10 Best Christmas Mystery Movies & Why You Should Watch Them

I love a good mystery movie! There’s just something about trying to solve the puzzle alongside the characters and being genuinely surprised by the twists and turns. It’s a really satisfying experience – it always feels like a special treat when I watch one.

Looking for a festive and thrilling way to spend the holidays? Here’s a list of ten great Christmas mystery movies, ranked from lowest to highest IMDb rating – so you can enjoy the best ones first!

10. Silent Night (2012)

IMDb rating: 5.2/10

A terrifying serial killer dressed as Santa Claus is brutally murdering people on Christmas Eve in a quiet, isolated Midwestern town. The victims include men, women, and children, and to make matters worse, the local deputy investigating the crimes was actually scheduled to have the night off.

Here’s why you should check it out: “Silent Night” is a surprisingly funny horror-comedy that blends the festive holiday season with a classic mystery. It’s a lighthearted and entertaining watch – perfect for when you want a good laugh and a simple mystery without a lot of heavy thinking. While it might not be the best film on this list, it’s a great way to relax and enjoy a bit of puzzling fun.

9. A Christmas Horror Story (2015)

IMDb rating: 5.8/10

A Christmas Horror Story weaves together four different tales that all unfold on Christmas Eve and eventually connect. These stories center around a family who unknowingly brings a sinister presence home with their Christmas tree, a student filming a cheerful documentary, a truly malevolent Christmas spirit, and a Santa Claus who secretly hunts and destroys evil creatures.

Even though the movie’s visuals aren’t groundbreaking, it’s a really enjoyable and creepy experience. The story is told by a single narrator – a radio host – who shares all the mysterious tales. Plus, the host is voiced by the iconic William Shatner, best known as Captain Kirk from Star Trek! It’s a treat to hear him in this role.

8. The Children (2008)

IMDb: 5.9/10

Elaine and Jonah, along with their three children, plan a Christmas and New Year’s holiday to visit family at a remote country house. Their relatives, Chloe and Robbie, have two children of their own.

Everything is calm and pleasant at first, but then a terrifying change happens. The children begin to get sick, and then, one after another, they become extremely aggressive, attacking their parents and trying to kill them.

This movie starts out as a sweet, heartwarming family gathering, but quickly and unexpectedly turns into a shockingly violent horror film. You’re kept guessing the entire time, with no clear explanation for the chaos until almost the very end. While knowing the ending would have improved my experience, it’s still an enjoyable and chilling watch, particularly if you’re easily spooked by children.

7. Unlocking Christmas (2020)

IMDb: 6.4/10

Okay, so I just finished reading this really cute story! It’s about Dr. Kate Stafford, who works at a hospital in a small town called Cedar Park. Things get interesting when she and her coworker, Kevin, both receive a strange key and a puzzling Christmas riddle. It basically kicks off this fun adventure where they try to ‘unlock Christmas,’ and naturally, sparks fly between them along the way! It’s a really sweet, romantic story.

Okay, after a couple of spooky picks, I really wanted something lighter, and ‘Unlocking Christmas’ totally delivered! It’s a sweet, feel-good romantic movie – nothing scary about it, thankfully! It’s not trying to be a masterpiece, it just wants to put you in a cozy holiday spirit, and honestly, it does a great job of that.

6. Lady In The Lake (1946)

IMDb rating: 6.5/10

Lady in the Lake centers around Phillip Marlowe, a detective tasked with locating the wife of a publishing magnate. A magazine editor hires him when she disappears, seemingly fleeing to Mexico, but the investigation soon reveals a darker truth involving a series of murders.

You should watch Lady in the Lake because it’s a groundbreaking film, even though it’s an older one. It’s famous for being one of the first movies to use a first-person perspective – meaning the camera shows you what the main character sees. This was a revolutionary technique that influenced how movies are filmed today, and it makes the film a must-see for any Christmas mystery fan.

While not the most polished example of its kind, this film was groundbreaking, and the captivating mystery will definitely keep you engaged from beginning to end.

5. Inside (2007)

IMDb rating: 6.7/10

This horror mystery, originally known as ‘À l’intérieur,’ is a chilling film directed by Alexandre Bustillo and Julien Maury. It centers around a woman in the late stages of pregnancy who is grieving the recent loss of her husband and struggling with anxiety. Her distress is compounded when a mysterious woman breaks into her home, intent on stealing her unborn baby.

This movie is a favorite of mine, though it can be difficult to watch at times. The story unfolds on Christmas Eve, which really highlights the stark contrast between the joy of the holiday season and the incredibly tough situation the main character is facing.

This movie is both exciting and full of mystery, and it stands out from others on this list with a truly great ending. If you enjoy French New Wave cinema, I definitely recommend checking it out.

4. The Gift (2015)

IMDb rating: 7.0/10

This story centers on Simon and Robyn, a married couple who were high school sweethearts. Just before Christmas, a strange former classmate named Gordo begins leaving them unsettling gifts. As the story unfolds, long-buried secrets from their past – dating back twenty years – are revealed in a deeply disturbing manner.

You should definitely watch The Gift – it’s the kind of movie that stays with you long after it’s over. I was really surprised by the plot twists and think it deserves a higher rating than it has.

While the movie isn’t really about Christmas, it’s simply set during the holiday season, it’s easily one of the most gripping and cleverly crafted psychological thrillers we’ve seen in the last ten years.

3. The Thin Man (1934)

IMDb rating: 7.9/10

Okay, so this movie follows Nick Charles, an ex-New York City detective. He’s retired now and living comfortably with his wealthy wife, Nora. But things get interesting when a murder happens, and it turns out the victim was someone in their social circle. Naturally, Nick can’t help but get involved and starts digging into the case.

If you’re looking for a fun, engaging mystery, this film is a great place to start! It launched a beloved series known for its clever plot twists, witty dialogue, and hilarious moments. Plus, with a Christmas setting and a soundtrack full of holiday favorites like ‘Jingle Bells,’ it’s perfect for festive viewing.

The film uses a very classic style of filmmaking, but it features truly memorable characters. It also pioneered the dramatic reveal of the killer to a crowd – a technique that became a signature element of Hercule Poirot mysteries. Which brings us to Poirot…

2. Hercule Poirot’s Christmas (1994)

IMDb rating: 8.0/10

When a wealthy, troubled family’s patriarch is murdered just before Christmas, the renowned detective Poirot arrives to investigate. It appears one of his children committed the crime, and Poirot must use his brilliant and unique methods to uncover the truth.

If you’re looking for a good mystery to watch, this is a great choice! While technically an episode from the sixth season of the Poirot series, it’s a full 100 minutes long – essentially a movie. David Suchet is brilliant as Hercule Poirot, and this particular story has a Christmas theme, making it perfect for the holidays.

1. Die Hard (1988)

IMDb rating: 8.2/10

Okay, so “Die Hard” throws you right into the action with John McClane, a New York cop who unexpectedly finds himself in the middle of a nightmare on Christmas Eve. He’s visiting his wife at a party in this huge building, Nakatomi Plaza, when it’s taken over by terrorists. It’s bad enough that she’s been taken hostage along with a bunch of other people, but things get really personal when McClane starts to suspect he has a connection to the guy leading the whole operation. It’s a classic ‘wrong place, wrong time’ scenario, and it quickly becomes a desperate fight for survival.

Let’s settle it: Die Hard is a Christmas movie! While it’s well-known, if you’re watching it for the first time, you might still be surprised by some of the plot twists. The question of whether it’s a mystery is debatable, but it definitely delivers on the Christmas spirit.

Alan Rickman perfectly embodies the villain, and the movie launched a successful franchise with a special charm – though none of the sequels ever quite matched the brilliance of the original.

2025-12-21 04:18