12 of the Greatest Movie Detectives of All Time

Top Film: Murder on the Orient Express (1974)

While we’re skipping over David Suchet, it’s only a technicality. Suchet played Poirot in a remarkable 70 episodes of the 1989–2013 TV series based on every single Agatha Christie novel. Beyond the sheer volume, Suchet perfectly captured Poirot’s mix of meticulousness and charm, portraying a man who knows he’s the smartest person in the room, but is too polite to say it – until he can't help himself. Although it may seem controversial, I’d rank Kenneth Branagh’s version second for nearly matching that same dynamic, but Sidney Lumet’s Oscar-nominated rendition of Murder on the Orient Express remains the iconic, star-studded standard by which even Branagh’s version, and the Knives Out films, are compared. Albert Finney’s Poirot takes a more exaggerated approach to the character’s quirks, which suits the film’s heightened tone and allows for moments of intense drama.

Available for Streaming: Fubo, Kanopy, Pluto

Notable Mentions: As mentioned controversially, the 2017 version of Murder on the Orient Express is quite good in its own right, while the engaging 1978 Death on the Nile (streaming on Tubi) marked the start of Peter Ustinov’s portrayal of Poirot, supported by a stellar cast featuring Angela Lansbury, Bette Davis, Mia Farrow, and Maggie Smith.

Top Movie: The Seven-Per-Cent Solution (1976)

There are a lot of adaptations to choose from, ranging from parodies to reboots. Much like Poirot, the most genuine portrayal of Holmes can be found on television (with Jeremy Brett in the 1984–1994 TV series). However, Holmes has made his way to the big screen multiple times, with his first short film debuting in 1900, well before the passing of his creator. The Seven-Per-Cent Solution, which received an Oscar nomination in 1976, was a groundbreaking film that paved the way for more contemporary, nuanced interpretations of Holmes, minus some of the traditional elements. Nicol Williamson stars as Holmes, with Robert Duvall playing Watson, who begins to believe that Holmes' drug use and obsession have caused him to invent a fictional enemy named Moriarty. The film plays with canonical elements, such as the fact that Moriarty is never actually shown on screen but is only mentioned by Holmes.

Available for Streaming: Digital rental

Notable Mentions: Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce became the benchmark for Holmes/Watson portrayals, despite their deviations from the original canon. Their version of The Hound of the Baskervilles is still worth watching (available on Tubi). Young Sherlock Holmes (streaming on Pluto) is a fun, action-packed film with groundbreaking digital effects for its time.

Top Movie: Murder, She Said (1961)

Though not entirely faithful to the source material (4.50 from Paddington), Murder, She Said introduces Margaret Rutherford’s portrayal of Miss Jane Marple. Rutherford would go on to play the iconic sleuth three more times, capturing her with a clever, quirky resourcefulness. The films emphasize more humor than even Agatha Christie herself may have preferred (though Christie eventually warmed up to Rutherford’s interpretation), giving the movies a more comedic tone. The story maintains a light, breezy feel as Miss Marple takes the lead: after witnessing a murder on a train, she poses as a housekeeper to solve the case.

Available for Streaming: Britbox

Notable Mentions: The Miss Marple TV series gave us some unforgettable performances by Geraldine McEwan and Julia McKenzie, but for film adaptations, the underrated 1980 The Mirror Crack’d, featuring Angela Lansbury in the role of Marple before her Jessica Fletcher days, is worth noting. It’s also available on Britbox.

Best Movie: Kiss Me Deadly (1961)

The second installment in the series of films featuring Mickey Spillane’s hardboiled detective, before he became a fixture in multiple TV movies and shows, was written by A. I. Bezzerides. Bezzerides, who was vocal about his contempt for the excessively violent character in Spillane’s novels, portrayed the detective as a thoroughly unpleasant individual. This deeply paranoid atomic-age thriller soon became one of the definitive entries in the noir genre, presenting a chilling and impactful experience.

Where to stream: The Criterion Channel

Honorable Mention: If you're interested in the character as played by Stacy Keach, the TV version is available on Crackle, but otherwise, it's not worth your time.

Best Movie: The Big Sleep (1946)

Philip Marlowe, Raymond Chandler’s iconic detective, was part of the pioneering wave of hardboiled crime fiction, alongside characters from Dashiell Hammett. Marlowe’s hard-drinking, tough exterior was tempered by a deeper, more introspective nature that made Humphrey Bogart’s portrayal of the character a perfect match. The movie, which involves Marlowe being hired by a wealthy man to solve his daughter’s gambling debts that spiral into a series of murders, is deliberately complex. But the true strength of the film lies in its atmosphere, and the legendary on-screen chemistry between Bogart and Lauren Bacall.

Where to stream: Digital rental

Honorable Mention: Robert Mitchum’s portrayal of Marlowe in 1975’s Farewell, My Lovely is a standout, while Robert Altman’s The Long Goodbye (starring Elliot Gould) offers a unique and occasionally comedic take, available on Tubi and The Criterion Channel.

Best Movie: Shaft (1971)

Gordon Parks’ film, which became one of the most influential and commercially successful of the blaxploitation era, doesn’t feature much detective work but focuses heavily on Shaft’s larger-than-life persona. In the story, Shaft faces off against Black mobsters only to discover that the real antagonist is the Mafia, and he reluctantly works with the police to bring them down. This groundbreaking film is notable for having a Black director, editor, and composer (Isaac Hayes), challenging the standard behind-the-scenes makeup of films at the time. The film sparked two sequels and a 2000 reboot, but Richard Roundtree will forever be synonymous with the role of John Shaft.

Where to stream: HBO Max

Honorable Mention: The 2000 reboot/sequel, starring Samuel L. Jackson, is a fun modern reimagining of the character, featuring a cameo from Richard Roundtree as the original Shaft. It’s available on Paramount+.

Best Movie: The Thin Man (1934)

The Charles duo, Nick and Nora, graced the screen in seven films, a TV series, radio shows, and stage plays, with a planned reboot starring Johnny Depp that thankfully never materialized. They made their debut the same year Dashiell Hammett’s novel was released, and the result stands as perhaps the greatest blend of comedy and detective work ever. There’s an actual mystery involving a missing inventor, some real danger, and a climactic dinner-party reveal, but the real draw is the sparkling chemistry between William Powell and Myrna Loy. Their witty back-and-forth makes them partners in solving the case, even though he’s technically the detective, and they’re both very much tipsy throughout. Oh, and the adorable dog adds a nice touch too.

Where to stream: HBO Max

Honorable Mention: While the original Thin Man series is a classic, 1976’s Murder by Death delivers a brilliant parody of the detective genre with David Niven and Maggie Smith playing the thinly disguised “Dick and Dora Charleston.”

Best Movie: Kiss the Girls (1997)

James Patterson’s insightful detective Alex Cross has had more success on the printed page than on film (with over 30 books compared to just three movies), but this may soon change with an upcoming Prime Video series starring Aldis Hodge. In Kiss the Girls, Morgan Freeman portrays Cross as he tracks a serial killer, who has abducted his niece, echoing the unsettling menace of Buffalo Bill from The Silence of the Lambs. While the film does lean a bit too heavily into familiar tropes, Freeman is spot-on in his portrayal, bringing a grounded, human quality to the character, even as the movie leans into Hollywood’s typical excesses.

Where to stream: HBO Max

Honorable Mention: Though not quite as impactful, Along Came a Spider (also available on HBO Max) keeps Morgan Freeman front and center. The 2012 reboot, Alex Cross, with Tyler Perry in the title role, didn’t quite hit the mark.

Best Movie: The Maltese Falcon (1941)

Sam Spade, as penned by Hammett, reached his ultimate form in 1941, a time when the character had already been portrayed in two earlier, solid adaptations of the same novel. This particular version, directed by John Huston and featuring Humphrey Bogart, is the definitive take. It remains unrivaled for its hard-edged noir sensibilities, the captivating femme fatale played by Mary Astor, and, of course, its legendary central MacGuffin—the most famous object in film history.

Where to stream: HBO Max

Honorable Mention: 1936’s Satan Met a Lady also adapts the story of The Maltese Falcon, but gives Sam Spade a new identity as Shane. The movie, starring Bette Davis, takes a lighter, more comedic approach, flipping the usual dynamics and putting the femme fatale at the forefront.

Best Movie: The Kennel Murder Case (1933)

Philo Vance, the detective created by S.S. Van Dine, has been largely absent from the screen since the 1940s, despite starring in 15 films over nearly two decades, with ten different actors taking on the role. While some of the later entries lean toward formulaic B-movies, there are standout gems among them. One of these is The Kennel Murder Case, in which a young William Powell plays the sophisticated, somewhat aloof detective, alongside Mary Astor, in a film directed by Michael Curtiz, known for Casablanca.

Where to stream: Prime Video, Paramount+

Honorable Mention: Basil Rathbone, before his fame as Sherlock Holmes, played Philo Vance in 1929’s The Bishop Murder Case. Though a bit slow, Rathbone brings charm to the role, and the mystery is cleverly constructed. The film is available on YouTube.

Best Movie: A Shot in the Dark (1964)

The Pink Panther series of the 1960s was defined by its quirky, stylish humor—and in this case, that’s a feature, not a flaw. Oddly enough, the second film in the series, which eventually expanded to nine entries (not including the reboot), is the one that shines the brightest. Here, Peter Sellers’ bumbling Inspector Clouseau truly takes center stage, with director Blake Edwards (who co-wrote the script with William Peter Blatty, later famed for The Exorcist) shifting the focus entirely onto his character, all while maintaining brilliantly orchestrated slapstick moments. While the later films in the series can become a bit overwhelming with the sheer absurdity, this entry strikes the perfect balance of plot—focused on a maid accused of murdering her lover—and the typical Clouseau chaos.

Where to stream: Tubi

Honorable Mention: The 1975 soft reboot, The Return of the Pink Panther, saw Peter Sellers return to the role after Alan Arkin briefly took over. Though it leans heavily into silliness, many of its gags are genuinely inspired.

Best Movie: The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2009)

Noomi Rapace, Rooney Mara, and Claire Foy have all portrayed the enigmatic hacker and investigator Lisbeth Salander, who joins forces with investigative journalist Mikael Blomkvist (played by Michael Nyqvist, Daniel Craig, or Sverrir Gudnason) to crack a decades-old murder mystery. Both the Swedish version from 2009 and the 2011 American remake by David Fincher are impressive, though I lean toward the Swedish adaptation. It holds the distinction of spawning two excellent sequels, a continuation that the American team, with Fincher, Mara, and Craig, never had the chance to make.

Where to stream: Prime Video, Tubi, Crackle

Honorable Mention: The 2011 American take on the first book in Stieg Larsson’s Millennium trilogy, also directed by David Fincher, is worth checking out. It’s available on Hulu.