Sherlock Holmes is not only literature’s most iconic detective—he’s a full-fledged cultural icon. Holmes has been remade, reimagined, and even animated over the years and has appeared in everything from gritty Victorian mysteries to contemporary action-thrillers. But with so many versions out there, which ones do justice to Arthur Conan Doyle’s great sleuth? Get out your magnifying glass—our counting down the 12 greatest Sherlock Holmes adaptations on film, television, and even cartoon form. Spoiler: They don’t all feature Sherlock as the main character, but they all have his unmistakable presence.
12. Enola Holmes 2 (2022)
While the limelight is on Enola, her older brother Sherlock (played by Henry Cavill) has more screen time in this rousing sequel. Millie Bobby Brown and Cavill have a piercing sibling chemistry as they solve cases that cleverly overlap. It’s not a traditional Holmes tale, but it’s a lively twist of the modern sort that gives the mystery a heart.
11. The Great Mouse Detective (1986)
Who says Sherlock cannot be a mouse? This delightful Disney treasure reimagines Holmes as Basil of Baker Street, cracking cases under the floorboards of 221B. Featuring a first-rate villain (Vincent Price’s Professor Ratigan) and resourceful storytelling, it’s a family-friendly homage that brings Holmes’s intelligence and panache alive with cartoon panache.
10. The Scarlet Claw (1944)
One of the most chilling in the Basil Rathbone series, this Canadian-set mystery goes big on supernatural thrills, only for Holmes to demystify the ghost stories with his characteristic reason. It’s a spooky, fog-shrouded thriller that serves to highlight Holmes as the master demystifier.
9. The House of Fear (1945)
Loosely derived from The Five Orange Pips, this mid-series Rathbone offering has Holmes and Watson exploring an eerie mansion and a series of sinister fatalities. It’s good old whodunit country, enhanced by Rathbone and Nigel Bruce’s easy rapport.
8. Without a Clue (1988)
What if Sherlock Holmes were an oblivious actor and Watson were the actual detective? That’s the screamingly funny premise of this underappreciated comedy, featuring Michael Caine and Ben Kingsley. It’s a deft satire that reverses the Holmes legend while still providing a satisfying whodunit.
7. Mr. Holmes (2015)
Ian McKellen delivers a chilling performance in the role of an aged Holmes, retired many years ago and struggling with amnesia. The movie is more concerned with Holmes’s humanity and legacy than his cases. Reflective and melancholy, it’s an introspective interpretation of the man rather than the legend.
6. Enola Holmes (2020)
Introducing Sherlock’s feisty younger sister, this Netflix original reimagines the Holmes universe with hipster youth and feminist panache. Brown excels as Enola, while Cavill brings charm and restraint to a more emotionally attuned Sherlock.
5. The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes (1939)
Holmes and Moriarty never lose their allure, and this early installment of the Rathbone series meets the suspense in full measure. Their battle of wits established the standard for all future showdowns. Rathbone’s calm assurance solidifies his position among the all-time greats.
4. The Hound of the Baskervilles (1939)
Rathbone’s first Holmes, and still, arguably, the most definitive version of the great detective. Moody, suspenseful, and full of gothic foreboding, this version propelled Holmes towards cinematic immortality.
3. Sherlock Holmes (2009) & A Game of Shadows (2011)
Guy Ritchie ushered Holmes into the blockbusters: speedy action and steampunk aesthetic. Robert Downey Jr.’s eccentric brawling Holmes and Jude Law’s unflappable Watson are popcorn magic. Holmes can swing a fist and still solve the crime in style.
2. Sherlock (2010–2017)
Modern, witty, and razor-sharp, this BBC series reimagined Holmes for the 21st century. Benedict Cumberbatch’s brilliant, socially awkward Holmes and Martin Freeman’s grounded Watson are one of TV’s best duos. Add in Andrew Scott’s scene-stealing Moriarty, and you’ve got a modern classic.
1. The Sherlock Holmes Film Series (1939–1946)
Basil Rathbone’s 14-picture streak is the benchmark. Whether solving misty mysteries or World War II-era espionage, Rathbone’s Holmes is suave, collected, and eternally iconic. These black-and-white movies defined Holmes for generations—and still stand strong.
The Enduring Power of Sherlock Holmes
From Rathbone to Cumberbatch, from Disney rodents to blockbuster bruisers, Sherlock Holmes keeps changing while remaining constant at his core: relentless logic, piercing observation, and a touch of arrogance. His universe—be it located in gaslit London or contemporary tech metropolises—remains irretrievable for fans old and new. Whether you’re a longtime Sherlockian or just discovering his many on-screen lives, these adaptations prove one thing: Holmes is eternal, and the game will always be afoot.