Netflix thoroughly enjoys murder mysteries, and this is evident with their commitment to Rian Johnson’s “Knives Out” sequels. The platform aimed to replicate this success with “The Thursday Murder Club,” an adaptation of Richard Osman’s 2020 novel. The film boasts a stellar cast including Helen Mirren, Ben Kingsley, Celia Imrie, and Pierce Brosnan. Directed by Chris Columbus, known for “Home Alone” and “Harry Potter,” the story revolves around four retirees — Elizabeth Best (Mirren), Ron Ritchie (Brosnan), Ibrahim Arif (Kingsley), and Joyce Meadowcroft (Imrie) — who band together to solve a murder in their retirement community, Coopers Chase.

Despite receiving favorable critiques, achieving a 77% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, and featuring a high-profile cast, the film hasn’t become the major success Netflix hoped for. According to FlixPatrol, as of September 12, 2025, “The Thursday Murder Club” has dropped out of the domestic top 10 rankings. In contrast, “KPop Demon Hunters” remains strong at the number two position, even though it has been on the platform longer than the retirement home murder mystery.

So, what’s the issue here? Although “The Thursday Murder Club” earned praise from critics, general audiences haven’t shared the same enthusiasm. At the time of writing, it holds a 54% audience rating on Rotten Tomatoes, suggesting it’s not a must-see for fans of “Knives Out.”

Richard Osman has authored four sequels to “The Thursday Murder Club” novel, and he plans to continue the series. This is promising news for those eager for more adventures featuring Elizabeth Best, Ibrahim Arif, Ron Ritchie, and Joyce Meadowcroft. The question remains whether Netflix will produce more movies.

In an August interview with PA Media, before the film’s release, Chris Columbus mentioned the possibility of directing a sequel. He stated, “It’s all based on the film’s viewership during the first weekend, and we’ll know within about 10 days if a sequel is happening,” adding, “For me, I’d return in a heartbeat.”

Though 10 days have passed without news of a sequel, hope isn’t lost. Despite “The Thursday Murder Club” slipping in Netflix’s US charts, it’s a worldwide success. According to Netflix’s global top 10 chart, it was ranked number three globally in the first week of September, showing international viewers are tuning in. It might be premature to count out the sleuths of Coopers Chase — Brosnan and the team could be back for more detective work. Perhaps, over time, “The Thursday Murder Club” will become one of Netflix’s standout mystery films.