Sherlock Holmes Movies: Release Order

1929 - 202238 Films55h 0m3.5 Average

Sherlock Holmes has appeared in more films than perhaps any other fictional character, creating a vast cinematic legacy spanning from the early sound era to modern blockbusters. Based on Arthur Conan Doyle's brilliant detective stories, these films represent countless interpretations, reboots, and reimaginings across nearly a century of filmmaking.

This watch order includes all major theatrical releases, from early 1930s adaptations through the iconic Basil Rathbone series, standalone classics like The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes, modern action reboots with Robert Downey Jr., and recent entries like the Enola Holmes films. While most films are unconnected and offer their own take on the character, this comprehensive list showcases the remarkable evolution of Holmes on the big screen and the enduring appeal of the world's greatest consulting detective.

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

1
The Return of Sherlock Holmes poster

The Return of Sherlock Holmes

19291h 11m
Director: Basil Dean
Cast: Clive Brook, H. Reeves-Smith, Betty Lawford, Charles Hay, Phillips Holmes

This groundbreaking 1929 film marked the first time the legendary detective Sherlock Holmes appeared in a sound picture, bringing Arthur Conan Doyle's iconic character to life with spoken dialogue for the first time in cinema history.

Mystery
2
The Sleeping Cardinal poster

The Sleeping Cardinal

19311h 24m2.6
Director: Leslie S. Hiscott
Cast: Arthur Wontner, Ian Fleming, Minnie Rayner, Leslie Perrins, Jane Welsh

Sherlock Holmes investigates a criminal enterprise he suspects is controlled by his nemesis Professor Moriarty, which involves blackmailing a card cheat into joining their schemes.

MysteryCrime
3
The Hound of the Baskervilles poster

The Hound of the Baskervilles

19311h 12m3.6
Director: Gareth Gundrey
Cast: John Stuart, Robert Rendel, Frederick Lloyd, Heather Angel, Reginald Bach

When Sir Henry Baskerville inherits his uncle's estate on the desolate moors of Devonshire, Sherlock Holmes must investigate a sinister plot involving a deadly hound that threatens the new heir's life.

HorrorCrimeMystery
4
Sherlock Holmes poster

Sherlock Holmes

19321h 8m2.5
Director: William K. Howard
Cast: Clive Brook, Miriam Jordan, Ernest Torrence, Herbert Mundin, Reginald Owen

When his arch-nemesis Professor Moriarty escapes from prison and threatens to kill him along with other key figures from his trial, Sherlock Holmes must postpone his planned retirement to stop the criminal mastermind's revenge plot.

DramaMysteryCrime
5
The Missing Rembrandt poster

The Missing Rembrandt

19321h 24m
Director: Leslie S. Hiscott
Cast: Arthur Wontner, Jane Welsh, Miles Mander, Francis L. Sullivan, Ian Fleming

Sherlock Holmes investigates the theft of a valuable Rembrandt painting in this early mystery film.

DramaMystery
6
The Sign of Four: Sherlock Holmes' Greatest Case poster

The Sign of Four: Sherlock Holmes' Greatest Case

19321h 17m2
Director: Graham Cutts
Cast: Arthur Wontner, Isla Bevan, Ian Hunter, Graham Soutten, Herbert Lomas

A young woman seeks Holmes' protection from an escaped killer hunting for missing treasure, but when she's kidnapped, the detective and Watson must navigate the criminal underworld to rescue her.

MysteryThrillerRomanceCrimeAction
7
A Study in Scarlet poster

A Study in Scarlet

19331h 12m2.8
Director: Edwin L. Marin
Cast: Reginald Owen, June Clyde, Alan Mowbray, Warburton Gamble, Doris Lloyd

Sherlock Holmes investigates a mysterious secret society whose members are dying one by one, leaving their widows destitute. As the detective delves deeper, he must uncover the truth behind the deadly conspiracy before more lives are lost.

CrimeMysteryThriller
8
The Triumph of Sherlock Holmes poster

The Triumph of Sherlock Holmes

19351h 24m2.7
Director: Leslie S. Hiscott
Cast: Arthur Wontner, Lyn Harding, Leslie Perrins, Ian Fleming, Charles Mortimer

Retired detective Sherlock Holmes is drawn into one final case when his nemesis Moriarty orchestrates a plot with an American gang to murder a mysterious English gentleman. Holmes must use all his deductive skills to unravel a complex mystery that spans from the English countryside to the dangerous Vermissa Valley.

ThrillerMysteryCrime
9
Silver Blaze poster

Silver Blaze

19371h 11m2.8
Director: Thomas Bentley
Cast: Arthur Wontner, Ian Fleming, John Turnbull, Lawrence Grossmith, Robert Horton

Holmes' vacation with Sir Henry Baskerville is interrupted when he becomes entangled in a double-murder mystery involving his nemesis Professor Moriarty and a missing racehorse named Silver Blaze.

CrimeMystery
10
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
11
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
12
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
13
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
14
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
15
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
16
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
17
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
18
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
19
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
20
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
21
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
22
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.

MysteryCrimeThriller
23
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.

MysteryCrimeThriller
24
The Hound of the Baskervilles poster

The Hound of the Baskervilles

19591h 27m3.9
Director: Terence Fisher
Cast: Peter Cushing, André Morell, Christopher Lee, Marla Landi, David Oxley

When a nobleman faces a deadly family curse involving a supernatural hound on his inherited estate, Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson investigate the mysterious deaths plaguing the Baskerville family.

MysteryThrillerHorror
25
Sherlock Holmes and the Deadly Necklace poster

Sherlock Holmes and the Deadly Necklace

19621h 23m2.8
Original Title: Sherlock Holmes und das Halsband des Todes
Director: Terence Fisher
Cast: Christopher Lee, Thorley Walters, Hans Söhnker, Hans Nielsen, Senta Berger

Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson search for Cleopatra's stolen ancient necklace in this classic mystery adventure.

DramaMysteryThriller
26
A Study in Terror poster

A Study in Terror

19651h 35m3.5
Director: James Hill
Cast: John Neville, Donald Houston, John Fraser, Anthony Quayle, Barbara Windsor

Sherlock Holmes investigates the notorious Jack the Ripper murders in Victorian London's Whitechapel district. Using his legendary deductive skills, Holmes follows clues through London's dark underworld to uncover the identity and motive of the infamous serial killer.

CrimeDramaHorrorMystery
27
The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes poster

The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes

19702h 5m3.9
Director: Billy Wilder
Cast: Robert Stephens, Colin Blakely, Geneviève Page, Christopher Lee, Tamara Toumanova

Holmes and Dr. Watson investigate the mysterious disappearance of a woman's husband, leading them through a bizarre case involving missing persons, ancient castles, and strange experiments in the Scottish Highlands.

MysteryComedyCrimeAdventureHistory
28
The Adventure of Sherlock Holmes' Smarter Brother poster

The Adventure of Sherlock Holmes' Smarter Brother

19751h 31m3.2
Director: Gene Wilder
Cast: Gene Wilder, Madeline Kahn, Marty Feldman, Dom DeLuise, Leo McKern

After years living in the shadow of his famous brother, consulting detective Sigerson Holmes gets his chance to shine when he's called upon to solve a crucial case. His investigation leads him through a comedic adventure filled with false identities, stolen documents, and secret codes.

ComedyCrimeMystery
29
The Seven-Per-Cent Solution poster

The Seven-Per-Cent Solution

19761h 53m3.4
Director: Herbert Ross
Cast: Alan Arkin, Vanessa Redgrave, Robert Duvall, Nicol Williamson, Laurence Olivier

Dr. Watson tricks cocaine-addicted Sherlock Holmes into traveling to Vienna for treatment by Sigmund Freud. While Freud attempts to analyze Holmes' psychological issues, the detective becomes involved in solving a kidnapping case.

MysteryThriller
30
Murder by Decree poster

Murder by Decree

19792h 4m3.5
Director: Bob Clark
Cast: Christopher Plummer, James Mason, David Hemmings, Susan Clark, Anthony Quayle

Sherlock Holmes investigates the Jack the Ripper murders in London's East End, uncovering a conspiracy that reaches the highest levels of British society. With Dr. Watson's help, Holmes discovers the killings may be connected to a royal scandal and political cover-up.

CrimeMysteryThriller
31
Young Sherlock Holmes poster

Young Sherlock Holmes

19851h 49m3.8
Director: Barry Levinson
Cast: Nicholas Rowe, Alan Cox, Sophie Ward, Anthony Higgins, Susan Fleetwood

Young Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson meet as students at an English boarding school, where Holmes already displays his legendary deductive abilities. When they uncover a mysterious plot involving an Egyptian cult, the teenage duo must use their wits to solve the case.

MysteryAdventure
32
Without a Clue poster

Without a Clue

19881h 47m3.7
Director: Thom Eberhardt
Cast: Michael Caine, Ben Kingsley, Jeffrey Jones, Lysette Anthony, Nigel Davenport

In this comedic twist on the classic detective stories, Dr. Watson is revealed to be the true brains behind Sherlock Holmes' success, having hired an actor to play the famous detective. When Watson tries to work independently, he discovers that the fictional Holmes has become too iconic in the public's imagination.

ComedyCrime
33
Sherlock Holmes poster

Sherlock Holmes

20092h 9m4.2
Director: Guy Ritchie
Cast: Robert Downey Jr., Jude Law, Rachel McAdams, Mark Strong, Eddie Marsan

Eccentric consulting detective Sherlock Holmes and his loyal partner Dr. John Watson face off against a dangerous new adversary in a thrilling mystery that threatens the very fabric of Victorian England.

ActionAdventureCrimeMystery
34
Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows poster

Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows

20112h 9m4.1
Director: Guy Ritchie
Cast: Robert Downey Jr., Jude Law, Noomi Rapace, Jared Harris, Rachel McAdams

Sherlock Holmes faces his greatest challenge yet when he encounters Professor Moriarty, a criminal mastermind who matches his intellect but surpasses him in ruthlessness and evil intent.

AdventureActionCrimeMystery
35
Mr. Holmes poster

Mr. Holmes

20151h 44m3.6
Director: Bill Condon
Cast: Ian McKellen, Laura Linney, Milo Parker, Hiroyuki Sanada, Roger Allam

An aging Sherlock Holmes in 1947 struggles with his failing memory while attempting to solve the final case that forced him into retirement, with help from his housekeeper's young son.

DramaCrimeFamilyMystery
36
Holmes & Watson poster

Holmes & Watson

20181h 30m1.8
Director: Etan Cohen
Cast: Will Ferrell, John C. Reilly, Rebecca Hall, Kelly Macdonald, Rob Brydon

Detective Sherlock Holmes and Dr. John Watson must solve a mysterious murder at Buckingham Palace, with all evidence pointing to their nemesis Professor Moriarty. As new clues emerge, the duo has only four days to catch the real killer before the queen becomes the next target.

ComedyMysteryCrime
37
Enola Holmes poster

Enola Holmes

20202h 3m4.2
Director: Harry Bradbeer
Cast: Millie Bobby Brown, Henry Cavill, Sam Claflin, Helena Bonham Carter, Louis Partridge

When her mother mysteriously disappears, teenage Enola Holmes uses her detective skills to search for clues while proving she's just as capable as her famous brother Sherlock.

AdventureMysteryCrime
38
Enola Holmes 2 poster

Enola Holmes 2

20222h 11m4.3
Director: Harry Bradbeer
Cast: Millie Bobby Brown, Henry Cavill, David Thewlis, Louis Partridge, Susan Wokoma

Enola Holmes embarks on her first official case as a detective-for-hire, searching for a missing girl while uncovering a dangerous conspiracy that requires help from her famous brother Sherlock.

AdventureMysteryCrime