10 Detective Movies Set on Trains

Description: Alfred Hitchcock's classic thriller involves a young woman on a train who witnesses the mysterious disappearance of an elderly lady. The train setting amplifies the tension and confusion, making it a perfect fit for our theme.

Fact: The film was remade in 1979 with a different plot but retained the train setting. Hitchcock himself considered this one of his favorite films.

Description: Another Hitchcock masterpiece, this film involves a chance meeting on a train leading to a sinister plot of murder. The train setting is integral to the plot, providing both a backdrop and a catalyst for the story's events.

Fact: The film was based on Patricia Highsmith's novel of the same name. The famous tennis match scene was shot at Forest Hills Stadium in New York.

Description: A detective must protect a witness on a train journey from Chicago to Los Angeles, all while being pursued by hitmen. The train's confined space heightens the tension and danger.

Fact: The film was remade in 1990 with Gene Hackman, but the original is often praised for its tight script and suspenseful pacing.

Description: While more of a war film, it involves a French Resistance effort to stop a train carrying art treasures from Paris to Germany. The train's journey is central to the plot, making it a fitting inclusion.

Fact: The film was shot on location in France, using real trains and actual railway lines, adding to its authenticity.

Description: This film adaptation of Agatha Christie's famous novel features detective Hercule Poirot solving a murder on the luxurious Orient Express. The setting of the train adds layers of complexity to the investigation, making it a quintessential entry in this list.

Fact: The film was nominated for six Academy Awards, including Best Picture. The train used in the film was a replica built specifically for the movie.

Description: While not strictly a train journey, this film involves a hijacked subway train in New York City, turning it into a moving fortress for a heist. The tension of the train's movement adds to the film's suspense.

Fact: The film was remade in 2009 with Denzel Washington and John Travolta. The original's subway setting was meticulously recreated for authenticity.

Description: A comedy-thriller where a book editor becomes embroiled in a murder mystery on a train from Los Angeles to Chicago. The film blends humor with suspense, making it a unique addition to the list.

Fact: The film features a memorable scene where Gene Wilder's character is chased across the train's roof, which became iconic in cinema.

Description: A group of passengers stranded at a remote railway station encounter a ghost train that leads to a series of mysterious events. The eerie setting of the train and station adds to the film's gothic atmosphere.

Fact: This film was based on a play by Arnold Ridley, who later became famous for playing Private Godfrey in the British TV series "Dad's Army."

Description: A French film where a journalist and his friend solve a locked-room mystery that begins on a train. The train setting introduces the characters and sets the stage for the mystery.

Fact: This film is considered one of the earliest examples of a locked-room mystery in cinema.

Description: Although this is a video game, its cinematic storytelling and setting on the Orient Express in 1914 make it a unique entry. Players solve a murder mystery aboard the train, experiencing a narrative rich in historical detail.

Fact: The game was directed by Jordan Mechner, known for creating the "Prince of Persia" series, and features rotoscoped animation for a realistic look.