Movies Like Murder by Death for playful detective spoofs and mansion murder games

If Murder by Death made you want another dinner-party puzzle built as a detective spoof, Clue is the closest match. Jonathan Lynn turns the mansion into a game board, with Wadsworth racing guests through locked rooms, secret passages, and rapid reversals. The broad ensemble laughs land fast, but the mystery mechanics still stay clear enough for a low-stress group watch.

This one keeps the meta detective spoof angle but trades the country house for backstage London. Tom George plays with whodunit rules and performance itself, while Inspector Stoppard and Constable Stalker bring a loose buddy rhythm instead of pure farce. You still get ensemble laughs, planted clues, and a puzzle-box structure, just with less mansion business and a drier style.

Like Murder by Death, this leans into broad detective spoof territory, with a manor full of odd staff, secret passages energy, and running gags. Don Knotts and Tim Conway play the investigation as a comic double act, so the mansion games matter less than the silly reactions. The horror touches stay light and goofy, which keeps the suspense comfortable.

This is the gentlest match here, and it suits the cozy side of a detective-spoof night because it gives you a classic clue chase to balance the broader stuff. George Pollock starts with a court case Miss Jane Marple distrusts, then lets Margaret Rutherford investigate with bright, dry humor. You get fewer ensemble laughs and no mansion games, but the relaxed mystery rhythm scratches the same comfort-watch itch.

This one lands between the Marple comfort watch and the more playful detective spoof entries. George Pollock opens with a suspicious death, then follows Miss Marple and Jim Stringer through a tidy, old-fashioned investigation with brisk pacing. It has less meta mischief, fewer broad ensemble laughs, and barely any secret passages or mansion games, but the low-stress whodunit mood is right on target.