20 Best Mystery TV Shows on Max 2026
Find the best mystery TV shows on Max, from True Detective and Mare of Easttown to Watchmen, The Leftovers, and more standout picks.
If you’re hunting for the best mystery TV shows on Max, this lineup gives you a wide range of whodunits, psychological twists, and slow-burn investigations. You’ll find prestige crime stories like True Detective, Mare of Easttown, and The Night Of alongside genre-bending picks such as The Leftovers, Station Eleven, and Watchmen. There’s also room for darker, more unusual choices like The Outsider, Sharp Objects, and The Jinx: The Life and Deaths of Robert Durst. Whether you want a grounded police case, a small-town secret, or a mystery with sci-fi or fantasy elements, these titles cover a lot of ground.
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01
War
drama · mystery & thriller
Two top London law firms clash over a shocking divorce case that rocks the legal world, with elite attorneys from Cathcarts and Taylor and Byrne battling for supremacy.
Why watch: If you enjoy legal drama mixed with mystery, this may fit well thanks to its clash between two top London law firms over a shocking divorce case. It looks suited to viewers who like high-stakes professional conflict with a crime-adjacent edge.
Directed by China Moo-Young, Ben Taylor, Lisa Mulcahy, Jennifer SheridanCast Dominic West, Archie Renaux, Phoebe Fox, James McArdle, Sienna MillerMaxMore details on IMDb → -
02
Lanterns
action & adventure · crime · drama · mystery & thriller · science-fiction
Two intergalactic cops, new recruit John Stewart and Lantern legend Hal Jordan, are drawn into a dark, Earth-based mystery as they investigate a murder in the American heartland.
Why watch: If you want a mystery with action and science-fiction in the mix, this is a strong fit. The premise pairs intergalactic cops with an Earth-based murder investigation, which should appeal to viewers who like their cases layered with genre flair.
Directed by James Hawes, Geeta Vasant Patel, Alik Sakharov, Stephen WilliamsCast Aaron Pierre, Kyle Chandler, Kelly Macdonald, Garret Dillahunt, Poorna JagannathanMaxMore details on IMDb → -
03
True Detective
Won 6 Emmys Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series (2014) · 41 nominations
crime · drama · mystery · thriller
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.
Why watch: If you like anthology crime stories with shifting timelines and secrets that surface over time, this is an obvious pick. Its crime, drama, mystery, and thriller blend makes it ideal for viewers who want a serious, character-driven investigation.
Directed by Cary Joji Fukunaga, Issa López, Daniel Sackheim, John Crowley, Justin LinCast Matthew McConaughey, Colin Farrell, Mahershala Ali, Woody Harrelson, Rachel McAdamsMaxMore details on IMDb → -
04
Batman: The Animated Series
Won 1 Emmy
animation · action · adventure · crime · family · mystery · sci-fi
Vowing to avenge the murder of his parents, Bruce Wayne devotes his life to wiping out crime in Gotham City as the masked vigilante "Batman".
Why watch: If you want a mystery pick that also leans into animation, action, and crime, this is a great choice. It suits viewers who like Batman stories with a detective angle and a strong genre mix.
Directed by Kevin Altieri, Boyd Kirkland, Frank Paur, Dan Riba, Dick SebastCast Kevin Conroy, Efrem Zimbalist Jr., Bob Hastings, Loren Lester, Robert CostanzoAmazon Prime VideoMaxMore details on IMDb → -
05
Blue Lights
Won 1 BAFTA TV Award 4 nominations
crime · drama · mystery & thriller
Follows rookie police officers working in Belfast, a city in which being a frontline response cop comes with unique pressures and dangers.
Why watch: If you enjoy police dramas set in a pressured frontline environment, this one should be a solid match. The Belfast setting and crime-drama focus make it appealing for viewers who like grounded, tense mystery stories.
Directed by Gilles Bannier, Jack Casey, Angela Griffin, Declan Lawn, Adam PattersonCast Sian Brooke, Katherine Devlin, Nathan Braniff, Martin McCann, Andi OshoAmazon Prime VideoMaxMore details on IMDb →
Not quite it? Ask WattaWatch for mystery on Max →
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06
High Value Target: The Hunt for Saddam
drama · history · mystery & thriller · war & military
The first American to interrogate Saddam Hussein slowly starts to realize that the US invasion of Iraq is not as cut and dry, nor its outlook as positive, as Washington believes.
Why watch: If you’re drawn to historical drama with a mystery and thriller edge, this could be a good fit. Its Iraq War setting and interrogation premise suggest a slow reveal that may interest viewers who like political uncertainty.
Directed by Leslie GreifCast Joel Kinnaman, Tom Berenger, Dar Salim, Waleed Zuaiter, Lena GóraMaxMore details on IMDb → -
07
Station Eleven
7 Emmy nominations Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie (2022)
adventure · drama · fantasy · mystery · sci-fi · thriller
The survivors of a devastating flu attempt to rebuild and reimagine the world anew – while holding on to the best of what’s been lost.
Why watch: If you like mystery stories that mix in fantasy, sci-fi, and post-disaster survival, this is worth a look. It should suit viewers who enjoy shows that are as much about rebuilding as they are about answering questions.
Directed by Jeremy Podeswa, Helen Shaver, Hiro Murai, Lucy TcherniakCast Mackenzie Davis, Himesh Patel, Matilda Lawler, David Wilmot, Nabhaan RizwanMaxMore details on IMDb → -
08
Banshee
Won 1 Emmy
action · crime · drama · mystery · thriller
Banshee is an American drama television series set in a small town in Pennsylvania Amish country and features an enigmatic ex-con posing as a murdered sheriff who imposes his own brand of justice while also cooking up plans that serve his own interests.
Why watch: If you prefer mystery with action and a rough-edged crime setup, this one stands out. The small-town setting and ex-con premise should work for viewers who like morally gray leads and constant tension.
Directed by Ole Christian Madsen, Greg Yaitanes, Loni Peristere, S.J. Clarkson, Miguel SapochnikCast Antony Starr, Ivana Milicevic, Ulrich Thomsen, Frankie Faison, Matt ServittoMaxMore details on IMDb → -
09
Get Jiro
action & adventure · animation · mystery & thriller
In a post-apocalyptic, near-future Los Angeles where culinary culture reigns supreme, the world's most powerful figures are chefs, and food is both currency and a demarcation of class, the mysterious sushi chef Jiro sets out on a quest for vengeance.
Why watch: If you enjoy animated mysteries with action and a strange near-future world, this looks like a fun choice. Its post-apocalyptic culinary power structure gives the series a distinctive hook for viewers who want something unusual.
Directed by Cecilia Aranovich, Milo NeumanCast Brian Tee, Seychelle Gabriel, Tessa Inez, Alison Pill, Courtney TaylorMaxMore details on IMDb → -
10
Big Little Lies
Won 8 Emmys 2x Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series · 21 nominations
crime · drama · mystery
The tale of three mothers of first graders whose apparently perfect lives unravel to the point of murder.
Why watch: If you like mystery rooted in domestic life and social tension, this is a strong match. The crime-drama angle and unraveling of seemingly perfect lives should appeal to viewers who enjoy character-led suspense.
Directed by Jean-Marc Vallée, Andrea ArnoldCast Reese Witherspoon, Nicole Kidman, Shailene Woodley, Zoë Kravitz, Laura DernMaxMore details on IMDb → -
11
True Blood
Won 1 Emmy Outstanding Drama Series (2010) · 16 nominations
drama · fantasy · mystery · romance · thriller
Thanks to a Japanese scientist's invention of synthetic blood, vampires have progressed overnight from legendary monsters to fellow citizens. And while humans have been safely removed from the menu, many remain apprehensive about these creatures "coming out of the coffin." Religious leaders, government officials, and vampire fundamentalists around the world have chosen their sides. But in the small Louisiana town of Bon Temps, the jury is still out.
Why watch: If you want a mystery series with fantasy, romance, and thriller elements, this is a good option. Its vampire-centered world suits viewers who like supernatural stories with a town-level human perspective.
Directed by Michael Lehmann, Scott Winant, Daniel Minahan, Howard Deutch, John DahlCast Anna Paquin, Stephen Moyer, Sam Trammell, Ryan Kwanten, Chris BauerHuluMaxMore details on IMDb → -
12
The Leftovers
1 Emmy nomination
drama · fantasy · mystery · thriller
When 2% of the world's population abruptly disappears without explanation, the world struggles to understand just what they're supposed to do about it. This is the story of the people who didn't make the cut.
Why watch: If you enjoy mysteries built around a big unanswered event, this is one of the clearest picks. The dramatic, fantasy, and thriller blend should appeal to viewers who like emotional questions as much as plot questions.
Directed by Mimi Leder, Carl Franklin, Keith Gordon, Craig Zobel, Daniel SackheimCast Justin Theroux, Amy Brenneman, Christopher Eccleston, Chris Zylka, Carrie CoonMaxMore details on IMDb → -
13
The Outsider
1 Emmy nomination
crime · drama · horror · mystery · thriller
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 question everything they believe in.
Why watch: If you want a mystery that edges into horror, this is a natural fit. Its seemingly straightforward murder investigation takes a supernatural turn, which should interest viewers who like unsettling genre blends.
Directed by Andrew Bernstein, Jason Bateman, Charlotte Brändström, J.D. Dillard, Karyn KusamaCast Ben Mendelsohn, Bill Camp, Jeremy Bobb, Mare Winningham, Paddy ConsidineMaxMore details on IMDb → -
14
The Night Of
Won 5 Emmys 13 nominations
crime · drama · mystery
After a night of partying with a female stranger, a man wakes up to find her stabbed to death and is charged with her murder.
Why watch: If you prefer a tightly focused crime mystery, this is a strong choice. The setup around one night and a murder charge should appeal to viewers who like tense, character-driven legal and investigative drama.
Directed by Steven Zaillian, James MarshCast John Turturro, Riz Ahmed, Bill Camp, Payman Maadi, Jeannie BerlinMaxMore details on IMDb → -
15
Mare of Easttown
Won 4 Emmys Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie (2021) · 16 nominations
crime · drama · mystery
A detective in a small Pennsylvania town investigates a local murder while trying to keep her life from falling apart.
Why watch: If you enjoy small-town murder investigations led by a detective under personal strain, this one is a good pick. It’s especially suited to viewers who like crime stories grounded in everyday life.
Directed by Craig ZobelCast Kate Winslet, Julianne Nicholson, Jean Smart, Angourie Rice, John Douglas ThompsonMaxMore details on IMDb → -
16
The Jinx: The Life and Deaths of Robert Durst
Won 2 Emmys 9 nominations
documentary · biography · crime · mystery
Robert Durst, scion of NY's billionaire real-estate family, has been accused of three murders but has evaded justice for over 30 years. Durst speaks in this true crime series, revealing secrets of a case that has baffled authorities.
Why watch: If you like true crime mysteries that unfold through documentary storytelling, this is a standout option. Its focus on a long-running case should appeal to viewers who want real-world suspense and unanswered questions.
Directed by Andrew JareckiCast Deirdre Roberts, Paul Blumenthal, Gary Napoli, Brad Blumenthal, Michael Simon HallMaxMore details on IMDb → -
17
Sharp Objects
8 Emmy nominations
crime · drama · mystery · thriller
Reporter Camille Preaker confronts the psychological demons from her past when she returns to her hometown to investigate the murders of two young girls.
Why watch: If you enjoy a mystery with psychological weight, this one fits well. The combination of crime, drama, and thriller elements should appeal to viewers who like stories tied to the past and to family history.
Directed by Jean-Marc ValléeCast Amy Adams, Patricia Clarkson, Chris Messina, Eliza Scanlen, Matt CravenMaxMore details on IMDb → -
18
Watchmen
Won 11 Emmys 26 nominations
crime · drama · mystery · sci-fi
Set in an alternate history where “superheroes” are treated as outlaws, “Watchmen” embraces the nostalgia of the original groundbreaking graphic novel while attempting to break new ground of its own.
Why watch: If you want a mystery with crime, drama, and science-fiction in an alternate-history setting, this is a strong pick. It should appeal to viewers who like genre stories that still keep the investigation front and center.
Directed by Nicole Kassell, Stephen Williams, Steph Green, Andrij Parekh, David SemelCast Regina King, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Tom Mison, Sara Vickers, Jeremy IronsMaxMore details on IMDb → -
19
Luther
11 Emmy nominations Outstanding Television Movie (2016)
crime · drama · mystery · thriller
A dark psychological crime drama starring Idris Elba as Luther, a man struggling with his own terrible demons, who might be as dangerous as the depraved murderers he hunts.
Why watch: If you like dark psychological crime dramas, this is a smart choice. Its mystery-thriller profile should work for viewers who want a detective story with a troubled lead.
Directed by Sam Miller, Jamie Payne, Brian Kirk, Stefan Schwartz, Farren BlackburnCast Idris Elba, Dermot Crowley, Michael Smiley, Warren Brown, Ruth WilsonHuluAMC+MaxMore details on IMDb → -
20
Full Circle
crime · drama · mystery
An investigation into a botched kidnapping uncovers long-held secrets connecting multiple characters and cultures in present day New York City.
Why watch: If you enjoy crime mysteries built around connected secrets and a city setting, this may be a good match. It seems best for viewers who like investigations that widen beyond a single event.
Directed by Steven SoderberghCast Zazie Beetz, Claire Danes, Jim Gaffigan, Timothy Olyphant, CCH PounderMaxMore details on IMDb →
Wrapping Up
This mix works because it gives you more than one kind of mystery: some shows lean into crime and investigation, while others use drama, fantasy, or science-fiction to widen the puzzle. If you want something classic, intense, or a little offbeat, there’s a strong place to start here. Bookmark this page and come back when you want another recommendation, because it’s updated regularly with fresh picks and relevant additions.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often is this list updated?
We refresh this list regularly as titles are added or removed from streaming catalogs, so rankings and availability stay current.
Do I need a Max subscription to watch these?
Yes. Every title on this list is currently available on Max. Availability can change, so we recommend checking the streaming link on each title before you start watching.
How are these mystery shows ranked?
We rank by a combination of audience rating and current popularity, so you're seeing the mystery titles people are actually watching right now, not just an old fixed list.