50 Best Screen Adaptations of Sherlock Holmes Stories by Conan Doyle
A list of the best movie or TV adaptations of Sherlock Holmes stories written by Arthur Conan Doyle. The short stories are in the order they appear in the books.
Of the overall 60 stories 53 have been adapted for the screen, but the "A Case of Identity" short movie from 1921, the adaptations of "The Adventure of the Reigate Squire" from 1922 & 1951 and the 1968 TV adaptation of "The Adventure of Black Peter" have been lost over time.
Seven stories were never adapted: "The Adventure of the Yellow Face", "The Adventure of the Stockbroker's Clerk", "The Adventure of the Three Students", "The Adventure of the Missing Three-Quarter", "The Adventure of the Blanched Soldier", "The Adventure of the Lion's Mane" & "The Adventure of the Veiled Lodger" (although elements of this story are present in the episode "The Eligible Bachelor" of the "The Case-Book of Sherlock Holmes" series).
Of the overall 60 stories 53 have been adapted for the screen, but the "A Case of Identity" short movie from 1921, the adaptations of "The Adventure of the Reigate Squire" from 1922 & 1951 and the 1968 TV adaptation of "The Adventure of Black Peter" have been lost over time.
Seven stories were never adapted: "The Adventure of the Yellow Face", "The Adventure of the Stockbroker's Clerk", "The Adventure of the Three Students", "The Adventure of the Missing Three-Quarter", "The Adventure of the Blanched Soldier", "The Adventure of the Lion's Mane" & "The Adventure of the Veiled Lodger" (although elements of this story are present in the episode "The Eligible Bachelor" of the "The Case-Book of Sherlock Holmes" series).
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- DirectorPeter HammondStarsJeremy BrettEdward HardwickeRobin HunterThe disappearance of a young woman's father and a mysterious note years later after the strange regular annual delivery of valuable pearls to her puts Sherlock Holmes on the case.
- DirectorSidney LanfieldStarsBasil RathboneNigel BruceRichard GreeneSherlock Holmes and Dr Watson investigate the legend of a supernatural hound, a beast that may be stalking a young heir on the fog-shrouded moorland that makes up his estate."The Hound of the Baskervilles" is one of the few occasions where the Jeremy Brett Sherlock Holmes series falls a bit flat. I consider the Basil Rathbone versions to be best adaptation and Jeremy Brett's version the third best (and therefore it's not included on this list).
- DirectorTerence FisherStarsPeter CushingAndré MorellChristopher LeeWhen a nobleman is threatened by a family curse on his newly inherited estate, detective Sherlock Holmes is hired to investigate.Since the episode "The Mazarin Stone" of the Jeremy Brett Sherlock Holmes series is an adaptation of two stories there's one space on this this list for a double entry. My second favourite version of this story and Peter Cushing's best performance as Sherlock Holmes. It also features later Sherlock Holmes actor Christopher Lee as Sir Henry Baskerville.
- DirectorHenri SafranStarsPeter CushingNigel StockJoe MeliaWhen a man is found poisoned in an abandoned building with the word "RACHE" written in blood on the wall. LaStrade confidently declares, "Cherchez la femme!"
- 1984–198554mTV-PG7.9 (1.5K)TV EpisodeDirectorPaul AnnettStarsJeremy BrettDavid BurkeGayle HunnicuttSherlock Holmes finds himself evenly matched when he is employed by the King of Bohemia to retrieve an indiscreet photograph from the American actress and singer, Irene Adler.
- 1984–198553mTV-PG8.4 (1.2K)TV EpisodeDirectorJohn BruceStarsJeremy BrettDavid BurkeRoger HammondWhat seems at first to be a harmless prank played upon a red-headed man is soon revealed to be much more: a sinister scheme devised by the Napoleon of Crime.
- 1991–199352mTV-PG7.9 (795)TV EpisodeDirectorJune HowsonStarsJeremy BrettEdward HardwickePeter VaughanWhen William McCarthy is found dead, the son with whom he had just quarreled is charged with murder.
- DirectorRoy William NeillStarsBasil RathboneNigel BruceAubrey MatherSherlock Holmes investigates a series of deaths at a castle with each foretold by the delivery of orange pips to the victims.Partly based on "The Five Orange Pips".
- 1986–198852mTV-PG7.9 (904)TV EpisodeDirectorPatrick LauStarsJeremy BrettEdward HardwickeClive FrancisResponding to a grieving wife, Holmes investigates the apparent murder of her husband in an apartment above an opium den.
- 1984–198554mTV-PG8.1 (1.2K)TV EpisodeDirectorDavid CarsonStarsJeremy BrettDavid BurkeRosalind KnightWhen the Countess of Morcar's priceless blue carbuncle is stolen, a reformed thief is charged with the crime.
- 1984–198555mTV-PG8.3 (1.3K)TV EpisodeDirectorJohn BruceStarsJeremy BrettDavid BurkeJeremy KempA young woman asks for Holmes' help when her ill-tempered stepfather moves her into the same room where her sister died under mysterious circumstances.
- DirectorSteve PrevinStarsRonald HowardHoward Marion-CrawfordArchie DuncanHolmes meets an injured man carrying an unconscious woman. The man is an engineer who was hired by a man to fix the large hydraulic press at his estate but when he arrived, his curiosity about the press' use got him and woman in trouble.Adaptation of "The Adventure of the Engineer's Thumb".
- 1991–19931h 44mTV-PG6.6 (1.2K)TV EpisodeDirectorPeter HammondStarsJeremy BrettEdward HardwickeRosalie WilliamsSherlock Holmes' problem with disturbing dreams proves to be both an impediment and an aid in the search for a missing woman.Loose adaptation of "The Adventure of the Noble Bachelor".
- DirectorMax VarnelStarsDouglas WilmerNigel StockLeonard SachsMr. Holder, a city banker, is Holmes' latest client. A prominent customer left him a beryl-encrusted coronet as a surety against a loan. Mr. Holder took the coronet home for safekeeping and was shocked to find his son Arthur attempting to deface it. Holmes deduces that Arthur is innocent and was only trying to cover up for another family member who has been duped by a smooth-talking thief.
- 1984–198552mTV-PG8.0 (1.1K)TV EpisodeDirectorPaul AnnettStarsJeremy BrettDavid BurkeJoss AcklandViolet Hunter has been offered the role of governess at an estate in Hampshire but the employer insists that for the role she will be obliged to cut her hair short. Her perturbation at this causes her to seek Sherlock Holmes's advice.
- DirectorBrian MillsStarsJeremy BrettEdward HardwickePeter BarkworthHolmes investigates the disappearance of a champion racehorse and the murder of its trainer on a lonely moor.
- DirectorSarah HellingsStarsJeremy BrettEdward HardwickeRosalie WilliamsSusan Cushing asks Holmes' help in solving the disappearance of her sister Mary Browner, but it doesn't seem Holmes' type of case until he is told of a Christmas present's grisly contents.
- 1954–195526mNot Rated7.1 (163)TV EpisodeDirectorSheldon ReynoldsStarsRonald HowardHoward Marion-CrawfordArchie DuncanThe only clue at the site of two grisly murders is a chicken's foot. Baffled, Insp. Lestrade goes to Sherlock Holmes for assistance.Loose Adaptation of "The Adventure of the Gloria Scott".
- 1986–198852mTV-PG8.4 (1K)TV EpisodeDirectorDavid CarsonStarsJeremy BrettEdward HardwickeJames HazeldineAn obscure family document containing an enigmatic ritual holds the key to a hidden treasure if Holmes can decipher the mystery.
- 1984–198554mTV-PG7.9 (1.2K)TV EpisodeDirectorAlan GrintStarsJeremy BrettDavid BurkeNorman JonesCol. Barclay is found dead and his wife is arrested for the murder, but Holmes is convinced a missing door key will reveal the true killer.
- 1984–198551mTV-PG8.0 (1K)TV EpisodeDirectorDavid CarsonStarsJeremy BrettDavid BurkeNicholas ClaySherlock Holmes is contacted by Dr Trevelyan whose medical practice was set up and paid for by Mr Blessington who lives on the premises. Of late Mr Blessington has had spells of intense anxiety. Dr Trevelyan fears for his health and life.
- 1984–198550mTV-PG7.9 (1.1K)TV EpisodeDirectorAlan GrintStarsJeremy BrettDavid BurkeCharles GrayAn unsavory gang kidnaps a Greek interpreter and forces him to relate their demands to an abductee who knows only the Greek tongue.
- 1984–198554mTV-PG7.8 (1.2K)TV EpisodeDirectorAlan GrintStarsJeremy BrettDavid BurkeDavid GwillimAn unknown thief steals an important naval treaty from a Foreign Office clerk; Sherlock Holmes sets out to find it.
- 1984–198551mTV-PG8.4 (1.1K)TV EpisodeDirectorAlan GrintStarsJeremy BrettDavid BurkeEric PorterHolmes and Watson travel to Europe to escape Moriarty's vengeance.
- DirectorHoward BakerStarsJeremy BrettEdward HardwickeEric PorterBelieved dead after his fatal encounter with Professor Moriarity three years earlier, Sherlock Holmes returns to England to foil a plot to murder him by a former Moriarity gang member.