3 Mystery Movies for any Age

3 Mystery movies for any age list
Written by the Hobbit, Ent and Unicorn 3/9/2020
This post contains affiliate links, you can find out more on our policies page or in the disclaimer at the bottom of the blog.

3 Mystery Movies for Any Age

The game is afoot! After centuries of mystery stories (Edger Allan Poe is credited for creating the first detective story in 1841), the modern world is rampant with great mystery stories! We wanted to compile a list of mystery stories that anyone in your family could enjoy!

Great Mouse Detective (Ages 5 and Up)

Know Before you Watch
Rating: G
Length: 1 hr. 17 min
Release Year: 1986
Stars: 4 out of 5
Themes: Adventure, Family, Identity
Warnings: Be aware that this movie might frighten younger viewers. Being an older Disney movie, there are lots of little things that were fairly common for the time. There are drunk characters, bar scenes, smoking and a burlesque scene. Given, all of this takes place through the lens of mice. There are also some intense or scary scenes, especially involving Ratigan, the bad guy.

Quick summary:

In this mouse rendition of Sherlock Holmes, Basil of Baker Street is a charismatic detective who loves the thrill of mystery and adventure. He is going about his normal life when a little girl, Olivia Flaversham, get him into a mystery involving his arch nemesis, Ratigan (The equivalent to Moriarty).

Discussion Questions

1. Have you ever heard of Sherlock Holmes? How did Basil compare to what you think of Sherlock?
2. Why do you think Ratigan acts so mean to all of his “So called” friends?
3. If your friend was replaced by a robot, do you think you would notice?
4. What was your favorite scene of the movie?

Great Mouse Detective Review

The Great Mouse Detective is a fun and relatively lighthearted film. Although, some things are included in this film that you wouldn’t find in modern kid’s movies. The way Disney was able to introduce Sherlock Holmes, Dr. Watson, and Moriarty was very subtle and very well done (unlike the modern retelling, Sherlock Gnomes). This mystery movie is a great introduction of the genre to the younger viewers!

Other suggestions for Mystery movies for 6+

–Scooby Doo: From several years of tv shows to several full length films, the back catalog of Scooby Doo can entertain your family for quite some time!
–The Great Muppet Caper: Adventure abounds in the second ever Muppet movies. From jewel heists, being framed, and, of course, with Kermit the Frog- this movie has a little bit of everything.
*For younger than 6 try Veggietales Sherluck Holmes

Detective Pikachu (Ages 10 and Up)

Know Before you Watch

Movie: Detective Pikachu
Rating: PG
Age Suggestion:  10+
Running Time: 1 hour and 45 minutes
Release Date: May 10, 2019
Stars: 4 out of 5
Themes: Friendship, Purpose, Understanding, Adventure
Warnings: Loss of a parent, some intense imagery, and some mild rude humor

Quick Summary:

Detective Harry Goodman goes missing, and his son Tim comes to find out what happened. Tim and Harry’s adorable, coffee-addicted partner Pokémon Detective Pikachu join forces and investigate, and make a few friends along the way. Pikachu and Tim discover a great mystery full of twists they could have never imagined. A fun Pokemon movie that older fans can appreciate and will help make a whole new generation of fans!

Discussion Questions: 

1) If you could have any pokemon as a partner, which one would you choose?
2) Sometimes people who seem good are bad and vice versa, have you ever misjudged someone because of how they seemed?
3) Tim was on a quest to find his dad and made a few friends along the way. If you went on an epic quest. Who would you take with you?

Detective Pikachu Review: 

The movie did pokemon justice. It did a great job bringing you into the world of pokemon and by that I mean, If you know nothing about pokemon you will still like this movie and understand everything. But they also throw things in for the super fans out there. The plot kept you guessing till the end and did a great job making you feel like you were a detective yourself. Having a story within the world of pokemon rather than the usual story of Ash Ketchum made a great entrance into the world without making it cheesy or overplayed. I think Pokemon: Detective Pikachu is a great movie that people will enjoy.  You can read our full review here!

Other suggestions for Mystery movies for 10+

–Nancy Drew: From the marvelous book series to several on screen adaptions. Nancy Drew has been encouraging sleuths to go on adventures for years!
–Zootopia: This is an underestimated Disney movie that deals with many serious topics with a mystery plot line carrying the movie.

Murder on the Orient Express (Ages 14 and Up)

Know Before you Watch

Rating: PG-13
Age Suggestion:  13+
Running Time: 1 hour and 59 minutes
Release Date: November 10, 2017
Stars: 4 out of 5
Themes: Justice, moral responsibility, truth
Warnings: One scene showing the aftermath of a violent murder; death of a small child, and suicide

Quick Summary:

The famous detective Hercule Poirot is seeking some rest as he travels between cases on the renowned train the Orient Express. A sudden avalanche stops the train and a murder is discovered? Can Poirot solve the crime?

Discussion Questions: 

1) Poirot uses the words “fracture of the soul” several times. Have you, anyone in your family, or anyone you know gone through an event that was so disruptive you think it “fractured souls”? 

2) When the movie starts you are introduced to Poirot as someone who has a strong sense that EVERYTHING is right or wrong (even the size of eggs!). Are you or is someone you know that type of person? Can you always see everything as right or wrong?

3) How does Poirot prove to himself (and to the others) that they are not truly capable of killing? It is a common device in mystery/detective movies – what did you think about it? Did it prove what he wanted it to prove? What are some ways that we see people’s character being tested?

4)  It is a little difficult, with planes and highways taking wherever we want to go, to realize that, less than 100 years ago, the train was the most reliable and convenient way to travel large distances. What changes do you think will happen to travel in the next 50 years?

Murder on the Orient Express Review: 

I love trains – and this story takes place largely on what was one of the most famous trains in the world – the Orient Express. Hercule Poirot is a most interesting character, and this version uses the first few minutes to introduce us to him ans his character. Poirot is seeking to relax, not solve murders. However, when one of the passengers is murdered, Poirot’s friend Bouc, a director of the railroad, seeks his aid in solving the crime. The time is limited. The train has been stopped by an avalanche, but it is being cleared, and the crime needs to be solved before the next stop. Poirot quickly finds out that most of the passengers – including the dead man – are not who they seem to be. Can he unravel a web of lies and hidden identities to find the answer?

There are a couple of star-studded versions of Murder on the Orient Express. For this review we choose the most recent. The acting is outstanding, there are some breathtaking shots, and, unlike most versions, an effort has been made to move portions of the action outside of the train. I enjoyed watching this more than I did two years ago. It asks some very interesting questions about the concept of justice.

Other suggestions for Mystery movies for 14+

–Rear Window: No list is complete without a Hitchcock thriller, and this is one of his best! With superb acting by the great James Stewart and Grace Kelly, it will keep you pinned to your seat!
–Sherlock Holmes (2009): This is a great introduction to the character of Sherlock Holmes. Also, for the kids who love Avengers, it will be an easy transition for Robert Downey Jr./Tony Stark fans!

If you enjoyed our 3 mystery movies for Any Age post, check out our 5 Fantasy Shows on Netflix, 3 pirate movies for any age, and Musical movies for the whole family posts.

What is you favorite Mystery movie?

 Down The Hobbit Hole Blog and this 3 Mystery movies for Any Age list uses affiliate links, we only link products we think you’ll like and you are never charged extra for them. As Amazon Associates, we earn from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you. We also use cookies to gather analytics and present advertisements. This allows us to keep writing discussion questions and telling ridiculous dad jokes. Find our other reviews with discussion questions here. Our posts about faith here. And our posts about family stuff here.