If you loved The Thursday Murder Club, a new Netflix film from Harry Potter director Chris Columbus about a group of retirees who solve cold cases, you may already be itching to get to the bottom of the next mystery.
Luckily, Watch With Us is here to help solve the mystery of what to watch next.
From case-of-the-week classics to more long-form mysteries, these shows feature quirky characters — many of whom are “of a certain age” — and intriguing puzzles for you to solve along the way.
‘Death and Other Details’ (2024)
A locked-room murder mystery aboard a luxury cruise ship, Death and Other Details stars Mandy Patinkin as the “World’s Greatest Detective,” Rufus Cotesworth, and Violett Beane as Imogene, who has no interest in being his protégé after Rufus abandoned the case of her murdered parents. But when Imogene is caught in a compromising position near a body, she must partner with Rufus to find the real killer before it’s too late.
With her adoptive family’s business interests on the line and a killer in international waters, the stakes are high in this mystery about the ultra-rich. Stylish and full of genuinely unpredictable twists, Death and Other Details will satisfy your cozy murder cravings.
Watch Death and Other Details on Hulu.
‘Murder, She Wrote’ (1984-1996)
One of the most iconic cozy mystery series ever, Murder, She Wrote follows Jessica Fletcher, played by the inimitable Angela Lansbury. Fletcher is a crime writer who uses her expertise to solve actual murder mysteries, all from her home base in small-town Maine.
This was one of the most successful and long-running shows in history for a reason — the cast is lovable, the mysteries are captivating and the humor is top-notch. Lansbury was nominated for ten Golden Globes, winning four, along with nominations for 12 Emmy Awards. It’s a wonderful combination of familiarity and escapism.
Watch Murder, She Wrote on Tubi.
‘Rosemary & Thyme’ (2003-2007)
Why not take a walk around the garden with Rosemary Boxer (Felicity Kendal) and Laura Thyme (Pam Ferris)? These two friends, one an expert in horticulture and plant pathology and the other a retired police detective, never set out to solve crimes — but through their love of gardening, they end up sleuthing around and solving murder mysteries galore.
The dynamic between the two women is relentlessly charming, and it’s also a showcase for the simply lovely British countryside in every episode.
Watch Rosemary & Thyme on Tubi.
‘A Man on the Inside’ (2024)
There’s no murder in this one, but as a mystery set in a retirement home, it earns a spot on this list. A Man on the Inside follows retiree Charles Nieuwendyk (Ted Danson), bored and restless after the death of his wife, as he answers a job listing in the newspaper and ends up going undercover in a nursing home. His task is to report back to his boss, PI Julie Kovalenko (Lilah Richcreek Estrada), about the whereabouts of a missing necklace.
Before long, he becomes embedded in the community of quirky characters, learning to open up as he searches for clues. This is a sweet, charming show that has some interesting commentary on the way society treats the elderly — but it’s also very funny and full of surprises.
Watch A Man on the Inside on Netflix.
‘The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency’ (2008-2009)
This highly underrated HBO Max series follows Precious Ramotswe (Jill Scott), an ambitious woman living in rural Botswana who moves to the city of Gaborone to start the nation’s first and only woman-run detective agency. She soon assembles a crack crime-solving team — J. L. B. Matekoni (Lucian Msamati), proprietor of Tlokweng Road Speedy Motors, and Grace Makutsi (Anika Noni Rose), the fastest-typing secretary (and Assistant Detective) in Gaborone.
This charming show combines classic mystery tropes — Precious tracks down everything from cheating spouses to poisoners — with the unfamiliar location of Botswana. (The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency was the first major production to film in the country.) Quirky characters, a bright visual style and excellent performances make this series an instant charmer.
Watch The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency on HBO Max.
