Murder 101 Collection
Murder 101 is a series of four made-for-television mystery films aired on the Hallmark Channel between 2006 and 2008, starring Dick Van Dyke as Professor Jonathan Maxwell, Barry Van Dyke as Mike Bryant, a former cop and now a private detective, and Shane Van Dyke as Shane Manners, Mike Bryant's nephew.
Franchise Evolution & Timeline Analysis
The Murder 101 Collection has evolved significantly over a span of 1 years, growing from a singular narrative into a complex cinematic universe. With 4 interconnected entries, tracking the consistency of the franchise reveals fascinating trends in audience sentiment.
The "Series" Benchmark: 7.1/10
The franchise maintains a steady average rating of 7.1. While most series experience "Sequel Fatigue," Murder 101 Collection has managed to keep its narrative quality relatively stable, with Murder 101: If Wishes Were Horses standing out as the peak cinematic achievement.
Continuity vs. Commercial Appeal
Our data indicates that while the "Release Order" is preferred for first-time viewers, the "Chronological Order" provides a much deeper understanding of the world-building within the Murder 101 Collection. The timeline highlights a clear three-act structure across all chapters.
Timeline & Watch Order
We recommend watching the Murder 101 Collection franchise in the following order to fully experience the narrative expansion.
Murder 101
When a local successful executive is murdered in an explosion at his mansion, suspicions point to an attractive female investigative reporter who was close to t...
Murder 101: College Can be Murder
Criminology Professor Dr. Jonathan Maxwell does not believe that Professor Archer Coe died of a heart attack, so he hires his friend Mike Parker to investigate....
Murder 101: If Wishes Were Horses
Dr. Maxwell is called in to investigate the kidnapping of a prize race horse. When the case leads to murder, Maxwell and Detective Bryant suspect the horse's ow...
Murder 101: The Locked Room Mystery
Criminology professor Jonathan Maxwell investigates a murder at a new age retreat where the leader is killed in a locked room surrounded by people in a deep tra...
Common Questions about Murder 101 Collection
How many movies are in the Murder 101 Collection?
There are currently 4 movies in the Murder 101 Collection, starting from Murder 101 to the latest release, Murder 101: If Wishes Were Horses.
What is the best order to watch the Murder 101 Collection?
The best way to watch the Murder 101 Collection is usually in release order: starting with Murder 101 and ending with Murder 101: If Wishes Were Horses. Check our timeline for the full chronological breakdown.
Which is the highest-rated movie in the Murder 101 Collection?
According to movieMx ratings, the fans have a strong preference for Murder 101: If Wishes Were Horses in this franchise.