Movies Like Knives Out: 10 Mystery Films With Clever Twists
Knives Out revived the classic whodunit with a modern cast, a twisting plot and plenty of humor. If you want more movies like Knives Out, the key ingredients to look for are a closed circle of suspects, a clever investigator and a story that plays fair with the audience. The ten films below deliver those pleasures in different ways, from sequels in the same series to golden-age mysteries and darker modern thrillers.
1. Clue (1985)
Six guests at a dark mansion are blackmailed and a murder follows. A cult comedy based on the board game with multiple endings and a fast, farcical pace.
2. Gosford Park (2001)
A weekend shooting party at an English country house ends in murder, seen from both upstairs and downstairs. A rich, class-conscious mystery directed by Robert Altman.
3. Murder on the Orient Express (2017)
Detective Hercule Poirot investigates a murder on a snowbound train. A star-studded adaptation of the classic Agatha Christie novel.
See the cast, trailer and where to watch Murder on the Orient Express
4. Ready or Not (2019)
A bride must take part in her new family’s wedding night tradition: a game of hide-and-seek. A darkly funny thriller with a sharp edge.
5. Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery (2022)
Detective Benoit Blanc travels to a private Greek island for a tech billionaire’s murder mystery weekend. The follow-up has a new cast, a new puzzle and the same playful spirit.
See the cast, trailer and where to watch Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery
6. Death on the Nile (2022)
Poirot investigates a murder during a luxury cruise along the Nile. A glamorous mystery with a large cast of suspects.
7. See How They Run (2022)
A world-weary inspector and an eager constable investigate a murder in the West End during a theater production. Light, stylish and full of in-jokes.
8. The Menu (2022)
A couple travels to an exclusive island restaurant where the chef has a surprise for his guests. A dark satire with mystery and suspense.
9. Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery (2025)
Detective Benoit Blanc returns to investigate an impossible crime in a small parish. The third entry in the series leans into a moodier, gothic mystery.
See the cast, trailer and where to watch Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery
10. Identity (2003)
Ten strangers are stranded at a remote motel during a storm and begin to die one by one. A tense, twisty thriller built on a puzzle structure.
What makes a great whodunit
The best mysteries give you all the clues but still manage to surprise you. If you enjoyed how Knives Out treated the investigation as a game, start with Glass Onion and Clue. If you want a more traditional, elegant approach, look at Murder on the Orient Express and Gosford Park. For a modern, darker take, try Ready or Not or The Menu. Browse all of the best mystery movies for more.
Open any film above to see the cast, trailer and where to stream it.
Frequently asked questions
What movies are most like Knives Out?
Glass Onion and Wake Up Dead Man are the direct sequels. Clue, Murder on the Orient Express and See How They Run are the closest in tone and style.
Do I need to see Knives Out first to watch the sequels?
No. Each Knives Out film tells a new standalone mystery with the same detective, so you can start with any one.
Are there mystery movies with dark humor?
Yes. Clue, Ready or Not and The Menu all combine suspense with dark comedy.
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Sources: movie details, ratings and images from TMDB; streaming availability from JustWatch. Scores and availability change over time.
