This “whodunit” reboot flick hit the big screen in 2017. Directed by Kenneth Branagh, this star-studded cast includes Johnny Depp, Judi Dench, Daisy Ridley, and Michelle Pfeiffer. This crime drama thriller takes viewers on a train ride where there is one murderer, and everyone is a suspect.
This movie is visually stunning, full of twists and turns, and has all the mystery any crime lover would find mesmerizing. This drama is cunning and tricky, but still has moments of humor and quirks. For people who just couldn’t get enough of this film, here are 10 flicks that are definite must-sees, including some oldies and some brand new ones.
Update April 15th, 2020 by Mariana Fernandes: The spectacular genius of Agatha Christie is still well alive today. Just like Murder In The Orient Express proved, her words are immortal, and as long as there are actors and studios, these words will be endlessly replicated on the big screen. There are plenty of wonderful movies to watch that are not related to the author; however, we found it would only make sense to add a few more nods to the Queen of crime in an article like this. For fans of the genre, there are quite a few treats to unpack!
Murder On The Orient Express (1974)
It seems a little redundant, but the reality is, Murder On The Orient Express remains, to this day, Agatha Christie’s most famous novel. This means the book has been adapted several times to the screen before the 2017 version was even an idea. And every depiction offers a fresh new take on the beloved pages.
This 1974 film includes incredible performances by cinema icons like Lauren Bacall, Ingrid Bergman, and Jacqueline Bisset, to name a few. Even though Finney isn’t a perfect Poirot, the cinematography and cast are simply to die for.
Evil Under The Sun (1982)
Two time Academy Award-winning actor Peter Ustinov portrayed the famous detective Hercule Poirot in six feature films, gaining the approval of fans all over the world. Evil Under The Sun marked the second time Ustinov put on his mustache and brought Poirot and his little grey cells to life.
Evil Under The Sun sees the main character investigating the murder of a rich and famous actress under suspicious circumstances, in a case that will leave even the shrewdest viewer puzzled. It also featured Dame Maggie Smith in a spectacular performance. What’s not to love?
Appointment With Death (1988)
In Appointment With Death, Peter Ustinov reprises his role as Hercule Poirot and marks the last time the famous actor played such a part. Familiar faces such as Lauren Bacall and Star Wars’ Carrie Fisher are also featured in the movie, making for an experience guaranteed to delight lovers of good cinema.
The action takes place at an archaeological dig near the Dead Sea and is one of the detective’s most famous adventures to date. With beautiful landscapes and a gruesome murder to top it all off, fans of the genre will revel.
Thirteen At Dinner (1985)
Thirteen At Dinner is a movie adaptation of Christie’s Lord Edgware Dies, which follows Poirot as he attempts to solve the murder of Lord Edgware. Curiously enough, the man that would go on to play the most accurate and acclaimed version of the Belgian detective, David Suchet, stars as Inspector Japp.
The case seems to be straightforward at first, but the twists and turns that follow along will surely leave the audience baffled. Nothing that Poirot can’t solve, though!
The Mirror Crack’d (1980)
Hercule Poirot wasn’t the only intriguing and complex crime-solving character that Agatha Christie came up with. Miss Marple and her adventures also continue to hook fans all over the world, be it through the written word, or the many adaptations of the old lady’s adventures.
The year 1980 saw Dame Angela Lansbury take on the role and try to solve the mysterious poisoning of an unsuspecting local. If you want to take a break from Poirot but crave some crime and suspense in your life, The Mirror Crack’d will do wonderfully.
Bad Times At The El Royale (2018)
This murder mystery has a star-studded cast, including Chris Hemsworth, Jeff Bridges, and Dakota Johnson. It’s the early 1970s, and four strangers check-in at a hotel. It’s deserted besides a single desk clerk.
Soon, it becomes clear that every guest has a guilty secret, and no one is safe from the truth. In the span of one night, this suspenseful flick brings all kinds of drama, secrets, and a wild cast. Strangers being trapped together is kind of the essence of Murder On the Orient Express, and this movie will give fans the same entertainment.
Murder In Three Acts (1986)
Directed by Gary Nelson, there are a few movies with the detective Hercule Poirot, and they fall under the Dead Men’s Folly series. This one is likely one of the best of the bunch. He attends a dinner party where a guest suddenly dies. Seemingly a natural death, another party with a similar event turns the tables.
There is definitely foul play afoot in this flick, and this classic ‘86 film is certainly a crime mystery with all the twists and turns of a “whodunit” flick. Plus, heading back to the ’80s is a must for binging crime mysteries.
Identity (2003)
This murder mystery stars the brilliant John Cusack, Ray Liotta, and Amanda Peet. In a nasty storm, 10 strangers find themselves stranded at a Nevada motel in the middle of nowhere. As they become acquainted, suddenly they are being killed off one by one.
With no eliminated suspects, this movie will have you on the edge of your seat the entire time. With few leads and many twists, this flick will shock and entertain every one of its viewers. Of course, it has all the murder investigation goodness of Murder On the Orient Express.
A Simple Favor (2019)
This new flick is a comedy crime drama starring the beautiful and brilliant Blake Lively and Anna Kendrick. A single mother has a parenting vlog, and she finds herself becoming friends with another mother at her child’s school. Then, her friend goes missing.
This women-led investigation is funny, unexpected, and full of some pretty entertaining and intriguing scenes. These two women are everything mystery lovers should ever want in a film. Plus, this flick is definitely more oriented for a good laugh.
Death On The Nile (1978)
This list couldn’t help but include another story of Hercule Poirot. This one is the most popular of the bunch, and certainly deserves a watch for mystery lovers. On a cruise down the Nile, a newlywed heiress is found dead, and Poirot must find the killer.
This classic throws it back to the ’70s and is a crime mystery that’s wonderfully similar to Branagh’s flick. There’s even a reboot coming back to the big screen in 2020, so viewers should definitely get binging.
The Invisible Guest (2016)
This critically-acclaimed crime thriller follows a successful entrepreneur as he is accused of murder. Arrested after awakening in a hotel room next to his lover’s corpse, him and his defense must uncover horrible truths and even filthier lies.
Produced in Spain, this film is definitely a fresh take on a murder mystery, and will keeps viewers on the edge of their seats while they find the true killer. This foreign film is a pretty highly-rated crime mystery and definitely deserves some recognition.
Clue (1985)
This comedy crime mystery might have be the most classic example of a “whodunit” film. This movie tells the story of a dinner party where the host is killed, and the guests and staff must uncover the murderer as more bodies pile up.
With an edge of hilarity and a mystery unfolding with limited suspects, this flick is certainly one that all crime mystery lovers should watch before moving on to any other.
Sherlock Holmes (2009)
This classic story was brought to life on the big screen by director, Guy Ritchie. Starring Robert Downey Jr. as the detective and Jude Law as Watson, this flick is definitely a mystery full of twists and turns.
This flick keeps every viewer on their toes, and its humor, ingenuity, and crime mystery is enough to give all “whodunit” fans an entertaining experience. The audience never really knows what to expect next, and this partnership is one of the best connections for a crime drama we’ve ever seen.
Gosford Park (2001)
This comedy mystery is another dinner party murder investigation. Taking place in 1932, servants and guests at a party in the England country-side must investigate a murder, and someone’s guilty.
This flick scored decently high with critics, and is definitely an entertaining murder mystery with all the ’30s class. For movie lovers who want to dive into a 1930s dinner party and get a fill of murder and investigation, this flick checks off all the boxes for an entertaining and suspenseful watch.
Knives Out (2019)
This is the newest “whodunit” flick to hit the big screen, and it certainly blew critics and the box office out of the water. Directed by Rian Johnson, this cast includes Daniel Craig, Ana de Armas, and Chris Evans.
When the rich patriarch of a family dies, a private investigator is anonymously hired by someone who suspects foul play, but he must deal with the greedy and eccentric family. If you loved Murder On the Orient Express, this one is for you, with even more humor and twists.
