Mystery series is the most fun to watch if you have the kink for it of course. But we often don’t come across much in the mystery genre apart from documentaries which feel like info-feeding shows. Plus it’s tough to find the same frequency people to get the recommendations from the social circle. So here’s to what we found for you. Thank us later if you like anything you watched from here! 🙂
Top Mysteries Series to Watch on Popular OTT Platforms
We took it upon us to bring you these hidden gems to watch before 2021 runs out. Read on to what interests you!
Absentia (2017-2020)
IMDB – 7.3/10, Reviews
Emily Bryne is suspected to be dead after falling victim to a serial killer she was investigating. But to everyone’s surprise, she is found alive six years later. Unfortunately, Emily suffers from amnesia and doesn’t know where she was being held captive and by whom.
She now faces the difficult task of figuring out answers about her disappearance while trying to reconnect with her family, who has started living a new life without her. Nevertheless, she finds a little emotional success by reconnecting with her friends and family after her absence.
But the path to finding answers about her captivity is a daunting one with numerous challenges. These problems threaten to destroy whatever relationship she has built. Fearful for her family, Emily distances herself from them and takes off on her own to find what she is looking for. The journey she undertakes reminds us about how hard it is to escape from the shadows of her past.
The gripping story and fantastic star cast make it one of the best mystery series to watch on Amazon Prime.
Agatha Christie’s The A.B.C. Murder (2018)
IMDB – 6.6/10, Reviews
‘The A.B.C. Murder’ is set during the 1930s, a time of extreme turbulence when England was dangerously divided. Suspicion was at an all-time high within the society, which led to more hatred and violence.
The plot follows Poirot, played by John Malkovich, who’s investigating the serial killer only known as A.B.C. But, unfortunately, the body count steadily keeps increasing while Poirot has no luck whatsoever in catching the killer.
His only clue is a copy of the killer’s A.B.C. Railway guide left behind, also found near every crime scene. But, unfortunately, Poirot’s investigation is not progressing as he expected due to sabotage attempts by an unknown enemy who wants to outsmart him no matter what.
If Poirot wants to succeed over his nemesis, he must be prepared to face many hardships. From his authority to his past, even his identity will be questioned—one of the best mystery series to watch on Amazon Prime.
Alias (2001)
IMDB – 7.6/10, Reviews
Sydney Bristow, played by Jennifer Garner, was athletic and is now a young college graduate. In her freshman year, she was recruited by the C.I.A. as a secret agent for a top-secret branch known as SD-6.
She hides her lifestyle from her boyfriend for a few years but later confides in him. After learning about this, Arvin Sloane, the head of SD-6 and a very evil person, has her boyfriend killed.
Distraught by this, Jennifer investigates SD-6 only to find out that they are involved with an international group known as Alliance of 12. A rogue group out to rule the world.
Soon she reaches out to the real C.I.A. and begins working as a double agent to bring down SD-6. Jennifer steps out to take revenge with Michael Vaughn, her handler, and her estranged father.
Along the way, Sydney fights against all types of rivals and terrorist groups while keeping her identity a secret. One of the best mystery series to watch on Amazon Prime.
Bosch (2014)
IMDB – 8.4/10 , Reviews
Harry Bosch is a homicide detective who works in Los Angeles and is known for his tenacity with which he works. Our protagonist deals with typical issues like having trouble fielding his authority, not adhering to rules while solving cases, and always following his gut.
All the misbehavior he does is tolerated because Bosch has the best-solved case rate in California. No matter what type of situation he faces, Harry makes sure to overcome it with his intelligence and wit.
Titus Welliver found his signature role while playing Harry Bosch, as he reveals in this fantastic performance. One of the best mystery series to watch on Amazon Prime.
Carnival Row (2019)
IMDB – 7.8/10, Reviews
‘Carnival Row’ is set during the Victorian era and stars Orlando Bloom and Cara Delevingne. Their world is filled with extraordinary mythical immigrant creatures whose rich lands were invaded by foolish humans.
These immigrant creatures are finding it hard to live in coexistence with humans who have confined them to one of the grimmest sections of society. They are not allowed to live or fly in the sky. But even in those dire situations, a glimmer of hope emerges as Rycroft Philostrate, a human detective, and Vignette Stonemoss, a refugee, rekindle an affair.
Their affair is dangerous as society is becoming increasingly intolerant towards the immigrants. However, the vignette safely keeps a secret that threatens to jeopardize Philo’s standing on his most important case yet.
Philo is investigating a case about a string of murders that can destroy the peace inside Row. As Philo continues his investigation, he uncovers a monster none could’ve imagined. One of the best mystery series to watch on Amazon Prime.
Counterpart (2017)
IMDB – 8.1/10, Reviews
The mystery series, Counterpart, is starring J.K Simmons and Olivia Williams. The plot revolves around Counterpart, a mysterious world hidden plainly behind the daily existence of humans.
Based out of Berlin, Howard Silk works for the United Nations spy agency. He is a low-level employee and doesn’t have any authority over anything. Through unforeseen circumstances, Howard discovers a secret about his organization that rocks his world.
Soon he is thrust into the shady underworld of agents and dodges through immense difficulties while staying aware of being double-crossed. The only man he can put his trust in is his identical twin from a parallel universe.
Detective Anna (2016)
IMDB – 8.0/10, Reviews
‘Detective Anna’ is based in the town of Zatonsk during the 19th Century. To get utter disbelief, Anna discovers she possesses supernatural abilities.
She is constantly haunted by the spirits of the dead, who beg them to help her. With the help of her vision, Anna steps out to solve some of the most baffling crimes that even the police couldn’t.
Yakov Shulman, a 37-year-old detective who aids Anna in her work. Soon they both become a team and start hunting down criminals.
Dexter (2006)
IMDB – 8.6/10, Reviews
Dexter Morgan’s a bright, good-looking, and talented person who his peers love. However, no one else is aware that he is one of the most wanted serial killers.
He works as a forensic expert in Miami and spends his days solving various crimes while he commits them during the night.
Despite all this, Dexter lives by a strict code to honor his life-saving skills while carrying the burden of his crimes. Torn between his compulsive needs, he struggles to find happiness.
The Expanse (2015)
IMDB – 8.5/10, Reviews
Set in the future far ahead, to be precise, 200 years from now when humans colonized the solar system. The task of finding a missing woman falls on Josephus Miller, a policeman.
Meanwhile, in an unrelated incident, an officer onboard the ice freighter witnesses what appears to be a deliberate attack on the ship by a Martian craft.
The news about this incident spreads like wildfire and threatens to destroy the already thin peace between earth, mars, and the asteroid belt.
The Fall (2013)
IMDB – 8.1/10, Reviews
Stella Gibson works as a Metropolitan Police Superintendent and has been given the task of reviewing investigations. Soon she is recommended to the Police Service of Northern Island, where Stella takes on an unsolved case that has been active for 28 days.
Her investigations determine they’ve stumbled upon a serial killer. With no other choice, local authorities must work together with Stella to stop these killings.
Their first suspect is Paul Spector, a guy living in Belfast who’s attacking young professional women. As the case proceeds further, Stella and her team work tirelessly to solve the crime but face complications. One of the best mystery series to watch on Netflix.
Forensic Files (1996)
IMDB – 8.8/10, Reviews
With advancements in technologies, police began to conduct their investigations using scientific laboratories increasingly. The cutting-edge technology helps them capture criminals even if there wasn’t any proof at the crime scene.
The show re-enacts and recreates dramatic cases from around the world where there were no witnesses or leads. But with the help of forensic experts using clues like hair strands or fingerprints, they could solve them without breaking a sweat. Through their dedication and hard work, they bring criminals down and save the innocents.
Each episode starts with an intriguing mystery and ends in a thrilling chase keeping the audience glued to their screens—one of the best mystery series to watch on Netflix.
House (2004)
IMDB – 8.7/10, Reviews
Dr. Gregory House, played by Hugh Laurie, is the show’s main character, known for his cleverness and intelligence. Gregory deals with severe painkiller addiction because his right leg is crippled. The show follows our protagonist along with his team of skilled doctors who specialize in diagnostic medicine.
They solve bizarre cases that seem impossible to others and always come back victorious. Apart from his professional life, the show also focuses on his relationship with Dr. James Wilson, a sincere oncologist, and the beautiful Dr. Lisa Cuddy, his employer.
The series mainly focused on Dr. House’s struggle to fit in with society. He was extraordinarily brilliant but arrogant, which didn’t forebode well for him, paired with his drug addiction. However, the seriousness of an operation theatre coupled with subtle comedy makes this show a must-watch—one of the best mystery series to watch on amazon prime.
Lost (2004)
IMDB – 8.3/10, Reviews
Through a mysterious series of events, an Oceanic flight 815 flying from Sydney to L.A. crashes on a supposedly stranded island. Forty-eight passengers survived this horrific crash in the South Pacific. With no hope of being rescued, the passengers begin to accept their situation.
They have to overcome a hurdle of challenges to survive. The island has enough danger to kill any one of them if they are careless. Moreover, if they want to experience success, they need to learn how to live and work together.
Many panic or hope for rescue, while others discover they have extraordinary inner strength. Little do they know that their pasts are connected with the island’s secret, and they were chosen for a specific reason. Little by little, the show dives into the unexpected histories of the 14 main characters as their mission for survival ensues.
One of the best mystery series to watch on amazon prime.
The Mentalist (2008)
IMDB – 8.1/10, Reviews
The show begins with Patrick Jane, a famous psychic who reveals that he’s a fake and soon starts working as a consultant for the C.B.I. He’s assigned the case of serial killer ‘Red John,’ the madman responsible for the death of his wife and daughter.
His keen skill of reading people’s behavior and making acute observations helps to solve otherwise unsolvable cases. For example, he’s in charge of senior agent Teresa Lisbon. Using Patrick’s exceptional gifts and mentalist tricks, Teresa closes several cases in no time.
But Jane’s unconventional tricks often lead to some illegal method of solving the crime, which brings scrutiny every time on Teresa’s head. No criminal can outsmart Jane Patrick except for Red John, who’s yet to be caught. One of the best shows to watch on amazon prime.
Mr. Robot (2015)
IMDB – 8.5/10, Reviews
Elliot works as a cyber-security engineer and is a brilliant programmer who turns into an exceptional hacker by night but is introverted. He also suffers from a strange condition described as schizophrenia which he tries to keep under control but to no avail.
Elliot deals with this issue by consuming both legal and illegal drugs and by talking with his therapist. However, his mundane life suddenly changes when a fierce woman named Darlene and a middle-aged man named Mr. Robot approach him one day.
They offer him a chance to take his vigilantism to another level by hacking E-Corp, the company he works for. Elliott considers it atrocious and refers to it as Evil Corp. To soothe Elliot’s mind, Mr. Robot reveals he has an ally, an even more shady and secretive group known as Dark Army.
Meanwhile, Angela, his childhood friend who claims that E-Corp destroyed their lives, tries to infiltrate the organization legally by joining their ranks. Tyrell Wellick, a psychopathic E-Corp employee who lives with his dominant and ambitious wife, Joanna, becomes a wild card in their scheme.
With all the cards in their hand, Mr. Robot’s scheme finally starts to play with unexpected results. One of the best mystery series to watch on Amazon Prime.
Psych (2006)
IMDB – 8.3/10, Reviews
Shawn Spencer developed the uncanniest of abilities during his childhood while observing his father, a policeman. His ability to detect even the slightest details made people believe he was a psychic. However, he finds it increasingly difficult to get a job after growing up, so he uses his skills to give police anonymous tips.
Though his tips were so accurate that the police began thinking that he was involved in the crimes, Shawn settles on pretending to be a psychic to prove his innocence. No one seems to believe him, but he helps solve impossible cases, so the police keep calling him back.
Shawn soon introduces Barton Guster, his childhood friend, and drags him into his scheme. Together they solve every case they are presented with. ‘Psych’ hits your funny bone while keeping you hooked on the mystery—one of the best mystery series to watch on Amazon Prime.
The Night Manager (2016)
IMDB – 8.1/10, Reviews
Starring Hugh Laurie, Tom Hiddleston, and Elizabeth Debicki, ‘The Night Manager’ is a mystery series of intrigue and deception. Jonathan Pine is an Englishman who works at a Cairo hotel as a night manager. Unfortunately, he engages in a costly and destructive relationship with the girlfriend of a local gangster thanks to his foolishness.
She reveals that she learned about an illegal arms trade involving billions of dollars with Richard Roper because of her relationship. Soon she is found dead because of this information. Fearing the same fate, Jonathan runs for his life and ends up in a hotel in a remote location in Switzerland.
Four years later, unexpectedly, Richard visits the hotel Pine is working at. Looking at his face rekindles Pine’s thirst for revenge. The British Intelligence recruits him because of this. The thought of what happens following grips the audience and keeps them engaged.
One of the best mystery series to watch on Amazon Prime.
When They See Us (2019)
IMDB – 8.9/10, Reviews
In 1989, there was a horrific incident in New York’s Central Park; a jogger was assaulted and raped. Five young people were found to be guilty of the crime. Labeled the Central Park Five, they maintained their innocence and spent an extended amount of time fighting the charges, hoping to be set free.
The short series covers everything from their first questioning in 1989 to their dismissal in 2002. Finally, through sheer persistence, they settled with New York City in 2014. The star cast gave a fantastic performance with fantastic chemistry—one of the best mystery series to watch on Netflix.
The People VS OJ Simpson (2016)
IMDB – 8.4/10, Reviews
A true crime anthology series American crime story, ‘The People VS OJ Simpson’ is the show’s first season. The show aired on February 2, 2016, and is based on the book by Jeffrey Toobin, The Run of his Life. The plot revolves around the O.J. Simpson murder case and sheds more light on the 1945-5 murder trials.
It’s a gripping legal drama that showcases the chaotic and shady dealings done to hush the case—one of the best mystery series to watch on Amazon Prime.
Chernobyl (2019)
IMDB – 9.4/10, Reviews
‘Chernobyl’ covers the story behind the tragic incident that took place on April 26, 1986. A nuclear power plant near Pripyat, Ukraine, began malfunctioning on a fateful day, resulting in a core explosion inside reactor 4.
The series follows three main characters who played a leading role in minimizing the damage. The scientist who leads the team, Valery Legasov, a Soviet politician overlooking their interest, Boris Shcherbina, and a nuclear physicist, is working to uncover the truth, Ulana Khomyuk.
The show raises moral questions and asks the price of hiding the truth and lying to the public—one of the best mystery series to watch on Hotstar.
Sherlock (2010)
IMDB – 9.1/10, Reviews
Based on Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s book, ‘Sherlock’ is a modern adaptation of the stories. Sherlock Holmes is alive in the 21st Century and lives in London, a city plagued with deceit, mystery, and crime.
The back street is filled with every crime imaginable, from serial killers to robbers. John Watson is an army doctor wounded in Afghanistan and let go of by the army. Now in London, he’s looking for a place to stay, which leads him to meet Sherlock Holmes, a brilliant yet eccentric detective.
Whenever the police are in a bit of pickle, they call upon Mr. Sherlock Holmes, who uses his unconventional methods to solve the cases. Together they go on many adventures solving the country’s most iconic crimes while paying close attention to Moriarty, a criminal mastermind.
One of the best mystery series to watch on Netflix.
Summing Up on Our Mystery Series List
This was our list of best mystery series to check out that will not disappoint you in any way. If you liked this list, check out the brothers and sisters of this genre here: