Over the years, more than 350 actors have portrayed Arthur Conan Doyle’s titular detective character, Sherlock Holmes. From the early days of silent films to today’s streaming giants, the world can’t seem to get enough of deductive hero and his inquisitive sidekick Dr. Watson. The character has been reimagined several times over the years, updated to fit the sensibilities of an ever-changing audience.
With repeats spanning nearly 100 years, here are some notable Sherlock Holmes movies and TV shows, and how you can watch them now.
Sherlock Holmes film series (1939-1946)
In the early days of film, one of the first notable portrayals of Sherlock Holmes came from British actor Basil Rathbone. The actor, along with Nigel Bruce, who played his assistant Dr. John Watson, directed fourteen films based on the works of Arthur Conan Doyle’s stories. The first two films were produced by 20th Century Fox and take place during the Victorian era. Universal Pictures produced the last twelve films, modernizing them for the 20th century and containing World War II-related elements. The first three films in the series were directed by Sidney Lanfield, Alfred L. Werker, and John Rollins, with the remainder directed by Roy William Neal.
The list of films includes: Baskerville dogAnd the The Adventures of Sherlock HolmesAnd the Sherlock Holmes and the Voice of Terror, Sherlock Holmes and the Secret Weapon, Sherlock Holmes in Washington, Sherlock Homes Faces Death, The Spider-Woman, The Scarlet Chloe, Death of the Pearl, The House of Fear, The Woman in Green, The Quest for Algeria, Night Terror, And the dressed to kill.
Hound stream from the Baskervilles on Toby.
Stream dressed to kill on Paramount+ (Opens in a new tab).
The Baskerville Dog (1959)
In 1959, director Terrence Fisher directed another adaptation of Doyle’s novel Baskerville dog. The film stars Peter Cushing as Sherlock Holmes and Andre Morel as Dr. Watson. The movie also appeared DraculaChristopher Lee as Henry Baskerville. The film follows Holmes and Watson as they investigate a mysterious “hound” curse that has been in the Baskerville family after a centuries-old murder.
You can rent/buy The Hound of the Baskervilles on YouTube.
Murder by Decree (1979)
Killing by decree It is another adaptation of Doyle’s novel called Jack the Ripper: The Ultimate Solution. sound of MusicChristopher Plummer portrays Sherlock Holmes in this iteration, and stars alongside the legendary James Mason as Dr. John Watson. The film is directed by Bob Clark and produced by Warner Bros. Pictures.
The story follows Holmes, who is investigating serial killer Jack the Ripper as a private investigator. The police try to deter Holmes by refusing to help him in the investigation, but he prevails by getting help from Robert Lees, played by Donald Sutherland.
Stream Murder by Decree on Redbox (Opens in a new tab).
Rent / Buy Murder by Ordinance on Amazon (Opens in a new tab).
The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes (1984-1994)
The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes It was a British TV series for ITV Granada. It ran for 10 years, and featured adaptations of Doyle’s novels, as well as new original detective stories featuring the character. Best known for portraying the titular character on English television, British actor Jeremy Pratt was accompanied by David Burke, and later Edward Hardwicke, as John H. Watson.
The series spanned nine seasons and was created by Michael Cox. The stories included Holmes consulting the police on a variety of cases, as well as taking on his own cases as a private investigator alongside military veteran John Watson, with whom he lives at 221B Baker Street.
Stream The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes on Britbox.
Young Sherlock Holmes (1985)
Young Sherlock Holmes It was a re-imagining of Sherlock Holmes led Rain Man Director Barry Levinson, who wrote it Home Alone Director Christopher Columbus. The film shows Holmes as a precocious teenager at a boarding school, who meets his best friend and sidekick, John Watson. The two try to solve a series of suspicious deaths that occur on the school campus. The titular character is played by Nicholas Rowe and John Watson is played by Alan Cox.
Stream Young Sherlock Holmes on YouTube.
Rent/buy Young Sherlock Holmes on Amazon (Opens in a new tab).
Without a clue (1988)
without a clue It is a comic adaptation of famous characters. This movie also reimagines them, inverting the characterizations of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson. This Thom Eberhardt movie sees Dr. Watson as the brilliant detective, with “Sherlock Holmes” being an actor posing as a detective so that Watson can maintain his reputation in the medical world. without a clue It stars veteran actor Michael Caine as Sherlock Holmes, and Oscar-winner Ben Kingsley as John Watson.
Rent/buy without a clue on AppleTV+ (Opens in a new tab).
Sherlock Holmes film series (2009-present)
The 2000s saw more stylistic iterations of the Sherlock Holmes stories on screen. In 2009, director Guy Ritchie directed two films about the character Arthur Conan Doyle for Warner Bros. Pictures. Pictures. Movies titled Sherlock Holmes And the sherlock holmes: a game of shadows, and stars Robert Downey Jr. as Holmes and Jude Law as Watson. The original film is about an eccentric detective’s journey to investigate Sophie’s plan to take over England by mysterious and magical means. The next film follows Holmes and Watson as they travel across Europe, trying to thwart Professor Moriarty’s plan to incite a global conflict.
A third film in the series has been announced and is set to be directed by Dr Rocket Man Helmer, Dexter Fletcher. Downey Jr. and Lou are said to be planning to reprise their roles.
Stream Sherlock Holmes on Netflix (Opens in a new tab).
Play Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows on Netflix (Opens in a new tab).
Rent / Buy Sherlock Holmes on Amazon (Opens in a new tab).
Rent/Buy Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows on Amazon (Opens in a new tab).
Sherlock series (2010-2017)
One of the most famous Sherlock Holmes fantasies comes from the BBC, when the TV series, SherlockHe became an international darling. Dr. Strange Benedict Cumberbatch’s stellar performance as Sherlock in the series helped make him the household name he is today. starred alongside him The hobbit Actor Martin Freeman, who portrayed John Watson in the series.
The show is set during a contemporary period with the eccentric and awkward Holmes at the center. He moves in with Watson, who acts as his right-hand man while investigating a series of crimes set up by Holmes, Professor Moriarty (game Fleabag’Andrew Scott), it may or may not be too late. The series ran for four seasons, and contained 13 episodes, including a Victorian holiday special.
Stream Sherlock on Philo (Opens in a new tab).
Buy Sherlock on Amazon (Opens in a new tab).
Elementary TV series (2012-2019)
Sherlock Holmes has also been given an American update for the 21st century on CBS. long-running network television series, primary, It portrayed Holmes as a disgraced ex-detective who left London for New York City after a stint in rehab. He gets a sober companion in the US, Dr. Joanne Watson, who has lost her medical license and now helps ex-addicts maintain sobriety. To fend off his addiction, Holmes becomes a consultant for the New York Police Department. Sherlock is portrayed by Jonny Lee Miller in the series, with a reimagining of a woman of Watson played by him Kill BillLucy Liu. The show ran for seven seasons and was created by Robert Doherty.
Stream Trial on Hulu (Opens in a new tab).
Buy Trial on Amazon (Opens in a new tab).
Mr. Holmes (2015)
in 2015, Beauty and the beast Directed by director Bill Condon Mr. Holmes. The movie is adapted from slight trick of the mind, Written by Mitch Cullen, it was based on Doyle’s characters. Mr. Holmes It gives audiences an even older Sherlock Holmes, played by Sir Ian McKellen. The title investigator is 93 years old, retired, living in Sussex. He struggles to remember details from his last unsolved case, as his mind begins to slip. The movie also stars OzarkLaura Linney as Mrs. Monroe, who is as warm as the trailer suggests.
Stream Mr. Holmes on PlutoTV.
Rent/buy Mr. Holmes on Vudu (Opens in a new tab).
Enola Holmes film series (2020, 2022)
Enola Holmes It is a series of films that reimagines Sherlock Holmes story by giving him a younger sister, Enola Holmes. Movies adapted from Mysteries of Enola Holmes Book series directed by Nancy Springer Fleabag Director Harry Bradbeer.
The critically acclaimed first film follows Enola (played by Millie Bobby Brown) the gritty brother of the famous detective (portrayed here by Henry Cavill). While tracking down her missing mother, she embarks on an adventure to save the entire country during the Victorian era. sequel EnoNo Holmes 2, features another intriguing mystery and follows the titular heroine who tries to make a name for herself as a professional detective while living in her brother’s shadow. Both films feature an all-star cast, and a version of the popular John Watson character, as played by Himesh Patel.
Stream Enola Holmes on Netflix (Opens in a new tab).
Stream Enola Holmes 2 on Netflix (Opens in a new tab).
Sherlock Holmes always seems to be an inspiration for filmmakers and writers to draw on, so there’s likely to be more movies to watch in the future. But for now, there are too many amazing versions of the beloved detective to check out at this moment. We’ll keep an eye out for another RDJ spin on the character, or a re-imagining of Millie Bobby Brown, so be sure to keep checking back with CinemaBlend.