Mystery shows, particularly murder mystery shows, are a dime a dozen nowadays. The genre has been experiencing a resurgence thanks to movies likeKnives OutandGlass Onion. Everyone loves a classic whodunnit story, after all, and these have been tackled in original ways in a variety of new TV shows as well as classic favorites.
In some cases, mystery shows offer great re-watch value. That’s becausethere are clues, subtle nuances, and other elements that viewers can pick up on when watching them again. Some shows are particularly complex, so watching a second, even third, time might change perceptions about knowing how things turn out in the end.
15’True Detective' (2014-)
Created by Nic Pizzolatto and Issa Lopez
Asan anthology crime drama, each season ofTrue Detectivetells a different compartmentalized story with a new setting and new characters. Seasons one and three are arguably the best ones overall, and the ones with the most rewatch value. Particularly season one, which flips back and forth between present and past as two former homicide investigators are asked to recall details about a cold case. The murder of a woman back in the ‘90s could have something to do with a new series of murders. The two detectives have not spoken to one in decades, but since files from the case were destroyed during a hurricane, their recollections are the only hope at ever solving it.
The pairing ofWoody HarrelsonandMatthew McConaugheyis wonderful in that season, and re-watching may deliver clues and hints fans missed the first time. Season 3, meanwhile, starringMahershala Alias a former police detective being interviewed about an old case, is just as riveting with its own unique spin.Since the timeline in that season flips through three decades, there’s a lot to followand that could warrant a second watch.
True Detective
14’Veronica Mars' (2004-2019)
Created by Rob Thomas
There have been plenty of teen dramas, but none quite as good asVeronica Mars. The teen noir mystery drama follows the title character, played byKristen Bell, a high school (later college) student who works with her detective father as a private investigator at night. The first seasons are the best to re-watch since they focus on mystery arcs that run the entire season long, giving plenty of opportunities to seek out clues that might have been missed the first time around.
Butre-watchingVeronica Marsis also worth it seeing the character development as Mars grows, matures, and comes into her own. The show was so popular, it developed a cult following that led to a 2014 movie and the resurrection of the show for an eight-episode fourth season on Hulu in 2019. Re-watch the entire series, then throw in the bonus season for good measure.
Veronica Mars
13’Castle' (2019-2016)
Created by Andrew W. Marlowe
One of the most-watched andhottest crime procedurals of the mid-2000s,Castlebecame one of the first of its kind to blend comedy, romance, mystery, and psychological thriller. The series follows best-selling mystery novelist, Richard Castle (Nathan Fillion), who uses his influence with the mayor to shadow the rising NYPD detective, Kate Beckett (Stana Katic),to solve crimes. Their reluctant partnership later leads to romance. But investigating Kate’s mother’s murder remains the core premise of the show, which expands and complicates over time, pushing the suspense quotient with every passing season.
Castleearned popularity among genre fans for exploring various unusual subculturesand unique crimes across New York City. With eight seasons and 173 episodes, the crime comedy series is exhaustive, and hence worth rewatching for its ensemble characters and their stories. As is the adorable on-screen chemistry of Fillion and Katic, which also earned them several awards.— Maddie P
12’Based on a True Story' (2023-)
Created by Craig Rosenberg
Based on a True Story, one ofthe best shows on Peacock, is a comedy thriller that’s worth watching again to recall where everything ended. While the killer’s identity is revealed relatively early on, it would be fun to reflect on the moments prior to this revelation to see if there’s anything to pick up on.
Boasting a comedic element that makes the mystery show both dark and fun,Based on a True Storyhas a unique and modern premise along with a talented cast. Those who love unconventional, modern murder mystery stories will appreciate watching, and re-watching,Based on a True Story.
Based on a True Story
Watch on Peacock
11’Unsolved Mysteries' (1987-)
Created by John Cosgrove and Terry Dunn Meurer
It’s incredible to think that some of the cases covered onUnsolved Mysteriesare still part of public conversation while others have been solved since, even with the help of the show itself. The mystery documentary series aired from 1987-2002 with networks changing hands a few times, then returned on Spike from 2008 to 2010. The latest reboot iteration for Netflix has been on since 2020.
The cases are all unique, ranging from cold cases of missing persons who have never been recovered to conspiracies, paranormal activity, UFO sightings, and more.The best part aboutUnsolved Mysteriesis that the show can be watched in any order, any episode, at any time. There’s no continuity. The most recent stories offer a refreshed focus. From the first episode of season one aboutRey Rivera’s mysterious death to residents of Berkshire County recalling the 1969 Berkshire UFO incident and the chilling story of a woman who died a strange death in a hotel room in Norway, every story is more captivating than the next.
Unsolved Mysteries
10’Murder, She Wrote' (1984-1996)
Created by Peter S. Fischer, Richard Levinson, and William Link
One of themost classic whodunnit mystery shows,Murder, She Wrotehas been off the air for almost three decades, making the show ripe for re-watching. Relive the cases investigated and solved by mystery writer and amateur detective Jessica Fletcher (Angela Lansbury). Earning Lansbury 10 Golden Globes and a dozen Emmy Award nominations for the role, the story is a wonderful one. The central character is an older widowed woman who finds a new lease on life after retiring as an English teacher.
Considering the show had a female lead before, which was so commonplace in crime shows,Murder, She Wrotewas ground-breaking in many ways. With compelling fictional cases and tons of clues viewers can follow along with, it’s the type of show viewers can play detective, too, while watching.Murder, She Wroteis fun to re-watch after all these decades. Be reminded of the show that inspired so many of the same vein that have come since.
Murder, She Wrote
9’Poker Face' (2023-)
Created by Rian Johnson
Created by Rian Johnson, the man behind hits likeKnives OutandGlass Onion,Poker FaceputsNatasha Lyonnefront and center as Charlie, a young woman with a special gift: she can look at someone and instantly tell that they are lying. When others want to leverage Charlie’s talents for nefarious purposes, and she gets into hot water, however, she goes on the run. Each time Charlie ends up in a new place on her journey, she encounters crime after crime that she helps solve.
Fans love watching shows likePoker Faceand guessing what led up to the events that occurred. Re-watching the episodes could unearth clues that were missed or subtle details that demonstrate just how clever the series’ writing is. Every episode has a unique look and feel, from horror to comedy, with some darker than others. Re-watching helps keep viewers up with the larger, over-arching story as well and gives another chance to revel in the wonderful performances from both Lyonne and the long list of talented guest stars.
Poker Face
8’Batman: The Animated Series' (1992 – 1995)
Created by Bruce Timm and Eric Radomski
For every fan of The Caped Crusader, this90s animated series is a must-watchand demands several rewatches, even if it is for nostalgia’s sake. Based on the eponymous DC Comic superhero and other associated characters created byBob KaneandBill Finger,Batman: The Animated Seriessees the Gotham Knight sweeping his city clean of crimes and criminals, using his sleuthing skills, mastery of technology, unbelievable gizmos, and a little bit of assistance from Alfred.
During its three-season run,Batman: The Animated Seriesbecame a groundbreaking superhero showfor its writing, voice acting, andDanny Elfman’s music, earning it several awards. While its characters were reinvented to match contemporary social culture, the show’s animation style and art/character design remain as authentic as the original comics.Batman: The Animated Seriesalso marks the first production to continue the shared DC Animated Universe that spawned several follow-up series, films, comic books, games, and more.— Maddie P
Batman: The Animated Series
7’Monk' (2002-2009)
Created by Andy Breckman
Starring four-time Emmy-winningTony Shalhoubas the titular character,Monkfollows the former SFPD detective-turned-consultant who uses his brilliant and unique mind and razor-sharp observation skills to investigate and solve crimes. But Adrian Monk is afflicted with 213 phobias and several other debilitating disorders that make things impossible and sometimes hilarious for people around him, especially his assistant, Sharona (Bitty Schram), and later, Natalie (Traylor Howard).
Monk’s characterization of its protagonist breaks the bubble of a perfect detective and presents a “defective detective” in full glory, making him very real and relatable, which makes you want to watch more of him. With his big heart and obtuse sense of humor, Monk remains one ofthe most lovable detectives on television,earning several Emmies and Golden Globes for the show. Dealing with serious psycho-social conditions and conversations on mental health,Monkhas a strange way of providing catharsis with every watch.— Maddie P
6’Agatha Christie’s Poirot' (1989-1996, 2000-2010, 2013)
Created by Clive Exton and Brian Eastman
Based on Agatha Christie’s famous crime fictionseries surrounding the popular Belgian detective, Hercule Poirot, ITV’sPoirotis perhaps the closest to the original books. The series follows the titular detective who uses very few clues and his remarkable detection skills to solve crimes for Scotland Yard and around the world. Besides using his “little grey cells,” Poirot (David Suchet) also enlists the help of his close friend and confidante, Captain Arthur Hastings (Hugh Fraser), his clever secretary, Felicity Lemon (Pauline Moran), and Inspector James Japp (Phillip Jackson).
With 13 seasons and 70 episodesexploring almost all the original stories and cases, one can never have enough ofPoirot. From its character detailing of the persnickety detective played brilliantly byDavid Suchet, to the art design, and authenticity of storytelling, Poirot is a modern classic mystery series that does every bit justice to Queen of Crimes’ original stories.— Maddie P
