If you’re a fan of clever whodunits, sharp dialogue, and unexpected twists, Rian Johnson’s “Knives Out” likely left you craving more. This modern take on the classic murder mystery genre captivated audiences with its stellar ensemble cast, intricate plot, and perfect blend of suspense and humor. But once you’ve unraveled the Thrombey family’s secrets, where do you turn next? Fear not, fellow sleuths! We’ve compiled a list of 19 movies like Knives Out that will satisfy your appetite for mystery, intrigue, and dark comedy. From classic whodunits to genre-bending thrillers, these films offer the same clever writing, memorable characters, and shocking revelations that made “Knives Out” such a hit. So grab your magnifying glass and notepad – it’s time to dive into a world of murder, mayhem, and masterful storytelling!
1. Clue (1985)
Clue is a 1985 black comedy mystery film based on the popular board game. Directed by Jonathan Lynn and written by Lynn and John Landis, the film features an ensemble cast including Eileen Brennan, Tim Curry, Madeline Kahn, Christopher Lloyd, Michael McKean, Martin Mull, and Lesley Ann Warren.
The plot follows six strangers who are invited to a mysterious dinner party at a secluded mansion. When their host turns up dead, they must work together with the butler to figure out who the killer is before the police arrive. The film is known for its multiple endings, with different theaters receiving different endings during its initial release.
Clue captures a similar comedic mystery tone as Knives Out, with clever dialogue, fun characters, and an intriguing whodunit storyline. While it was not a huge box office success initially, it has since developed a strong cult following.
2. Brick (2005)
Brick is a 2005 neo-noir mystery film written and directed by Rian Johnson in his directorial debut. The film stars Joseph Gordon-Levitt as Brendan Frye, a teenage loner who pushes his way into the underworld of a high school crime ring to investigate the disappearance of his ex-girlfriend.
Though set in a modern-day California high school, the film is heavily inspired by hardboiled detective fiction and film noir, with characters speaking in a stylized slang reminiscent of a Dashiell Hammett novel. Brick premiered at the Sundance Film Festival to critical acclaim, with many praising its unique premise, sharp dialogue, and strong performances.
Fans of Knives Out will appreciate Brick‘s clever writing and direction from Rian Johnson, as well as its subversion of genre tropes. It’s a must-watch for anyone who enjoys smart, stylish mysteries.
3. Scream (1996)
Scream is a 1996 slasher film directed by Wes Craven and written by Kevin Williamson. The film stars Neve Campbell as Sidney Prescott, a high school student in the fictional town of Woodsboro who becomes the target of a mysterious killer known as Ghostface.
The film is notable for its deconstruction of slasher movie clichés, with characters who are well-versed in horror movie tropes and often comment on them. It also features a number of suspenseful and well-crafted murder sequences, as well as a surprising amount of humor and meta-commentary.
Scream was a massive critical and commercial success, reinventing the slasher genre for a new generation and spawning a franchise that includes multiple sequels. Like Knives Out, it’s a clever, self-aware take on a classic genre that keeps audiences guessing until the very end.
4. The Usual Suspects (1995)
The Usual Suspects is a 1995 neo-noir mystery film directed by Bryan Singer and written by Christopher McQuarrie. The film stars Stephen Baldwin, Gabriel Byrne, Benicio del Toro, Kevin Pollak, Chazz Palminteri, Pete Postlethwaite, and Kevin Spacey.
The plot follows the interrogation of Roger “Verbal” Kint, a small-time con man who is one of only two survivors of a massacre and fire on a ship docked at the Port of Los Angeles. Through flashbacks, Kint tells an interrogator a convoluted story of events that led him and four other criminals to the boat, and of a mysterious mob boss known as Keyser Söze who controlled them.
The Usual Suspects is known for its complex plot, unreliable narrator, and twist ending. It was a critical and commercial success, winning two Academy Awards (Best Original Screenplay and Best Supporting Actor for Spacey) and has since been regarded as one of the greatest films of the 1990s.
Like Knives Out, The Usual Suspects keeps audiences engaged with its intricate storytelling and shocking revelations. It’s a must-see for fans of clever, well-crafted mystery thrillers.
5. Primal Fear (1996)
Primal Fear is a 1996 legal thriller film directed by Gregory Hoblit and based on William Diehl’s 1993 novel of the same name. The film stars Richard Gere as Martin Vail, a Chicago defense attorney who takes on the case of Aaron Stampler (Edward Norton in his film debut), an altar boy accused of murdering an influential Catholic archbishop.
As Vail investigates the case, he becomes convinced of Stampler’s innocence, despite the overwhelming evidence against him. However, a series of twists and turns lead to a shocking revelation about Stampler’s true nature.
Primal Fear was a critical and commercial success, with particular praise going to Norton’s breakout performance, which earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor. Like Knives Out, it’s a gripping, well-acted thriller that keeps audiences guessing until its stunning conclusion.
6. Se7en (1995)
Se7en (sometimes stylized as SE7EN) is a 1995 neo-noir psychological thriller film directed by David Fincher and written by Andrew Kevin Walker. The film stars Brad Pitt and Morgan Freeman as two detectives hunting a serial killer (Kevin Spacey) who uses the seven deadly sins as his modus operandi.
The film is known for its dark, gritty atmosphere, disturbing crime scenes, and shocking ending. It was a critical and commercial success, and has since been regarded as one of the greatest films of the 1990s.
While Se7en is significantly darker in tone than Knives Out, it shares a similar commitment to keeping audiences engaged with its intricate plot and memorable characters. It’s a must-watch for fans of intense, thought-provoking thrillers.
7. Zodiac (2007)
Zodiac is a 2007 mystery thriller film directed by David Fincher and based on the 1986 non-fiction book of the same name by Robert Graysmith. The film stars Jake Gyllenhaal as Graysmith, a cartoonist who becomes obsessed with the Zodiac Killer, a serial killer who terrorized the San Francisco Bay Area in the late 1960s and early 1970s.
The film follows Graysmith, along with journalists Paul Avery (Robert Downey Jr.) and Inspector David Toschi (Mark Ruffalo), as they attempt to uncover the identity of the killer. Despite the passage of time and the lack of new evidence, Graysmith remains determined to solve the case.
Zodiac was praised for its attention to detail, strong performances, and tense atmosphere. Like Knives Out, it’s a gripping mystery that keeps audiences invested in the characters’ obsessive quest for the truth.
8. Frailty (2001)
Frailty is a 2001 psychological thriller film directed by and starring Bill Paxton, and co-starring Matthew McConaughey and Powers Boothe. The film is about the strange relationship between two young boys and their fanatically religious father, who believes that he has been commanded by God to kill demons disguised as people.
The story is told through a series of flashbacks, as one of the now-adult brothers (McConaughey) recounts their childhood to an FBI agent (Boothe) investigating a series of murders. As the story unfolds, the lines between reality and delusion become increasingly blurred.
Frailty was praised for its strong performances, tense atmosphere, and thought-provoking themes. Like Knives Out, it’s a clever, well-crafted thriller that keeps audiences engaged with its twists and turns.
9. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2011)
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo is a 2011 psychological crime thriller film directed by David Fincher and based on the 2005 novel of the same name by Stieg Larsson. The film stars Daniel Craig as Mikael Blomkvist, a journalist who is hired to investigate the disappearance of a wealthy industrialist’s niece from 40 years ago. He is aided by Lisbeth Salander (Rooney Mara), a brilliant but troubled computer hacker.
As Blomkvist and Salander delve deeper into the case, they uncover a web of corruption, violence, and long-buried family secrets. The film is known for its dark, gritty tone, complex characters, and shocking twists.
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo was a critical and commercial success, with particular praise going to Mara’s intense, committed performance. Like Knives Out, it’s a gripping mystery that keeps audiences engaged with its intricate plot and memorable characters.
10. Murder by Death (1976)
Murder by Death is a 1976 satirical mystery comedy film directed by Robert Moore and written by Neil Simon. The film features an all-star ensemble cast including Peter Falk, Alec Guinness, Peter Sellers, Eileen Brennan, Truman Capote, James Coco, Elsa Lanchester, David Niven, Maggie Smith, and Nancy Walker.
The plot revolves around eccentric millionaire Lionel Twain (Capote), who invites five of the world’s greatest detectives to his mansion for a dinner party and a murder. Each detective is a parody of a famous literary sleuth, such as Hercule Poirot, Miss Marple, Charlie Chan, Sam Spade, and Nick and Nora Charles. As the evening progresses, the detectives must put their skills to the test to solve the crime.
Murder by Death is a clever, witty spoof of classic mystery tropes, with plenty of laughs and twists along the way. Like Knives Out, it’s a loving homage to the genre that will delight fans of classic whodunits.
11. Ready or Not (2019)
Ready or Not is a 2019 black comedy horror film directed by Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett, and written by Guy Busick and R. Christopher Murphy. The film stars Samara Weaving as Grace, a newlywed who becomes hunted by her spouse’s wealthy, eccentric family as part of their wedding night ritual.
The film is a darkly comedic, blood-soaked thriller that blends elements of horror, comedy, and social satire. As Grace fights for survival against her increasingly unhinged in-laws, she uncovers the dark secrets and twisted traditions that have shaped the family’s history.
Ready or Not was praised for its sharp writing, strong lead performance from Weaving, and deft balance of humor and horror. Like Knives Out, it’s a fresh, entertaining take on familiar genre tropes that keeps audiences on the edge of their seats.
12. Gone Girl (2014)
Gone Girl is a 2014 psychological thriller film directed by David Fincher and based on the 2012 novel of the same name by Gillian Flynn. The film stars Ben Affleck as Nick Dunne, a man who becomes the prime suspect in the sudden disappearance of his wife, Amy (Rosamund Pike).
As the police investigation unfolds and media scrutiny intensifies, Nick’s portrait of a blissful marriage begins to crumble. Secrets are revealed, lies are exposed, and the truth becomes increasingly elusive.
Gone Girl was praised for its gripping plot, stylish direction, and powerhouse performances from Affleck and Pike. Like Knives Out, it’s a twisty, unpredictable thriller that keeps audiences guessing until the very end.
13. Werewolves Within (2021)
Werewolves Within is a 2021 horror comedy film directed by Josh Ruben and written by Mishna Wolff, based on the video game of the same name. The film stars Sam Richardson as Finn Wheeler, a forest ranger who must keep the peace in the small town of Beaverfield when a snowstorm traps him and the eccentric residents in a local inn with a mysterious killer on the loose.
As suspicions mount and bodies pile up, Finn must work to uncover the truth before it’s too late. Is the killer a werewolf, as some believe, or is something even more sinister at play?
Werewolves Within was praised for its clever writing, strong ensemble cast, and deft blend of horror and humor. Like Knives Out, it’s a fresh, entertaining take on the mystery genre that keeps audiences laughing and guessing in equal measure.
14. Murder Mystery (2019)
Murder Mystery is a 2019 comedy mystery film directed by Kyle Newacheck and written by James Vanderbilt. The film stars Adam Sandler and Jennifer Aniston as Nick and Audrey Spitz, a married couple who become embroiled in a murder investigation while on a European vacation.
When a wealthy elderly man is found dead on his yacht, the Spitzes become the prime suspects and must work to clear their names while evading the authorities and a dangerous assassin. Along the way, they encounter a colorful cast of characters, each with their own secrets and motives.
Murder Mystery was praised for its charming lead performances and breezy, entertaining plot. Like Knives Out, it’s a fun, lighthearted take on the mystery genre that doesn’t take itself too seriously.
15. The Hateful Eight (2015)
The Hateful Eight is a 2015 western thriller film written and directed by Quentin Tarantino. The film stars Samuel L. Jackson, Kurt Russell, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Walton Goggins, Demián Bichir, Tim Roth, Michael Madsen, and Bruce Dern as eight strangers who seek refuge from a blizzard in a stagecoach stopover some time after the American Civil War.
As tensions rise and secrets are revealed, it becomes clear that not everyone is who they claim to be. Violence erupts as the characters navigate a complex web of betrayal, deception, and hidden agendas.
The Hateful Eight was praised for its sharp dialogue, strong performances, and tense, claustrophobic atmosphere. Like Knives Out, it’s a clever, twisty thriller that keeps audiences engaged with its colorful characters and shocking revelations.
16. Gosford Park (2001)
Gosford Park is a 2001 mystery comedy-drama film directed by Robert Altman and written by Julian Fellowes. The film features an ensemble cast, including Maggie Smith, Ryan Phillippe, Michael Gambon, Kristin Scott Thomas, Camilla Rutherford, Charles Dance, Stephen Fry, and Bob Balaban.
Set in the 1930s, the story follows a group of wealthy Britons and their servants who gather for a weekend shooting party at the country estate of Sir William McCordle. When Sir William is found murdered, the house becomes a crime scene and everyone becomes a suspect.
Gosford Park was praised for its clever script, deft direction, and outstanding ensemble cast. Like Knives Out, it’s a stylish, witty take on the classic murder mystery formula, with plenty of twists and turns to keep audiences guessing.
17. See How They Run (2022)
See How They Run is a 2022 mystery comedy film directed by Tom George and written by Mark Chappell. The film stars Sam Rockwell and Saoirse Ronan as Inspector Stoppard and Constable Stalker, a mismatched pair of detectives investigating a murder at a West End theater in 1950s London.
As the investigation unfolds, Stoppard and Stalker find themselves entangled in a complex web of egos, rivalries, and hidden agendas within the theater community. The film is a loving homage to classic whodunits, with plenty of meta-humor and self-referential nods to the genre.
See How They Run was praised for its clever writing, charming performances, and stylish period setting. Like Knives Out, it’s a fun, fresh take on the mystery genre that will delight fans of classic crime capers.
18. Bad Times at the El Royale (2018)
Bad Times at the El Royale is a 2018 neo-noir thriller film written and directed by Drew Goddard. The film features an ensemble cast including Jeff Bridges, Cynthia Erivo, Dakota Johnson, Jon Hamm, Cailee Spaeny, Lewis Pullman, and Chris Hemsworth.
Set in the late 1960s, the story follows seven strangers, each with a secret to bury, who meet at Lake Tahoe’s El Royale, a rundown hotel with a dark past. Over the course of one fateful night, everyone will have a last shot at redemption before everything goes wrong.
Bad Times at the El Royale was praised for its stylish direction, intriguing premise, and strong ensemble cast. While it may not be a straight-up murder mystery like Knives Out, it shares a similar sense of style, humor, and suspense that will appeal to fans of Rian Johnson’s film.
19. The Menu (2022)
The Menu is a 2022 black comedy horror film directed by Mark Mylod. The film stars Ralph Fiennes as Chef Slowik, a celebrity chef who runs an exclusive restaurant on a remote island. A young couple (played by Anya Taylor-Joy and Nicholas Hoult) travel to the island for a lavish meal, but soon discover that Slowik has sinister plans for his guests.
As the night unfolds, secrets are revealed and tensions boil over, leading to a shocking and violent conclusion. The Menu shares Knives Out‘s darkly comedic tone and claustrophobic setting, as well as its critique of wealth and privilege. Fiennes is particularly memorable as the menacing Chef Slowik, while Taylor-Joy and Hoult anchor the film with their relatable performances.
These 19 films share many of the qualities that made Knives Out such a hit, from clever writing and stylish direction to stellar ensemble casts and shocking twists. Whether you’re in the mood for a classic whodunit, a subversive take on the genre, or a genre-bending thrill ride, there’s something on this list for every mystery lover. So grab some popcorn, settle in, and get ready to put your detective skills to the test!
