Sherlock Holmes Movies: Rathbone Era

1939 - 194614 Films16h 17m3.8 Average

Basil Rathbone is widely considered the definitive cinematic Sherlock Holmes, starring alongside Nigel Bruce as Dr. Watson in this legendary 14-film series. Beginning with two prestige Fox productions set in Victorian England, the series moved to Universal Pictures and was modernized to the 1940s wartime setting, with Holmes fighting Nazi agents and contemporary criminals.

Despite the shift from period pieces to modern adventures, this watch order maintains remarkable internal consistency and represents the most extensive connected Holmes film series ever produced. Rathbone's sharp portrayal and the films' blend of mystery and adventure created the template for countless future adaptations.

There are 5 other watch orders available – see the links up above.

1
The Hound of the Baskervilles poster

The Hound of the Baskervilles

19391h 20m4.1
Director: Sidney Lanfield
Cast: Richard Greene, Basil Rathbone, Wendy Barrie, Nigel Bruce, Lionel Atwill

Sherlock Holmes investigates the mysterious death of Sir Henry Baskerville's uncle, who locals believe was killed by a legendary supernatural hound that has terrorized the Devonshire moors for centuries.

MysteryCrimeThriller
2
The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes poster

The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes

19391h 25m4
Director: Alfred L. Werker
Cast: Basil Rathbone, Nigel Bruce, Ida Lupino, Alan Marshal, Terry Kilburn

Professor Moriarty devises an elaborate scheme to defeat his greatest adversary, Sherlock Holmes, by orchestrating what he believes to be the perfect crime. The master detective must use all his skills to outwit his nemesis and prevent a diabolical plot involving England's most precious treasures.

CrimeMysteryThriller
3
Sherlock Holmes and the Voice of Terror poster

Sherlock Holmes and the Voice of Terror

19421h 5m3.6
Director: John Rawlins
Cast: Basil Rathbone, Nigel Bruce, Evelyn Ankers, Reginald Denny, Thomas Gomez

During World War Two, mysterious Nazi radio broadcasts predict terrorist attacks in England before they happen, prompting the Defense Committee to call in Sherlock Holmes to solve this baffling case.

CrimeMysteryThrillerHorror
4
Sherlock Holmes and the Secret Weapon poster

Sherlock Holmes and the Secret Weapon

19421h 8m3.5
Director: Roy William Neill
Cast: Basil Rathbone, Nigel Bruce, Lionel Atwill, William Post Jr., Kaaren Verne

During World War II, Sherlock Holmes must protect a Swiss inventor of a revolutionary bomb-sight from both the Gestapo and his archenemy Professor Moriarty.

MysteryThrillerCrime
5
Sherlock Holmes in Washington poster

Sherlock Holmes in Washington

19431h 11m3.8
Director: Roy William Neill
Cast: Basil Rathbone, Nigel Bruce, Marjorie Lord, Henry Daniell, George Zucco

During World War II, Sherlock Holmes is called upon by the British government to recover a vital document after a secret agent carrying it is kidnapped on his way to Washington.

MysteryCrimeThriller
6
Sherlock Holmes Faces Death poster

Sherlock Holmes Faces Death

19431h 8m3.9
Director: Roy William Neill
Cast: Basil Rathbone, Nigel Bruce, Dennis Hoey, Hillary Brooke, Mary Gordon

During WWII, Dr. Watson calls upon Sherlock Holmes to investigate a series of murders at a convalescent home where Watson volunteers. The master detective must sift through numerous suspects among the staff, patients, and owners to solve the deadly mystery.

MysteryCrimeHorror
7
The Spider Woman poster

The Spider Woman

19431h 3m3.9
Director: Roy William Neill
Cast: Basil Rathbone, Nigel Bruce, Gale Sondergaard, Dennis Hoey, Vernon Downing

Sherlock Holmes investigates a series of mysterious "pajama suicides" and discovers they're orchestrated by a cunning female villain as dangerous as his nemesis Moriarty.

MysteryCrimeThriller
8
The Scarlet Claw poster

The Scarlet Claw

19441h 14m4
Director: Roy William Neill
Cast: Basil Rathbone, Nigel Bruce, Gerald Hamer, Paul Cavanagh, Arthur Hohl

Sherlock Holmes investigates a mysterious murder in a remote village where locals believe a supernatural monster is responsible for a woman's gruesome death.

MysteryCrimeThriller
9
The Pearl of Death poster

The Pearl of Death

19441h 9m4.1
Director: Roy William Neill
Cast: Basil Rathbone, Nigel Bruce, Dennis Hoey, Evelyn Ankers, Miles Mander

When the cursed Borgia Pearl is stolen from London due to Sherlock Holmes' mistake, a series of brutal murders follows with victims found surrounded by smashed china. Holmes must track down the killer before more lives are lost to this deadly gem's curse.

ThrillerMysteryCrime
10
The House of Fear poster

The House of Fear

19451h 9m3.9
Director: Roy William Neill
Cast: Basil Rathbone, Nigel Bruce, Aubrey Mather, Paul Cavanagh, Dennis Hoey

When members of an exclusive gentlemen's club begin dying mysteriously at their remote estate, their insurance agent calls upon Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson to investigate the sinister occurrences.

MysteryCrimeHorror
11
The Woman in Green poster

The Woman in Green

19451h 8m3.6
Director: Roy William Neill
Cast: Basil Rathbone, Nigel Bruce, Hillary Brooke, Henry Daniell, Paul Cavanagh

Sherlock Holmes investigates a series of murders involving young women in London, each found with a severed finger. While Scotland Yard believes a madman is responsible, Holmes suspects a more sinister plot is at work.

MysteryCrimeThriller
12
Pursuit to Algiers poster

Pursuit to Algiers

19451h 5m3.9
Director: Roy William Neill
Cast: Basil Rathbone, Nigel Bruce, Marjorie Riordan, Rosalind Ivan, Morton Lowry

Holmes and Watson must protect the heir to the throne of Ruthenia during a dangerous ocean voyage to Europe, while suspicious passengers aboard their ship may be plotting another assassination.

MysteryCrimeThriller
13
Terror by Night poster

Terror by Night

19461h3.6
Director: Roy William Neill
Cast: Basil Rathbone, Nigel Bruce, Alan Mowbray, Dennis Hoey, Renee Godfrey

Holmes and Watson board a train from London to Edinburgh to guard a valuable diamond, but when murder strikes and the gem is stolen, they must identify the killer among their fellow passengers.

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14
Dressed to Kill poster

Dressed to Kill

19461h 12m3.7
Director: Roy William Neill
Cast: Basil Rathbone, Nigel Bruce, Patricia Morison, Frederick Worlock, Harry Cording

When innocent purchasers of music boxes start being murdered, Holmes and Watson investigate a case connected to stolen Bank of England printing plates hidden by a convicted thief.

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