Catching a mystery or thriller movie is a great date night activity. After all, piecing clues together is a wonderful cooperative activity for a couple!
But you can't just queue up any old movie for a romantic night in. You have to curate the vibe just right.
Just because you're with your sweetheart doesn't mean either or both of you want to sit through something that leans too heavily on the romance of it all. Hold the sappy and lean into the excitement.
Murder is a bit of a staple of the genre, but some films lean too hard into dark, disturbing, and depressing content. And trust me, you're not exactly going to want to watch Mystic River to get in the mood with your boo.
There are three safe bets when it comes to the perfect movie to watch with your significant other: funny, sexy, and a little bit creepy.
Need help creating that lovey-dovey atmosphere? We've got you covered!
Here are 10 of the best mystery and thriller movies for date night.
The Lovebirds
Jibran (Kumail Nanjiani) and Leilani (Issa Rae) have reached a difficult impasse in their relationship. Things don't get any easier for the couple when they get implicated in a murder.
Terrified of turning to the police, the two of them set out to track the real murderer down and prove their innocence. But their amateur investigation is easier said than done…
On top of having two leads with incredible chemistry, this is one of the funniest movies I've seen in a long time. Hilarious, flirtatious, and exciting, it's the perfect movie for snuggling close with that special someone.
Basic Instinct
In this erotic thriller, brutal detective Nick Curran (Michael Douglas) is assigned to the murder case of a wealthy rockstar. The victim's girlfriend, crime novelist Catherine Tramell (Sharon Stone) quickly becomes the prime suspect.
Has the brilliant and seductive woman been framed for an unfortunate plot, or is she a beautiful mastermind?
This steamy flick is sure to give your date night a sexy edge.
Game Night
Starring Jason Bateman, Rachel McAdams, Kyle Chandler, Lamorne Morris, Kyle Bunbury, Billy Magnussen, Sharon Horgan, and Jesse Plemons, this hilarious film follows a group of friends who hold regular game nights.
When one of their brothers shows up and takes over, suddenly their simple fun turns into a very real—and dangerous—mystery.
Featuring several charming couples, an incredible plot, and nonstop jokes, this film brings the fun to a cozy night in.
Rear Window
This classic will add some charm to your romantic evening.
L.B. "Jeff" Jefferies (James Stewart) is a photographer recovering from a broken leg in his Greenwich Village apartment. Overcome with boredom during a heatwave, he begins spying on his neighbors through his open window.
After observing a series of suspicious behaviors, Jeff becomes convinced that one of his neighbors has committed a murder. With the help of his girlfriend, Lisa Fremont (Grace Kelly) Jeff tries to uncover the truth.
Taking Lives
In this psychological thriller, FBI agent Illeana Scott (Angelina Jolie) is brought in to investigate a series of murders in Montréal. The elusive killer has spent decades killing and assuming his victims' identities.
Now Scott must leverage her relationship with an art dealer to solve this twisted case.
This unsettling film will get your heart racing like you're watching a horror flick. And nothing gets a date to hold your hand tighter than a few scares.
Babygirl
Powerful robotics CEO Romy Mathis (Nicole Kidman) is dissatisfied with the physical aspect of her marriage. But her life changes when a young intern, Samuel (Harris Dickinson) lures her into a torrid affair.
Giving up control of her younger lover, Romy risks her career and family as things begin to spiral out of control.
A relatively new erotic thriller, this movie will not only spice up any date night, but change the way you listen to George Michael's “Father Figure” forever.
True Lies
This 1994 film follows married couple Harry (Arnold Schwarzenegger) and Helen Tasker (Jamie Lee Curtis).
As far as Helen knows, her husband is just a dull computer hardware salesman. But Harry has been living a double life, saving the world as a secret agent and stopping terrorists in their tracks.
When the two sides of his life suddenly collide, the stakes for his country and his marriage are raised.
Funny, thrilling, and sexy all in one!
Drive-Away Dolls
A little raunchy and a lot quirky, this comedic thriller is a refreshing watch that'll bring levity and sauciness to your relationship.
Friends Jamie (Margaret Qualley) and Marian (Geraldine Viswanathan) are in desperate need of a fresh start. They grab the first car they can and set out on an unexpected trip to Tallahassee.
Unfortunately for them, they're hauling some unintentional cargo that someone is desperate to retrieve. As they travel, they find themselves crossing paths with some peculiar criminals.
