Netflix’s latest No. 1 movie is “The Thursday Murder Club,” Richard Osman’s adaptation about a group of spirited retirees who, between their bridge games and tea breaks, find themselves unraveling real-life murder cases.
I found myself thoroughly enchanted by its ensemble of endearing characters, brought vividly to life by British screen legends like Helen Mirren and Pierce Brosnan. The movie actually turned out to be delightfully effective despite its jarring tonal differences.
It’s a clever, twist-filled watch that’s clearly captured the attention of viewers, jumping to the top spot. If you’ve already enjoyed following the gang’s sleuthing adventures and are looking for your next mystery fix, you’re in luck. We’ve rounded up five standout movies that capture the same cozy yet suspenseful energy.
When renowned mystery novelist Harlan Thrombey (Christopher Plummer) is found dead at his sprawling estate the morning after his 85th birthday, famed detective Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig) is anonymously hired to investigate.
The entire Thrombey family, a group of eccentric and secretive relatives, becomes a tangle of suspicion as Blanc meticulously pieces together the events of the previous night. Each family member has a motive, and hidden tensions bubble beneath their polished exteriors.
Meanwhile, Harlan’s devoted nurse, Marta Cabrera (Ana de Armas), becomes an unexpected focal point in the investigation, navigating the sharp questions and scrutiny of both the detective and the family. The result is a clever, twist-filled journey through deception and unexpected revelations.
Stream it on Prime Video
After solving a case abroad, world-renowned detective Hercule Poirot (Kenneth Branagh) boards the luxurious Orient Express for what he hopes will be a quiet journey across Europe.
His fellow passengers include a colorful mix of aristocrats, professionals, and travelers from all walks of life. But when an American businessman, Edward Ratchett (Johnny Depp), is found murdered in his cabin during the night, Poirot is called upon to investigate.
With the train stranded by an avalanche in the snowy mountains, no one can leave, and every passenger becomes a potential suspect. Poirot carefully interviews each individual, uncovering tangled alibis, hidden connections, and surprising secrets.
Buy/rent on Amazon or Apple
In 1920s seaside England, the quiet town of Littlehampton is thrown into chaos when residents begin receiving a stream of anonymous, foul-mouthed letters.
The police are quick to accuse Rose Gooding (Jessie Buckley), a brash and outspoken Irishwoman whose behavior and subsequent clashes with her neighbors make her an easy target. At the center of the storm is Edith Swan (Olivia Colman), a deeply religious woman who insists she is the primary victim of the obscene notes.
As the scandal grows, Rose faces trial, her fate seemingly sealed by public opinion. However, a group of local women begins to suspect there is more to the case than meets the eye. Banding together, they secretly investigate, gathering clues and questioning the official narrative.
Stream it on Netflix
When wealthy patriarch Aristide Leonides (Gino Picciano) is discovered dead in his sprawling countryside mansion, suspicion immediately falls on his complicated family.
To uncover the truth, private detective Charles Hayward (Max Irons) is called in by Aristide’s granddaughter, Sophia (Stefanie Martini). Within the walls of the Leonides estate, Charles encounters an eccentric household filled with possible suspects, including a resentful widow decades younger than her late husband, a strong-willed matriarch, and a collection of volatile relatives each with secrets of their own.
Each conversation Charles has reveals buried rivalries and secret resentments, turning ordinary questions into key clues.
Buy/rent on Amazon or Apple
During a London West End production of a hit play, a shocking murder occurs backstage, leaving the theater community reeling.
Inspector Stoppard (Sam Rockwell), a careful detective, is called to the scene, but he must work alongside Constable Stalker (Saoirse Ronan), a young, eager officer with unconventional methods. Together, they interrogate a colorful array of suspects, including ambitious actors, scheming stagehands, and the play’s nervous director.
With each new discovery, from missing props to cryptic messages and contradictory alibis, the investigation twists further.
