Top 5 murder mystery shows of 2025 that should be next on your watchlist

Murder mystery shows in 2025 have been one of the biggest standouts, with some witty, clever premises coming to light led by stunning ensembles. This year’s standout picks are less about clever clues and more about obsession, power, guilt, and the slow unraveling of people who thought they were in control. With psychological thrillers about an adolescent killer, to writers going down rabbit holes for creativity's sake, this year's roster for murder mysteries is packed, thrilling and spread out.

Here are five murder mystery shows from 2025 that should absolutely be on your watchlist if you love murder mysteries and are hungry for a fresh slate of more crime-driven stories.

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Adolescence

One of the most talked about shows of 2025, Stephen Graham's Adolescence might not exactly be the story of a "mysterious" murder, but it's exploration of the details that led to the murder of a young girl at the hands of a young boy is harrowing, disturbing, and gives a look into how a criminal adolescent's mind works. Led by Owen Cooper, who went on to win an Emmy for his work on the show, it follows the murder of a girl Katie Leonard, as the police investigate further into it.

Four episodes long, the show was shot with a continuous take, with each episode delving deeper into the crime and the young child who committed it. It's one of the most critically acclaimed murder mystery shows to be released this year, and everyone needs to watch it really.

Available to watch on: Netflix

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Dept. Q

Among all the murder mystery shows released in 2025, Dept. Q stands out because it understands that the most gripping mysteries are never just about the crime, they are about the damage left behind. Set in Edinburgh and anchored by a razor sharp performance from Matthew Goode, the series follows a cold case unit that feels less like a collection of emotionally dented people trying to stay afloat.

What makes it one of the best murder mystery shows of the year is how patiently it lets the investigation breathe. The central disappearance is disturbing, layered, and deeply personal, unfolding through fractured timelines and moral compromises rather than flashy twists. Every clue carries an emotional weight. Every suspect feels human, even when they are unsettling.

In a crowded year for murder mystery shows, Dept. Q shines through with it's careful writing, flawed characters and emotional honesty. Which is exactly why it deserves a spot on your watchlist if you're chasing more thriller crime shows.

Available to watch on: Netflix

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The Beast in Me

The Beast in Me follows Aggie Wiggs, a grieving author who is creatively stuck until it shines through when a wealthy and unsettling neighbor moves into her Long Island home. She explores his past and how he was suspected of murdering his first wife and that exploration turns into an obsession as Aggie decides to write a book about him, placing herself dangerously close to a man who may be a little too good at manipulation.

The show thrives on ambiguity and shows how truth can be rewritten with money and influence. Led by Clare Danes and Matthew Rhys, the show is anchored by great performances, as it ended up grabbing three Golden Globe nominations.

What sets The Beast in Me apart from other murder mystery shows is how it explores not just the crime, but the failed institutions around it that let it happen and let the truth be buried. If you love a slow burn mystery that gives you time to settle in and unsettle again as the story moves on, The Beast in Me should definitely be your next watch.

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All her Fault

All Her Fault is a tightly wound mystery thriller that taps into a parent's worst fear that spirals into something absolutely unexpected. Starting off with the simple premise of a mother, Marissa, letting her son go on a play date, the series explodes into something entirely else as you're left questioning who is right, who is at fault and who's hands are bloody.

As Marissa and her husband look for answers, they are joined by some peculiar personalities, including a suspicious nanny, a strained circle of friends and a detective who starts blurring his lines of ethics. Each episode pulls back layers and layers of lies, forming a darker and deeper web of guilt, grief, and secrets that were buried.

Among murder mystery shows released in 2025, this one stands out because it is about the unbearable choices people make to protect what they love. In a crowded year for murder mystery shows, All Her Fault hits hardest because it feels frighteningly possible.

Available to watch on: Peacock and Disney+.

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Only Murders in the Building Season 5

You may think, mixing comedy with murders could dial down the seriousness of a murder mystery but Only Murders in the Building continues to prove this wrong, especially with their fifth run that explores the death of the Arconia's beloved doorman, Lester Coluca. Mabel, Charles and Oliver get together to solve the murder, with some of the funniest twists on the show and a sad possibility of the three parting ways.

At first it's just a murder and soon it spirals out to reveal a bunch of rabbit holes: a mafia, a group of shady billionaires, a secret room, a corrupt politician and a suspicious, severed finger that becomes their only way to know who actually did it. As the episode progresses, the stakes tighten with several people involved in the murder. The guest cast is stacked, the twists are sharp, and the writing feels tighter and more confident than in recent seasons.

Critics clearly agreed, as the season landed a 90 percent score on Rotten Tomatoes, with the finale already teasing another murder mystery for the sixth season. While many murder mystery shows lean dark and grim, Only Murders in the Building reminds you that solving a murder can still be fun, weird, and deeply human.

Available to watch on: Hulu and Disney+.