10 Fun, Campy Mystery Shows That Are Perfect for a Weekend Binge
Murder mysteries do not always need to be grim or heavy. Some of the most addictive shows on TV take the intrigue of a classic whodunit and mix in humor, eccentric characters, and just the right amount of camp. These series embrace amateur detectives who are anything but traditional, playful formats that bend storytelling rules, and satire that pokes fun at everything from true crime podcasts to small-town politics. While murder may be the starting point, the fun comes from solving the puzzle, catching lies, and watching characters chase down the truth in unexpected ways.
What unites these shows is a love of reinvention. Some rely on the case-of-the-week structure, others stretch a single mystery across an entire season, and a few lean into bright, whimsical aesthetics that feel closer to fairy tales than to traditional crime shows. All of them are stylish, clever, and highly bingeable.
1. Only Murders in the Building (2021-present)
Watch on: Hulu
Stars: Steve Martin, Martin Short, Selena Gomez
A love letter to both New York City and true crime culture, this series follows three unlikely neighbors who form a bond while investigating murders in their Upper West Side building. It is sharp, cozy, and often self-aware, poking fun at the very idea of amateur sleuthing. The chemistry between the leads is what makes it special, with Martin and Short’s old-school comedy style balancing perfectly against Gomez’s understated wit.
2. The Residence (2024-present)
Watch on: Netflix
Stars: Uzo Aduba, Jason Lee, Susan Kelechi Watson, Ken Marino, Mary Wiseman, Bronson Pinchot
Set inside the White House during a disastrous state dinner, this mystery thrives on its locked-room premise. A murder among the country’s most powerful figures brings out the egos, secrets, and scandals of both staff and politicians. Uzo Aduba delivers a strong performance as the detective tasked with making sense of the chaos. The tone blends political satire with a sharp murder mystery, keeping it campy and clever without losing suspense.
3. The Afterparty (2022-2023)
Watch on: Apple TV+
Stars: Tiffany Haddish, Sam Richardson, Zoë Chao, Ben Schwartz, Ike Barinholtz
A murder at a high school reunion provides the setup, but the genius of The Afterparty is in its format. Each episode retells the same events from a different suspect’s perspective, styled in a distinct genre such as rom-com, musical, or action flick. It is a smart and funny exploration of memory and storytelling, with Tiffany Haddish tying it all together as a detective with a sharp sense of humor.
4. Search Party (2016-2022)
Watch on: Max
Stars: Alia Shawkat, John Early, Meredith Hagner, John Reynolds
What begins as a satire about self-absorbed Brooklyn millennials searching for a missing woman quickly evolves into something much bigger. Over five seasons the show reinvents itself multiple times, moving from dark comedy to thriller to full-blown absurdist drama. Alia Shawkat delivers a standout performance as Dory, who slowly unravels in ways both shocking and oddly hilarious. Search Party is sharp, unpredictable, and one of the most inventive mystery comedies of its era.
5. Deadloch (2023-present)
Watch on: Prime Video
Stars: Kate Box, Madeleine Sami, Alicia Gardiner
This Australian series takes place in a small Tasmanian town where men start turning up dead. Two detectives with clashing personalities are forced to work together as the mystery grows. It is part feminist satire and part small-town whodunit, with plenty of dark humor and an eccentric supporting cast. The coastal setting adds atmosphere, making the town itself feel like a character.
6. The Flight Attendant (2020-2022)
Watch on: Max
Stars: Kaley Cuoco, Michiel Huisman, Rosie Perez, Zosia Mamet
Kaley Cuoco plays Cassie, a flight attendant who wakes up next to a dead man after a night of partying. What follows is a whirlwind of cover-ups, international intrigue, and self-destructive decisions. The show is slick, stylish, and unpredictable. Cuoco brings both chaos and charm to the role, while Rosie Perez and Zosia Mamet add strong support to keep things grounded.
7. Based on a True Story (2023-present)
Watch on: Peacock
Stars: Kaley Cuoco, Chris Messina, Tom Bateman
This dark comedy takes suburban life and collides it with America’s obsession with true crime. A couple discovers their plumber is actually a serial killer and instead of turning him in, they launch a podcast with him. It is absurd, funny, and unsettlingly believable, all at once. Cuoco and Messina have great chemistry as a couple who cannot resist making the worst possible decisions.
8. Poker Face (2023-present)
Watch on: Peacock
Stars: Natasha Lyonne, Benjamin Bratt, guest stars including Adrien Brody, Chloë Sevigny, Hong Chau
Created by Rian Johnson, this show channels the spirit of Columbo with a modern twist. Natasha Lyonne stars as Charlie, a woman with the unique ability to detect lies. Each episode opens by showing the audience the crime, and the thrill comes from watching Charlie piece together the truth. With its retro style, witty dialogue, and endless stream of A-list guest stars, Poker Face is both comforting and exciting. Lyonne’s performance makes Charlie one of the most memorable detectives on television today.
9. Pushing Daisies (2007-2009)
Watch on: Freevee, iTunes, Amazon rentals
Stars: Lee Pace, Anna Friel, Kristin Chenoweth, Chi McBride
Whimsical and visually stunning, Pushing Daisies is unlike any other mystery series. It follows a pie-maker who can bring the dead back to life with a single touch. He uses this gift to help solve murders, but it complicates his romance when his childhood sweetheart is revived and the two can never touch again. The fairy tale style, colorful sets, and witty narration give the show a timeless charm that still feels fresh today.
10. Psych (2006-2014)
Watch on: Peacock
Stars: James Roday Rodriguez, Dulé Hill, Corbin Bernsen, Maggie Lawson
This buddy comedy follows a man who pretends to be psychic and his best friend as they solve crimes together. The cases are clever, but the heart of the show is the playful friendship between James Roday Rodriguez and Dulé Hill. Their banter is nonstop, and the pop culture references are endless. Psych is lighthearted and hilarious, making it one of the most rewatchable mystery shows around.
These series may vary in style, from campy political satire to whimsical fairy tale mysteries, but they all share a playful approach to detective work. They turn the act of solving crimes into something clever, stylish, and endlessly bingeable.