With Only Murders In The Building‘s second season drawing to a close, this season’s mystery looks to be resolved. With its critical acclaim and viewers that like to theorize about the show’s plot, fans will soon be hungry for another mystery to sink their teeth into.
The comedy-mystery genre has seen a surge in popularity in recent years, thanks to a series of great films like Knives Out and the popularity of the true crime genre, and there are plenty of movies for Only Murders fans to check out. The show also introduces younger fans to the legendary comedy duo of Steve Martin and Martin Short, and there is a plethora of great movies for them to find.
Knives Out (2019)
This Rian Johnson whodunit was a major hit with both critics and the box office, boasting an all-star ensemble cast including Chris Evans, Ana de Armas and Daniel Craig. The movie chronicles the mysterious death of a famed elderly author, and tensions within the family means that everyone’s a suspect.
Like Only Murders, Knives Outbeautifully blends both comedy and mystery for a plot that keeps viewers gripped. Both have their own unique visual style, and a shared penchant for characters in beautiful coats.
The Nice Guys (2016)
The Nice Guys is a crime/mystery-based comedy starring Ryan Gosling and Russell Crowe. The pair star as two 1970s rogue detectives who investigate the death of an adult film star, with Gosling’s character’s witty young daughter in tow.
Viewers who like the comedic dynamic of two older people and a young person making an uneasy alliance, as seen in Only Murders, will get a kick out of this wacky take on the buddy-cop trope. The character of Holland March excellently shows off Ryan Gosling’s brilliant sense of humor that has made him the source of memes, making for one of Ryan Gosling’s best movie characters.
Clue (1985)
In some ways, Clue is a spiritual prequel Knives Out, both boasting a superstar cast in a glamorous mansion suspected of murder. The movie is based on the board game of the same name, and like a board game, has multiple endings in a unique twist for a movie.
A minor hit when it was released, Cluegained a cult following thanks to its irreverent and witty dialogue as well as camp style of humor. The movie was written by John Landis, who is a frequent collaborator with Steve Martin and Martin Short.
¡Three Amigos! (1986)
With a cast of former SNL cast members from the 1980s, ¡Three Amigos! is set in the silent era of cinema, as three struggling actors jump at the chance to shoot another Three Amigos movie in Mexico. The trio soon has to become real crime fighters after discovering the townspeople think they are real heroes.
This film was the first time Steve Martin and Martin Short met, and have been friends and comedy partners ever since. Here, there are glimpses of their comedic chemistry that makes their dynamic in Only Murders In The Building so great.
Planes, Trains, And Automobiles (1987)
Planes, Trains, and Automobiles is considered a Thanksgiving tradition for many film fans. The movie chronicles a grouchy marketing executive and a salt-of-the-earth salesman who reluctantly travels across the country together after their plane ride home for Thanksgiving gets canceled.
Planes, Trains, and Automobiles is likely Steve Martin’s best movie role, perfectly showing off the comedy he is known for, while also a slightly more dramatic role that shows off his acting chops. The film also displays John Candy at his best as a fool with a heart of gold that makes him lovable in every role. The film’s place as a holiday tradition is no surprise when it brings both tears and laughter with every rewatch.
An Evening You Will Forget for the Rest of Your Life (2018)
This Netflix special is a live recording from a performance of Martin Short and Steve Martin’s national comedy tour. In the special, they joke about a wide range of topics, from Kim Kardashian to Frank Sinatra, but save their most brutal remarks for each other.
If Only Murders is a viewer’s first exposure to the pair, this special is a great taster session of the comedy that made the duo famous. Their characters on the show, Charles Haden-Savage and Oliver Putnam, constantly clash due to their polarizing personalities, and fans who like the way their characters bounce off one another will love this special.
Spring Breakers (2012)
One of the first A24 films back in the 2010s, Spring Breakers shows four college girls on their spring break vacation that quickly goes awry. A chance meeting with a party rapper named Alien plunges the women into a world of organized crime and violence.
For fans of the more mature role Selena Gomes took on in Only Murders compared to her Disney Channel rule, Spring Breakersshows off more of her serious side. The film was highly divisive when it first came out but has been since considered a cult classic by many.
Father of The Bride (1991)
Father of The Bride is a comedy starring Steve Martin, as an overprotective father named George Banks, who is shocked at the surprise engagement of his daughter to a man from a wealthy family. Martin Short also stars as Franck, an eccentric wedding planner who manages to get on everyone on of George’s nerves.
The reserved Steve Martin role pitted against a flamboyant Martin Short is rather similar to the pair’s characters in Only Murders In The Building. The movie also spawned two sequels, including a recent third film on zoom featuring Florence Pugh and Robert DeNiro alongside Martin and Short.
Enola Holmes (2020)
Enola Holmes is a new take on the Sherlock Holmes mysteries, featuring Holmes’ younger sister (played by Millie Bobby Brown). The young Enola joins her famous brother and Doctor Watson in an investigation into their mother’s disappearance, as well as finding her own path in the world.
Enola Holmes has a similar idea to Only Murders, where two older men are given a new retrospective when a young woman is brought into their interest in solving a crime. While not exactly a comedy, the film has its own vibrancy and style that fans of the show will enjoy.
Scooby-Doo (2002)
Written by James Gunn, now known for irreverent directing movies like Guardians of The Galaxy and The Suicide Squad, Scooby-Doo was an equally irreverent live-action movie version of the famous cartoon. The film sees the gang split up for good before individual invitations to a party hotspot named Spooky Island push the group into solving a new mystery together.
For younger Only Murders fans and even adults, this satirical take on the classic cartoon is a joy to watch. Recent reconsideration of Scooby-Doo has given the movie a new light when it was given rather negative reviews upon its release. Its strength in parody and performances has helped the movie age well with those who grew up with it.
