Let’s face it, murder is serious business. And so often, as mystery fans, we seek murder mysteries to confront the darkness and pit ourselves against the world’s depraved. Or to imagine walking the knife’s edge of morality, where life’s curveballs can turn anyone into a killer.
But sometimes, we don’t want the satisfying challenge and puzzle of a mystery to drag us down into dark places. So if “doesn’t take itself too seriously” is your kind of mystery, or if you simply need a good laugh as a break from the heavy stuff, there’s still plenty of mystery-solving fun available in the world of television, movies, tabletop games, and video games.
Whether you’re in the mood for a whodunit or a spy thriller, there’s something out there to tickle your funny bone. From ridiculous slapsticks, to over-the-top spoofs, to the clever and witty, I’ve provided a small selection of humorous mystery TV shows, movies, tabletop games, and video games to keep you entertained.
Humorous Mystery TV Shows
Psych
This long-running series follows the exploits of a fake psychic detective and his partner as they solve crimes in Santa Barbara.
Monk
Tony Shalhoub stars as a brilliant but obsessive-compulsive detective who solves crimes in San Francisco.
Castle
This lighthearted procedural follows the unlikely partnership of a crime novelist and a detective as they solve murders in New York City.
Murderville
Eccentric detective Terry Seattle teams up with clueless celebrity guest stars to investigate a series of murders in this improvisational crime comedy.
Humorous Mystery Movies
Clue
This classic board game adaptation features an all-star cast and multiple endings, making for a fun and unpredictable mystery romp.
The Nice Guys
Set in ’70s Los Angeles, this buddy comedy follows a private eye and a tough guy enforcer as they investigate a missing person case.
Miss Congeniality
Miss Congeniality is a comedy-action film where an uncouth FBI agent goes undercover as a beauty pageant contestant to figure out who poses a terrorist threat.
Who Framed Roger Rabbit?
Who Framed Roger Rabbit is the live-action/animation film-noir comedy where a private detective and a cartoon rabbit team up to solve a murder mystery in a world where cartoon characters live alongside humans.
Humorous Mystery Video Games
Grim Fandango
This classic adventure game follows a dead salesman named Manny as he tries to unravel a conspiracy in the underworld of the dead.
Sam & Max Hit the Road
This wacky adventure game follows a dog and rabbit duo as they solve bizarre crimes and crack jokes in a surreal world.
Thimbleweed Park
This modern adventure game pays homage to classic games like Maniac Mansion and Monkey Island, featuring a bizarre cast of characters and a wacky murder mystery.
Darkside Detective
In this a point-and-click adventure game, players take on the role of a pair of a detective investigating supernatural occurrences in the quirky town of Twin Lakes.
Humorous Mystery Tabletop Games
Note: For some reason, despite the vast selection of mystery games released in the last few years alone, most tabletop games haven’t embraced the humorous tone more common in their digital media counterparts. So I’ve included selections that at least have an amusing art style, funny premise, or ridiculous characters and situations.
Funny Pages
This comical puzzle mystery from Enigma Emporium tasks you with solving ciphers and stretching your research skills to find a missing comic creator.
Awkward Guests
Like “Clue” on steroids, Awkward Guests is a deduction and investigation board game where players solve a murder by gathering clues and interrogating suspects.
Whodonut?
You will have to analyze the jigsaw puzzle to answer the questions in the notebook and unlock the final pieces needed to solve Fred Jackson Jr.’s murder.
Down the Rabbit Hole
When your grandfather contacts you to help him investiate a string of mysterious deaths at his retirement home, nothing seems to make sense, and the residents all feel like characters that stepped out of a book.
More humorous mysteries
And once you’ve tried these on, there are plenty of options for those who enjoy a good mystery with a side of humor, whether it be on the small screen, big screen, in the digital world, or right on your dining room table. With a wide range of shows, movies, and games to choose from, you’re sure to find something to tickle your funny bone and keep you entertained for hours.
Bookmark our growing list of humorous mysteries
