The best mystery shows walk a fine line between cases that keep us guessing but also feel somewhat solvable.
Sometimes, we want to see if we can solve the mysteries before the protagonists do, but other times, we just want to sit back and marvel at their brilliance.
Either way, according to our TV Fanatic team, here are some of the best shows to watch if you like solving mysteries.
Columbo (Tubi)
Columbo (1971-1978 and 1989-2003) featured the quintessential American gumshoe of the same name, played by Peter Falk.
Few people can make an old rumpled coat and a cigar an iconic look, but actor Peter Falk pulled it off beautifully, and the show became a classic detective series.
There was no disputing the mild-mannered detective was at the top of his deduction game, and he stayed that way through several decades of TV episodes and movies, albeit sporadically aired, with all of us along for the ride.
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One thing that made the series one of the best mystery shows was its use of a “howcatchem” approach. It usually revealed who committed the crime early and followed Columbo as he found a way to catch the culprit. It was nontraditional, but it was still intriguing.
The mystery was trying to figure out how Columbo’s mind worked, what made him connect the dots the way he did, and why he asked certain questions along the way. Each episode was a real brain teaser in a unique format.
The series also doesn’t tell us outright what Columbo’s first name is, so that’s a bonus mystery to try to solve as we watch.
Perry Mason (Freevee)
Another detective series that ran somewhat sporadically was Perry Mason (1957-1966 and 1985-1995) starring Raymond Burr.
The character was created by novelist Erle Stanley Gardner originally, and Burr was not the first to play Mason. Radio and film adaptations came before.
Nevertheless, Burr is the one most people think of when they picture Perry Mason because he played the iconic lawyer so well and for so long.
He first starred on the 1957 — 1966 CBS series and then reprised the role for the NBC Perry Mason movies. Although, he only appeared in 26 of the 30 films before passing away in 1993.
The great thing about the Perry Mason series and movies is that they were quite detailed, and viewers could potentially solve the mysteries the same way Perry and his friends did.
Matlock (Pluto)
Andy Griffith, as Ben Matlock on the original Matlock (1986-1995, brought another iconic TV detective to life.
With his sweet southern nature and quick thinking, Matlock could solve any crime.
It was an added bonus that he wasn’t just a detective but an attorney, so we got to see him get the bad guys convicted Perry Mason-style, bringing back the Raymond Burr vibes.
The show is a favorite of many mystery buffs, myself included, but there is some debate over how easy its mysteries are to solve.
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Some fans claim they are solvable with good deductive reasoning skills.
Others think that’s a stretch and that many solutions are impossible to know until the end.
You can judge for yourself when you watch it, and then check out the Matlock reboot coming in fall 2024.
Murder, She Wrote (Roku)
Murder, She Wrote (1984-1996) was an absolute juggernaut for CBS.
The late Dame Angela Lansbury played former school teacher Jessica Beatrice (J.B.) From the fictional picturesque town of Cabot Cove, Maine, Jessica became a mystery writer and crime solver.
She was a person you’d expect to see baking cookies in her kitchen and was on the town’s refreshment committee in the premiere episode.
Yet, within that first hour, we all quickly discovered she wasn’t just a cookie baker but a sharp cookie herself, like these strong female characters.
In the days before smartphones and other newfangled gadgets, she used her eyes, ears, and common sense to puzzle things through, allowing us, as viewers, to do the same.
Little clues like shaving cream, binoculars, buttons, and outfit changes helped her and us identify the guilty parties, making Murder, She Wrote always a fun watch.
Monk (Netflix)
To this day, Monk (Tony Shalhoub) is everyone’s favorite “defective detective,” but he’s so much more than that.
Monk (2002-2009) represents a turning point in television history.
It was the first major mystery show to feature a character with neurodiverse characteristics, and Adrian Monk quickly became one of the most loved TV characters ever.
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With his OCD, germaphobia, and lack of social skills, he was immediately awkwardly endearing to those of us who love mysteries.
Monk’s superpower was the ability to be grossed out and totally tuned in at the same time, which is what made the show so fun.
We all became attached not only to each mystery but also to watching how Monk got through daily life between solving the crimes.
Psych (Peacock)
What do you get when you combine a pharmaceutical salesman, a fake psychic, and the Santa Barbara Police Department?
The answer is Psych (2006-2014), which originally aired on USA and received the highest ratings of all basic cable premieres that year.
Every episode features Shawn Spencer (James Roday Rodriguez) and his best friend, Gus (Dulé Hill), using Shawn’s photographic memory and their observational powers to solve crimes while pulling one over on Jules, Lassie, and the rest of the SBPD.
The pair of best buddies often argued but always came together when it counted, including in three movies that followed the series.
If finding all the clues along with Shawn and Gus isn’t enough fun for you, you can also watch for pineapples and pineapple references hidden in every episode.
House
We can’t talk about the best mystery shows without discussing at least one show about medical mysteries.
Originally called House M.D., but better known simply as House (2004-2012), this drama delves into medical mysteries from the perspective of one of the most unique characters ever created.
Dr. Gregory House is a jerk. There’s no way around that, but he’s a brilliant jerk.
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He is allowed to get away with unethical choices and abuse of prescription medication because the hospital needs his mind to solve some of the most difficult medical mysteries in the world.
The mysteries don’t stop with the medical cases.
Often, House also has to deal with the mysteries behind his own actions and the actions of the other doctors in his charge.
House is abrasive, often rude, and almost always far too blunt, but he sucks us in because we all want to see how he’ll solve the next medical puzzle.
Riverdale (Netflix)
Riverdale (2017-2023) doesn’t pull any punches regarding being mysterious.
The whole thing starts with the death of local high schooler Jason Blossom and gets more intriguing with each passing episode.
As his death, initially thought to be an accident, is gradually determined to be a murder, other Riverdale teens find themselves working as investigators.
Together, they work to uncover not only who killed Jason and why but also the mysteries behind many other strange events and interactions between people in town.
Based loosely on the Archie Comics series, the characters are familiar and not at the same time because the show is a lot darker and edgier than the comics ever were, which is what’s so great about it.
Nancy Drew (Max)
Taking a page from Riverdale’s book, the CW’s Nancy Drew (2019-2023) definitely brought the spook factor.
Based on the classic teen mystery characters created by author Carolyn Keene, this version portrays the adventures of Nancy and her Drew Crew like never before.
They’ve got more depth, more spunk, and a whole lot more problems to solve, often of the supernatural variety.
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It’s great to watch them try to puzzle out the mysteries of the fictional town of Horseshoe Bay.
How did certain people die? Who is related to each other? Why is the town a supernatural hotspot?
Those are just some of the mysteries, and then there’s the mystery of who Nancy Drew herself really is, which definitely threw us for a loop.
Locke & Key (Netflix)
Based on the comic book series of the same name, Locke & Key (2020-2022) was an entirely too short-lived Netflix series.
It followed the adventures of the Locke family and brought together elements of fantasy, horror, drama, and mystery.
After the family patriarch’s death, his wife decided to move with her three kids into her husband’s former familial home.
The kids then start finding mysterious keys all over the house.
What does each key do? Who created the keys? Why are the kids in charge of protecting them, and how can they stop them from falling into the wrong hands?
Those are just some of the many intriguing mysteries and storylines seamlessly entwined throughout the show’s three-season run.
Add to that elements of teleportation, time travel, ghostly encounters, and more, and it’s easy to see why the series was a hit with Netflix viewers.
Only Murders in the Building (Hulu)
A big hit for Hulu, Only Murders in the Building (2021-Present) takes a unique mystery-solving approach.
Three strangers with true crime obsessions live in the same large apartment building and suddenly find themselves in the middle of a murder investigation.
The strangers are played by Selena Gomez, Martin Short, and Steve Martin, the latter of whom also co-created the series.
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They use their love of true crime to try to solve the murder (and subsequent murders) themselves.
Throughout the process, they also had the bright idea of broadcasting their investigations on a podcast that quickly gained a following.
The balance of humor and mystery is refreshingly different, and the series even has one of the most memorable TV opening title sequences.
Twin Peaks (Paramount+)
Even the tagline for Twin Peaks (1990-1991) was intriguing enough to captivate audiences: Who Killed Laura Palmer?
The cult classic series from the 90s (which was revived in 2017 for a third season) kicks off with a massive mystery: the shocking murder of a beautiful and popular teenage girl in a small town.
The FBI sends in reinforcements in the form of Dale Cooper (Kyle MacLaughlin) to help the local sheriff’s department get to the bottom of the brutal crime.
David Lynch’s unique storytelling, while often unsettling, provided fans with a dark and mystifying masterpiece.
The show left us with more questions than answers most of the time, but that’s why we loved it.
Stranger Things (Netflix)
Who doesn’t love a good dose of nostalgia with their mysteries?
Stranger Things (2016-2025) transports you back to the 80s, where long summer bike rides and marathon Dungeons & Dragons tournaments rule, and parents drool.
There’s something sinister going on in town, and it’s up to a group of kids, a grumpy drunk sheriff, and a single mom who everyone thinks is nuts to find out what’s going on.
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There are tons of little clues building up to every climax on Stranger Things, so the audience can participate by following along and guessing what’s going on.
Can you solve the mystery? If so, great, but if not, you can at least enjoy the trip back in time to the days before technology took over.
Sherlock (Hulu)
Sherlock (2010-2017) is a British series originally broadcast on BBC and also broadcast in the United States on PBS.
Now available to stream on Hulu, the captivating series based on the beloved fictional detective creation of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle is widely regarded as one of the best Sherlock Holmes shows produced so far.
It’s easy to get lost in the Sherlock world, with mind-blowing deductions and exhilarating chases.
Benedict Cumberbatch as Sherlock Holmes and Martin Freeman as Dr. John Watson take us on some exhilarating adventures and truly test our brain power.
This modern twist on the classic detective tale is packed with clever writing, gripping mysteries, and unforgettable characters.
Elementary (Hulu)
If watching Sherlock doesn’t scratch your Sherlock Holmes itch enough, the solution is, as Holmes would say, elementary. Just add Elementary (2012-2019) to your viewing list.
In this modern version of the classic detecting duo of Holmes and Watson, Holmes is played by Jonny Lee Miller, and Lucy Liu plays the reimagined female Watson.
Another major change on Elementary is that the pair don’t solve mysteries in London, England. Instead, they’re based in New York City.
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It’s refreshing to watch a new take on characters we’ve all known and loved for many years.
The different setting, gender dynamics, and modern feel bring Holmes and Watson off the page and into present-day life, which any Sherlock Holmes fan will likely enjoy.
The Entire CSI Franchise (Paramount+)
CSI: Crime Scene Investigation became a massive phenomenon during its original 2000-2015 run.
It’s the first series that introduced us to crime procedurals and solving the crime of the week.
While they were gruesome, many episodes played out like a whodunit murder mystery, with Gil Grissom (William Peterson), Sara Sidle (Jorja Fox), and Catherine Willows (Marg Helgenberger) leading the cast.
Besides weekly mysteries, CSI specialized in season-long arcs, particularly the Minature Killer storyline, which affected both Grissom and Sara.
CSI has spawned several spinoff shows, including CSI: Vegas, which was canceled in 2024.
However, according to Deadline, a new CSI series is supposedly in the works, and if it’s anything like the last several, we’re dying to see it.
The Entire NCIS Franchise (Paramount+)
In 2003, three years after the first CSI premiered, NCIS (Naval Crime Scene Investigative Services) kicked off, and its creators have never looked back.
The show about Navy investigators solving crimes became incredibly popular, largely thanks to its eclectic original cast, which included Pauley Perette as the goth-dressing forensics expert, Abby and David McCallum as medical examiner Donald “Ducky” Mallard.
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Early episodes, like the infamous NCIS Season 2 Episode 13: The Meat Puzzle, let us know the show was going to explore the worst humanity was capable of.
However, the team also always showed us the best of what humanity could do, as they pulled together to solve each crime and give navy members and their families a sense of closure.
The original show is still going strong, with season 22 premiering in October 2024; four spinoffs have been added to the franchise over the years, and a fifth, NCIS: Tony & Ziva, started filming in 2024.
Will Trent (Hulu)
Will Trent (2023-present) became a fast success since the series uses a dyslexic Georgia Bureau of Investigations (GBI) agent to solve cases.
The weekly mysteries on Will Trent vary from kidnappings to murders, and it is entertaining to watch the GBI and Atlanta Police Department (APD) join forces to solve these cases.
During Season 2, more of the cases touched the team’s personal lives, and there were some longer mystery arcs.
They included solving who was stalking Amanda, deciphering why Will was having visions of his past and how it affected a current case, and why there was a serial killer killing sex predators.
True Detective (Max)
True Detective (2014-present) allows viewers to dive into a dark, atmospheric world, where each season brings a fresh, nail-biting mystery.
The first season of True Detective, starring Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson, is a masterclass in storytelling with its intricate plot and intense character drama. The two make quite a memorable pair.
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Viewers couldn’t help but get sucked in by their riveting portrayals of Rust and Marty.
The latest season, starring Jodie Foster and Kali Rees, builds on the previous season while increasing the uneasiness in Alaska’s brutal cold darkness.
Elsbeth (Paramount+)
Elsbeth Tascioni (Carrie Preston), a unique, colorful attorney with a shrewd eye for details, is the main character on Elsbeth (2024 -present).
Intended to supervise the NYPD to ensure proper conduct, Tascioni shares her talents with the police to solve multiple cases.
Known for her bright, clashing clothing, eccentric hats, and carrying more bags than anyone needs, Elsbeth keeps the police honest and on their toes.
She becomes endearing to everyone except the criminals she helps catch.
Supernatural (Netflix)
Supernatural (2005-2020) brings to life all of the scary lores and legends we’ve heard passed around the campfire and whispered in the dark.
The evil-hunting Winchester brothers, Sam and Dean, keep the world safe from all the creepies we’ve been taught to believe don’t exist.
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These sexy hunters aren’t afraid to put their lives on the line to win the fight throughout the 15-season Supernatural run.
Their witty charm and dashing good looks make the perfect combination for a captivating supernatural mystery marathon to devour.
As a bonus, the series even includes a hilarious Scooby-Doo crossover episode for extra mystery-solving fun.
Lucifer (Netflix)
Lucifer Morningstar is the Devil who came to life, but he’s not what we’d expect from the king of the Underworld.
Suave and debonair, Lucifer takes a break from ruling Hell to come to Earth and live as a human.
The Devil is presented in an entirely different light on Lucifer (2016-2021).
He’s moral and sound, with a lot of compassion and tons of good looks.
Did you think we’d ever see Lucifer helping the police solve crime cases and put away bad guys?
We sure didn’t!
What makes a good mystery is, as you can see, a bit in the eyes of the beholder.
Do you like cozy mystery shows like Murder, She Wrote?
Are creepy ones like Riverdale more up your alley?
Would you be more interested in determining who committed the crime or how to prove it?
Comment below and tell us all about what makes a good mystery to you and what your favorite mystery show is.
