Last updated March 2024
Looking for Best Mystery Movies 2012 ? Check out our handpicked list of the 30 highest-rated Best Mystery Movies 2012 available for streaming. These Best Mystery Movies 2012 come highly recommended by both IMDB critics and everyday viewers like you. Help future viewers by voting for your top picks. Together, we can guide each other to the Best Mystery Movies 2012 out there.
It's Such a Beautiful Day (2012)
Plot Summary:
Bill struggles to put together his shattered psyche, in this new feature film version of Don Hertzfeldt's animated short film trilogy
Duration: 62 min
IMDB Rating: 8.2/10
IMDB Votes: 15000
Genere: Animation, Comedy, Drama, Fantasy, Horror, Mystery, Sci-Fi, Thriller
Country: USA
Plot tags: surrealism, illness, mental health, mental illness, dark humor, nightmare, hospital, divorced parents, narration, death, loneliness, depression, destiny, life & death, existentialism, introspection, obsession, art, imagination, self discovery, direction and purpose, hopes, trippy, conversation, love
Story (2012)
Plot Summary:
Vidya Bagchi (Vidya Balan) arrives in Kolkata from London to find her missing husband Arnab Bagchi. Seven months pregnant and alone in a festive city, she begins a relentless search for her husband. With nothing to rely on except fragments from her memories about him, all clues seem to reach a dead end when everyone tries to convince Vidya that her husband does not exist. She slowly realises that nothing is what it seems. In a city soaked in lies, Vidya is determined to unravel the truth about her husband - for herself and her unborn child - even at the cost of her own life
Duration: 122 min
IMDB Rating: 8.1/10
IMDB Votes: 65000
Genere: Mystery, Thriller
Country: India
Plot tags: terrorism, investigation, missing person, pregnancy, uncover truth, disappearance, couples, danger, law enforcement, nobody believes, who to trust, medieval, riddles and clues, hindu, missing husband, twists and turns, revenge, feminist, plot twist, whodunit, spy, strong female lead, women, mysticism, murder
Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part 1 (2012)
Plot Summary:
Batman has not been seen for ten years. A new breed of criminal ravages Gotham City, forcing 55-year-old Bruce Wayne back into the cape and cowl. But, does he still have what it takes to fight crime in a new era?
Duration: 76 min
IMDB Rating: 7.9/10
IMDB Votes: 62000
Genere: Animation, Action, Crime, Drama, Mystery, Sci-Fi, Thriller
Country: USA
Plot tags: batman, superhero, vigilantism, comic book, revenge, good versus evil, gang, heroic mission, mortal combat, undercover, rivalry, comeback, middle aged, fighting crime, master villain, distopia, violent, villain, psychiatrist, fight, violence, murder, brutality, chase, blood
The Body (2012)
Plot Summary:
A woman’s body disappears mysteriously from the morgue without a trace. Police inspector Jaime Peña investigates the strange occurrence with the help of Álex Ulloa, the widower of the missing woman
Duration: 112 min
IMDB Rating: 7.6/10
IMDB Votes: 71000
Genere: Crime, Drama, Mystery, Thriller
Country: Spain
Plot tags: twists and turns, murder, investigation, uncover truth, missing person, adulterous husband, morgue, vengeance, infidelity, adultery, mistress, haunted by the past, disappearance, car accident, spouse killer, whodunit, murder mystery, plot twist, manipulative person, unfaithful husband, bossy wife, loss of wife, deception, extramarital affair, psychological manipulation
Disconnect (2012)
Plot Summary:
Disconnect interweaves multiple storylines about people searching for human connection in today’s wired world. Through poignant turns that are both harrowing and touching, the stories intersect with surprising twists that expose a shocking reality into our daily use of technology that mediates and defines our relationships and ultimately our lives
Duration: 115 min
IMDB Rating: 7.5/10
IMDB Votes: 78000
Genere: Crime, Drama, Mystery, Thriller
Country: USA
Plot tags: multiple storylines, loneliness, internet, couples, social media, cyberspace, dishonesty, journalist, bullying, lawyer, career, lifestyle, character study, human relationship, family problems, youth, infidelity, single parent, crumbling marriage, marriage, rage, family relations, prank, hacking, society
Cloud Atlas (2012)
Plot Summary:
A set of six nested stories spanning time between the 19th century and a distant post-apocalyptic future. Cloud Atlas explores how the actions and consequences of individual lives impact one another throughout the past, the present and the future. Action, mystery and romance weave through the story as one soul is shaped from a killer into a hero and a single act of kindness ripples across centuries to inspire a revolution in the distant future. Based on the award winning novel by David Mitchell. Directed by Tom Tykwer and the Wachowskis
Duration: 172 min
IMDB Rating: 7.4/10
IMDB Votes: 371000
Genere: Drama, Mystery, Sci-Fi, Thriller
Country: USA, Germany, Hong Kong, Singapore, China, UK, Spain
Plot tags: reincarnation, destiny, distopia, life & death, dystopia, life philosophy, multiple storylines, parallel universe, clone, existentialism, karma, post apocalypse, dystopic future, human nature, death, tribe, utopia, rebellion, supernatural, time travel, love, survival, past life, corporal punishment, philosophy
In the House (2012)
Plot Summary:
A sixteen-year-old boy insinuates himself into the house of a fellow student from his literature class and writes about it in essays for his French teacher. Faced with this gifted and unusual pupil, the teacher rediscovers his enthusiasm for his work, but the boy’s intrusion will unleash a series of uncontrollable events
Duration: 105 min
IMDB Rating: 7.3/10
IMDB Votes: 34000
Genere: Drama, Mystery, Thriller
Country: France
Plot tags: writers, teacher, high school, obsession, student, literature, school, art, privacy invasion, teenager, mind game, voyeurism, teen angst, stalking, direction and purpose, high school life, desire, teacher student relationship, coming of age, high school student, male full rear nudity, childhood, older woman teenage boy relationship, friendship between boys, social relations
Talaash: The Answer Lies Within (2012)
Plot Summary:
A cop, investigating the mysterious death of a filmstar, meets a sex-worker, while he faces some personal problems psychologically. The mystery connects these people in a way, that ultimately changes their lives
Duration: 140 min
IMDB Rating: 7.2/10
IMDB Votes: 44000
Genere: Crime, Drama, Mystery, Thriller
Country: India
Plot tags: murder, police investigation, uncover truth, couple relations, life is a bitch, law enforcement, haunted by the past, dishonesty, police officer, murder investigation, twists and turns, investigation, murder mystery, great ending, heartwarming, drowning, prostitute, brothel, car accident, train station, arrest, red light district, death of son, accident, housewife
Brave (2012)
Plot Summary:
Brave is set in the mystical Scottish Highlands, where Mérida is the princess of a kingdom ruled by King Fergus and Queen Elinor. An unruly daughter and an accomplished archer, Mérida one day defies a sacred custom of the land and inadvertently brings turmoil to the kingdom. In an attempt to set things right, Mérida seeks out an eccentric old Wise Woman and is granted an ill-fated wish. Also figuring into Mérida’s quest — and serving as comic relief — are the kingdom’s three lords: the enormous Lord MacGuffin, the surly Lord Macintosh, and the disagreeable Lord Dingwall
Duration: 93 min
IMDB Rating: 7.1/10
IMDB Votes: 434000
Genere: Animation, Action, Adventure, Comedy, Drama, Family, Fantasy, Mystery
Country: USA, Japan
Plot tags: princess, witch, coming of age, mother daughter relationship, bravery, happy ending, bear, heroine, female protagonist, rebellious daughter, archery, archer, father daughter relationship, feminism, woods, queen, domineering mother, transformation, good versus evil, disney princess, medieval, redhead, strong female lead, kingdom, courage
The Words (2012)
Plot Summary:
The Words follows young writer Rory Jansen who finally achieves long sought after literary success after publishing the next great American novel. There's only one catch - he didn't write it. As the past comes back to haunt him and his literary star continues to rise, Jansen is forced to confront the steep price that must be paid for stealing another man's work, and for placing ambition and success above life's most fundamental three words
Duration: 102 min
IMDB Rating: 7.0/10
IMDB Votes: 81000
Genere: Drama, Mystery, Romance, Thriller
Country: USA
Plot tags: writers, writer's life, guilt, white male black female relationship, literature, book, survival, relationships, passion, life, love story, life philosophy, success, mentor, publisher, aspiring writer, love and romance, ambition, moral dilemma, lifestyle change, identity crisis, ambitious, haunted by the past, artists and showbiz, rising to stardom
ParaNorman (2012)
Plot Summary:
In the town of Blithe Hollow, Norman Babcock is a boy who can speak to the dead, but no one besides his eccentric new friend, Neil, believes his ability is real. One day, Norman's estranged eccentric uncle tells him of an important annual ritual he must take up to protect the town from an curse cast by a witch it condemned centuries ago. Eventually, Norman decides to cooperate, but things don't go according to plan. Now, a magic storm of the witch threatens Blithe Hollow as the accursed dead rise. Together with unexpected new companions, Norman struggles to save his town, only to discover the horrific truth of the curse. With that insight, Norman must resolve the crisis for good as only he can
Duration: 92 min
IMDB Rating: 7.0/10
IMDB Votes: 109000
Genere: Animation, Adventure, Comedy, Family, Fantasy, Mystery
Country: USA, UK
Plot tags: stop motion, zombie, ghost, halloween, small town, supernatural ability, supernatural, witch, stereotypes, heroes, friends, misfit, best friend, escapades, danger, social misfits, imaginary, disorder, stupidity, paranormal activity, family relations, curses spells and rituals, dark humor, lgbt, fear
Jack Reacher (2012)
Plot Summary:
When a gunman takes five lives with six shots, all evidence points to the suspect in custody. On interrogation, the suspect offers up a single note: "Get Jack Reacher!" So begins an extraordinary chase for the truth, pitting Jack Reacher against an unexpected enemy, with a skill for violence and a secret to keep
Duration: 130 min
IMDB Rating: 7.0/10
IMDB Votes: 359000
Genere: Action, Mystery, Thriller
Country: USA
Plot tags: sniper, investigation, loner, murder, assassin, tough guy, vigilantism, ex military, lone wolves, lone hero, dishonesty, vigilante, hitman, one man army, frame up, gunfight, murder mystery, female partner, conspiracy, mysterious villain, drifter, false accusation, arrest, police investigation, heroes
Prometheus (2012)
Plot Summary:
A team of explorers discover a clue to the origins of mankind on Earth, leading them on a journey to the darkest corners of the universe. There, they must fight a terrifying battle to save the future of the human race
Duration: 124 min
IMDB Rating: 7.0/10
IMDB Votes: 635000
Genere: Adventure, Mystery, Sci-Fi
Country: UK, USA
Plot tags: alien, space travel, survival, outer space, androids, space and aliens, space, expedition, distant planet, alien encounter, robot, spacecraft, alien life-form, journey, danger, mysterious planet, hi-tech, mission, first contact, alien race, fear, archeological dig, human versus alien, artificial intelligence, androids and robots
Sinister (2012)
Plot Summary:
Found footage helps a true-crime novelist realize how and why a family was murdered in his new home, though his discoveries put his entire family in the path of a supernatural entity
Duration: 110 min
IMDB Rating: 6.8/10
IMDB Votes: 274000
Genere: Horror, Mystery, Thriller
Country: USA, UK, Canada
Plot tags: supernatural, haunted house, ghost, fear, supernatural horror, murder, danger, occult, investigation, evil force, paranormal activity, writer's life, macabre, family in danger, videotaping, surprising revelation, demon, graphic violence, small town, blood, attic, monster, brutality, haunted, found footage
The Lucky One (2012)
Plot Summary:
U.S. Marine Sergeant Logan Thibault returns from his third tour of duty in Iraq, with the one thing he credits with keeping him alive-a photograph he found of a woman he doesn't even know. Learning her name is Beth and where she lives, he shows up at her door, and ends up taking a job at her family-run local kennel. Despite her initial mistrust and the complications in her life, a romance develops between them, giving Logan hope that Beth could be much more than his good luck charm
Duration: 101 min
IMDB Rating: 6.4/10
IMDB Votes: 113000
Genere: Drama, Mystery, Romance, War
Country: USA
Plot tags: love story, love affair, true love, love and romance, destiny, soldier, marines, veteran, obsessive quest, single mother, loss of loved one, happy ending, loneliness, love, lovers, hopes, family drama, adaptation, wartime life, women, passion, iraq veteran, teenage girl, teen romance, obsession
The Raven (2012)
Plot Summary:
A fictionalized account of the last days of Edgar Allan Poe's life, in which the poet is in pursuit of a serial killer whose murders mirror those in the writer's stories
Duration: 110 min
IMDB Rating: 6.4/10
IMDB Votes: 88000
Genere: Crime, Mystery, Thriller
Country: USA, Spain, Hungary
Plot tags: serial killer, investigation, murder mystery, murder investigation, police investigation, edgar allan poe, who done it, riddles and clues, writer's life, unconventional method, murder, writers, police detective, supernatural, brutality, mentor, abduction, uncover truth, raccoon, kidnapping, death, killer, mystery killer, poet, literary
Resolution (2012)
Plot Summary:
Michael is committed to getting his best friend Chris to sober up and get his life back on track. With the best of intentions, Michael implements a plan to convince Chris to go to rehab before his drug addiction leads to an early death. But what begins as an attempt to save his friend's life quickly takes an unexpected turn as the two friends confront personal demons, the consequences of past actions, and forces beyond their control
Duration: 93 min
IMDB Rating: 6.4/10
IMDB Votes: 19000
Genere: Drama, Horror, Mystery, Thriller
Country: USA
Plot tags: friendship, drug addict, supernatural, mysterious character, cosmic horror, isolation, danger, confined, wilderness, buddies, woods, gore, time, puzzle, addiction, supernatural horror, slow burn, ghost, junkie, hippie, paranormal, fire, profanity, dialogue, unhappy ending
Contraband (2012)
Plot Summary:
When his brother-in-law runs afoul of a drug lord, family man Chris Farraday turns to a skill he abandoned long ago – smuggling – to repay the debt. But the job goes wrong, and Farraday finds himself wanted by cops, crooks and killers alike
Duration: 109 min
IMDB Rating: 6.4/10
IMDB Votes: 126000
Genere: Action, Adventure, Crime, Drama, Mystery, Thriller
Country: USA, UK, France
Plot tags: smuggling, gunfight, robbery, drug lord, dishonesty, conspiracy, caper, criminal heroes, rivalry, mafia, danger, organized crime, drug, fbi, brutality, chase, gangster, ship captain, lone hero, ex convict, one last job, wanted, delivery, violence, crime boss
Shadow Dancer (2012)
Plot Summary:
Set in 1990s Belfast, a woman is forced to betray all she believes in for the sake of her son
Duration: 101 min
IMDB Rating: 6.2/10
IMDB Votes: 13000
Genere: Drama, Mystery, Thriller
Country: UK, Ireland
Plot tags: ira, spy, moral dilemma, betrayal, undercover, family relations, radical, political unrest, siblings relations, snitch, state affairs, law enforcement, single parent, loss of son, dishonesty, female secret agent, interrogation, trouble, death of brother, conflict, struggle, agent, hitman, conspiracy, espionage
Red Lights (2012)
Plot Summary:
Two investigators of paranormal hoaxes, the veteran Dr. Margaret Matheson and her young assistant, Tom Buckley, study the most varied metaphysical phenomena with the aim of proving their fraudulent origins. Simon Silver, a legendary blind psychic, reappears after an enigmatic absence of 30 years to become the greatest international challenge to both orthodox science and professional sceptics. Tom starts to develop an intense obsession with Silver, whose magnetism becomes stronger with each new manifestation of inexplicable events. As Tom gets closer to Silver, tension mounts, and his worldview is threatened to its core
Duration: 114 min
IMDB Rating: 6.2/10
IMDB Votes: 65000
Genere: Drama, Fantasy, Mystery
Country: Spain, Canada
Plot tags: psychic, supernatural, mind game, uncover truth, supernatural ability, experiment, clairvoyance, paranormal, surveillance, twists and turns, skepticism, obsession, levitation, dream, nightmare, partner, dishonesty, cons and scams, social commentary, plot twist, investigation, psychic power, mind power, hospital, magic
Wrong (2012)
Plot Summary:
Dolph Springer wakes up one morning to realize he has lost the love of his life, his dog, Paul. During his quest to get Paul (and his life) back, Dolph radically changes the lives of others -- risking his sanity all the while
Duration: 94 min
IMDB Rating: 6.2/10
IMDB Votes: 10000
Genere: Comedy, Mystery
Country: France, USA
Plot tags: surrealism, absurdism, identity crisis, pets, disorder, mysterious character, lost dog, hipster, dog, mental disorder, hippie, underground, human relationship, existentialism, telephone call, kidnapping, chases and races, guru, silly humor, love, pregnancy, book, rain, telepathy, private detective
Gone (2012)
Plot Summary:
Jill Parrish is trying to rebuild her life after surviving a terrifying kidnapping attempt. Though she is having a difficult time, she takes small steps toward normalcy by starting a new job and inviting her sister, Molly, to move in with her. Returning home from work one morning, Jill discovers that Molly has vanished, and she is certain that the same man who previously abducted her has returned for revenge
Duration: 94 min
IMDB Rating: 5.9/10
IMDB Votes: 46000
Genere: Action, Adventure, Mystery, Thriller
Country: USA
Plot tags: kidnapping, twists and turns, missing person, serial killer, woman in danger, paranoia, tough girl, sisters, haunted by the past, revenge, police investigation, danger, manhunt, justice, survival, home invasion, vigilante, hostage, vengeance, mind game, killer, stalker, rape and revenge, nobody believes, maniac
The Tall Man (2012)
Plot Summary:
When her child goes missing, a mother looks to unravel the legend of the Tall Man, an entity who allegedly abducts children
Duration: 106 min
IMDB Rating: 5.9/10
IMDB Votes: 43000
Genere: Crime, Drama, Horror, Mystery, Thriller
Country: Canada, France
Plot tags: kidnapping, missing child, abduction, urban legend, mysterious character, uncover truth, conspiracy, danger, small town, twists and turns, dysfunctional family, paranoia, justice, parents and children, family problems, rescue, legends and myths, social commentary, plot twist, deception, child in peril, serial killer, kidnapped, slow burn, child abduction
The Possession (2012)
Plot Summary:
A young girl buys an antique box at a yard sale, unaware that inside the collectible lives a malicious ancient spirit. The girl's father teams with his ex-wife to find a way to end the curse upon their child
Duration: 92 min
IMDB Rating: 5.9/10
IMDB Votes: 63000
Genere: Horror, Mystery, Thriller
Country: USA, Canada
Plot tags: exorcism, supernatural horror, supernatural, evil force, family in danger, curse, father daughter relationship, danger, ghost, curses spells and rituals, demonic possession, parents and children, paranormal activity, obsession, artifact, possessed girl, hospital, possession, family drama, demon, family relations, zombie, devil, haunted house, great ending
Columbus Circle (2012)
Plot Summary:
An heiress who's been shut inside her apartment building for nearly two decades is forced to confront her fears after one of her neighbors is killed and a detective arrives to begin the investigation
Duration: 82 min
IMDB Rating: 5.9/10
IMDB Votes: 11000
Genere: Crime, Drama, Mystery, Thriller
Country: USA
Plot tags: murder, police investigation, isolation, law enforcement, privacy invasion, mind game, mysticism, conspiracy, trap, grief, hustler, trapped, trauma, heir, domestic disturbance, nosy, abusive relationship, wealthy family, haunted house, concierge, agoraphobia, deadly, indoor, crime, heir heiress
V/H/S (2012)
Plot Summary:
When a group of misfits is hired by an unknown third party to burglarize a desolate house and acquire a rare VHS tape, they discover more found footage than they bargained for
Duration: 116 min
IMDB Rating: 5.8/10
IMDB Votes: 67000
Genere: Horror, Mystery, Thriller
Country: USA
Plot tags: found footage, supernatural, ghost, demon, zombie, macabre, danger, halloween, ghost child, videotaping, gory, nudity, haunted house, male nudity, confined, petty criminal, vampire, brutality, monster, supernatural power, breaking and entering, survival, gore, juvenile delinquency, terror
The Factory (2012)
Plot Summary:
An obsessed cop is on the trail of a serial killer prowling the streets of Buffalo, N.Y. but when his teenage daughter disappears, he drops any professional restraint to get the killer
Duration: 104 min
IMDB Rating: 5.8/10
IMDB Votes: 12000
Genere: Crime, Mystery, Thriller
Country: France, Canada, USA
Plot tags: serial killer, kidnapping, police detective, investigation, homicide detective, held captive, obsession, chases and races, vigilantism, confined, gory, manhunt, violent content, graphic violence, mind game, hunting, policewoman, missing woman, rape, murder, serial rapist, missing girl, kidnapped, whodunit, spy
Interview with a Hitman (2012)
Plot Summary:
An elite hitman returns to erase his past only to find that somebody has messed with his future
Duration: 96 min
IMDB Rating: 5.8/10
IMDB Votes: 11000
Genere: Action, Crime, Drama, Mystery, Thriller
Country: UK
Plot tags: hitman, assassin, mafia, killer, betrayal, danger, criminal heroes, who to trust, crime boss, revenge, murder, gangster, murderer, manhunt, confronting the past, bandit, gang, killings, criminal, runaway, criminal underworld, struggle for survival, outlaw gang, fake identity, criminal gang
The Paperboy (2012)
Plot Summary:
As investigative reporter Ward Jansen and his partner Yardley Acheman chase a sensational, career-making story with the help of Ward's younger brother Jack and sultry death-row groupie Charlotte Bless, the pair tries to prove violent swamp-dweller Hillary Van Wetter was framed for the murder of a corrupt local sheriff
Duration: 107 min
IMDB Rating: 5.7/10
IMDB Votes: 39000
Genere: Crime, Drama, Mystery, Thriller
Country: USA
Plot tags: reporter, prison, small town, investigation, journalism, paperboy, dangerous attraction, bdsm, injustice, police investigation, newspaper man, life is a bitch, uncover truth, american south, media, adaptation, sex, older woman younger man relationship, investigative reporter, obsession, deep south, twists and turns, violence, death, murder
The Pact (2012)
Plot Summary:
After their mother passes away, sisters Nicole and Annie reluctantly return to their childhood home to pay their last respects. While staying overnight in the house, the sisters sense a mysterious presence in their midst: noises startling them in the night, objects moving about, a fallen picture of an unknown woman posed next to their mother. Annie begins experiencing a series of intense and disturbing dreams - visions that lead her to uncover something terrible about her mother's past that is finally revealing itself
Duration: 89 min
IMDB Rating: 5.7/10
IMDB Votes: 25000
Genere: Horror, Mystery, Thriller
Country: USA
Plot tags: ghost, hidden room, haunted house, haunted, haunted by the past, death of mother, haunting, serial killer, christmas, blood, terror, slow burn, supernatural, female protagonist, monster, twists and turns, strong female lead, paranormal, group sex, underground, spirit, freak, education, suburbs, gang bang