Sherlock Holmes Movies: Release Order
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.

The Return of Sherlock 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.

The Sleeping Cardinal
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.

The Hound of the Baskervilles
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.

Sherlock Holmes
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.

The Sign of Four: Sherlock Holmes' Greatest Case
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.

A Study in Scarlet
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.

The Triumph of Sherlock Holmes
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.

Silver Blaze
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.

The Hound of the Baskervilles
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.

The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes
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.

Sherlock Holmes and the Voice of Terror
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.

Sherlock Holmes and the Secret Weapon
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.

Sherlock Holmes in Washington
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.

Sherlock Holmes Faces Death
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.

The Spider Woman
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.

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

The Pearl of Death
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.

The House of Fear
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.

The Woman in Green
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.

Pursuit to Algiers
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.

Terror by Night
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.

Dressed to Kill
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.

The Hound of the Baskervilles
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.

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

A Study in Terror
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.

The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes
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.

The Adventure of Sherlock Holmes' Smarter Brother
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.

The Seven-Per-Cent Solution
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.

Murder by Decree
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.

Young Sherlock Holmes
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.

Without a Clue
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.

Sherlock Holmes
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.

Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows
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.

Mr. Holmes
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.

Holmes & Watson
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.

Enola Holmes
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.

Enola Holmes 2
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.
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.
Edgar Wallace
German crime thriller series from 1959-1972 that created a distinctive subgenre of atmospheric gothic mysteries, featuring recurring cast and iconic villains.
Hercule Poirot
Agatha Christie's famous Belgian detective has been adapted across multiple eras, from early talkies to modern star-studded ensembles.
Saw
A horror franchise centered on the elaborate death traps and moral philosophy of serial killer John Kramer, known as Jigsaw.
Scream
A meta-horror franchise following Sidney Prescott and others as they face various Ghostface killers, known for its self-aware commentary on slasher film tropes.