Mystery Month (2026)

It’s Mystery Month, and just like last year, I chose random mystery movies with no particular theme in mind. Unlike last year, I do not regret any of my choices for this year.

I guess I lied a little bit. While there isn’t a particular theme, I did make sure to pick mystery movies that span a few decades, going as far back as 1963. There are so many really great movies from that era. If you’ve never checked out older movies, I encourage you to go watch a few. Pick any Audrey Hepburn or Cary Grant movie.

Here is the list of 2026 selections.

• Adulthood (2025)
• Charade (1963)
• Dragnet (1987)
• Game Night (2018)
• Mortdecai (2015)
• Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (2005)
• Suicide Kings (1997)
• Pain & Gain (2013)
• Bonus and Special Event Movies

Adulthood (2025)

Directed by: Alex Winter
Starring: Josh Gad, Kaya Scodelario, Billie Lourd
My Rating:

Two siblings make a startling discovery in their parents’ basement that sends them down a rabbit hole of crime and murder.

I feel like this movie is kind of an unknown. Apparently it was in the theaters last September, but I don’t remember hearing about it. The trailer for it popped up on a streaming service, and I thought I would check it out. I also found it interesting because it’s directed by Alex Winter, whom many of my fellow GenX and/or millennials will know as Bill S. Preston, Esq from Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure.

It’s not a fantastic movie, but I still enjoyed it. Josh Gad is funny, but I feel like the best performances came from Kaya Scodelario and Billie Lourd. It’s one of those movies where the end goes in a direction you weren’t expecting. I’d probably watch it again.

Charade (1963)

Directed by: Stanley Donen
Starring: Cary Grant, Audrey Hepburn, Walter Matthau
My Rating:

After a woman’s husband is murdered, she becomes the target of several men wanting the stolen fortune he left behind. But who can she trust, because not everyone is who they claim to be.

This is a great movie! In fact, it’s by far the best movie on the list. I’ve always been a huge Cary Grant fan, and then you toss in Audrey Hepburn, and that is what makes the movie so amazing. This is the only movie Cary Grant and Audrey Hepburn did together, and that’s a shame.

I have so much to say about this movie, but I can’t; it has so many twists and turns that I don’t want to risk spoiling anything. Even if you don’t watch many old films, you should really check this one out.

Dragnet (1987)

Directed by: Tom Mankiewicz
Starring: Dan Aykroyd, Tom Hanks, Christopher Plummer
My Rating:

The nephew of Joe Friday must work with a new partner to solve a mystery.

This is a classic 80’s buddy cop movie. It’s kind of a Felix-and-Oscar scenario. The movie pays homage to the original series from the 50’s. There isn’t much to say about it. I remember this movie from when I was growing up, but I don’t know if I had ever watched the whole thing.

It’s your typical cop movie starring two comedy legends with some help from Harry Morgan, Dabney Coleman, and Jack O’Halloran (i.e., Non from Superman). If you are a fan of the 80s or the original series, it’s worth checking out.

Game Night (2018)

Directed by: John Francis Daley, Jonathan Goldstein
Starring: Jason Bateman, Rachel McAdams, Kyle Chandler
My Rating:

A fun game night tradition among friends suddenly becomes real when one of them is kidnapped by dangerous gangsters.

This is another fun movie to watch, and it’s classic Jason Bateman. Although does Jason Bateman play any other type of character? I think the only time he doesn’t play bewildered and sarcastic is when he was little Jimmy Ingalls in Little House on the Prairie.

Yes, you read that right. He was on Little House on the Prairie in 21 episodes.

The thing about Bateman is that as long as I’m not watching his movies back-to-back, I like him as an actor and I’m fine with the typecast. Now, the surprising performance goes to Jesse Plemons. This guy is the most underappreciated actor today. He needs more recognition.

Anyway, fun movie. Go check it out.

Mortdecai (2015)

Directed by: David Koepp
Starring: Johnny Depp, Gwyneth Paltrow, Ewan McGregor
My Rating:

A debonair art dealer is suddenly involved in finding who stole a painting.

This is an unusual movie and an unusual character for Johnny Depp. It’s another movie people have probably never heard of. This movie is not going to be everybody’s “cup of tea”. It’s pretty goofy. I imagine the average person probably won’t make it through the first 10 minutes.

Johnny Depp’s performance is well done; it shows the goofy side of his acting. However, my favorite performance in this movie is Paul Bettany as Jock. I don’t recommend this movie for anyone. It falls into the slapstick bucket, which not everyone enjoys. However, if you are into slapstick, perhaps check this one out.

Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (2005)

Directed by: Shane Black
Starring: Robert Downey Jr., Val Kilmer, Michelle Monaghan
My Rating:

A thief is mistaken for a Hollywood actor; while preparing for a movie role, he’s suddenly involved in a murder mystery.

This might be among the top of my favorite Val Kilmer movies. His character is great. The hardest part about watching him is that you can tell his throat cancer might be developing. Sometimes it seems like he’s having a hard time talking, and his voice sounds a bit raspy. Granted, his symptoms and diagnosis didn’t happen until 2014-2015 so maybe it’s just my imagination.

Regardless, this is a fun movie and one I can see watching again and again.

Suicide Kings (1997)

Directed by: Peter O’Fallon
Starring: Christopher Walken, Denis Leary, Sean Patrick Flanery
My Rating:

A group of young men kidnaps a well-respected mafia figure.

I can’t believe this movie is almost 30 years old. I remember watching it in high school. Also, Christopher Walken, Denis Leary, and Sean Patrick Flanery are just the tip of the iceberg of the phenomenal cast in this movie. The cast also includes Henry Thomas (E.T.), Jay Mohr, and Johnny Galecki (Big Bang Theory).

I do love a good mafia movie, although this probably doesn’t quite qualify as a mafia movie. Maybe mafia-adjacent. Either way, it will have you guessing the real criminal all the way until the end.

Pain & Gain (2013)

Directed by: Michael Bay
Starring: Mark Wahlberg, Dwayne Johnson, Anthony Mackie
My Rating:

A couple of meathead bodybuilders get caught up in extortion, kidnapping, and murder.

This is another fun movie with an amazing supporting cast. Tony Shalhoub, Ed Harris, Rob Corddry, and Rebel Wilson, to name a few. I didn’t know who the director was, and then a few minutes into the film, I thought, “Hmm, this feels like Michael Bay”.

The craziest thing about this movie is that it’s based on a true story. Mark Wahlberg and Anthony Mackie portray real people who actually committed these crimes.

Bonus and Special Event Movies

The only special event movie in August is Judgement Day, and boy, is that relevant today. Again, I watched T2 since that’s more relevant to the event, but any Terminator movie could work. It’s subjective.

There was a bonus movie. We got out to the theater and saw Spider-Man: Brand New Day, and we loved it. You can read my full review here, but I recommend going out to see it while it’s still in theaters.

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