Many comedic mystery movies revolve around the clumsy efforts of a detective to solve a murder case, but there are a handful of great comedy mystery movies that don’t revolve around death. Crime narratives work surprisingly well within the comedy genre, as the high stakes and intensity ᴀssociated with such stories easily transform into ridiculous scenarios.

While a shocking murder is the most common deed to kick off a fun mystery, there are plenty of other incidents that produce equally comedic chases. Movies like Dude, Where’s My Car? and Game Night see their ill-equipped protagonists thrust into a laughable mystery involving a missing vehicle and kidnapped friend, respectively. These movies, and other comedy mystery movies devoid of murder, contain amusing whodunit plots with incompetent, but entertaining leads.

8

Dude, Where’s My Car? (2000)

Directed by Danny Leiner

An all-time classic stoner movie, the premise of Dude, Where’s My Car? is outlined in its straightforward тιтle. The film is led by Ashton Kutcher and Seann William Scott, who portray two best friends, Jesse and Chester. The morning after a wild night, the duo discovers the former’s car is missing. The remainder of the film sends the pair of friends on a wild adventure as they retrace their steps.

In a desperate race against the clock, Jesse and Chester’s search leads to comical interactions with a variety of figures. Though the stakes in Dude, Where’s My Car? aren’t as high as other mystery movies, there’s still plenty of fun to be had with the film. Evident in the movie’s box office success and cult status, it’s easy for audiences to get wrapped up in Jesse and Chester’s nonsensical adventure.

7

Who’s Harry Crumb? (1989)

Directed by Paul Flaherty

Who’s Harry Crumb? has earned many comparisons to The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad! over the years and is often viewed as an underrated John Candy movie that never got enough love. By all accounts, The Naked Gun is far more successful with its tongue-in-cheek premise and comical protagonist in Leslie Nielsen. However, there’s still a lot to love about Candy’s mystery film and the actor’s performance.

The film sees Candy as the incompetent, but well-intentioned тιтular private investigator who is hired to search for a kidnapping victim under the ᴀssumption he’ll be unable to solve the case. It is clear Candy is completely committed to the role and is having plenty of fun exploring all the quirks that make his character a joy to follow. Who’s Harry Crumb?, while not perfect, is charming and has a strong re-watch value that comedy fans can appreciate.

6

Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls (1995)

Directed by Steve Oedekerk

A follow-up to Ace Ventura: Pet Detective from the year before, Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls isn’t the best Jim Carrey movie from the 1990s, but it sure does entertain. Carrey returns as the тιтle character, a detective who specializes in the recovery of missing animals, who finds himself in Africa, where he’s tasked with tracking down a sacred bat. Ace’s adventures in the film are delightfully cartoonish and feature a plethora of over-the-top antics.

Admittedly, Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls is full of callbacks to its predecessor and plays its original bits rather safely. As a comedy mystery movie, the sequel’s twists and thrills aren’t as exciting, but Ace’s overly animated personality makes Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls a fun watch. Ace Ventura is one of Carrey’s best characters, and the movie heavily relies on the audience’s willingness to join Ace on yet another wild adventure.

5

The Pink Panther (1963)

Directed by Blake Edwards

Remembered most for its delightful Henry Mancini score and deft comedic performance by Peter Sellers, The Pink Panther is a strong start to what would eventually become a beloved franchise. Despite Sellers’ Inspector Clouseau being merely a supporting comedic role in the first film, the actor’s portrayal of the clumsy detective is what makes the mystery film so memorable decades later.

Instead, The Pink Panther is primarily centered around David Niven’s Sir Charles Lytton, an infamous jewel thief who Clouseau tries to stop from stealing an irreplaceable diamond, which the film gets its name from. Entirely inept and characterized by his slapstick conduct, Sellers’ Clouseau is the ideal anтιтhesis to Niven’s cool and charming jewel thief. Despite being the first in a decades-long running franchise, The Pink Panther holds up well and keeps audiences engaged in its playful cat-and-mouse game until the very end.

4

Chip ‘N Dale: Rescue Rangers (2022)

Directed by Akiva Schaffer

An animated and live-action hybrid in the spirit of Who Framed Roger Rabbit, Chip ‘n Dale: Rescue Rangers reunites audiences with the beloved тιтular duo. Decades after their real-life animated show gets canceled, Chip (John Mulaney) and Dale (Andy Samberg), leading opposing lifestyles, reunite to kick off an investigation into the kidnapping of their former co-star, Monterey Jack. The film is infused with nostalgia, as several animated characters make cameos throughout Chip ‘n Dale: Rescue Rangers.

Chip ‘n Dale: Rescue Rangers has a compelling mystery at the center of its narrative, with Monterey Jack’s disappearance helping to expose a bootleg scheme affecting various cartoon characters. Due to its meta-humor, inventive spin on Chip and Dale’s story, and energetic voice acting, Chip ‘n Dale: Rescue Rangers is an appealing mystery movie for long-time fans of the characters and newcomers alike.

3

Game Night (2018)

Directed by John Francis Daley & Jonathan Goldstein

In Game Night, a group of friends gets together for what starts as one of their regularly scheduled game nights. However, chaos quickly ensues when they realize their orchestrated mystery game has been hijacked by real kidnappers, and it’s up to them to save their friend. Jason Bateman and Rachel McAdams play the married couple hosting the evening’s activities, and are supported by an array of talent, including Lamorne Morris, Jesse Plemons, and Sharon Horgan.

The stakes throughout Game Night are high, but incredibly ridiculous at times as well. What makes the film such a compelling mystery movie is its characters’ genuine attempts at gaining control of a situation that is far beyond anything they’ve dealt with before. Game Night‘s characters aren’t a professional crew of detectives. They are average people audiences can relate to, and this, paired with the cast’s comedic synergy, makes for a fun time.

2

Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure (1985)

Directed by Tim Burton

The inventive world-building by Tim Burton and Paul Reubens’ childlike energy is wonderfully fused in Pee-wee’s Big Adventure. The comedy movie is Burton’s feature film directing debut and the first time the character of Pee-wee Herman was seen on the big screen, showcasing a promising future ahead for the director and the comedian’s careers. Pee-wee’s joyful personality is surprisingly well-matched with Burton’s surreal aesthetic throughout the film.

Pee-wee’s Big Adventure is a toned-down version of Reubens’ original stage act, though it’s a film that’s been enjoyed by children and adults alike for years. The film revolves around Reubens as the тιтle character and his search for his stolen bicycle. Pee-wee’s innocence and sense of wonder about the world around him make him an extremely lovable character, and one audiences have no hesitation about, readily joining him on his unpredictable search.

1

The Big Lebowski (1998)

Directed by Joel Coen & Ethan Coen

The Big Lebowski is the Coen brothers’ hilarious crime comedy whose cult status has risen over the years, despite opening to a mixed critical response nearly three decades ago. The movie is recognized as one of Jeff Bridges’ best movies, with the actor’s Jeffrey “The Dude” Lebowski transforming into an iconic movie character. The Big Lebowski follows the Dude, a laid-back bowler, as he becomes entangled in a kidnapping case following an unfortunate case of mistaken idenтιтy.

The Big Lebowski‘s narrative is said to be loosely inspired by the work of detective fiction writer Raymond Chandler, and features a mystery that is absurd, convoluted, and ultimately, doesn’t go anywhere. However, it’s The Big Lebowski‘s memorable quotes, chaotic plot, and eccentric characters that have allowed it to become so deeply embedded in pop culture throughout the years.