The Best Sherlock Holmes Movies & TV Shows Ever Filmed

Sherlock Holmes is the most portrayed literary human character in film and television history. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle created a detective who has been interpreted in countless ways by different generations of storytellers. Audiences continue to flock to stories featuring the resident of Baker Street and his loyal companion Dr. John Watson. This list compiles the highest rated and most acclaimed adaptations of the legendary sleuth from around the world.

‘The Seven-Per-Cent Solution’ (1976)

Dr. Watson becomes concerned about the detective’s heavy cocaine use and tricks him into pursuing a case in Vienna. Sigmund Freud works with the duo to cure Holmes of his addiction while they investigate a kidnapping plot involving a beautiful patient. The film explores the psychological vulnerability of the character rather than just his deductive prowess or physical skills. Alan Arkin plays Freud in this unique deconstruction of the classic mythos that blends history with fiction.

‘Enola Holmes’ (2020)

Millie Bobby Brown stars as the teenage sister of the famous detective in this fresh take on the family dynamic. Enola travels to London to find her missing mother while outsmarting her brothers Sherlock and Mycroft. The story focuses on her journey of self-discovery and her attempts to solve a mystery involving a young runaway marquess. Henry Cavill provides a supporting performance as a more empathetic and gentle version of Sherlock compared to traditional portrayals.

‘Young Sherlock Holmes’ (1985)

This origin story imagines a boarding school meeting between John Watson and a teenage Sherlock Holmes. The plot involves a series of vivid hallucinations that cause the victims to die under mysterious circumstances in London. It holds historical significance for being the first feature film to include a fully computer-generated character in a cinema release. The narrative explores the formative events and tragedies that shaped the adult personality of the master detective.

‘Murder by Decree’ (1979)

Christopher Plummer assumes the role of Holmes as he investigates the brutal Jack the Ripper murders in Whitechapel. The script combines the fictional detective with the historical reality of the 1888 killings to create a gripping thriller. Holmes uncovers a conspiracy that reaches into the highest levels of the British government and the Freemasons. This darker adaptation emphasizes the corruption and poverty present in Victorian London rather than the cozy mystery elements.

‘The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes’ (1970)

Director Billy Wilder presents a satirical and melancholy look at the unpublished cases of the great detective. The plot involves a mysterious woman and a search that leads the characters to Loch Ness in Scotland. It deconstructs the asexual image of Holmes and suggests a more complex emotional life beneath his cold exterior. Critics now regard this film as an underrated classic that humanizes the often distant protagonist.

‘The Great Mouse Detective’ (1986)

Disney transports the essence of Baker Street to a miniature world of mice living beneath the human city. Basil of Baker Street must stop the evil Professor Ratigan from seizing control of the mouse kingdom and removing the Queen. The animation captures the atmosphere of Victorian London and introduces the detective archetype to a younger audience. Vincent Price provides a memorable and theatrical vocal performance as the villainous Ratigan.

‘The Hound of the Baskervilles’ (1959)

Hammer Film Productions brings their signature gothic horror style to the most famous Holmes novel in this Technicolor production. Peter Cushing stars as the detective who travels to the misty moors to protect the heir of the Baskerville estate. The film utilizes vibrant colors and atmospheric set designs to heighten the supernatural elements of the mystery. It stands out for emphasizing the horror aspects of the source material more than previous adaptations.

‘The Hound of the Baskervilles’ (1939)

Basil Rathbone makes his first appearance as Sherlock Holmes in this definitive cinematic adaptation of the book. The story follows the investigation into a legendary ghostly hound that haunts a noble family on the Dartmoor moors. It established the period setting and the visual iconography that audiences associate with the character today. The film launched a successful franchise that defined the public image of Holmes for decades.

‘Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows’ (2011)

Robert Downey Jr. returns as the detective to face his intellectual equal and arch-nemesis Professor Moriarty. The narrative takes the characters across Europe as they attempt to stop a plan to instigate a world war. Action sequences utilize slow-motion effects to visualize the rapid thought process of the protagonist during physical combat. The film incorporates elements from the classic story regarding the final confrontation at Reichenbach Falls.

‘Sherlock Holmes’ (2009)

Director Guy Ritchie reinvents the franchise with a focus on bare-knuckle fighting and kinetic energy. Holmes and Watson battle a mystical lord who appears to have risen from the grave to take over Britain. The movie highlights the bohemian and eccentric nature of the detective while maintaining his deductive brilliance. This blockbuster successfully modernized the character for a new generation of action movie fans without losing the Victorian setting.

‘Elementary’ (2012–2019)

This procedural series relocates the setting to modern-day New York City with a gender-swapped Dr. Joan Watson. Jonny Lee Miller portrays a recovering addict who consults for the NYPD to maintain his sobriety and mental focus. Lucy Liu plays his sober companion turned apprentice detective in a partnership based on mutual respect and platonic love. The show focuses heavily on the evolution of their friendship and the struggles of addiction recovery.

‘The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes’ (1939)

The second film to star Basil Rathbone features a battle of wits against Professor Moriarty over the Crown Jewels of England. The plot involves an attempt to steal the Star of Delhi and a series of cryptic drawings sent to the victim. It solidified the on-screen chemistry between Rathbone and Nigel Bruce as the bumbling but lovable Watson. This movie is often cited as the pinnacle of the 20th Century Fox series regarding atmosphere and pacing.

‘The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson’ (1980–1986)

Vasily Livanov stars in this Soviet television adaptation that is widely considered one of the most faithful ever made. The series captures the tone of the original Conan Doyle stories with meticulous attention to period detail and characterization. Queen Elizabeth II awarded Livanov an honorary OBE for his portrayal of the British character. Western audiences have gradually discovered and embraced this respectful and high-quality production for its warmth and accuracy.

‘The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes’ (1984–1994)

Jeremy Brett delivers what many purists consider the definitive performance of the Victorian sleuth in this Granada Television production. The series adapts the original short stories with a commitment to accuracy and high production values. Brett captures the manic energy and the moody depression of the character more intensely than previous actors. The show remains the benchmark against which all other period adaptations are measured by critics and fans.

‘Sherlock’ (2010–2017)

Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman star in this contemporary update that places the detective in 21st-century London. The scripts utilize modern technology like texting and GPS to visualize the deductive process on screen for the audience. It garnered massive global popularity and critical acclaim for its witty writing and stylish editing. The series reimagines classic villains and cases with clever twists that surprise longtime fans of the books.

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