Top 10 Best Detective Movies

There's something irresistible about a great detective movie. Maybe it's the thrill of the chase, the intricate web of clues, or the satisfaction of watching a brilliant mind piece everything together. Or maybe you just enjoy watching characters in trench coats mutter dramatic lines while sipping black coffee in a dimly lit office. Whatever the reason, detective films have been keeping audiences hooked for generations.

Some of the best ones feature hard-boiled private eyes who navigate shady alleyways and double-crosses, while others follow sharp-witted professionals unraveling cases that seem impossible to crack. Some lean into high-stakes action, while others take a slower, more psychological approach. But at the heart of every great detective movie is the same thing: a mystery that demands to be solved.

This list is all about the finest detective movies out there. Some are classics that have defined the genre, while others bring fresh perspectives and modern storytelling into the mix. Your vote helps determine which ones rise to the top, so make your picks and see how your favorites stack up.

The Top Ten

  1. Sherlock Holmes

    As a Sherlockian, I was a bit puzzled about which story of Arthur Conan Doyle it would relate to. This film dazzled me. Thanks to Guy Ritchie for making it. This particular plot is not from Sir Doyle's corpus, but it justifies in the best possible way what Sherlock Holmes was.

    Acting was splendiferous!

    My favorite character is also Sherlock Holmes. The acting of Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law is very impressive. I give five stars to this movie. It's an awesome movie. It must be seen by everyone. Please, please, please watch it.

  2. Seven

    Great movie! This should definitely be higher than number 10. It deserves better. Since this is one of the best detective movies out there, it should be number 1 or barely number 2! But surely, many people who haven't seen this film, a lot more than those who have seen Sherlock Holmes, just vote for Sherlock.

    Good atmosphere, story, and twist at the end. All the actors deliver great performances. A must-see for anybody, anywhere.

    It's an incredible movie! It's got Morgan Freeman and Brad Pitt, how can you beat that?

  3. The Silence of the Lambs

    Based on the famous detective, this horrible, mysterious novel has been improved in the movie with its portrayal of murder and a violent childhood. Palpitating!

  4. The Maltese Falcon

    THE ONLY WAY you can keep up with this movie is by rewind and review! You won't get it if you watch it all the way through without interruption. Well, that's my opinion anyway! I'm in my late 60s now and just got around to viewing it about 10 years ago, and it blew me away. I instantly became a fan of Bogart after multiple decades of wondering why his adoration seemed timeless. He was absolutely off the charts in this movie. I remember hearing only Jack Nicholson could do any Bogart remakes, and that's a big negative! I doubt there will ever be a remake of this movie. You will never improve on it, never! I only wish the young murder mystery fans will check it out!

  5. Chinatown

    This is by far the best detective movie. Think about the complex plot, all the way to the twist at the end. It's excellent.

    Chinatown is the greatest. Period.

  6. Vertigo

  7. Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows

    This movie just 'overthrows' its previous sequel. The storyline is more complicated and complex but also very genius and smart, with plenty of comedy scenes too. Holmes and Watson's relationship is more 'intensified' here.

    And this movie also convinces me more that Robert Downey Jr. is very suitable for playing Sherlock Holmes. People say that he is not good just because Robert is American, not British like the rest of the actors who have played Holmes. I love Robert Downey Jr. because of his role as Sherlock Holmes. He doesn't look smart from his appearance, but deep down, he has the most genius mind that ever existed. That's why, to me, Robert Downey Jr. is the most perfect Sherlock Holmes.

  8. L.A. Confidential

  9. The X-Files: I Want to Believe

    A great movie! It's not just a cheap detective story. It's a deep, very tender, and philosophical thing. The X-Files is the best!

    Do I really need to say why? I mean, Mulder, Scully, does anybody need anything else? I don't think so! I need them back!

    One of the best movies with a double plot! Great character storyline between Mulder and Scully! Love them!

  10. Minority Report

    11. The Newcomers
  11. ?

    Men in Black

    Essentially a detective film with sci-fi trappings. Hell, one of the main characters is an NYPD detective.

  12. ?

    Death on the Nile (1978)

    13. The Contenders

  13. The Big Lebowski

  14. Basic Instinct

  15. Memento

  16. Bad Boys II

    Will Smith and Martin Lawrence make such comedy magic. Who needs Janet Scott and Rachael Bailey when you can have Mike Lowery and Marcus Burnett?

  17. Rear Window

  18. Dick Tracy

  19. Laura

  20. Bad Boys

  21. Rush Hour 3

    I laughed my way through the whole film! It's amazing!

  22. Along Came a Spider

  23. In the Heat of the Night

  24. The Heat

  25. Blade Runner

  26. Beyond the Law

  27. Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang

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