Best Mystery Thrillers for Agatha Christie Fans

The undisputed “Queen of Mystery,” Agatha Christie has delighted a generation of readers and moviegoers with her captivating stories of murder and deception. Her works are so intricate and precise, the characters so eccentric and suspicious, and the plot twists so shocking, that even the countless number of novels she’s graced us with don’t seem enough. Of course, their silver screen adaptations add to the excitement of watching a mystery unfold in real time.

For the Christie fan, the entire appeal lies in the ambiance. Her works are often set against the backdrop of a quaint country manor or within hushed drawing rooms. There is a certain combination of elegance and darkness that keeps us seated. And the influence of her tales extends far beyond her own literary canon because she practically transformed the murder mystery genre.

Several writers and filmmakers have adapted her tone and created masterpieces that are just as riveting and high-stakes. So if you’re an Agatha Christie fan and are looking for movies that amaze you in the exact same way, this list counts down ten essential titles that thrust you into a world of deadly intrigue and keep you guessing until the very end.

10 See How They Run (2022)

Set in the glittering world of 1950s London West End, See How They Run begins with a team preparing for and celebrating the 100th performance of Agatha Christie’s play, The Mousetrap. A sleazy American director, Leo Köpernick, is hired to make a movie adaptation of the same, but before he kickstarts the production, he’s murdered backstage. Inspector George Stoppard and rookie Constable Stalker are tasked with solving the crime, but they find themselves entangled in the glamor of the industry.

A Playful Homage to Christie’s Legacy

See How They Run is a clever whodunit that’s not directly based on any of Christie’s works but it pays homage to her iconic murder mysteries by introducing modern sensibilities and a theatrical twist to the recipe. Directed with a deft touch by Tom George, the movie has it all – sharp dialogue, a star-studded cast, visual flair, period accurate details, sly nods, a labyrinth of red herrings, and a narrative that will have Christie fans grinning from ear to ear.

9 The Name of the Rose (1986)

Based on Umberto Eco’s 1980 novel of the same name, The Name of the Rose takes place in a secluded medieval Benedictine abbey. Where a series of mysterious deaths have sent its inhabitants on edge. The monks are convinced that it’s the apocalypse, but they seek help from Franciscan friar William of Baskerville and his novice Adso of Melk, who discover secrets and intrigues within the abbey’s walls.

Murder Mystery That Lingers in the Mind

An otherwise underrated movie, The Name of the Rose blends historical drama, a gripping mystery, and a web of suspense. Directed by Jean-Jacques Annaud and starring Sean Connery and Christian Slater in the main roles, the movie weaves a narrative that’s as exquisite as it is intelligent. It crafts an atmosphere ripe with puzzles and moral dilemmas waiting to be solved, and according to Roger Ebert, describes “a time when the world was quite literally read like a book.”

8 The Sleeping Car Murder (1965)

The French film, originally titled Compartiment Tueurs, begins with Bambi, a young woman boarding a train from Avignon to Paris. She shares her compartment with five others, but when a girl named Georgette Thomas is found dead in her bunk, Inspector Grazziani is called to solve the case and all the passengers become suspects. While he’s got clues that they each hold a secret and a potential motive, when the killer strikes again, the game gets harder.

A Mystery That Oozes With Intrigue

The Sleeping Car Murder is a treat for fans of Agatha Christie because it’s so intricately plotted and beautifully paced. Director Costa-Gavras is a master of atmospheric storytelling and, under his careful vision, the movie combines elements of classic whodunit with complex character study. Of course, the claustrophobic setting of the train is a callback to one of Christie’s most acclaimed thrillers, and this one, with Simone Signoret and Michel Piccoli, is just as amazing.

7 Rear Window (1954)

In Rear Window, a photographer named L.B. “Jeff” Jefferies becomes confined to a wheelchair after breaking his leg and spends all his time in the apartment. Bored out of his mind and restless, he begins to spy on his neighbors from his real window by using his camera’s zoom lens. When Jeff becomes convinced that one of his neighbors, Lars Thorwald, has committed murder, he sets out to uncover the truth behind Thorwald’s wife.

Subverts the Christie Formula

Directed by Alfred Hitchcock, Rear Window is a quintessential mystery thriller that captivates the mind from beginning to end. While not a directed adaptation, like Christie’s works, it is carefully crafted and the psychological depth is what makes it a must-watch. James Stewart delivered a brilliant performance as Jeff, whose curiosity drives him into danger. Grace Kelly is just as remarkable, elegant, and determined as the girlfriend, Lisa. Overall, Rear Window is a classic in the genre.

6 Diabolique (1955)

Another French psychological thriller, Diabolique weaves a web of jealousy, betrayal, and murder that’s hard to shake off even decades later. It takes place within the confines of a run-down boarding school, where the murder of a despicable headmaster is plotted by his long-suffering wife, Christina, and his mistress, Nicole. When the two women successfully get rid of their tormentor, but the body disappears, they find themselves feeling paranoid, distrustful, and brimming with guilt.

A True Cinematic Gem

Directed with a steady hand by Henri-Georges Clouzot, this masterpiece thrives on the tension it builds with every passing second. While at the core of the narrative is a classic murder mystery, the movie seeps into your very bones by delivering unexpected twists and turns from the perspectives of the two women who committed the crime. Simone Signoret and Véra Clouzot are nothing short of mesmerizing in bringing the terror and intrigue to life within the isolated setting.

5 Gosford Park (2001)

As far as family whodunits go, Gosford Park is among the more engaging ones out there. Directed by Robert Altman, it takes place in 1932 at an English country estate, with the story unfolding among a group of wealthy aristocrats arriving at Gosford Park for a shooting party organized by Sir William McCordle and his wife Lady Sylvia. The guests and servants find themselves subject to investigation by Inspector Thompson when Sir William is found dead.

As the investigation in Gosford Park progresses, the distinction between guests and servants begins to blur and the relationships between various characters are revealed in the most unpredictable ways. But that’s not all that makes the movie so good. Altman’s direction paired with the razor-sharp social satire is something Christie fans will be delighted with. Also, it stars Hollywood heavyweights like Stephen Fry, Michael Gambon, Maggie Smith, Helen Mirren, and Clive Owen.

4 The Hateful Eight (2015)

Quentin Tarantino’s Western mystery is a distinct but essential addition to this list. Set against the backdrop of a snowy Wyoming landscape, it follows a motley group of travelers who end up in a remote roadside cabin while seeking shelter. But the bounty hunters, outlaws, prisoners and mysterious strangers soon find themselves in a deadly game of deceit and suspicion when one of them emerges as a ruthless killer in disguise.

Tarantino’s Claustrophobic Masterpiece

The Hateful Eight is praised by critics for featuring Tarantino’s “signature blend of action, humor, and over-the-top violence” while also delivering a “wildly entertaining narrative” that makes its three-hour-long runtime gallop in an instant. The movie not only builds a slow-burning suspense but also explores the human condition in an uncompromising way. Starring the likes of Samuel L. Jackson, Kurt Russell, and Jennifer Jason Leigh, it seamlessly combines the classic locked-room whodunit formula with bold and dark tones that defy the genre.

3 The Last of Sheila (1973)

Co-written by Anthony Perkins (who starred in the movie adaptation of Murder on the Orient Express) and Stephen Sondheim and directed by Herbert Ross, The Last of Sheila follows film producer Clinton Greene, who invites a group of Hollywood insiders and friends to join him on a luxurious yacht because he believes one of them is responsible for the mysterious death of his wife Sheila. As the night changes, it becomes clear that one of them harbors a hidden agenda.

A Thriller Mapped Like a Puzzle Box

Although not extraordinary in its premise, The Last of Sheila is an intricately plotted puzzle that has viewers questioning the truth at every step of the way, until the jaw-dropping reveal is nothing like you imagined. It unfolds like a game and shows each character’s motives and secrets, reveling in its own labyrinthine plot and ingenious twists. The ensemble cast, including Dyan Cannon, Richard Benjamin, and Raquel Welch, deliver performances that are flawed yet fascinating to watch.

2 Sleuth (1972)

Based on Anthony Shaffer’s 1970 Tony Award-winning play, Sleuth follows a successful mystery writer who lives in a country manor with his high-maintenance wife, Marguerite. He wishes to divorce her but doesn’t want to lose a fortune in alimony. So Andrew Wyke teams up with his wife’s lover, Milo Tindle, and proposes a scheme to stage a robbery of his wife’s jewelry. But the plan spirals into a series of attempts where one character is trying to outwit the other.

A Riveting Game of Wits and Deception

Filled with mind games, psychological battles, and increasingly elaborate ploys, Sleuth is like a mine of ideas on how to one-up someone. It is a delightful, dialogue-driven thriller that has certain unsettling and crippling scenes of suspense but is overall entertaining to watch. Laurence Oliver and Michael Caine play the two adversaries locked in a battle of wits, their reality and fiction colliding in darkly comedic ways. Definitely appealing to Agatha Christie fans.

1 Knives Out (2019)

In this Rian Johnson-directed murder mystery, wealthy crime novelist Harlan Thrombey is celebrating his 85th birthday at his Massachusetts mansion with his dysfunctional family. He’s found dead with a slit throat the next morning and renowned private detective Benoit Blanc is called to secretly investigate the case. He speaks to each member of the Thrombey family, peeling back layers of secrets and motives in his attempt to uncover the identity of the killer.

Modern Whodunit With a Star-Studded Cast

One of the most delightful whodunits of modern times, Knives Out is a tribute to Agatha Christie’s works and a standout in recent pop culture. Johnson infuses the genre with a refreshing flair with his clever sense of humor and rich production design. Daniel Craig leads the movie’s cast, which features Ana de Armas, Chris Evans, Jamie Lee Curtis, and Toni Collette playing the eccentric members of the Thrombey family. They are the perfect embodiment of the characters that Christie was known for creating. Overall, its old-school charm and contemporary edge make Knives Out a must-watch.