Top 9 Mystery Shows to Binge in a Single Day
Don't have time for a full-on epic series? No problem! These perfectly paced whodunnits actually respect your busy schedule while providing all the thrills and feels you crave.
Between work deadlines and other responsibilities, making time for a TV show may seem impossible. Luckily, these bite-sized mystery shows have got you covered. They deliver the same entertainment value as longer shows without demanding weeks of your life.
1. ‘Trial & Error’ (2017-2018)
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On Rotten Tomatoes, Trial & Error has 88% from critics and 88% from the audience.
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On IMDb, Trial & Error is rated 7.9/10.
Perfect for: someone who wants a refresher between more serious dramas.
When a respected poetry professor is accused of murdering his wife, an ambitious young attorney arrives to defend him. With fast-paced comedy and just two short seasons, it's the perfect show for binge-watching.
Available on: Fandango At Home, Amazon Video, Apple TV.
2. ‘Harper's Island’ (2009)
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On Rotten Tomatoes, Harper's Island has 65% from critics and 77% from the audience.
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On IMDb, Harper's Island is rated 7.4/10.
Perfect for: horror fans who appreciate a good jump scare but also want the satisfaction of solving a mystery.
Before The White Lotus turned vacation murder mysteries into a trend, Harper's Island nailed the concept of a beautiful location coupled with grisly deaths. The show is about a wedding celebration gone wrong.
Available on: Fandango At Home, Amazon Video, Apple TV.
3. ‘The Afterparty’ (2022-2023)
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On Rotten Tomatoes, The Afterparty has 92% from critics and 78% from the audience.
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On IMDb, The Afterparty is rated 7.3/10.
Perfect for: movie buffs who appreciate a wide variety of genres.
After a high school reunion ends with a murder, each of the suspects recounts the events of the night from their own perspective. Each episode is shot in a different genre that mirrors the personality of the character telling the story.
Available on Apple TV+.
4. ‘The Flight Attendant’ (2020-2022)
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On Rotten Tomatoes, The Flight Attendant has 91% from critics and 62% from the audience.
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On IMDb, The Flight Attendant is rated 7.1/10.
Perfect for: fans of The Big Band Theory (say hi to Kaley Cuoco).
After a wild night of partying, a flight attendant wakes up in a hotel room next to a dead man, unable to remember what happened. Is she the killer?
Available on HBO Max.
5. ‘Terriers’ (2010)
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On Rotten Tomatoes, Terriers has 93% from critics and 97% from the audience.
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On IMDb, Terriers is rated 8.3/10.
Perfect for: fans of character-driven detective stories with heart.
An ex-cop and his best friend work as unlicensed private investigators. As they work on seemingly small-time cases, they quickly find themselves caught up in a big conspiracy.
Available on Hulu.
6. ‘Bored to Death’ (2009-2011)
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On Rotten Tomatoes, Bored to Death has 79% from critics and 81% from the audience.
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On IMDb, Bored to Death is rated 7.8/10.
Perfect for: fans of quirky comedies and detective stories.
A down-on-his-luck writer turns to alcohol and his imagination to cope with life in Brooklyn. After a painful breakup, he decides to become an unlicensed private detective, which leads to a series of misadventures.
Available on HBO Max.
7. ‘Pushing Daisies’ (2007-2009)
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On Rotten Tomatoes, Pushing Daisies has 96% from critics and 95% from the audience.
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On IMDb, Pushing Daisies is rated 8.4/10.
Perfect for: anyone who enjoys visually stunning shows.
Ned is a pie maker with the ability to bring dead things back to life with a touch. He uses this power to help a private investigator solve murder cases, but complications arise when he revives his childhood sweetheart.
Available on HBO Max.
8. ‘The Unusuals’ (2009)
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On Rotten Tomatoes, The Unusuals has 72% from critics and 100% from the audience.
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On IMDb, The Unusuals is rated 7.9/10.
Perfect for: fans of cop shows with unique personalities and a touch of humor.
The Unusuals follows an eccentric group of NYPD detectives. Each has a pretty deep secret. The series blends procedural elements with character-driven stories.
Available on fuboTV.
9. ‘Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency’ (2016-2017)
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On Rotten Tomatoes, Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency has 85% from critics and 94% from the audience.
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On IMDb, Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency is rated 8.1/10.
Perfect for: fans of quirky, sci-fi mysteries with unpredictable twists.
The series follows the bizarre adventures of the odd detective Dirk Gently and his reluctant assistant, Todd. Dirk's “holistic” approach means he believes in the idea that everything is connected. This leads him and Todd to solve cases by following seemingly random coincidences.
Available on: AMC+, Philo.
