Sherlock Holmes is not only a detective—he’s a shapeshifter of culture. Ever since Sir Arthur Conan Doyle brought him to life in 1887, Holmes has been reprised, rebooted, and spoofed more times than we can say. If you’re a die-hard devotee of the original deerstalker hat or you simply love a smart mystery, there’s certainly a Holmes somewhere out there who’ll catch you. So let’s take a trip through the 10 best Sherlock Holmes adaptations ever—counting down from ten, of course, because we’re keeping things a little mysterious.
10. Enola Holmes (2020) and Enola Holmes 2 (2022)
These Netflix originals turn the spotlight away from Sherlock and onto his teenage sister, Enola. Millie Bobby Brown plays her with charm and fire, while Henry Cavill gives us a warmer, more human Sherlock than we’re used to seeing. That portrayal even sparked a lawsuit from the Conan Doyle estate, which insisted Holmes should be emotionally distant. But the mix of mystery, action, and clever twists makes these films a fun and fresh take on the Holmes universe—even if they’re not strictly canon.
9. Young Sherlock Holmes (1985)
Ever wondered what Watson and Sherlock were like in high school? This movie fantasizes their initial encounter at a British boarding school, where deaths begin to accumulate. Nicholas Rowe portrays a teenage, emotionally rawer Holmes, and the movie delves into what could have made him the notoriously detached detective. It’s not part of Doyle’s original works, but it’s a delightfully light-hearted, slightly poignant origin story—ideal for newcomers and long-time fans.
8. Mr. Holmes (2015)
This one transports us to an entirely different location: Sherlock Holmes in his 90s, long retired and suffering from memory loss. Played with quiet brilliance by Ian McKellen, Holmes resides in the countryside, tormented by a last, unsolved case. Rather than dwelling on solutions to mysteries, the movie looks at Holmes himself—his regrets, his limitations, and the man behind the myth. It’s a slower, more contemplative take, and one that provides something uncommon: vulnerability.
7. Sherlock Holmes (2009) and Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows (2011)
Robert Downey Jr. brings swagger, grit, and a touch of chaos to the Holmes moniker in these action-packed thrillers. Guy Ritchie directs with verve and panache, presenting us with a Holmes who’s as at home throwing punches as he is examining a crime scene. Yes, it’s a more violent interpretation of the detective, but it’s also rooted in elements of Doyle’s stories—Holmes was a pugilist, after all. There have been rumors of a third film for years now, and fans are still hoping it materializes.
6. House (2004–2012)
Yes, House. On the surface, it’s a medical drama. But look a little closer, and you’ll see it’s a brilliant Holmes homage. Dr. Gregory House is moody, brilliant, and addicted to painkillers. His best friend, Dr. Wilson, plays the loyal Watson role. Even his apartment number is 221B. The mysteries are medical, not criminal, but the essence of Holmes is all over the show. It’s a clever modern spin that’s less obvious—but intentional.
5. Elementary (2012–2019)
This US show turns the script on its head in all the best possible ways. Jonny Lee Miller’s Sherlock is a recovering addict working crimes in New York, and Lucy Liu’s Joan Watson introduces a new dynamic to the classic partnership. The show doesn’t simply update. Holmeit reimagines major characters and creates a richly emotional, platonic bond at its heart. Over seven seasons, it charts a clever, intelligent narrative about healing, partnership, and individual development, all dressed up in intelligent detective work.
4. The Hound of the Baskervilles (1959)
One of the finest movie versions of Doyle’s most popular tale, this one goes all in on gothic horror. Peter Cushing portrays Holmes with accuracy and bite, while the atmospheric sets and creepy mood establish a winning formula for tension. It’s a period piece, certainly, but the combination of mystery and terror holds up. Cushing’s interpretation of Holmes would come back in subsequent films, but this remains one of the best.
3. The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes (1939–1946)
To most, Basil Rathbone is Sherlock Holmes. Calm, quick-witted, and classically British, his interpretation of Holmes appeared in 14 films with Nigel Bruce’s more comedic Watson. Some tales remained in the Victorian era, but others were transposed to a World War II era, yet Rathbone’s presence was always compelling. By the Lexington County Public Library, his performance established Holmes for a generation—and still affects portrayals today.
2. Sherlock (2010–2017)
Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman transported Holmes and Watson into the smartphone era with this BBC sensation. Frenetic, intelligent, and full of tricks, the show reimagined the classic tales in contemporary style. Cumberbatch’s Holmes is intense, emotionally complex, and compelling. Freeman’s Watson is down-to-earth and sympathetic, lending the show genuine heart. The relationship between them was instrumental in making the show a worldwide phenomenon, and the style of storytelling set a new benchmark for mystery television.
1. The Jeremy Brett Series (1984–1994)
Ask die-hard Holmes enthusiasts who did the deerstalker best, and most will name Jeremy Brett. In a span of four Granada TV productions—The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, The Return of Sherlock Holmes, The Case-Book of Sherlock Holmes, and The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes—Brett portrayed a Holmes that seemed to jump off the page. He was intense, quirky, and profoundly devoted to verisimilitude, down to reproducing the original drawings. His health took a toll, but his legacy is unparalleled. As the New York Times once summarized, he was the one and only Holmes for many, with a performance that was brilliant, brooding, and infinitely watchable.
Holmes has been many things over the centuries—Victorian gentleman, steampunk action hero, recovering addict, even teen detective. And that’s part of the reason he’s ageless. Regardless of the era, location, or platform, Sherlock Holmes continues to challenge our brains, defy the status quo, and transform. And truthfully? That’s precisely what makes him so legendary.