Mysteriesare meant to keep us on the edge of our seats. When watching a movie or a TV show for the first time, it’s only the clever ones who end up spotting all the clues and collecting all the Easter eggs in the back of their mindsuntil the satisfying conclusion provesthem right. For the rest of us, there is nothing quite like the thrill of peeling back new layers with each rewatch, pinpointing clues we missed before. The point is, revisiting some shows is just as rewarding as the first watch.
Within the rich landscape of the mystery genre, in particular, are a select few TV shows that have mastered the art of weaving complex plots, nuanced characters, and plain ol’ addictive storytelling, making them stand out among the rest when it comes to repeated viewings. But what else makes a TV show rewatchable? A longer run certainly plays a vital role, for an intricate mystery needs time to unfold at a natural pace.
In this list, we examine TV shows that offer it all and more. Fromrich worlds and puzzling premisesto endlessly funny dialogue and star-studded ensembles, these fan favorite TV shows have perfected the balance of telling a story and building suspense in a way that has audiences coming back to try and crack a case one more time.
10True Detective (2014 – Present)
In the isolated backwaters of Louisiana, past the dying waters, are forces way darker than what meets the eye.True Detectivefollows a pair of police detectives, Rust Cohle and Martin Hart, as they are assigned a bizarre murder case that pulls them into a search for a serial killer across the United States. The second, third and fourth season of this critically acclaimed anthology series takes place in California, the Ozarks, and Alaska respectively.
Gives a Sense of Impending Doom
Over its four seasons so far,True Detectivehas delivered emotions of both melancholy and unfathomable evil. Rotating cast members include Matthew McConaughey, Woody Harrelson, Colin Farell, Rachel McAdams, Mahershala Ali and more, each of whom maintained their immensely talented and dense postures through the season. The rewatch value comes from the mysteries, which lead viewers to pick foreshadowing clues they missed the first time.
9Veronica Mars (2004 – 2019)
Veronica Mars
As far as teen dramas go, none are as beautifully paced and well-developed asVeronica Mars. Created by Rob Thomas for UPN, it transports viewers to a wealthy Southern California town, where a high school student named Veronica Mars spends her free time solving mysteries. When she starts college, Mars begins working as a private investigator. But helping ordinary people is only a front as she secretly hopes to solve her own tragic case – the accidental murder of her best friend, Lilly Kane.
Not Your Average Teen Drama
Thomas initially had the story set to be a series of YA novels with a male protagonist, but he figured the noir drama would work better with a complex female lead. Kristen Bell delivered a star-making performance as the titular heroine, who is witty, mysterious and stunning at the same time.
Rewatching the show only reminds youhowVeronica Marswas way ahead of its time. Additionally, the 2014 film revival and a grittier fourth season that premiered on Hulu in 2019 only make the series more iconic.
8Mindhunter (2017 – 2019)
Mindhunter
Mindhunteris a fascinating psychological crime thriller based on a book written by John E. Douglas and Mark Olshaker, which follows two young FBI agents, Holden Ford and Bill Tench, working alongside a psychologist named Wendy Carr to interview serial killers serving time in prison and study their mannerisms and objectives and use it as knowledge to solve criminal cases.
From notorious mass murderer Edmund Kemper to the convicted serial killer Wayne Williams, the series documents the psychology of real-life characters.
Explores the Darkest Themes
The two-season series achieved massive acclaim for its direction and portrayal of how the science of modern criminal profiling was invented. The fact that all the visual detail and intense scripts are based on true stories comes as a shock the first time around. Rewatching the show makes you focus on the characters as much as the crime and look for clues as the intricate story unfolds. Also worth praising are the career-making turns from Jonathan Groff, Holt McCallany and Anna Torv.
Related:15 Thrilling Movies Where the Mystery Doesn’t Get Solved
7Midsomer Murders (1997 – Present)
Midsomer Murders
Among the longest-running crime mystery dramas,Midsomer Murderstakes place in the idyllic English countryside, where communities are close enough to know one another’s secrets but also quaint enough to overlook a killer hiding in plain sight. We follow Detective Chief Inspectors Tom Barnaby and his cousin John Barnaby investigating the most baffling cases of murder week after week as secrets about seemingly ordinary village people surface.
Promises Fresh Cases Week After Week
Spanning an outstanding 24 seasons to date, this ITV Network drama has won international recognition for its delightful setting and macabre storytelling. The series has also distinguished itself from other crime dramas with its trademark cases, which are clever and absurd at the same time. Each new season promises something fresh. It is impossible not to want to revisit the drama and have your mind blown by the cases, consistency, and cast.
6The White Lotus (2021 – Present)
The White Lotus
The White Lotus is a sharp social satire following the exploits of various employees and guests at an exclusive Hawaiian resort over the span of one highly transformative week. As darker dynamics emerge each day, this series gradually reveals the complex truths of the seemingly picture-perfect travelers, cheerful hotel employees, and idyllic locale itself. Each season follows a new cast of characters with a greater mystery lying at the center of each new location.
Created by Mike White for HBO,The White Lotusis a standout in the genre because it combines comedy and satire to its dark and mysterious narrative. Also an anthology series, it transports viewers to the titular resort in Hawaii, which is exclusive to the most elite vacationers who seem to have it all – privilege, wealth, and looks. However,what was supposed to be a perfect holidayfor the guests turns into a whodunit fueled by jealousy and betrayal.
Leaves You Stunned By its Mystery
Despite only having two brilliantly twisted seasons so far,The White Lotushas already proven itself as a compulsively rewatchable TV show. The tropic backdrop, stunning cast members, and sharp social commentary make it a unique and enthralling television masterpiece. The show also delivers plot twists, mysterious deaths, and jarring cliffhangers. Critics praised the Emmy-winning drama for offering audiences “a level of escapism like nothing else on TV.”
5Psych (2006 – 2014)
There is something truly unique about TV shows that came out in the 2000s; they combine humor, drama, action and emotion exceptionally well.Psychis one such show. It follows Shawn Spencer, a police consultant who uses his intuition, memory and observational skills to solve cases alongside his intelligent best friend Gus. His supposed “psychic” abilities are often met with eye rolling and frustration from the head detective of the Santa Barbara Police Department.
Endlessly Funny and Rewatchable
Through astonishing attention to detail, Steve Franks creates a show that is comedic and creative at the same time. Much like the rest of the detectives in Santa Barbara, audiences also find themselves missing out on pieces of information as Shawn solves procedural mysteries in his own hilarious ways. Which is why it is fun to revisit the zany cases and be in on the inside jokes shared by James Roday Rodriguez and Dule Hill.
4Broadchurch (2013 – 2017)
Broadchurch
Inarguably the most popular andsuccessful British murder mystery dramaof all time,Broadchurchbegins with a shocking murder that rocks the small seaside town where everyone knows one another. Detective Inspector Alec Hardy and Detective Sergeant Ellie Miller are called in to lead the investigation. As they work together to uncover the truth, secrets and lies about the community lead them to the most suspect suspects.
Creates a Heartbreaking Portrait of Humanity
As Hardy and Miller eliminate suspects episode by episode, you cannot help but be utterly thrown by the brilliance of the series. The leads are played by David Tennant and Olivia Colman, who share unforgettable chemistry. The show’s handling of tragedy and small-town drama is bittersweet and intimate and haunting. In just three seasons,Broadchurchestablishes itself as a phenomenal and addictive TV drama that demands repeated viewings.
3Criminal Minds (2005 – Present)
Criminal Minds
InCriminal Minds, an elite team of profiling analysts that work for the FBI’s Behavioral Analysis Unit take up cases and use various assessment techniques to investigate the same. They anticipate the unpredictable minds of serial killers and unsubs (unknown subjects) before coming to a conclusion about what exactly triggers one to commit acts of violence. Meanwhile, they also deal with personal struggles and relationships.
Procedural Drama At Its Best
Seventeen seasons and counting, andCriminal Mindsstill continues to reinvent itself by bringing in new characters, original cases, and absorbing narratives. From mainstays like Matthew Gray Gubler, Thomas Gibson, Lola Glaudini and Mandy Patinkin, to some classic villains and serial killers, the series has drawn fans over and over again to rejoin the BAU to wherever their new case may lead.Criminal Mindshas also spawned spin-off series, so there’s plenty of ground to cover.
Related:20 TV Shows to Watch if You Can’t Get Enough of Criminal Minds
2Only Murders In the Building (2021 – Present)
Only Murders in the Building
Only Murders in the Building: A mystery-comedy series that follows three strangers, played by Steve Martin, Martin Short, and Selena Gomez, who share an obsession with true crime and suddenly find themselves wrapped up in a murder investigation within their upscale New York apartment building. The show intertwines humor and suspense as the trio leverages their amateur sleuthing skills to uncover the truth.
With so many excellent shows currently streaming online, it is only fair we discuss a mystery TV series that has fans wanting to return, once again, to the whodunit world. Created by Steve Martin and John Hoffman,Only Murders In the Buildingcenters around three strangers – semi-retired actor Charles, down-on-his-luck Broadway director Oliver, and a lonely young artist named Mabel – who share an obsession with true crime podcasts.
When a death occurs in their posh NYC apartment building, they bond by trying to solve the mystery.
Delightful and Surprising
Featuring a dream comedic trio of Steve Martin, Martin Short and Selena Gomez,Only Murders In the Buildinghas the new generation obsessed with its must-watch drama, charming humor and twisted handling of mystery. Upon revisiting, you’ll notice more hilarity in background sight gags and clues, as well as form constantly evolving theories around the murderer. Additionally, the series also features cameos from Amy Schumer, Sting and Meryl Streep.
1Bosch (2014 – 2021)
Developed by Eric Overmyer for Amazon,Boschrevolves around a former special forces officer turned LAPD homicide detective named Harry Bosch, who stubbornly pursues killers, corrupt politicians and criminal masterminds. No bad guy is safe from his relentless tenacity and little regard for rules or politics. His only aim is to bring justice to the victims, sometimes even at the cost of his personal well-being.
A Constantly Thrilling Ride
Boschis among the few long-running Amazon Prime Video original dramas, but it is enough to prove that even streaming media can succeed as high art. The seriesdraws inspiration from a series of novelswritten by Michael Connelly, and while it stays faithful to the source material, it also infuses the same with complexity and nuance.
Titus Welliver perfectly portrays the main character, his troubled past and unshakable morality. Overall,Boschis a show you can revisit any time to have a good time.
