If you loved the hilarious whodunit comedy Murder Mystery starring Adam Sandler and Jennifer Aniston, you’re probably craving more movies that blend intrigue, suspense and lots of laughs. Well, look no further! We’ve rounded up 18 of the best films that deliver the same entertaining mix of mystery and comedy. Get ready to unleash your inner detective and enjoy some side-splitting fun along the way.
1. Clue (1985)
Based on the classic board game, Clue is a cult comedy that spoofs the murder mystery genre to perfection. When six colorful guests are invited to a creepy mansion for dinner, they find themselves embroiled in a hilarious homicide investigation where everyone’s a suspect. With an all-star cast including Tim Curry, Madeline Kahn and Christopher Lloyd, Clue keeps you guessing and giggling until the very end. Its quirky characters, quotable one-liners and multiple surprise endings make it endlessly rewatchable.
2. Knives Out (2019)
A modern masterpiece of the whodunit genre, Knives Out assembles an incredible ensemble cast for a wildly entertaining murder mystery. When renowned crime novelist Harlan Thrombey (Christopher Plummer) is found dead, debonair detective Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig) must sift through a dysfunctional family of suspects to uncover the truth. With its clever writing, gorgeous production design and pitch-perfect performances, Knives Out is a total blast from start to finish. It’s no wonder this fresh take on the classic Agatha Christie-style mystery was a massive critical and commercial hit.
3. The Nice Guys (2016)
This groovy 1970s neo-noir comedy from writer/director Shane Black is an absolute riot. Ryan Gosling and Russell Crowe star as a bumbling private eye and an enforcer-for-hire who join forces to investigate the disappearance of a teenage girl in smoggy Los Angeles. Their inept sleuthing leads them into a conspiracy involving the porn industry, the Detroit auto industry and the Department of Justice. The Nice Guys is a hilarious buddy comedy with a twisty mystery plot and stylish period setting. Gosling and Crowe make for a surprisingly perfect comedic duo.
4. Murder by Death (1976)
Murder by Death is a sidesplitting parody of classic detective fiction that unites some of the era’s biggest comedy stars. The world’s greatest detectives, all thinly-veiled caricatures of famous literary sleuths, are invited to the mansion of an eccentric millionaire who challenges them to solve a murder that hasn’t happened yet. Peter Falk, Alec Guinness, Peter Sellers, David Niven, Maggie Smith and Truman Capote engage in a battle of wits filled with silly gags, terrible puns and inspired slapstick. It’s a must for fans of murder mysteries and spoof comedies alike.
5. A Simple Favor (2018)
This stylish comic thriller stars Anna Kendrick as Stephanie, a mommy vlogger who befriends the glamorous and mysterious Emily (Blake Lively). But when Emily suddenly vanishes, Stephanie launches her own investigation, uncovering shocking secrets about her new BFF. Packed with plot twists and pitch-black humor, A Simple Favor is a smart, sexy and suspenseful romp. Kendrick and Lively have fantastic chemistry, while Henry Golding oozes charm as Emily’s dashing husband. Director Paul Feig keeps you on your toes as he gleefully subverts the missing person thriller.
6. Game Night (2018)
Game Night is a riotous comedy that cleverly plays with the conventions of the crime thriller. Jason Bateman and Rachel McAdams star as a competitive couple whose weekly game night takes a dangerous turn when his brother stages an elaborate murder mystery party. But the fun and games become all too real when armed men kidnap him, sending the guests on a wild chase to rescue their friend and solve the puzzle. With a sharp script and terrific ensemble cast, Game Night delivers big laughs and genuine thrills. The comedy is character-driven and the mystery is surprisingly engaging.
7. The Thin Man (1934)
One of the most iconic detective duos in cinema history, Nick and Nora Charles are the epitome of sophisticated comedy. As played by William Powell and Myrna Loy, this witty, martini-swilling married couple solve mysteries with style and charm to spare. In The Thin Man, they investigate the disappearance of an eccentric inventor, crossing paths with a colorful array of suspects and witnesses. The sparkling dialogue, debonair performances and art deco elegance make this an eternally entertaining romp. It’s a true classic that launched one of the most beloved movie franchises ever.
8. Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (2005)
Before revitalizing the buddy action comedy with The Nice Guys, writer/director Shane Black did the same for the hardboiled detective story in Kiss Kiss Bang Bang. Robert Downey Jr. plays a small-time crook who stumbles into an acting audition while on the run from the cops. He’s sent to Hollywood to train for a movie role, where he gets caught up in a twisty murder mystery alongside a private eye (Val Kilmer) and an aspiring actress (Michelle Monaghan). Downey Jr. and Kilmer make a dynamite comedic pair, trading razor-sharp quips as they navigate an increasingly bizarre and dangerous case.
9. The Private Eyes (1980)
Comedy legends Tim Conway and Don Knotts reteamed for this delightfully daffy murder mystery spoof. They play bumbling American detectives called to England to investigate a series of murders at a spooky mansion. The Private Eyes is filled with goofy slapstick, absurd sight gags and silly wordplay, poking loving fun at the cliches of old dark house whodunits. Conway and Knotts bring their expert timing and lovable personalities to this lightweight but undeniably funny farce. It’s a must for fans of their classic comedy.
10. Manhattan Murder Mystery (1993)
Woody Allen and Diane Keaton, that most neurotic of comic couples, get entangled in a possible homicide in this breezy mystery comedy. They play a married pair of amateur sleuths who suspect their neighbor of killing his wife, leading them on a madcap investigation through New York City. Manhattan Murder Mystery is a charming throwback to classic screwball comedies, with crackling banter between Allen and Keaton. Anjelica Huston and Alan Alda provide stellar support as their friends who get roped into the caper. It’s a lighthearted treat for fans of old-fashioned murder mysteries.
11. The Man Who Knew Too Little (1997)
Bill Murray is at his goofball best in this spy spoof about an American tourist who gets mixed up in international espionage while visiting London. Murray plays a clueless video store clerk who thinks he’s taking part in an elaborate improv theater experience, unaware that the “characters” he meets are actually assassins and secret agents. His naive bumbling causes comic chaos as he stumbles through a plot involving a planned assassination and top secret documents. The Man Who Knew Too Little is a silly but highly quotable comedy that playfully parodies Hitchcockian thrillers and James Bond movies.
12. Charade (1963)
Often described as “the best Hitchcock movie Hitchcock never made,” Charade is a stylish comic thriller starring Cary Grant and Audrey Hepburn. Hepburn plays a woman pursued by several mysterious men who believe she knows the location of a fortune in stolen gold. Grant is the charming stranger who may or may not be helping her. Together, they engage in a dizzying dance of flirtation and suspicion as they race to find the money and identify the villains. With its gorgeous Paris setting, chic fashions, witty repartee and Henry Mancini score, Charade is the essence of 1960s cool. It’s a classic that set the template for many lighthearted capers to come.
13. Who’s Harry Crumb? (1989)
John Candy plays the title role in this goofy detective comedy. Harry Crumb is the last in a long line of great sleuths, but he’s more of a bungling goofball than a suave crimesolver. He’s hired to track down a kidnapped millionaire, leading to all sorts of slapstick misadventures and ridiculous disguises. Who’s Harry Crumb? is very much a vehicle for Candy’s lovable comic persona, filled with silly one-liners and over-the-top physical comedy. While no classic, it’s an amiably daffy diversion for fans of 1980s humor.
14. Murder Mystery (2019)
Of course, we have to include the movie that inspired this list. Adam Sandler and Jennifer Aniston play a married couple on a European vacation who get framed for the murder of a billionaire. To clear their names, they have to work together to find the real killer among a yacht full of suspects. Murder Mystery is a fun, fluffy comedy that gently spoofs Agatha Christie-style whodunits. Sandler and Aniston have an easy, appealing chemistry, while the picturesque Italian locations provide a glamorous backdrop for the couple’s amateur sleuthing. It’s an undemanding but enjoyable romp.
15. Silver Streak (1976)
This comedy thriller was such a hit that it launched an entire subgenre of mismatched buddy action comedies. Gene Wilder stars as a mild-mannered book editor taking a cross-country train ride. He gets mixed up in a murder plot and must team with a wisecracking thief (Richard Pryor) to save the day. Silver Streak deftly balances suspense and laughs, with a clever mystery plot that keeps the audience guessing. But it’s the hilarious interplay between Wilder and Pryor that makes the movie so much fun. Their comic chemistry proved so strong that they reteamed for three more movies.
16. The Cheap Detective (1978)
Neil Simon, the king of Broadway comedy, spoofs the works of Dashiell Hammett and Raymond Chandler in this affectionate detective movie parody. Peter Falk plays Lou Peckinpaugh, a trenchcoat-wearing private eye investigating the murder of his partner in 1940s San Francisco. Along the way, he encounters a rogue’s gallery of mysterious dames, shady crooks and colorful weirdos. The Cheap Detective is a nonstop barrage of puns, in-jokes and sight gags, with a dizzying plot that gleefully mashes up The Maltese Falcon and Casablanca. It’s a must for fans of classic detective fiction.
17. Lady on a Train (1945)
This charming comedy mystery stars song-and-dance legend Deanna Durbin as a young woman who witnesses a murder from the window of a train. When the police don’t believe her story, she launches her own investigation with the help of a mystery writer. Lady on a Train is a breezy, fast-paced B-movie elevated by Durbin’s luminous presence and beautiful singing voice. The plot is delightfully daffy, as Durbin’s character uses methods learned from detective novels to crack the case. It’s a fun, frothy ride for fans of classic Hollywood.
18. Once Upon a Crime (1992)
This ensemble comedy follows a group of American tourists who discover a murdered man while vacationing in Monte Carlo. Each of them had a reason to want the man dead, so they all become suspects in the eyes of a determined French inspector. Once Upon a Crime boasts an all-star cast including John Candy, James Belushi, Cybill Shepherd, Sean Young and Ornella Muti. While it received mixed reviews, the film has an undeniable charm thanks to its gorgeous European locations and game cast. It’s a lighthearted whodunit romp that makes for perfect lazy weekend viewing.
So there you have it – 18 movies filled with mystery, comedy and plenty of twists and turns to keep you entertained. Whether you prefer your murder mysteries with a side of slapstick, romance or hardboiled detective action, there’s something on this list for every fan of the genre. So break out the popcorn, put on your deerstalker hat and get ready to laugh and sleuth your way through these fun-filled whodunits. The game is afoot!
