20 Best Mystery TV Shows on Netflix 2026
From Dark to Wednesday, explore mystery series with crime, horror, sci-fi, and thriller twists in this updated Netflix watchlist for your next binge.
If you’re searching for the best mystery TV shows on Netflix, this lineup gives you a strong mix of suspense, crime cases, supernatural unease, and mind-bending twists. You’ll find big-name picks like Dark, Wednesday, and Lupin, along with darker choices such as The Haunting of Hill House, Midnight Mass, and Hannibal. There’s also plenty for crime fans, from NCIS and Law & Order to The Lincoln Lawyer and Dept. Q. Whether you want eerie horror-mystery stories or smart puzzle-box dramas, these shows offer plenty to dig into.
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01
From
drama · horror · mystery · sci-fi · thriller
Unravel the mystery of a town in middle U.S.A. that imprisons everyone who enters. As the residents struggle to maintain a sense of normality and seek a way out, they must also survive the threats of the surrounding forest.
Why watch: If you like mystery stories with survival tension and a strange setting, this one leans into drama, horror, sci-fi, and thriller elements. The premise of a town that traps everyone who enters should appeal to viewers who want a puzzle with constant pressure.
Directed by Jack Bender, Brad Turner, Alexandra La Roche, Jennifer Liao, Jeff RenfroeCast Harold Perrineau, Catalina Sandino Moreno, Eion Bailey, David Alpay, Elizabeth SaundersNetflixMore details on IMDb → -
02
Below
drama · horror · mystery & thriller
When a mysterious sea creature terrorizes a remote town, a fisherman must fight to protect his family, his community, and his way of life.
Why watch: If you enjoy sea-based suspense and small-town danger, this could fit well with its mystery-and-thriller setup. The family-protection angle may also appeal if you like a personal stake driving the story.
Directed by Jamie Childs, Helen Shaver, Stephen DunnCast Josh Hartnett, Mackenzie Davis, Charlie Heaton, Ruby Stokes, Kaleb HornNetflixMore details on IMDb → -
03
Lupin
1 BAFTA TV Award nomination
action · crime · drama · mystery
Inspired by the adventures of Arsène Lupin, gentleman thief Assane Diop sets out to avenge his father for an injustice inflicted by a wealthy family.
Why watch: If you like clever crime drama with a mystery edge, this is a strong pick centered on revenge and a high-stakes grudge. The gentleman-thief angle gives it a different feel from standard detective stories.
Directed by Ludovic Bernard, Louis Leterrier, Hugo Gélin, Xavier Gens, Daniel GrouCast Omar Sy, Ludivine Sagnier, Soufiane Guerrab, Etan Simon, Mamadou HaidaraNetflixMore details on IMDb → -
04
NCIS
3 Emmy nominations
action · crime · drama · mystery · thriller
From murder and espionage to terrorism and stolen submarines, a team of special agents investigates any crime that has any connection to Navy and Marine Corps personnel, regardless of rank or position.
Why watch: If you prefer case-of-the-week investigations with action, crime, and thriller elements, this is a solid match. Its focus on military-connected crimes makes it a good fit for viewers who like an ongoing procedural.
Directed by Dennis Smith, Terrence O'Hara, Tony Wharmby, James Whitmore Jr., Thomas J. WrightCast Sean Murray, David McCallum, Mark Harmon, Brian Dietzen, Rocky CarrollNetflixHuluParamount PlusMore details on IMDb → -
05
Goosebumps
adventure · comedy · drama · fantasy · horror · mystery · thriller
Anything can turn spooky in this horror anthology series based on the best-selling books by master of kid horror, R.L. Stine. In every episode, see what happens when regular kids find themselves in scary situations, and how they work to confront and overcome their fears.
Why watch: If you like anthology-style scares that blend mystery with horror and fantasy, this is an easy one to sample. The standalone-episode format works well if you want spooky stories without a long commitment.
Directed by William Fruet, Ron Oliver, John Bell, Randy Bradshaw, Timothy BondCast R.L. Stine, Kathryn Short, Cody Jones, Scott Wickware, Hamille RustiaNetflixAmazon Prime VideoTubiMore details on IMDb →
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06
Yellowjackets
10 Emmy nominations 2x Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series
drama · mystery · thriller
This equal parts survival epic, psychological horror story and coming-of-age drama tells the saga of a team of wildly talented high school girls soccer players who become the (un)lucky survivors of a plane crash deep in the remote northern wilderness. The series chronicles their descent from a complicated but thriving team to savage clans, while also tracking the lives they’ve attempted to piece back together nearly 25 years later.
Why watch: If you enjoy survival stories mixed with psychological tension and mystery, this series should be on your list. Its split between the past crash and the present-day fallout gives it a strong dramatic angle too.
Directed by Ben Semanoff, Eva Sørhaug, Daisy von Scherler Mayer, Jeffrey W. Byrd, Bart NickersonCast Melanie Lynskey, Sophie Nélisse, Jasmin Savoy Brown, Sophie Thatcher, Samantha HanrattyNetflixAmazon Prime VideoParamount PlusMore details on IMDb → -
07
Dark
crime · drama · mystery · sci-fi · thriller
A missing child causes four families to help each other for answers. What they could not imagine is that this mystery would be connected to innumerable other secrets of the small town.
Why watch: If you want a slower-burn mystery with sci-fi and thriller layers, this is one of the standout options here. The missing-child setup leads into a small-town secret that unfolds across multiple families.
Directed by Baran bo OdarCast Louis Hofmann, Karoline Eichhorn, Lisa Vicari, Maja Schöne, Jördis TriebelNetflixMore details on IMDb → -
08
Law & Order
Won 6 Emmys Outstanding Drama Series (1997) · 52 nominations
crime · drama · mystery · thriller
In cases ripped from the headlines, police investigate serious and often deadly crimes, weighing the evidence and questioning the suspects until someone is taken into custody. The district attorney's office then builds a case to convict the perpetrator by proving the person guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. Working together, these expert teams navigate all sides of the complex criminal justice system to make New York a safer place.
Why watch: If you like classic police-and-prosecutor storytelling with crime and courtroom tension, this is a dependable choice. Its focus on evidence, suspects, and legal follow-through should suit viewers who enjoy procedural structure.
Directed by Constantine Makris, Edwin Sherin, Jace Alexander, David Platt, Richard DobbsCast Sam Waterston, S. Epatha Merkerson, Jerry Orbach, Steven Hill, Jesse L. MartinNetflixHuluPeacock PremiumMore details on IMDb → -
09
Black Doves
1 BAFTA TV Award nomination
action · drama · mystery · thriller
When a spy posing as a politician's wife learns her lover has been murdered, an old assassin friend joins her on a quest for truth — and vengeance.
Why watch: If you prefer spy-driven mystery with action and revenge, this is a good fit. The setup of a politician’s wife searching for truth after a murder suggests a tense, twisty storyline.
Directed by Julian Farino, Alex Gabassi, Lisa Gunning, Kieron HawkesCast Keira Knightley, Ben Whishaw, Sarah Lancashire, Andrew Buchan, Andrew KojiNetflixMore details on IMDb → -
10
Hannibal
1 Emmy nomination
crime · drama · horror · mystery · thriller
Both a gift and a curse, Graham has the extraordinary ability to think like his prey—he sees what they see, feels what they feel. But while Graham is pursuing an especially troubling, cannibalistic murderer, Special Agent Jack Crawford teams him with a highly respected psychiatrist – a man with a taste for the criminal minded – Dr. Hannibal Lecter.
Why watch: If you enjoy dark crime stories with horror elements and a brilliant-but-unsettling central figure, this is a strong match. Its psychological angle makes it stand out from more conventional mystery series.
Directed by Michael Rymer, Guillermo Navarro, Vincenzo Natali, David Slade, Tim HunterCast Hugh Dancy, Mads Mikkelsen, Caroline Dhavernas, Laurence Fishburne, Scott ThompsonNetflixAmazon Prime VideoMore details on IMDb → -
11
The Lincoln Lawyer
crime · drama · mystery · thriller
Sidelined after an accident, hotshot Los Angeles lawyer Mickey Haller restarts his career - and his trademark Lincoln - when he takes on a murder case.
Why watch: If you like legal mysteries built around a murder case, this is an easy recommendation. It should work especially well for viewers who enjoy crime drama with a focused lead character.
Directed by Antonio Negret, Alonso Alvarez, Ted Humphrey, David Grossman, Ben Hernandez BrayCast Manuel Garcia-Rulfo, Angus Sampson, Becki Newton, Jazz Raycole, Neve CampbellNetflixAmazon Prime VideoMore details on IMDb → -
12
Black Mirror
Won 6 Emmys 2x Outstanding Television Movie · 25 nominations
crime · drama · mystery · sci-fi · thriller
Twisted tales run wild in this mind-bending anthology series that reveals humanity's worst traits, greatest innovations and more.
Why watch: If you want anthology episodes that mix mystery with sci-fi and thriller ideas, this series delivers a wide range of concepts. It’s a good choice if you like stories that examine people, technology, and consequences in different ways.
Directed by Toby Haynes, Owen Harris, Carl Tibbetts, James Hawes, David SladeCast Anjana Vasan, Cristin Milioti, Jimmi Simpson, Jesse Plemons, Billy MagnussenNetflixMore details on IMDb → -
13
The Apothecary Diaries
animation · drama · history · mystery · romance
Maomao lived a peaceful life with her apothecary father. Until one day, she's sold as a lowly servant to the emperor's palace. But she wasn't meant for a compliant life among royalty. So when imperial heirs fall ill, she decides to step in and find a cure! This catches the eye of Jinshi, a handsome palace official who promotes her. Now, she's making a name for herself solving medical mysteries!
Why watch: If you like mysteries with a historical setting and a thoughtful lead investigator, this is worth trying. Its focus on solving medical problems gives it a distinctive twist within the genre.
Directed by Norihiro Naganuma, Akinori Fudesaka, Jun Ôwada, Wataru Nakagawa, Akira KoremotoCast Aoi Yûki, Emi Lo, Takeo Otsuka, Katsuyuki Konishi, Kaiji TangNetflixHuluMore details on IMDb → -
14
Midnight Mass
1 Emmy nomination
drama · fantasy · horror · mystery
The arrival of a charismatic young priest brings glorious miracles, ominous mysteries and renewed religious fervor to a dying town desperate to believe.
Why watch: If eerie atmosphere and religious mystery appeal to you, this series may be a strong match. The horror and fantasy blend suggests a slow-building story centered on belief and unsettling events.
Directed by Mike FlanaganCast Kate Siegel, Zach Gilford, Kristin Lehman, Samantha Sloyan, Igby RigneyNetflixMore details on IMDb → -
15
The Haunting of Hill House
drama · horror · mystery · thriller
Flashing between past and present, a fractured family confronts haunting memories of their old home and the terrifying events that drove them from it.
Why watch: If you enjoy haunted-house stories with emotional weight, this is a natural pick. Its shifting between past and present adds to the mystery while keeping the family drama front and center.
Directed by Mike FlanaganCast Michiel Huisman, Carla Gugino, Henry Thomas, Elizabeth Reaser, Oliver Jackson-CohenNetflixMore details on IMDb → -
16
Dark Winds
crime · drama · mystery · thriller
This psychological thriller follows two Navajo police officers, Leaphorn and Chee, in the 1970s Southwest as their search for clues in a grisly double murder case forces them to challenge their own spiritual beliefs and come to terms with the trauma of their pasts.
Why watch: If you want a crime mystery rooted in place, culture, and psychology, this series stands out. The 1970s Southwest setting and spiritual themes may appeal if you like investigations that feel layered.
Directed by Chris Eyre, Michael Nankin, Sanford Bookstaver, Billy Luther, Steven Paul JuddCast Zahn McClarnon, Kiowa Gordon, Jessica Matten, Deanna Allison, A MartinezNetflixAmazon Prime VideoAMC+More details on IMDb → -
17
The Beast in Me
Won 2 Emmys Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie (2026) · 9 nominations
drama · mystery · thriller
A famous author is pulled into a twisted mind game with her rich, powerful new neighbor — who might be a murderer.
Why watch: If you like psychological tension and power-play storytelling, this could be a good fit. The setup between a famous author and a wealthy neighbor suggests a mystery built on suspicion and mind games.
Directed by Antonio Campos, Lila Neugebauer, Tyne RafaeliCast Claire Danes, Matthew Rhys, Brittany Snow, Natalie Morales, Tim GuineeNetflixMore details on IMDb → -
18
Avatar: The Last Airbender
Won 1 Emmy 2 nominations
animation · action · adventure · family · fantasy · mystery
In a war-torn world of elemental magic, a young boy reawakens to undertake a dangerous mystic quest to fulfill his destiny as the Avatar, and bring peace to the world.
Why watch: If you enjoy mystery wrapped in fantasy, adventure, and family-friendly stakes, this one is an easy choice. The quest structure and world-building give it broad appeal beyond pure detective stories.
Directed by Oh Seung-hyun, Giancarlo Volpe, Ethan Spaulding, Lauren MacMullan, Dave FiloniCast Dee Bradley Baker, Zach Tyler Eisen, Mae Whitman, Jack De Sena, Dante BascoNetflixParamount PlusMore details on IMDb → -
19
Wednesday
Won 4 Emmys Outstanding Comedy Series (2023) · 18 nominations
comedy · crime · fantasy · mystery
Smart, sarcastic and a little dead inside, Wednesday Addams investigates twisted mysteries while making new friends — and foes — at Nevermore Academy.
Why watch: If you like mystery with humor, fantasy, and a sharp lead character, this is a strong option. The school setting and twisted cases make it appealing for viewers who want something stylish and a little offbeat.
Directed by Tim Burton, James Marshall, Gandja Monteiro, Paco Cabezas, Angela RobinsonCast Jenna Ortega, Hunter Doohan, Emma Myers, Joy Sunday, Georgie FarmerNetflixMore details on IMDb → -
20
Dept. Q
1 Emmy nomination
crime · drama · mystery · thriller
A brash but brilliant cop becomes head of a new police department, where he leads an unlikely team of misfits in solving Edinburgh's cold cases.
Why watch: If you enjoy cold-case crime stories with a mystery and thriller edge, this should be a good fit. The new department setup and misfit team suggest an investigation-focused series with a fresh angle.
Directed by Scott Frank, Elisa AmorusoCast Matthew Goode, Alexej Manvelov, Jamie Sives, Leah Byrne, Chloe PirrieNetflixMore details on IMDb →
Wrapping Up
This list brings together mystery series with different tones, from creepy and atmospheric to sharp, procedural, and character-driven. If you want something eerie, tense, or built around a long-running question, there should be a title here that fits your mood. Bookmark this page and come back when you want another option, because it’s updated regularly with fresh picks and current favorites. That makes it an easy place to revisit whenever you’re ready for your next mystery binge.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top 10 best mystery series on Netflix?
Our top 10 right now: From (2022), Below (2026), Lupin (2021), NCIS (2003), Goosebumps (1995), Yellowjackets (2021), Dark (2017), Law & Order (1990), Black Doves (2024) and Hannibal (2013), all streaming on Netflix.
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 Netflix subscription to watch these?
Yes. Every title on this list is currently available on Netflix. 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.