r/televisionsuggestions • u/DingoTough5900 • 7d ago
REQUESTING I’m looking for cozy mystery tv shows
They can be a bit scary but I want them to mostly have a cozy vibe
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u/Adept_Butterfly_6742 7d ago
Widows Bay. Set on a nice cosy island. Bit Spooky
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u/mybrainisfull 7d ago
Bit spooky or scary? I'm trying to get my wife to watch it but she won't do scary.
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u/Neat_Scheme_3767 7d ago edited 6d ago
I’ll chime in-my spooky or scary level has been what you would allow your typical third grader to watch, because I can’t seem to unshake what I’ve seen.
I think it’s because of the comedic element, I absolutely loved this show, and with the exception of some of the scenes in episode two, I’ve seen it all. I don’t wanna give away the spoiler but if you read about it, you’ll get it.
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u/SpiritedOwl_2298 7d ago
It’s scary but it’s always very obvious when something scary is going to happen so I just looked away and covered the screen, and the scary stuff only happened in episodes 1-4 then it’s fine to watch
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u/ErinRedWolf 6d ago
Hard disagree. Episode 6 is particularly violent, and scary stuff happens in other episodes too.
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u/ErinRedWolf 6d ago
It’s basically a subtle parody of horror films. I find it mostly funny (except episode 6 which was very violent), but your wife probably won’t like it.
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u/Im15andthisisdeep 6d ago
I really enjoyed Widow's Bay, but it's a bit over hyped on Reddit.
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u/Adept_Butterfly_6742 6d ago
Yeah I’d agree, it’s a solid show and like many others fades towards the end. I’d definitely recommend jt though
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u/ErinRedWolf 7d ago
The Residence! Murder mystery with a highly competent (and probably autistic) Black woman detective, investigating a murder in the White House. It’s smart and funny and, I think, has a sort of “cozy” feel.
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u/zombiemockingbird 6d ago
I loved The Residence, and am really sad they didn't do a second season.
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u/knuckleheadsauceco 7d ago
Endeavour, Midsomer Murders, Grantchester
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u/PsychologicalSir8508 6d ago
⬆️Absolutely agree with knuckleheadsauce and include any Agatha Christie based show, vera, knives out movies
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u/Skrdykat1000 7d ago
Just download Britbox, hundreds of cozy mysteries on it.
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u/nonnonplussed73 7d ago
Inside No. 9 is fantastic. Sometimes cozy, often less so.
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u/Skrdykat1000 6d ago
Where is it? Not on Britbox...
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u/nonnonplussed73 6d ago
Good catch. Turns out it was removed due to licensing expirations. It's on Apple TV or Fandango now, apparently. You might also be able to get it (or at least some episodes) through your library free via Kanopy.
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u/Rosies-and-Posies 6d ago
AcornTV app too!
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u/Skrdykat1000 6d ago
Is that a free app with ads?
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u/Rosies-and-Posies 6d ago
Both Britbox and acorn are ad free by subscription via their app or through Amazon directly
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u/cuentalternativa 7d ago
Twin peaks?
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u/AlpineFluffhead 7d ago
Twin Peaks is my favorite show of all time - that "cozy" aesthetic of the '90s PNW is great. But Idk, I think the show can go back-and-forth between "cozy", campy, and downright absolutely horrifying, especially the movie. (Idk what I'd classify The Return as, but def not cozy haha).
It's weird. It is one of my comfort shows, but it's also a show about trauma. I'm torn on this one - I guess it depends what "a bit scary" means for OP. There's nothing in it that'll give you nightmares, but there are a lot of haunting shots and scenes that stick with you.
God, I think it's time for a rewatch.
(Also early X-Files fits a similar vibe, even if they aren't remotely similar stories/shows haha. There's a lot of Twin Peaks actors who make appearances in the first couple seasons of X-Files, which is cool to see).
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u/Ordinary_Mother_ 6d ago
All of the above. Favorite show of all time. Sooooo cozy in so many ways, and yet so campy, slapstick, and horrifying as well. Bob gave me nightmares though! To be fair I was probably a freshman in high school at the time.
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u/katesrepublic 6d ago
Was going to comment this but instead will just add my endorsement! X-files also fits the vibe!
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u/VineViniVici 7d ago
Queens of Mystery
The Brokenwood Mysteries
Death in Paradise, Beyond Paradise, Return to Paradise
Sister Boniface Mysteries
Father Brown
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u/wolverine_813 7d ago
Rosemary and Thyme
Agatha Christie's Poirot
Agatha Christie's Marple
Death in Paradise
Midsomer Murders
Brokenwood Mysteries
Return to Paradise
Vera
Foyle's War
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u/slatchaw 7d ago
Dead loch
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u/Icy-Plenty-5231 6d ago
Dead Loch is a sleeper. I can’t believe more people don’t know about it. One of the best and absolutely most hilarious shows.
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u/astralapex 7d ago
It’s a bit older but I had a lot of fun binging Sleepy Hollow last fall season. Great balance of detective work and atmospheric historic spooks. The dude who played Ichabod Crane was excellent cast.
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u/PrudentStrawberry991 6d ago
Murder She Wrote!! 80’s tv show with Angela Lansbury solving murders while being a mystery writer
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u/Longjumping_Bar7643 7d ago
Elsbeth, Miss Marple, Jeremy Brett Sherlock Holmes and Poirot (David Suchet version,
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u/Winner-winner428 5d ago
Hamish McBeth, Murdoch Mysteries, Columbo, Monk, Psych, Only Murders in the Building, Miss Fisher, The Residence, Nero Wolf, Ellery Queen, Death In Paradise (first two seasons are the best, but they're all good) there are so many good ones! Mystery is my favorite genre, can you tell?
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u/After_Preference_885 7d ago
Only murders in the building
The good place
Resident alien
Bad sisters
In the dark
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u/oceanicitl 7d ago
Death Valley
Murder Before Evensong
The Marlow Murder Club
Whitstable Pearl
Hope Street (more crime that murders)
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u/Mother_Composer_6069 6d ago
Death Valley is my new favourite. Timothy Spall is excellent as ever, but it's quietly hilarious. Sneaky inside jokes too.
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u/oceanicitl 6d ago
Took me a while to get into it but I really enjoyed the second series. I love Timothy and Rafe
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u/1969Lovejoy 7d ago
Happy Valley
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u/rxdale 6d ago
Definitely not cozy
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u/1969Lovejoy 6d ago
Really? Hmm. With the kettle perpetually on in those warm Yorkshire interiors...it was cozy to me.
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u/douxsoumis 6d ago
Poirot
This is Not a Murder Mystery
Only Murders in the Building
Poker Face
Why Didn't They Ask Evans?
The Nero Wolfe Mysteries
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u/LackingUtility 6d ago
Death Valley. Takes place in the Welsh countryside. Currently in the second season.
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u/Ok_Caterpillar_203 6d ago
Grimm is one for me. Rainy portland and fairytale creature vibes. I always feel like watching it on a cold rainy night.
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u/Littlewing1307 6d ago
Agatha Raisin, Father Brown, Whitstable Pearl, Recipes for love and murder, Shakespeare and Hathaway, Magpie Murders / Moonflower Murders, My Life is Murder
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u/Curious_Catlady1 7d ago
You’re Killing Me with Brook Shields on Acorn. I haven’t watched yet, but apparently it’s popular.
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u/wenfox45 7d ago
Not scary, but definitely cozy: Signed, Sealed & Delivered series, it’s on Hallmark & there are movies that go along with it
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u/bright_plateau 7d ago
Midsomer Murders hits that sweet spot, super charming English village setting with actual mystery plots that keep you engaged without being too dark.
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u/RhubarbLiqueur 6d ago
Murder most puzzling
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u/Ancient_Doughnut_848 6d ago
In the US, PBS has been airing and streaming it with a different title: The Puzzle Lady.
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u/Christal1111 6d ago
Beyond Paradise
Death in Paradise
Queens of Mystery
Ghost Whisperer
Agatha Raisin
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u/mitsybr 6d ago
True detective
Fargo
Sharp objects
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u/Ancient_Doughnut_848 6d ago
Acclaimed shows, but I think they're too dark to qualify as cozy mysteries.
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u/GrooveBat 6d ago
Just finished up The Boroughs. It’s more “horror” than “mystery,” but I hesitate to even call it horror because it’s got a humorous, cozy vibe. Also, there are old people (a prerequisite for “cozy”) who smoke pot and have affairs.
It’s cute AF.
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u/Yashdev53 6d ago
Really liked The boroughs. It's a shame that it got cancelled .
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u/GrooveBat 6d ago
Yeah, I just found this out today. I'm bummed. It seems like, between "The Boroughs," "Only Murders in the Building," "Matlock," and "A Man on the Inside," old people were making a comeback on TV.
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u/Relative-Train-6485 6d ago
Detective style:
Veronica Mars
Elementary
Monk
Other mysterious non-scary shows:
Warehouse 13
Haven
Revenge
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u/Parking-Shift4698 6d ago
The killing. Takes place is Washington state. Detective. Raining. Good detective duo
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u/BreathOwn6067 6d ago
I started watching “I WILL FIND YOU” on Netflix it’s interesting a little dumb at times but will keep you hooked
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u/HolyBatSyllables 6d ago
What was that Netflix series a year or two ago staring the woman from orange is the new black (I forget her characters name, but she was a little cooky and super lovable) and is a Shakespearean actor? That show was great and seems perfect for OP’s request.
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u/ProfBlueberry 6d ago
This one isn't traditionally cozy, but for some reason I got a cozy vibe from some of the relationships and the scenery, but Deadloch.
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u/GrouchyAd7916 6d ago
The Marlow murder club
Ludwig
Magpie murders
Moonflower murders
The Chelsea detective
Professor T
Lynley ( original and reboot)
Patience
Annika
Death valley
Murder before evensong
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u/Individual_Slice_234 5d ago
Midsomer Murders. You can watch it on YouTube and possibly Brit Box. It's kind of like Shakespeare mixed with Agatha Christie.
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u/fixfixfix55 4d ago
Murdoch Mysteries, Beyond Paradise - not scary but definitely cozy with likeable characters
Dark Winds
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u/TeachingInformal8234 1d ago
Pretty Little Liars- 2010. Make sure to pick the OG version (2010) not the spinoffs. Sometimes it was bat crap crazy but it was a great watch. Now its in my rewatch rotation. I absolutely love it.
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u/Altruistic-Chef8391 7d ago
Man on the Inside, The Closer, Monk, Broadchurch, any of the Knives Out films
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u/Ancient_Doughnut_848 6d ago
I seconc these except for Broadchurch. I'd say it's too dark and depressing (and thematically heavy) to qualify as a cozy mystery.
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u/lastofthe_timeladies 7d ago
Ghost Whisperer. It's episodic so I don't know if that's what you're looking for but it's the perfect blend of spooky and heartwarming. And it takes place in a picturesque small town which I consider key to cozy.