5 Must-Watch International Mystery Dramas for Summer Nights | Chilling Psychological Thrillers

Summer nights are the perfect time to relax in the cool evening air and get absorbed in a good drama. In this feature, we’ve handpicked some of the best international mystery dramas that adults can enjoy. These selections aren’t overly frightening but instead focus on psychological tension and clever mysteries—perfect for keeping you feeling cool and intrigued during the summer evenings.

SHERLOCK

“SHERLOCK” is a modern adaptation of Arthur Conan Doyle’s classic detective novel“Sherlock Holmes,” reimagined for the present day.This mini-series captivates with its unique deductive methods and fast-paced storytelling.

Set in contemporary London, the series follows the brilliant detective Sherlock Holmes (Benedict Cumberbatch) and his companion John Watson (Martin Freeman) as they unravel complex cases that push their skills to the limit.

Summer Night Pick: The visuals are stylish and cool. With its longer,case-of-the-week styleepisodes, it’s perfect for an immersive evening watch.

Mindhunter

MINDHUNTER is a psychological suspense drama based on the real FBI agents who pioneered the practice of criminal profiling through behavioral science. The series explores the minds of serial killers to uncover crucial clues for solving cases.

Featuring some of the most infamousserial killers in America,the show even includes Charles Manson in Season 2. FBI agents Holden (Jonathan Groff) and Bill (Holt McCallany), along with psychology professor Wendy (Anna Torv), investigate the psychology of serial killers.

Summer Night Pick: Enjoy the cool summer evenings with intellectual psychological warfare and suspense.

Big Little Lies

“Big Little Lies” is a psychological suspense drama based on the novel of the same name by Liane Moriarty. Set in the affluent community of Monterey, California, it follows the lives of mothers with young children in elementary school.Their hidden secrets and personal strugglesare gradually revealed, centered around a shocking murder case.

The series centers on three women—Madeline (Reese Witherspoon), Celeste (Nicole Kidman), and Jane (Shailene Woodley)—whose seemingly perfect lives begin to crumble after a body is discovered at a school charity party.

Summer Night Pick: The beautiful imagery of the seaside and the psychological depictions are perfect for a quiet night. You can enjoy watching it in a calm atmosphere.

Homecoming

“Homecoming” is an Amazon Original series that unravels the mystery behinda treatment facility for returning soldiers known as “Homecoming.”The story unfolds across two timelines: in 2018, when Heidi (Julia Roberts) works as a counselor at Homecoming, and in 2022, after she has left to start a new life.

In 2018, Heidi struggles with manipulative superiors and troubled soldiers caught in delusions. Four years later, a Department of Defense investigator questions her departure from Homecoming, leading Heidi to realize that the story she thought she knew was hiding a much darker truth.

Summer Night Pick: With its subtle direction and intimate pacing, this show is perfect for quiet, focused viewing on summer nights.

▶︎Watch "Homecoming" on Prime Video
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Unforgotten

“Unforgotten” is a gripping series where each seasonfocuses on an investigation that reaches back decades into the past.Each season consists of six episodes covering a single case, and the series has been so well-received that it’s often nominated for BAFTA awards in the UK.

A common thread throughout the series is the discovery of unidentified human remains, which sets detectives Cassie Stuart (Nicola Walker) and Sunny Khan (Sanjeev Bhaskar) on the path to unraveling the truth. While the overarching mystery drives each season, some smaller storylines are also neatly wrapped up within single episodes.

Summer Night Pick:case-of-the-week styleit’s easy to enjoy even late at night. The strong psychological elements and suspense also make it a perfect watch for summer evenings.

▶︎Watch "Unforgotten" on Prime Video
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Tips for Enjoying International Mystery Dramas on Summer Nights

Summer nights are the perfect time to relax in a cool room and get absorbed in a great drama. Here are a few simple ways to make watching international mystery dramas even more enjoyable:

1. Set the Mood with Lighting

Use soft indirect lighting or a dim lamp to create the right atmosphere. It enhances the suspense and mystery of the drama, pairing perfectly with the quiet of a summer night.

2. Prepare Light Drinks and Snacks

Refreshing drinks or seasonal fruits can make your evening viewing even more comfortable. Enjoying small bites while watching keeps the experience relaxed.

3. Choose “Case-of-the-Week” Style Shows

Titles like SHERLOCK or Unforgotten work well because they often have episodes or arcs that can be enjoyed on their own—perfect if you’re watching late at night and don’t want to commit to a long binge.

4. Immerse Yourself in the Summer Night Ambience

The hum of an air conditioner or fan, or even the sounds of summer insects outside, can heighten the tension and draw you deeper into the story. The quiet atmosphere of summer nights makes mystery dramas all the more immersive.

Summary

Quiet summer nights are perfect for enjoying mystery dramas in a cool room. Depending on your mood and how much time you have, we recommend choosing suspenseful works or one-episode dramas.

Choose your viewing style to suit your mood
Short and self-containedSHERLOCKandUnforgottenare perfect for late-night viewing. On the other hand,MindhunterandBig Little Liesare best enjoyed on nights when you have more time to focus.

Relax and enjoy the visuals and psychological depictions
The beautiful seaside cinematography of “Big Little Lies,”Homecomingare ideal to enjoy slowly on a summer evening.

Why not spend a cool, intellectual evening this summer by incorporating these five works into your plans?

「SHERLOCK／シャーロック」(c)2015 Hartswood Films Ltd. A Hartswood Films production for BBC Wales co-produced by Masterpiece. Distributed by BBC Worldwide Ltd.「マインドハンター」©︎Netflix,Inc.「ビッグ・リトル・ライズ」(C) 2018 Home Box Office， Inc. All rights reserved.HBO(R) and related service marks are the property of HomeBox Office， Inc. Distributed by Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.「ホームカミング」© 1996-2025, Amazon.com, Inc.「埋もれる殺意」(c) BBC Studios

Note: The information on this page is current as of August 2025. Please check the official websites for the latest updates.