Hercule Poirot Movies: Classic Era
The golden age of Poirot cinema began with Albert Finney's tour-de-force performance in the 1974 Murder on the Orient Express, which established the template for lavish, star-studded Christie adaptations. Peter Ustinov then took over the role, bringing his own charm to three theatrical features that maintained the same luxurious production values and ensemble cast approach.
While these films feature different actors as Poirot, they share a cohesive classical Hollywood style and represent the peak of Christie's cinematic popularity. Each mystery stands alone, making this an ideal watch order for experiencing the most celebrated era of Poirot on film.
There are 3 other watch orders available – see the links up above.
Murder on the Orient Express
Detective Hercule Poirot finds himself investigating a murder aboard the luxurious Orient Express when the train becomes snowbound in 1935.
Death on the Nile
Detective Hercule Poirot investigates the murder of a wealthy heiress aboard a luxurious Nile cruise ship, where every passenger becomes a suspect.
Evil Under the Sun
Hercule Poirot investigates the murder of a famous actress at a luxurious beach resort, working to identify the killer among the glamorous guests.
Appointment with Death
When the tyrannical stepmother of three children is found dead during a family holiday in the Holy Land, detective Hercule Poirot must unravel the mystery surrounding her murder at an archaeological dig.
Other Film Series
Bryan Edgar Wallace
A series of German crime thrillers produced by CCC Filmkunst in the 1960s-70s, marketed under the name of Edgar Wallace's son Bryan, featuring standalone mysteries with gothic atmosphere and masked killers.
Dr. Mabuse
A decades-spanning German crime thriller series following the criminal mastermind Dr. Mabuse through various incarnations, from Fritz Lang's original trilogy to 1960s sequels and later spiritual successors.
Escape Plan
An action trilogy following security expert Ray Breslin as he infiltrates and escapes from increasingly dangerous high-tech prisons.
Philip Marlowe
Film adaptations spanning eight decades featuring Raymond Chandler's iconic private detective Philip Marlowe, with different actors and interpretations across multiple eras.
Saw
A horror franchise centered on the elaborate death traps and moral philosophy of serial killer John Kramer, known as Jigsaw.
Sherlock Holmes
Feature films based on Arthur Conan Doyle's legendary detective, spanning multiple eras, actors, and interpretations across nearly a century of cinema.