change delivers a thoughtful, atmospheric crime drama perfect for fans of slow-burn mysteries.
8. ‘ Public Enemies’
↑ 7 vs. Prior Week
Public Enemies is a stylish crime thriller directed by Michael Mann that chronicles the true story of notorious bank robber John Dillinger (Johnny Depp). Set during the Great Depression, the film follows Dillinger’s daring heists and the relentless pursuit by FBI agent Melvin Purvis, portrayed by Christian Bale. With sleek cinematography, authentic period detail, and a gripping cat-and-mouse narrative, Public Enemies brings 1930s America to life while exploring the myth and reality of one of its most infamous outlaws.
9. ‘ Shadow of a Doubt’
↑ 4 vs. Prior Week
Directed by Alfred Hitchcock, Shadow of a Doubt is a masterful psychological thriller that explores the darkness lurking beneath small-town America. The story follows young Charlotte “Charlie” Newton, whose admiration for her visiting Uncle Charlie slowly turns to suspicion as she uncovers disturbing secrets about his past. With its slow-building tension, moody atmosphere, and Hitchcock’s signature suspense, the film is often considered one of his personal favorites—and a chilling portrait of evil hiding in plain sight.
10. ‘ Murder, She Said’
↓ 1 vs. Prior Week
Murder, She Said is a charming British mystery film starring Margaret Rutherford as Agatha Christie’s beloved amateur sleuth, Miss Marple. After witnessing what she believes to be a murder aboard a passing train, Miss Marple takes it upon herself to investigate, going undercover as a maid in a grand country estate. Blending cozy mystery with dry wit and Rutherford’s delightful performance, this adaptation of 4.50 from Paddington is a lighthearted and clever whodunit that launched a series of Miss Marple films in the 1960s.
And there you have it: the top 10 mystery movies to stream at home. Stay tuned for updates to come so you can keep up with the best content available right now.
For those who aren’t DIRECTV customers, make the switch today! Get all the best channels, shows, movies and more. And with four unique packages, there’s something for everyone.
And for even more insight into the top shows and movies to watch right now, check out these other lists:
- Top 20 Movies to Stream Right Now
- 20 Most Binge-Worthy TV Shows to Watch Right Now
- 10 Best Limited Series to Watch
- Top 10 Comedy Shows on DIRECTV
- The Top 10 Cartoons for Kids on TV to Watch Now
- Top 10 Best Drama TV Shows to Watch Right Now
- The Top 10 Most Popular Game Shows to Watch Now
- The Top 10 Best Adult Cartoons to Watch Right Now
- 10 Best Talk Shows to Watch All Day Long
- Top Travel Shows to Curb Your Wanderlust
- The Most Thrilling Suspense Shows to Watch
- Top Educational Shows for Kids & Toddlers
- Best Shows on Nickelodeon to Stream
Frequently Asked Questions
What are some of the most well-known mystery movies?
Popular mystery movies include Psycho, Citizen Kane, The Prestige and The Green Mile.
Who are some of the greatest mystery film directors?
Directors most known for their mystery movies include Alfred Hitchcock, David Fincher, Christopher Nolan and M. Night Shyamalan.
DIRECTV Insider brings you our views on what’s happening in streaming, t.v., movies and sports. Companies and persons mentioned are not necessarily associated with and do not necessarily endorse DIRECTV. We will disclose sponsored content on our site when we show it to you, and some of the links on the site may be ads or affiliate links which means DIRECTV may earn compensation from your purchases.
