Netflix has a vast selection of series across all genres, but nothing is quite as engaging and gratifying as a good mystery TV show. Whether it functions as a thriller, is equal parts drama, or has comedic elements, a series with a puzzle to solve is guaranteed to immerse you into its story and keep your attention. And a great one will have you wanting to binge-watch the whole thing from beginning to end. Just when you think you have it all figured out, another twist takes you into a different direction, where you’re hit with another turn.
The best mysteries know how to create atmosphere and suspense, slowly building tension and providing rich character depth. They lay down perplexing and intriguing puzzle pieces one by one, keeping you on the edge of your seat episode after episode. Subscribers to the streaming giant have plenty of good options to choose from, whether you’re looking for a psychological thriller, a cozy mystery, a detective-centric tale, or a chilly Nordic noir.
These are the 10 best mystery TV shows available for streaming on Netflix.
‘The Sinner’ (2017 – 2021)
Bill Pullman leads this mystery series as Detective Harry Ambrose, with each season seeing him investigate a new case involving an unlikely culprit. What makes The Sinner stand out against other detective TV shows is that the killer is revealed right off the bat. Here, the mystery isn’t who committed the crime, but why such an ordinary person would resort to such atrocious, savage acts. So, if you’re feeling a bit tired of the traditional whodunit formula, this whydunit is sure to pull you in.
A Deep Psychological Dive Into Murder
The Sinner explores the dark complexities and nuances of human nature, delving into the psychological depths behind the act of murder. Season 1 stars Jessica Biel as Cora, a woman who brutally stabs a man to death while on a family vacation. In Season 2, the focus is on a young boy who has lethally poisoned his parents. A fatal car accident leads to a much larger and sinister case in Season 3. The final season follows a retired Ambrose as he investigates a tragedy involving a prominent Maine family.
‘Deadwind’ (2018 – 2021)
Hailing from Finland, Deadwind is one of the best Nordic noir TV shows on Netflix. Set in Helsinki, it centers around Sofia Karppi (Pihla Viitala), a recently widowed detective who gets partnered with a homicide rookie, Sakari Nurmi (Lauri Tilkanen), when she returns to her job. Season 1 delves into a case involving the discovery of the body of a young social affairs consultant, Anna Bergdahl (Pamela Tola), leading to a web of corporate and political corruption connected to a major construction project.
A Moody Crime Drama With an Emotionally Complex Protagonist
Deadwind checks off all the boxes of a great Nordic noir — it has a brooding atmosphere, provides gritty crime drama, showcases a moody and bleak cinematography, and unravels an intricate mystery in a slow burn. Detective Sofia Karppi also embodies the archetype of a psychologically complex, tormented Scandinoir protagonist. The show not only focuses on crime, but explores Sofia’s personal life, depicting how her grief and struggles with motherhood entwine with her work.
‘The Chestnut Man’ (2021 – Present)
This Danish series stars Danica Ćurčić as Detective Naia Thulin, who, shortly after being temporarily partnered with Europol investigator Mark Hess (Mikkel Boe Følsgaard), gets put on a case involving the discovery of a woman’s body in a playground. A mysterious chestnut figurine found at the crime scene is discovered to have the fingerprints of a missing girl whose murderer has been put behind bars, but whose body was never found, the daughter of Rosa Hartung (Iben Dorner), the Danish Minister of Social Affairs. As the detectives unravel the case and try to piece together the connection, the killer targets more women, leaving his signature of a tiny chestnut doll behind each time.
Netflix’s Best Mystery TV Show
Boasting a 100% critic score on Rotten Tomatoes, The Chestnut Man is based on the novel of the same name by acclaimed author Søren Sveistrup. It’s perhaps the greatest mystery TV show Netflix has available for streaming on its platform. As a prime example of a Nordic noir, it has a cold, moody, desaturated visual style, it draws viewers in with a twisting, multi-layered mystery, and expertly builds tension. A standalone sequel is in the works, and is scheduled to be released in 2026.
‘Dark Winds’ (2022 – Present)
The highly underappreciated crime thriller Dark Winds is the television adaptation of the Leaphorn & Chee novel series by Tony Hillerman. Despite being an AMC production, its first two seasons are currently available for streaming on Netflix, with the third one landing soon on the platform. Featuring a predominantly Indigenous cast, it stars Zahn McClarnon as Joe Leaphorn, a tribal police lieutenant in Kayenta, a town in Navajo county. Set in the 1970s, the TV show follows as he investigates various crimes on the reservation, along with young officers Bernadette Manuelito (Jessica Matten) and Jim Chee (Kiowa Gordon).
One of the Best Crime Mystery Shows You’re Not Watching
Joe relies on his Navajo traditions and culture, intuition, and connection to his Indigenous community to help him solve his cases. Each season, the three protagonists are given a new antagonist to go up against, weaving together crime and mystery with themes of Native American spirituality and generational trauma. Dark Winds has often been compared to True Detective, and that is mainly due to the mystical undercurrent running through its storytelling.
‘Wednesday’ (2022 – Present)
Tim Burton’s hit Netflix original continues the macabre, creepy legacy of The Addams Family, focusing on Wednesday, the eldest daughter of Gomez and Morticia Addams (Luiz Guzmán and Catherine Zeta-Jones), played to perfection by the talented Jenna Ortega. Set at Nevermore Academy, a boarding school for outcasts on the outskirts of Jericho, Vermont, the series follows Wednesday as she solves crimes and mysteries, all the while trying to navigate the woes of teenhood and master her emerging psychic powers.
A Unique Mystery TV Show With A Relentlessly Witty Detective
Wednesday masterfully blends mystery, horror, fantasy, and dark comedy with coming-of-age themes. If you haven’t yet had a chance to check out this spooky masterpiece, fall, particularly October, would be the best time to do so. With its mild scares, creative world-building, and Gothic atmosphere, it makes for a perfect binge during Halloween season. This is your best option for when you’re looking for a side of whimsy with your mystery TV show.
‘Untamed’ (2025 – Present)
One of Netflix’s most popular shows of 2025 is the Eric Bana-led gritty crime drama Untamed. The TV show was initially conceived as a limited series, but with its huge success, it was renewed for a second season. Set against the beautiful backdrop of Yosemite, it follows Bana’s Kyle Turner, a veteran investigator with the National Park Service’s Investigative Services Branch. When a young woman’s body is found at the base of El Capitan, Kyle unearths dark secrets within the park, along with a young rookie cop, Naya Vasquez (Lily Santiago). The investigation forces him to confront the lingering pain from his son’s death years earlier.
One of 2025’s Best Crime Dramas
If you’re looking for a mystery TV show to stream with lush scenery, Untamed has you covered with breathtaking landscapes and gorgeous shots of the vast wilderness. The series will also pull you in with its slow-burn, layered mystery, keeping you hooked episode after episode. This is another option for fans who appreciate character-driven storytelling focused on a troubled, psychologically complex detective.
‘The Residence’ (2025)
The Residence is created by Paul William Davies and produced by Shondaland, and has widely been cited as one of the best detective shows of 2025. The series stars Uzo Aduba as Corderlia Cupp, a highly intelligent detective with a knack for solving the hardest and most baffling of cases. When a murder takes place at the White House during a state dinner, she’s called in to investigate. With a long list of suspects and no shortage of motives, Cordelia unearths the secrets of guests and staff alike.
A Binge-Worthy, Addictive Cozy Mystery TV Show
The eight-episode comedy drama functions as a cozy mystery in the likes of The Thursday Murder Club, Clue, and Only Murders in the Building. Watch on a day when you’re looking to relax on the couch with an escapist but highly entertaining binge. The cast also includes Giancarlo Esposito, Randall Park, Molly Griggs, Edwina Findley, Ken Marino, among others.
‘The Survivors’ (2025)
The Australian series The Survivors is based on the 2020 hit novel of the same name by Jane Harper. Equal parts murder mystery and small-town drama, it follows Kiernan Elliott (Charlie Vickers), who returns to his hometown of Evelyn Bay, Tasmania, with his girlfriend Mia (Yerin Ha) and their new baby. Fifteen years prior, a devastating storm claimed the lives of three young people, including his brother, and the pain still lingers within the close-knit community. When a young woman is found dead shortly after Kieran’s return, connections between the past and present emerge.
A Sun-Drenched, But Brooding Crime Drama
At only six episodes, the expertly paced The Survivors is an incredibly addictive mystery that you will want to binge from beginning to end. The two parallel mysteries will have you glued to your seat until the narrative completely peels their layers back. With character-driven storytelling and compelling drama, the show serves as a profound exploration of grief, guilt, and trauma.
‘The Glass Dome’ (2025)
The Glass Dome is a Swedish mystery series created and produced by Camilla Läckberg, a celebrated author of Nordic noir novels. Behavioral scientist and criminologist Lejla Ness was kidnapped as a child, waking up in a mirrored glass box. After escaping and being found alive, she was adopted by Valter (Johan Hedenberg), the police chief, and his wife. Decades later, she has made a life for herself in America, but returns home to bury her adoptive mother. While in town, a young girl goes missing, dredging up her past trauma. As Lejla helps detectives investigate, she finds connections to her own case.
An Atmospheric, Disturbing Mystery
The six-episode limited series is packed with everything that makes a great Nordic noir, presenting a dark mystery full of twists and turns, a tortured protagonist, a chilling atmosphere, and featuring breathtaking, wintery cinematography. Just when you think you know where the tale is going, the show takes you completely by surprise. This is one with an ending you never saw coming.
‘Dept. Q’ (2025)
The British crime thriller Dept Q. is based on the crime novel series Department Q by Danish author Jussi Adler-Olsen. Set in Scotland, it stars Matthew Goode as DCI Carl Morck. After being involved in a shooting which left him badly wounded, paralyzed his partner, and claimed a life, the top detective is exiled to the basement and tapped into leading a newly formed cold case unit. The show follows as he and his misfit team work on investigating the disappearance of a missing prosecutor.
A Twisty, Immersive Mystery TV Show
Dept. Q joins the ranks of Untamed and The Survivors as one of Netflix’s greatest crime dramas of 2025. The series boasts an impressive 88% on Rotten Tomatoes. Tense and exiting, the series will draw you in from the very first episode and never let go. Goode delivers one of his best performances to date, with the supporting cast also delivering powerful work. With its heavy atmosphere, moody tone, and occasional humor, it’s no surprise it became an international favorite.