Movies and TV series about investigations

The 60 best titles about investigations, ranked by the iRank Score — our composite of IMDb, Rotten Tomatoes, Metacritic and TMDb. Every page includes cast, where to watch and similar recommendations.

Sherlock
iRank85
2010 · Beryl Vertue
SeriesCrimeDramaMystery
A modern update finds the famous sleuth and his doctor partner solving crime in 21st century London.
Knives Out
iRank84
2019 · Rian Johnson
MovieComedyCrimeMystery
When renowned crime novelist Harlan Thrombey is found dead at his estate just after his 85th birthday, the inquisitive and debonair Detective Benoit Blanc is mysteriously enlisted to investigate. From
Dark
iRank84
2017 · Quirin Berg
SeriesCrimeDramaMystery
A missing child sets four families on a frantic hunt for answers as they unearth a mind-bending mystery that spans three generations.
The X-Files
iRank84
1993 · Chris Carter
SeriesCrimeMysterySci-Fi & Fantasy
The exploits of FBI Special Agents Fox Mulder and Dana Scully who investigate X-Files: marginalized, unsolved cases involving paranormal phenomena. Mulder believes in the existence of aliens and the p
True Detective
iRank83
2014 · Issa López
SeriesDramaMystery
An American anthology police detective series utilizing multiple timelines in which investigations seem to unearth personal and professional secrets of those involved, both within or outside the law.
Gone Girl
iRank82
2014 · David Fincher
MovieDramaMysteryThriller
With his wife's disappearance having become the focus of an intense media circus, a man sees the spotlight turned on him when it's suspected that he may not be innocent.
Ozark
iRank82
2017 · Patrick Markey
SeriesCrimeDrama
A financial adviser drags his family from Chicago to the Missouri Ozarks, where he must launder $500 million in five years to appease a drug boss.
Dirty Harry
iRank82
1971 · Don Siegel
MovieActionCrimeThriller
When a madman dubbed 'Scorpio' terrorizes San Francisco, hard-nosed cop, Harry Callahan – famous for his take-no-prisoners approach to law enforcement – is tasked with hunting down the psychopath.
Mare of Easttown
iRank82
2021 · Paul Lee
SeriesCrimeDramaMystery
A detective in a small Pennsylvania town investigates a local murder while trying to keep her life from falling apart.
Agatha Christie's Poirot
iRank82
1989 · Nick Elliott
SeriesCrimeDramaMystery
From England to Egypt, accompanied by his elegant and trustworthy sidekicks, the intelligent yet eccentrically-refined Belgian detective Hercule Poirot pits his wits against a collection of first clas
Memories of Murder
iRank81
2003 · Bong Joon Ho
MovieCrimeDramaThriller
A sadistic serial rapist and murderer of young women terrorizes a small province in 1980s South Korea. To prevent further crimes, three increasingly desperate detectives with conflicting methods race
Se7en
iRank81
1995 · David Fincher
MovieCrimeMysteryThriller
Two homicide detectives are on a desperate hunt for a serial killer whose crimes are based on the "seven deadly sins" in this dark and haunting film that takes viewers from the tortured remains of one
Decision to Leave
iRank81
2022 · Park Chan-wook
MovieMysteryRomanceThriller
From a mountain peak in South Korea, a man plummets to his death. Did he jump, or was he pushed? When detective Hae-joon arrives on the scene, he begins to suspect the dead man’s wife Seo-rae. But as
Black Bird
iRank81
2022 · Dennis Lehane
SeriesCrimeDrama
As Jimmy Keene begins a 10-year prison sentence, he gets an incredible offer: If he can elicit a confession from suspected killer Larry Hall, Jimmy will be freed. Completing this mission becomes the c
Zodiac
iRank81
2007 · David Fincher
MovieCrimeMysteryThriller
Over the course of a decade, editors of the San Francisco Chronicle entice themselves in the murders of the Zodiac Killer. However, as time runs its course, interest in the case dwindles in the eyes o
FBI
iRank79
2018 · Peter Jankowski
SeriesAction & AdventureCrimeDrama
The New York office of the FBI brings to bear all their talents, intellect and technical expertise on major cases in order to keep their city and the country safe.
Prisoners
iRank79
2013 · Denis Villeneuve
MovieCrimeDramaThriller
Keller Dover is facing every parent’s worst nightmare. His six-year-old daughter, Anna, is missing, together with her young friend, Joy, and as minutes turn to hours, panic sets in. The only lead is a
JFK
iRank79
1991 · Oliver Stone
MovieDramaHistoryThriller
Follows the investigation into the assassination of President John F. Kennedy led by New Orleans district attorney Jim Garrison.
Source Code
iRank79
2011 · Duncan Jones
MovieMysteryScience FictionThriller
When decorated soldier Captain Colter Stevens wakes up in the body of an unknown man, he discovers he's part of a mission to find the bomber of a Chicago commuter train.
Cure
iRank79
1997 · Kiyoshi Kurosawa
MovieCrimeHorrorMystery
A frustrated detective deals with the case of several gruesome murders committed by people who have no recollection of what they've done.
Broadchurch
iRank79
2013
SeriesCrimeDramaMystery
The murder of a young boy in a small coastal town brings a media frenzy, which threatens to tear the community apart.
Taboo
iRank79
2017 · Dean Baker
SeriesDramaMystery
Adventurer James Keziah Delaney returns to London from Africa in 1814 along with fourteen stolen diamonds to seek vengeance after the death of his father.
Wind River
iRank79
2017 · Taylor Sheridan
MovieCrimeDramaMystery
An FBI agent teams with the town's veteran game tracker to investigate a murder that occurred on a Native American reservation.
Broker
iRank79
2022 · Hirokazu Kore-eda
MovieDrama
Sang-hyun is always struggling from debt, and Dong-soo works at a baby box facility. On a rainy night, they steal the baby Woo-sung, who was left in the baby box, to sell him at a good price. Meanwhil
Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery
iRank78
2022 · Rian Johnson
MovieComedyCrimeMystery
World-famous detective Benoit Blanc heads to Greece to peel back the layers of a mystery surrounding a tech billionaire and his eclectic crew of friends.
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
iRank78
2011 · David Fincher
MovieCrimeMysteryThriller
Disgraced journalist Mikael Blomkvist investigates the disappearance of a weary patriarch's niece from 40 years ago. He is aided by the pierced, tattooed, punk computer hacker named Lisbeth Salander.
Insomnia
iRank78
2002 · Christopher Nolan
MovieCrimeDramaThriller
Two Los Angeles homicide detectives are dispatched to a northern town where the sun doesn't set to investigate the methodical murder of a local teen.
Little Shop of Horrors
iRank78
1986 · Frank Oz
MovieComedyHorror
Seymour Krelborn is a nerdy orphan working at Mushnik's; a flower shop in urban Skid Row. He harbors a crush on fellow co-worker, Audrey Fulquard, and is berated by Mr. Mushnik daily. One day, Seymour
The Nice Guys
iRank77
2016 · Shane Black
MovieActionComedyCrime
A private eye investigates the apparent suicide of a fading porn star in 1970s Los Angeles and uncovers a conspiracy.
Lupin
iRank77
2021
SeriesCrimeDramaMystery
Inspired by the adventures of Arsène Lupin, gentleman thief Assane Diop sets out to avenge his father for an injustice inflicted by a wealthy family.
Carnival Row
iRank77
2019 · Orlando Bloom
SeriesCrimeDramaSci-Fi & Fantasy
In a mystical and dark city filled with humans, fairies and other creatures, a police detective investigates a series of gruesome murders leveled against the fairy population. During his investigation
Possession
iRank77
1981 · Andrzej Żuławski
MovieHorror
A young woman left her family for an unspecified reason. The husband determines to find out the truth and starts following his wife. At first, he suspects that a man is involved. But gradually, he fin
Sully
iRank77
2016 · Clint Eastwood
MovieDramaHistory
On 15 January 2009, the world witnessed the 'Miracle on the Hudson' when Captain 'Sully' Sullenberger glided his disabled plane onto the Hudson River, saving the lives of all 155 souls aboard. However
The Blacklist
iRank76
2013 · T Cooper
SeriesCrimeDramaMystery
Raymond "Red" Reddington, one of the FBI's most wanted fugitives, surrenders in person at FBI Headquarters in Washington, D.C. He claims that he and the FBI have the same interests: bringing down dang
Altered Carbon
iRank76
2018 · Rose Lam
SeriesDramaSci-Fi & Fantasy
After 250 years on ice, a prisoner returns to life in a new body with one chance to win his freedom: by solving a mind-bending murder.
The Chaser
iRank76
2008 · Na Hong-jin
MovieActionCrimeThriller
Joong-ho is a dirty detective turned pimp, who's in financial trouble as several of his girls have recently disappeared without clearing their debts. While trying to track them down, he finds a clue t
Elementary
iRank76
2012
SeriesCrimeDramaMystery
A modern-day drama about a crime-solving duo that cracks the NYPD's most impossible cases. Following his fall from grace in London and a stint in rehab, eccentric Sherlock escapes to Manhattan where h
Manifest
iRank76
2018 · Robert Zemeckis
SeriesDramaMysterySci-Fi & Fantasy
After landing from a turbulent but routine flight, the crew and passengers of Montego Air Flight 828 discover five years have passed in what seemed like a few hours. As their new realities become clea
Gattaca
iRank76
1997 · Andrew Niccol
MovieDramaScience FictionThriller
Vincent is an all-too-human man who dares to defy a system obsessed with genetic perfection. He is an "In-Valid" who assumes the identity of a member of the genetic elite to pursue his goal of traveli
Hijack
iRank75
2023 · Tom Nash
SeriesDrama
Expert negotiator Sam Nelson is in for the ride of his life—and so is everyone on board with him—after a group of hijackers take control. Sam will try every move in his playbook to take them down...as
The Chestnut Man
iRank75
2021
SeriesCrimeDrama
At a grisly murder scene sits a figurine made of chestnuts. From this creepy clue, two detectives hunt a killer linked to a politician's missing child.
Shutter Island
iRank75
2010 · Martin Scorsese
MovieDramaMysteryThriller
World War II soldier-turned-U.S. Marshal Teddy Daniels investigates the disappearance of a patient from a hospital for the criminally insane, but his efforts are compromised by troubling visions and a
Murder on the Orient Express
iRank75
1974 · Sidney Lumet
MovieDramaMysteryThriller
In 1935, when his train is stopped by deep snow, detective Hercule Poirot is called on to solve a murder that occurred in his car the night before.
21 Jump Street
iRank74
2012 · Phil Lord
MovieActionComedyCrime
When cops Schmidt and Jenko join the secret Jump Street unit, they use their youthful appearances to go undercover as high school students. They trade in their guns and badges for backpacks, and set o
Flight
iRank74
2012 · Robert Zemeckis
MovieDrama
Commercial airline pilot Whip Whitaker has a problem with drugs and alcohol, though so far he's managed to complete his flights safely. His luck runs out when a disastrous mechanical malfunction sends
Police Story 2
iRank74
1988 · Jackie Chan
MovieActionCrimeThriller
The Hong Kong super-cop must stop a group of blackmailing bombers at the same time that the villains of the first Police Story are out for revenge.
The Outsider
iRank74
2020 · Marty Bowen
SeriesCrimeDramaMystery
When an insidious supernatural force edges its way into a seemingly straightforward investigation into the gruesome murder of a young boy, it leads a seasoned cop and an unorthodox investigator to que
The Rip
iRank70
2026 · Joe Carnahan
MovieActionCrimeThriller
Trust frays when a team of Miami cops discovers millions in cash inside a run-down stash house, calling everyone — and everything — into question.
The Client
iRank70
1994 · Joel Schumacher
MovieCrimeDramaMystery
A street-wise kid, Mark Sway, sees the suicide of Jerome Clifford, a prominent Louisiana lawyer, whose current client is Barry 'The Blade' Muldano, a Mafia hit-man. Before Jerome shoots himself, he te
Candyman
iRank69
1992 · Bernard Rose
MovieDramaHorrorThriller
The Candyman, a murderous soul with a hook for a hand, is accidentally summoned to reality by a skeptic grad student researching the monster's myth.
The Equalizer 3
iRank69
2023 · Antoine Fuqua
MovieActionCrimeThriller
Robert McCall finds himself at home in Southern Italy but he discovers his friends are under the control of local crime bosses. As events turn deadly, McCall knows what he has to do: become his friend
Brotherhood of the Wolf
iRank68
2001 · Christophe Gans
MovieActionAdventureHistory
In 18th century France, the Chevalier de Fronsac and his Native American friend Mani are sent by the King to the Gevaudan province to investigate the killings of hundreds by a mysterious beast.
The Ring
iRank68
2002 · Gore Verbinski
MovieHorrorMystery
Journalist Rachel Keller investigates a strange videotape that may be behind the untimely deaths of four teenagers. There is an urban legend about this tape: the viewer will die seven days after watch
The Fog
iRank68
1980 · John Carpenter
MovieHorror
Strange things begin to occur as a tiny California coastal town prepares to commemorate its centenary. Inanimate objects spring eerily to life; Rev. Malone stumbles upon a dark secret about the town's
New Police Story
iRank67
2004 · Benny Chan Muk-Sing
MovieActionCrimeDrama
Sent into a drunken tailspin when his entire unit is killed by a gang of thrill-seeking punks, disgraced Hong Kong police inspector Wing needs help from his new rookie partner, with a troubled past of
Perfume: The Story of a Murderer
iRank67
2006 · Tom Tykwer
MovieCrimeFantasyDrama
Jean-Baptiste Grenouille, born in the stench of 18th century Paris, develops a superior olfactory sense, which he uses to create the world's finest perfumes. However, his work takes a dark turn as he
Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me
iRank66
1992 · David Lynch
MovieDramaHorrorMystery
In the questionable town of Deer Meadow, Washington, FBI Agent Desmond inexplicably disappears while hunting for the man who murdered a teen girl. The killer is never apprehended, and, after experienc
The Empty Man
iRank66
2020 · David Prior
MovieHorrorMystery
On the trail of a missing girl, an ex-cop comes across a secretive group attempting to summon a terrifying supernatural entity.
Jack Reacher
iRank64
2012 · Christopher McQuarrie
MovieActionCrimeDrama
One morning in an ordinary town, five people are shot dead in a seemingly random attack. All evidence points to a single suspect: an ex-military sniper who is quickly brought into custody. The interro
The Pale Blue Eye
iRank63
2022 · Scott Cooper
MovieCrimeHorrorMystery
West Point, New York, 1830. When a cadet at the burgeoning military academy is found hanged with his heart cut out, the top brass summons former New York City constable Augustus Landor to investigate.