The Murder the best murder mystery movies of all time.

This extends to television; the best television shows of all time include several seminal murder mystery offerings comprising wildly successful stories for smaller screens. Inviting never-ending musings and debate through their very nature, the genre has produced a diverse array of shows that received acclaim from fans and critics alike. Ranging from the cut-and-dried detective format of classic murder mystery TV that can still surprise viewers to evocative non-linear genre subversions, the best murder mystery shows seek to thrill, astound, and horrify their audiences in equal measure.

10 Agatha Christie's Poirot (1989-2013)

Created By Agatha Christie

One of iconic novelist Agatha Christie's most famous and celebrated characters, Belgian detective Hercule Poirot served as the basis for one of the most beloved and long-running murder mysteries of all time in ITV's Poirot. Airing for 70 episodes across 13 seasons, the network's adaptation of Christie's Poirot crime novels sees David Suchet step into the role of the eponymous detective in one of British television's must-watch murder mysteries.

Despite Kenneth Brannagh's irable efforts as the character in the later feature films centered on Poirot, Suchet's impressive tenure as the mustachioed sleuth remains the greatest take on the notorious character ever seen. The ITV production faithfully adapts the author's material in a polished fashion to produce that most ironic of things; a comforting and familiar series of whodunnits that still happens to feature many first-rate mystery stories.

9 The Bridge (2011-2018)

Created By Hans Rosenfeldt

A nerve-racking Nordic murder mystery, The Bridge begins after two halves of two separate murdered women are discovered on the border between Denmark and Sweden, prompting a t investigation into the mysterious deaths. The show decidedly does not let up in of tension from there, morphing into an unpredictable, high-stakes murder mystery offering for the ages.

Carried by a superb turn from Alex Rider star Sofia Helin in the leading role as Swedish detective Saga Norén, The Bridge's domestic success meant that the series was screened in more than 100 countries, introducing Hans Rosenfeldt's noir crime drama to international audiences. Also one of the highest-rated murder mysteries on IMDb with an impressive score of 8.6, The Bridge is a gripping and poignant tale that will resonate with any fan of the genre, despite a language barrier for Western audiences.

8 Only Murders In The Building (2021-present)

Created By Steve Martin & John Hoffman

A compelling cocktail of comedy and mystery, Only Murders in the Building has been a veritable success story for Hulu since debuting in 2021. Led by an all-star trio of Steve Martin, Martin Short, and Selena Gomez, the murder mystery show sees the unlikely group bond over a shared love of true-crime podcasts as they investigate a series of deaths in their apartment building.

A hilarious genre subversion that doubles as a stellar murder mystery, Only Murders in the Building has received critical acclaim across four highly successful seasons. A show that leverages the charming chemistry between its leading trio to maximum effect, Only Murders in the Building is uproarious, self-aware, and relentlessly entertaining. Thankfully, this is a state of affairs that will not end in the near future, as Only Murders in the Building was renewed for season 5 in September 2024.

7 How To Get Away With Murder (2014-2020)

Created By Peter Nowalk

Spearheaded by a powerhouse performance from Viola Davis as Annalise Keating, How to Get Away With Murder follows the lives of a college professor and a group of her students who become embroiled in an intricate murder plot. The show proved to be a resounding success for ABC, with How to Get Away With Murder airing for six seasons and receiving positive reviews throughout its run.

A gloriously unpredictable story full of twists and turns that features one of Shonda Rhimes' most impressive leading ladies, How to Get Away With Murder claims all the trademark staples that one would expect from a superb murder mystery. The show is dark and thrilling, featuring a compelling cast of morally ambiguous characters who serve to ramp up the levels of tension through their volatile personalities.

6 Poker Face (2023-present)

Created By Rian Johnson

Led by a magnificent turn from Orange Is the New Black star Natasha Lyonne, Rian Johnson's Poker Face follows Charlie Cale, a casino worker with an uncanny ability to detect lies. Fleeing across the country from a vengeful tormentor, Cale finds herself inextricably caught up in a series of murders. Handling a new mystery each episode, Poker Face adopts the story format utilized by seminal offerings such as Columbo.

Johnson's case-of-the-week format has been a smash hit since debuting in 2023, with a second season of Poker Face already commissioned. The gripping murder mystery has received critical acclaim, with particular praise directed towards the show's compelling blend of intrigue and dark humor, as well as Lyonne's amazing lead performance as Cale. A refreshing and inventive new take on the whodunnit that is off to a strong star, Poker Face is a triumph.

5 True Detective: Night Country (2024)

Created By Issa López

The second and third seasons of the crime anthology True Detective received a disappointing critical response, particularly because the show's haunting first season is frequently cited as one of the single most impressive seasons of television ever produced. Fortunately, the show's fourth season, True Detective: Night Country, proved to be a superb uptick in form for the HBO mainstay, with Issa Lopez's Alaskan offering receiving excellent reviews upon release in 2024.

A gritty mystery drama with eerie trappings of the supernatural, Night Country is a magnificent return to the roots of what rendered True Detective's original outing such a success. A pair of superb leading performances from Jodie Foster and Kali Reis as detective duo Liz Danvers and Evangeline Navarro is complemented by breathtaking visuals, poignant social commentary, and an engrossing narrative, leading to a white-knuckle viewing experience that deftly sidesteps the pitfalls associated with its more recent predecessors.

4 Mindhunter (2017-2019)

Created By Joe Penhall

A terrifying deep dive into the twisted minds of an array of serial killers, David Finch's Mindhunter is one of television's preeminent "what might have been" stories. Chronicling the inception of the FBI's criminal profiling process and based on real-life s from agents tasked with interviewing some of America's most terrifying murderers, Mindhunter features the likes of David Berkowitz and Charles Manson, to name but a few.

Finch's murder mystery received critical acclaim, with critics pointing to the show's slow-burn style, the performances of the cast, and the terrifying authenticity of the killers' interviews as notable highlights. Remarkably, despite Finch's show rapidly gaining status as a critic's darling and fan favorite, the acclaimed series only ran for two seasons on Netflix before Mindhunter was canceled over cost concerns. Fans held out hope, but Finch confirmed that the show was dead and buried in 2023.

3 Broadchurch (2013-2017)

Created By Chris Chibnall

Featuring a star-studded British ensemble cast that includes David Tennant, Olivia Colman, and Jodie Whitaker, the acclaimed BBC crime drama Broadchurch is also one of the finest murder mystery outings that television has to offer. Running for three seasons between 2014 and 2017, the show's first installment chronicles the investigation into the unsolved murder of a young boy after his body is found on a local beach, with the ramifications of his death having an overarching effect on later seasons.

Featuring powerhouse performances from the credentialed cast, Broadchurch has some glorious cinematography and a haunting score to complement the show's compelling narrative and rich array of characters. A slow-burn whodunnit of the highest order, Chris Chibnall's crime drama received consistently positive reviews throughout its run and is regarded as one of British television's most universally celebrated titles.

2 Mare Of Easttown (2021)

Created By Brad Inglesby

Depicting the investigation into the brutal murder of a young woman in a fictional suburb of Philadelphia, 2021's Mare of Easttown stars Kate Winslet in the leading role of Mare Sheehan. A career-best performance that earned the actress a host of rave reviews, Winslet also received numerous dramatic awards, including an Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie, courtesy of her starring role in Brad Inglesby's impeccable drama.

The praise for Mare of Easttown's quality isn't solely focused on the strength of Winslet's performance, with Inglesby's series receiving acclaim across the board for its acting and story. A suspense-laden tale that leverages the talents of its gifted ensemble cast to maximum effect, Mare of Easttown utilizes many jaw-dropping narrative twists and turns to produce an unforgettable murder mystery drama — although a second season of Mare of Easttown faces challenges.

1 Twin Peaks (1990-2017)

Created By Mark Frost & David Lynch

A flawless murder mystery, Twin Peaks has stood the test of time to retain its status as television's best murder mystery show. A story that begins under the guise of a typical whodunnit murder mystery, Twin Peaks spirals into an intricately spun spider's web of narrative developments and supernatural twists that never cease to entertain. The show ran for two seasons on ABC until it was canceled in 1991, before returning for an acclaimed third season under Showtime's banner in 2017.

Widely regarded as one of the best series of all time, as well as one that has inspired a host of horror movies and television shows, it's unsurprising that Twin Peaks clocks in as television's most lauded murder mystery offering. The show's unique mix of genres and lasting cultural impact render it one of entertainment history's most storied and inimitable names, a powerful, enigmatic drama that has entertained multiple generations.