19 Best Murder Mystery Games for Unforgettable Home Entertainment
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A murder mystery dinner party game is a great way to have fun with friends and family. As a host you'll get to send out invites, plan a party, and give everyone a reason to dress up!
While you can create your own murder mystery games for parties, it's way easier if you choose one of the best murder mystery games on our list.
You'll have a great time playing when you purchase one of these murder mystery party kit suggestions.
We'll discuss what a murder mystery game is, some of the best murder mystery games for parties, then provide a list of murder mystery board games. Then we'll discuss some of the frequently asked questions about murder mystery party games.
What Is A Murder Mystery Game?
A murder mystery game is a party game where players solve a fictional murder. Many murder mystery games include a host who manages the night, while guests get roles and try to solve the murder.
There are all kinds of themes for a murder mystery game including decades, holidays, and one's tailored to specific locations.
Most murder mystery game kits either offer a physical murder mystery kit or a digital. Some providers even offer annual subscriptions that work out really well for people who host more than three murder mystery games per year.
Check out the video below to learn more about murder mystery party games:
Best Murder Mystery Games
1. Hunt A Killer Box
Hunt A Killer creates the world's best murder mystery games. Each murder mystery game is built to be played with 1-5 people reviewing evidence, solving puzzles, and solving a crime.
One of the nice things about the murder mystery games by Hunt A Killer is that they are ranked by difficulty. They have a one through five diamond rating for each game so that players can start with an easy game and work their way up to the more difficulty party games as they develop their skills.
Death at The Dive Bar is their most popular game with a difficulty rating of 1. More advance players might like Body on The Boardwalk or their season box set that includes six episodes that all build upon each other. They have a Facebook group to discuss the cases.
2. Masters Of Mystery Games
Master of Mystery games are good for between one an 30 people depending on the game. They have 37 English language murder mystery party games around different themes. Their most popular theme is the 1920s themed kit. They offer the kit in English, French, and German. All variations need four players and have options for a maximum of 8, 14, 20, and 30 players.
You might also like their costumes.
3. Broadway Murder Mysteries
Broadway Murder Mysteries offers physical murder mystery games kits, digital kits, and an annual pass. Their most popular game is the 80s Mall Murder Madness or the Roaring 20s Kit. Both are good for 4-20+ players.
Their annual pass is only $99 for those of you that plan to host more than two murder mystery party game nights per year. It includes all their digital murder mystery games, virtual escape room, cold case game, discounts on other products and services, and a course on how to create your own murder mystery party game.
4. Murder Mystery Flexi Party Murder at The Manor 6-14 Player Dinner Party Game
Murder Mystery Flexi Party is best played in person with six to 14 players. It's built so the host can play i the murder mystery party without knowing who the killer is. To play with more than 14 players just pair up to expand it's functionality. Try Murder Mystery Flexi Party Murder at the Manor.
Best Murder Mystery Board Games
5. Clue
Clue is the OG of murder mystery board games. Two to six players can play the game. The players have to figure out who the killer is, what weapon they used, and where the murder took place in the mansion. It's fun and easy to play. Best of all you can buy it's only around $20.
6. Salem 1692 Board Game
Salem 1692Â is a card game for four to 12 players based on the Salem Witch Hunts. It's intended for ages 14 and up and only takes less than an hour to play. It's box looks like a spell book, which is really cool.
7. History Trivia Board
If you love trivia games, the History Channel has it's own trivia board game. Be the first person to answer a question from each category correctly to win the game. Buy the History Trivia Game.
Best Murder Mystery Online Games
8. Ho Ho Homicide
Want a different take on a Christmas party? Turn your Christmas celebration into a murder mystery with Ho Ho Homicide.
The setting is the North Pole and someone has committed a murder because they are so upset at the inefficiency. You have to figure out who in this holiday
You can buy the game as a virtual game or in-person game. Pricing is based on the number of people in the party ($55 for 6-8 people to $99 for 20+), and whether it's for personal or business use (add an extra $225 for business use).
9. Murder in Ancient Egypt by TeamBuilding.com
TeamBuilding.com offers remote murder mystery parties using Zoom. Their most popular offering is Murder in Ancient Egypt. The murder mystery focuses on solving a real life murder. The session is 90 minutes and costs $40 per person, with a minimum of 10 people. There are additional fees depending on what you want to add to the murder mystery experience.
10. Murder in the Speakeasy
Murder in the Speakeasy is another of the teambuilding.com games. This murder mystery game is over video chat and focuses on a murder in the 1920s themed Krazy Kat club. he session is 90 minutes and costs $40 per person, with a minimum of 10 people. There are additional fees depending on what you want to add to the murder mystery experience.
11. Black Noir Murder Escape
This murder mystery game online is a virtual escape room. It's 3-5 players for $49. For more than 5 people, you'll need to buy more than one access code. Black Noir Murder Escape is played on Zoom.
12. The Case of the Curious Curator From Watson Adventures
Watson Adventures creates personalized scavenger hunts. This scavenger hunt falls into the category of virtual murder mystery games for adults. The Case of the Curious Curator takes you on a tour of seven museums to find out why someone was killed over a Leonardo Davinci painting.
Pricing starts at $525 on weekends and $650 on weekday, but groups of less than 12 people can book some virtual games from Watson Adventures for $420 on weekends and $560 on weekdays.
13. Puzzled to Death
A board game store owner is killed and you have to solve up to 12 mini-games to figure out who killed him in this online murder mystery game by Watson Adventures.
Pricing starts at $525 on weekends and $650 on weekday, but groups of less than 12 people can book some virtual games from Watson Adventures for $420 on weekends and $560 on weekdays.
14. Murder on the Mystery Express
This WhoDunnit game by TheGoGame takes 60 minutes to play virtually. Solve puzzles to unlock rooms in Murder on the Mystery Express. The game costs between $399 and $11,000 depending on the number of participants.
Best Murder Mystery Party Kits
15. Shot in the Dark Mysteries
Shot in the Dark Mysteries offers murder mystery party kits in all kinds of themes. They have been making mysteries for over 20 years and helped 8,452 people make their own party last year. Their site is kinda hard to navigate though. I couldn't figure out a price range for their mysteries without requesting a quote.
16. Unsolved Case Files
Unsolved case files are made to look like the actual items that real detectives would have when trying to solve a criminal case. You'l need to solve multiple parts of each murder mystery to solve the entire case. The Case of Avery And Zoey Gardner is the most popular of the mysteries.
17. Last Stop: Murder
Last Stop: Murder is a murder mystery for 10 to 100 people. The story takes place on a train and the host/guide will help people navigate the 90+ minute murder mystery. Playing With Murder offers the murder mystery kit for $49.95 for personal use. A single use commercial license is available for an additional $95.
18. Movie Murder Mystery PARTY
Dennis Spielmen created a game based around a murder in a movie. It's not technically a game kit, but a book. There's a free version and a paid version with two additional games.
19. Deadbolt Mystery Society
Deadbolt Mystery Society is a murder mystery subscription box that allows month-to-month, 3-month, 6-month, and 12-month prices. The mystery box subscription will give you a new murder mystery to solve each month. This is a fun way to keep up with the activities if you want to do them regularly.
Family Friendly Murder Mystery Games
Many of the murder mystery companies that have been mentioned previously have family friendly games that are acceptable for kids of all ages. You might want to play the murder mystery game ideas from the following companies:
Playing With Murder: With 21 games for kids and people without much time, Playing With Murder is the most kids friendly offering.
Broadway Murder Mysteries: This company has six family friendly games for children, teens, and adults.
Masters of Mystery: This company has four kids murder mystery games.
Murder Mystery Party Game FAQs
How long do murder mystery games take?
Murder mystery games take between 30 minutes and six hours to play based on the games in this blog. There may be additional time spent planning, setting up, and cleaning up especially if you are hosting a murder mystery dinner party.
Which murder mystery game is best?
The "Murder at the Manor" Murder Mystery Flexi Party is the best murder mystery game for beginners because the rules are easy to understand, it works with party counts of various sizes, and has a well-built storyline with unexpected twists to create intrigue.
How do you play murder mystery games?
Murder mystery games are themed parties where the the host announces a murder and the guests try to solve it, while the murderer tries to throw people off. The process normally includes:
The host plans the event and invites guests.
Guests arrive.
The host sets the stage and makes everyone aware of the murder.
Guests gather clues as they interact.
Guests accuse the suspected murderer.
The murderer reveals themselves and why they committed the murder.
How to host your own murder mystery party?
To host an interactive murder mystery party, you'll want to:
Choose a game
Plan ahead
Create an immersive setting.
Assign roles.
Encourage guest participation.
Choose a murder mystery gameÂ
When you choose a murder mystery game you'll want to consider things like:
Number of people playing: Some games are good for one person, while others may be good for 4-8, and others can have as many as you want.
Interests: Consider what interests your guests share to decide what type of theme your murder mystery party game will have.
Budget: While most murder mystery game kits are only $15 to $50, a murder mystery party can cost much more after food, drinks, and props to make it more engaging. According to Murder Mystery.com their private events cost between $950 and $2,500 so well organized parties may be more expensive.
Flexibility: A murder mystery game you'll play once in person has different needs than one played online, or one that you'll offer as a service.
Purpose of the game: You might want a game for a specific purpose like announcing a wedding, new kid, or maybe even a funeral (I know I'm twisted, but that would be an entertaining way to announce someone had died).
Plan aheadÂ
You'll need to plan your murder mystery party and send out invitations. Consider some of these tips to plan better.
Avoid upcoming holidays
Choose a date and time
Get guests to RSVP as early as possible
Create an immersive settingÂ
To create a more immersive themed murder mystery dinner party consider some of these tips.
Decorate and use props to enhance the experience
Serve relevant cocktails in period-appropriate glassware
Use music that goes with the themed murder mystery party.
Assign rolesÂ
You'll want to assign roles for a themed murder mystery party.
Match the guests personality and the characters, or make the polar opposites.
Provide information about characters to help people prepare for the theme.
Be prepared for no-shows by having a backup plan.
Encourage participationÂ
You'll want to encourage everyone to participate. During a themed murder mystery party you'll want to:
Encourage guests to play their characters
Encourage developing the storyline.
Provide everyone an opportunity to show off their character.
Help keep the game moving to build excitement.
Where to buy murder mystery games?
You can buy murder mystery games through Amazon, Walmart, Target, or each company's website. We linked to the Amazon links when available because we do not charge for access to content. Buying your murder party kit through the affiliate links helps support our business.
Conclusion
We've discussed 19 of the best murder mystery party games, how long a murder game takes, how much it costs to host a murder mystery dinner party, how to hows a murder mystery party, and where to buy murder mystery games.
What murder mystery box game kit do you enjoy the most?
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