The film that kicked off this whole phenomenon, The Da Vinci Code, introduces us to symbologist Robert Langdon as he is called to the Louvre museum one night and finds himself embroiled in a complex murder mystery. The dying words of the victim lead Langdon and cryptologist Sophie Neveu on a thrilling chase across Paris and London, uncovering a trail of clues hidden in famous works of art, historical landmarks, and ancient documents. They stumble upon a secret society, a conspiracy stretching back centuries, and a controversial theory about the history of Christianity.

Based on Dan Brown's bestselling novel, the movie captures the essence of the book's puzzle-solving core and its blend of historical speculation and suspense. While it generated considerable debate upon its release, there's no denying its ability to pull you into a world of hidden messages and secret histories. It's the benchmark for this specific type of historical-conspiracy thriller. A fun detail is that the film was granted rare permission to film inside the Louvre museum, including the iconic Grand Gallery, adding incredible authenticity to those key early scenes.

Directed by the legendary Roman Polanski, The Ninth Gate offers a darker, more occult-tinged mystery that fans of 'The Da Vinci Code's' blend of history and conspiracy might appreciate. Johnny Depp stars as Dean Corso, a cynical and ruthless rare book dealer hired to authenticate a 17th-century book rumoured to have been written by the Devil himself. His investigation leads him across Europe, encountering strange characters and uncovering secrets tied to the book's mysterious engravings.

While less focused on religious history and more on the esoteric and supernatural, the film excels in creating a palpable sense of intrigue and danger as Corso pieces together the puzzle. It has a slower, more deliberate pace than the Langdon films, building atmosphere and suspense through its shadowy visuals and enigmatic plot. Interestingly, the three copies of the book central to the plot were specially created props for the film, designed with unique differences to match the story's requirements.

Step back in time to a 14th-century Italian monastery with The Name of the Rose, a richly atmospheric mystery based on Umberto Eco's celebrated novel. Sean Connery delivers a superb performance as William of Baskerville, a Franciscan friar and former inquisitor tasked with investigating a series of mysterious deaths within the abbey's walls. What he uncovers is a labyrinth of forbidden knowledge, theological disputes, hidden passages, and secrets protected with deadly force.

This film shares 'The Da Vinci Code's' fascination with historical settings, religious institutions, and the pursuit of hidden truths, but trades modern-day globe-trotting for the claustrophobic and intricate world of a medieval monastery. The mystery unfolds through intellectual deduction, deciphering clues, and navigating the complex politics and superstitions of the era. A cool fact is that the incredible, detailed monastery set was built from scratch outside Rome and was so extensive it required over 1000 workers and took months to complete, truly immersing the cast in the period.

If you love the idea of uncovering historical secrets hidden in plain sight and following clues across famous landmarks, then National Treasure is an absolute must-watch. Starring Nicolas Cage as historian Benjamin Franklin Gates, this movie is a rollicking adventure about a quest for a legendary treasure tied to the founding fathers of the United States. It's packed with ciphers, hidden maps, secret societies (hello, Freemasons!), and puzzles embedded in historical documents like the Declaration of Independence.

This film captures that same sense of discovery and intellectual chase found in 'The Da Vinci Code,' but with a distinctly American flavour and a slightly more family-friendly, action-packed tone. The dynamic between Cage, Diane Kruger, and Justin Bartha adds a fun energy to the proceedings. It's fascinating how the movie weaves fictional elements with real historical facts and locations, making you look at places like Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell in a whole new light. Get ready for a thrilling hunt that's both smart and incredibly entertaining!

Picking up right after the events that thrilled audiences in 'The Da Vinci Code,' Angels & Demons plunges Robert Langdon into another high-stakes mystery, this time centered around the Vatican and the ancient secret society known as the Illuminati. Directed again by Ron Howard, this film ramps up the tension with a ticking clock element as Langdon races against time to stop a catastrophic attack during a papal conclave. Tom Hanks returns, bringing that familiar mix of academic brilliance and reluctant heroism.

What makes this film a perfect follow-up is its blend of real-world locations (or incredible sets replicating them) with a fictional conspiracy rooted in history. You'll find yourself pulled into the intricate puzzles and historical symbols that Langdon must decipher, from Bernini sculptures to hidden passages. It's a fantastic ride that keeps the intellectual intrigue high while delivering plenty of action and suspense. Did you know that the film faced significant opposition from the Catholic Church, which reportedly refused to allow filming in its properties in Rome, forcing the production to build elaborate replicas?