Movies like Detective Dee: The Celestial Mystery (2025)
The best movies like Detective Dee: The Celestial Mystery (2025) are Detective Dee and the Mystery of the Phantom Flame (2010), Detective Dee: The Four Heavenly Kings (2018) and Lost in the Stars (2023). If Detective Dee: The Celestial Mystery hooked you with its mystery, these 30 similar films are what to watch next, and every pick says why it matches.
Quick picks
- Highest ratedKnives Out (2019)7.8/10 from 14,794 votes
- NewestThe Frontier Under The Blood Moon (2026)Released 2026
- In ChineseDetective Dee and the Mystery of the Phantom Flame (2010)Also in Chinese
Detective Dee and the Mystery of the Phantom Flame (2010)
When the future empress Wu Zetian's two courtiers die in a mysterious fire, she gets Di Renjie, a former detective and rebel, released from prison to solve the mystery of the fire.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both mystery
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisDetective Dee: The Four Heavenly Kings (2018)
Dee, the detective serving Chinese empress Wu Zetian, is called upon to investigate a series of strange events in Loyang, including the appearance of mysterious warriors wearing Chiyou ghost masks, foxes that speak human language and the pillar sculptures in the palace coming alive.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both mystery
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisLost in the Stars (2023)
He Fei's wife, Li Muzi, disappears during their anniversary trip. When she reappears, he insists that she is not his wife. As Chen Mai, a top lawyer gets involved in this bizarre case, more mysteries start to emerge.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both mystery
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Bullet Vanishes (2012)
One rainy night in an arms factory near Shanghai, a young female worker accused of stealing a box of bullets from the ruthless Boss Ding is violently killed in a game of Russian roulette. Half a month later, a series of inexplicable deaths takes place in the factory, where the victims are shot but no bullets are found. Rumors of a deadly curse begin to spread in the factory, terrorizing the workers there. So, eccentric police inspector Song Donglu and his hot-blooded, gunslinging partner Guo Zhui are sent in to investigate the mystery of the phantom bullets...
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both mystery
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisMurder in Three Acts (1986)
In Acapulco, Hercule Poirot attends a dinner party in which one of the guests clutches his throat and suddenly dies. The causes seem to be natural until another party with most of the same guests produces another corpse.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both mystery
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisRiddled with Deceit: A Martha's Vineyard Mystery (2020)
Former detective Jeff Jackson teams up with Dr. Zee Madieras to track down their friend's missing emerald brooch, a thief, and also... a murderer.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both mystery
Worth the HypeMovies like thisMarlowe (1969)
Mysterious Orfamay Quest hires Los Angeles private investigator Philip Marlowe to find her missing brother. Though the job seems simple enough, it leads Marlowe into the underbelly of the city, turning up leads who are murdered with ice picks, exotic dancers, blackmailed television stars, and self-preserving gangsters. Soon, Marlowe's life is on the line right along with his case.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both mystery
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisMy Cousin Rachel (1952)
A young man plots revenge against the woman he believes murdered his cousin, but his plans are shaken when he comes face to face with the enigmatic beauty.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both mystery
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Limits of Control (2009)
A mysterious stranger works outside the law and keeps his objectives hidden, trusting no one. While his demeanor is paradoxically focused and dreamlike all at once, he embarks on a journey that not only takes him across Spain, but also through his own consciousness.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both mystery
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisOverdrive (2017)
Master car thieves square off against French gangsters in the South of France with money, women and lives all on the line.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both mystery
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Late Show (1977)
An over-the-hill gumshoe in Los Angeles seeks to avenge the killing of an old pal, another detective who was involved in a case concerning a murdered broad, stolen stamps, a nickel-plated handgun, a cheating dolly, and a kidnapped pussycat.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both mystery
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisMurder She Said (1961)
Miss Marple believes she's seen a murder in a passing-by train, yet when the police find no evidence she decides to investigate it on her own.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both mystery
Worth the HypeMovies like thisThe Hound of the Baskervilles (1939)
When a nobleman is threatened by a family curse on his newly inherited estate, detective Sherlock Holmes is hired to investigate.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both mystery
Worth the HypeMovies like thisThe Deadly Affair (1967)
Charles Dobbs is a British secret agent investigating the apparent suicide of Foreign Office official Samuel Fennan. Dobbs suspects that Fennan's wife, Elsa, a survivor of a Nazi Germany extermination camp, might have some clues, but other officials want Dobbs to drop the case. So Dobbs hires a retiring inspector, Mendel, to quietly make inquiries. Dobbs isn't at all sure as there are a number of anomalies that simply can't be explained away. Dobbs is also having trouble at home with his errant wife, whom he very much loves, having frequent affairs. He's also pleased to see an old friend, Dieter Frey, who he recruited after the war. With the assistance of a colleague and a retired policeman, Dobbs tries to piece together just who is the spy and who in fact assassinated Fennan.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both mystery
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Seven-Ups (1973)
A tough detective who is part of an elite New York City unit is trying to find out who killed his partner, but uncovers a plot to kidnap mobsters for money.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both mystery
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisLimbo (2023)
Travis, a jaded detective, arrives in the remote outback town of Limbo to investigate the cold case murder of local Indigenous girl Charlotte Hayes 20 years ago. As truths about the murder begin to unfold, the detective gains a new insight into the unsolved case.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both mystery
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisKnives Out (2019)
When renowned crime novelist Harlan Thrombey is found dead at his estate just after his 85th birthday, the inquisitive and debonair Detective Benoit Blanc is mysteriously enlisted to investigate. From Harlan's dysfunctional family to his devoted staff, Blanc sifts through a web of red herrings and self-serving lies to uncover the truth behind Harlan's untimely death.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both mystery
Worth the HypeMovies like thisThe Wasted Times (2016)
Shanghai gangsters grapple with lust and loyalty on the eve of war with Japan as they try to navigate an alliance with the enemy's army.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both mystery
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisAurora Teagarden Mysteries: How to Con A Con (2021)
When Aida Teagarden's real estate client is found murdered, her sleuthing daughter Aurora sets out with her fiancé Nick and the Real Murders Club to solve the murder.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both mystery
Worth the HypeMovies like thisMiss Marple: They Do It with Mirrors (1992)
At the insistence of Ruth Van Rydock, an old schoolfriend who is convinced that there is something wrong, Miss Marple agrees to visit 'Stonygates', the country house of Ruth's sister.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both mystery
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe White Haired Witch (2020)
Towards the end of the Ming Dynasty, secret service agent Chang An is given a task to investigate a cult allegedly led by the Witch with White Hair, Lian Ni Shang. He then finds out the leader of the cult is actually someone else. In the world of martial arts, a story of conspiracies, love and powers unravels. (Source: iQIYI)
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both mystery
Detective Dee: Rats Invasion (2020)
A rat infestation occurred in the state, the prison collapsed, and Di Renjie was in danger. A large number of villagers were trapped in the city because of the rodent infestation. In order to save the lives of the people in the city, Di Renjie traced the source of the disease. However, as the investigation deepened, it turned out that there was a huge conspiracy behind the rat disaster.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both mystery
Detective Dee and Skeleton General (2022)
A series of murdering arose in SuZhou village, and the civilians only could see the white skeleton soldiers left at the scenes. Di, RenJie is the most well-known detective during that time, so he gets into the investigations digging out the truth for justice.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both mystery
Chaotic Jianghu: Divine Weapons Rivalry (2025)
When a legendary divine weapon resurfaces, it sets off a frenzy in the martial world as heroes compete to claim it and dominate the jianghu. But beneath the hunt lies a shocking secret that triggers a web of rivalries and conspiracies.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both mystery
The Black Panther (1969)
A Wuxia mystery adventure from Cathay films.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both mystery
Water Monster 2 (2021)
Forensic doctor Qing Ling travels to Sheung Shui village to look into and investigate the true events behind her brother's disappearance. The villagers are living in mortal fear of the curse of a creature known as the Water Monkey.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both mystery
Clans of Intrigue (1977)
Chu Liuxiang is having drinks with his friend, Monk Wuhua. Gong Nanyan of the Holy Water Palace suddenly appears and accuses Chu of having stolen the palace's Heaven's One Holy Water and committed a series of murders. She agrees to give Chu a month's time to clear his name, or else the mistress of the palace will kill him. Chu's curiosity and eagerness to prove his innocence spur him to investigate the case.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both mystery
Legend of Youli (2019)
In the beginning of times, humans and demons existed side by side in peace. Thousands of years later, the master of Youli clan violently launched a war to expel mankind. After hardships, the strange men and strangers expelled them to the depths of the earth and suppressed them with the Qianyuan Immortal Formation. The former head of the Ping You Division, Yi Shui Han, guides the half-human, half-Yuli to gather the Five Noble Ones to reorganize the division. After the human skin case, the emperor also ordered to reopen the Department of Peace and Harmony to find out the truth.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both mystery
Detective Dee and the Cult of Heaven (2022)
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both mystery
The Frontier Under The Blood Moon (2026)
The werewolf shaman from Sumo Mohe tribe ambushes the Buddhist maiden presented by Silla to the Tang Dynasty, attempting to sabotage their efforts to build friendly relations, only to run into the detective Di Renjie, who is handling a case at the border. Di joins forces with Sima Xiaodao and Doctor Duan to unravel the tribe's conspiracy, saving the nation from danger once again.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both mystery
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Frequently asked questions
What are the best movies like Detective Dee: The Celestial Mystery?
The closest matches to Detective Dee: The Celestial Mystery are Detective Dee and the Mystery of the Phantom Flame (2010), Detective Dee: The Four Heavenly Kings (2018) and Lost in the Stars (2023). Below are 27 more, each with the reason it matches.
What should I watch after Detective Dee: The Celestial Mystery?
Start with Detective Dee and the Mystery of the Phantom Flame (2010), the closest match to Detective Dee: The Celestial Mystery.
What is the highest-rated movie like Detective Dee: The Celestial Mystery?
Knives Out (2019), rated 7.8/10 by 14,794 TMDB users.
What is the newest movie like Detective Dee: The Celestial Mystery?
The Frontier Under The Blood Moon (2026) is the most recent release on this list.
Are there Chinese movies like Detective Dee: The Celestial Mystery?
Yes: Detective Dee and the Mystery of the Phantom Flame (2010), Detective Dee: The Four Heavenly Kings (2018) and Lost in the Stars (2023).
How are movies similar to Detective Dee: The Celestial Mystery chosen?
First come films that Trakt’s viewers watch alongside Detective Dee: The Celestial Mystery, then TMDB’s recommendations and films it rates as similar in story and genre. Each pick says which signal put it there.