When it comes to entertainment that’s both thrilling and side-splitting, comedy murder mystery films are a deadly good time. Perfect for a night in—or even better, as inspiration for a real-life murder mystery party—they deliver clever twists with a wink and a laugh. Get ready to load up the popcorn and sharpen your detective skills!

What This Blog Covers:

• Hilarious whodunits worth watching
• Brief film plots and backstories
• How you can get into the fun of comedic murder mysteries

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Dead Men Don’t Wear Plaid (1982)

Plot:
Dead Men Don’t Wear Plaid stars Steve Martin as private eye Rigby Reardon, who uncovers a dangerous cheese-based conspiracy (yes, really) while solving the murder of a scientist. The film cleverly weaves clips from old noir movies into the story, making classic film stars part of the investigation.

History:
Directed by Carl Reiner, this movie is a loving spoof of 1940s film noir and detective dramas. Using groundbreaking editing techniques at the time, Martin’s character interacts with vintage footage of legends like Humphrey Bogart and Veronica Lake. It’s a hilarious tribute to old-school mysteries—with a healthy splash of absurdity.

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The Naked Gun (1988)

Plot:
Lieutenant Frank Drebin (Leslie Nielsen) is Los Angeles’ most clueless detective—and somehow the only hope to stop an assassination attempt on Queen Elizabeth II during her visit to the city. As Drebin stumbles (often literally) through a tangled plot involving brainwashed baseball players, stolen jewelry, and disastrous press conferences, the mystery deepens—and so does the chaos.

History:
Directed by David Zucker and spun off from the short-lived TV series Police Squad!, The Naked Gun is a masterclass in rapid-fire slapstick comedy. While it technically follows a classic detective narrative—with a major crime, investigation, suspects, and a dramatic reveal—the film’s real genius lies in how it spoofs every hardboiled noir and police procedural trope. Leslie Nielsen’s deadpan delivery turned Frank Drebin into a comedy icon, and the movie’s blend of sight gags, puns, and absurd mystery plotting made it a box office smash and an enduring favorite in the world of murder mystery comedies.

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Arsenic and Old Lace (1944)

Plot:
Drama critic Mortimer Brewster (Cary Grant) discovers that his seemingly sweet elderly aunts have been quietly poisoning lonely old men and burying them in the basement. As Mortimer scrambles to cover up their crimes and manage his increasingly bizarre family—including a brother who thinks he’s Teddy Roosevelt—chaos, confusion, and plenty of dark laughs follow.

History:
Directed by Frank Capra and based on the hit Broadway play, Arsenic and Old Lace has become a classic for its perfect blend of farce, suspense, and macabre humor. Cary Grant’s frantic performance and the film’s escalating madness make it one of the funniest—and most enduring—comedy murder mysteries of all time.

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The Frighteners (1996)

Plot:
After a tragic accident leaves him with the ability to see and communicate with ghosts, Frank Bannister (Michael J. Fox) uses his new “gift” to con locals by faking hauntings and then “exorcising” them—for a fee, of course. But when a real, malevolent spirit begins causing genuine deaths around town, Frank finds himself pulled into a chilling murder mystery where the victims keep piling up—and the answers may lie in the afterlife.

History:
Directed by Peter Jackson before his Lord of the Rings fame, The Frighteners is a unique blend of supernatural horror, sharp comedy, and mystery. Although it was a box office underperformer upon release, it quickly gained cult status for its inventive visual effects, offbeat humor, and darkly fun storyline. With a mix of creepy thrills and quirky laughs, it stands out as one of the rare supernatural murder mystery comedies that manages to balance eerie suspense with wild, tongue-in-cheek charm.

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A Fish Called Wanda (1988)

Plot:
After a successful diamond heist in London, a group of criminals quickly turn on each other in a hilarious scramble to claim the loot. Wanda (Jamie Lee Curtis) uses her charm—and a few strategic betrayals—to get what she wants, while bumbling barrister Archie Leach (John Cleese) gets caught in the chaos. With double-crosses, mistaken identities, and some extremely unfortunate dogs, A Fish Called Wanda is a wild and witty ride from start to finish.

History:
Directed by Charles Crichton and co-written by John Cleese, A Fish Called Wanda became an instant classic for its sharp wit, clever plotting, and unforgettable performances. Kevin Kline won an Academy Award for his scene-stealing role as the hilariously unhinged Otto. The film expertly blends farce, romance, and crime into a tightly paced story that’s as smart as it is side-splitting. Today, it’s still celebrated as one of the best examples of a murder mystery comedy that doesn’t take itself too seriously—and that’s exactly what makes it brilliant.

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Bring the Laughs to Life with a Murder Mystery Party

Want the mystery, the chaos, and the laughter—without waiting for a movie sequel? Hosting a murder mystery party is the real-life version of all the best on-screen hijinks. And instead of trying to cobble one together from scratch (seriously, nobody needs that kind of stress), The Murder Mystery Company can handle all the details for you. Their interactive mystery game shows bring the story to life and make your guests the stars of the night.

Ready to laugh, solve, and celebrate like never before?
Contact The Murder Mystery Company or call 888-643-2583 to start planning a night no one will ever forget!