If I had a dollar for every time a new Sherlock Holmes adaptation came out, I’d be rich. Arthur Conan Doyle first unleashed our favorite pipe-smoking consulting detective in 1887, and since then, every generation seems to have received a version of Holmes that it deserves. Very few characters have survived as many reinventions as Holmes has (maybe except for Pride and Prejudice), but regardless, I know I’ll be tuned in every single time.
With Young Sherlock debuting on Amazon Prime in 2026, audiences are once again getting a glimpse into Holmes’ life, this time into his time at Oxford, the beginnings of his relationship with his future arch enemy Moriarty, and his first ever case; the one that got the ball rolling on his entire career, essentially (though it isn’t canon.) The Holmes catalog is filled with some incredible—and underrated—adaptations, and now feels like the perfect time to revisit a few on Hulu, HBO Max, and more, and give them my personal ranking.
Holmes refuses to retire even though a literal century has passed since his first appearance, and that goes very well with his (slightly arrogant) never-back-down personality we’ve all grown to love. Let’s get started as the game’s afoot.
11. Sherlock & Daughter (2025)
The year before Young Sherlock hit streaming, we had Sherlock & Daughter. Amelia, a young lady (Blu Hunt) who’s convinced she’s Holmes’ (David Thewlis) biological daughter shows up at his home (because solving murders wasn’t complicated and complex enough.) In theory, the premise sounds interesting, and if you’re someone who enjoys some family drama baked into your mysteries, this one might be your jam.
I’ve been wanting to watch more of Thewlis’ work since the time he played Remus Lupin in the Harry Potter movies; his version of Holmes starts off a little too rude, though his dynamic with Amelia steadily improves, and they become a pretty good team by the end. I must admit, I was curious to watch the show as it’s a unique story where the smartest person in the room discovers something that isn’t in the detective handbook, but because the ending felt like it was resolved a bit too neatly, Sherlock & Daughter is at #11. This show might not be essential viewing, but Holmes fans who want to see him pushed into a new territory might enjoy this wild card entry.
10. Mr. Holmes (2015)
When I said Holmes refused to retire in the introduction, I clearly wasn’t talking about Mr. Holmes, where we get the legendary Ian McKellen starring as the 93-year-old retired Holmes, with a fading memory. Anyone who has wanted to experience Holmes’ later years, beyond his prime of solving mysteries and chasing criminals, has come to the right place.
Holmes struggles to remember his last case, and McKellen portrays a Holmes who’s reflective and human, in a way many of the other versions don’t. Once again, the plot is something new, but because it doesn’t function as traditional Sherlock story with puzzle-solving and deductions, Mr. Holmes drops to the lower end of the list. It’s a bit of a slower paced film which explores his complicated relationship with people, and if you were looking for something thrilling, you can’t go wrong with the classic BBC Sherlock instead. But if you want a different perspective on the world’s best detective, Mr. Holmes is worth giving a shot.
9. The Great Mouse Detective (1986)
Most people may say that including a detective mouse into a Sherlock Holmes list isn’t the way to go, but I’m not most people. I think this plucky mouse absolutely deserves a spot here. The Great Mouse Detective follows Basil of Baker Street (as a tribute to Basil Rathbone’s Holmes), a rodent detective who lives below Sherlock Holmes’ home at 221B Baker Street and solves crimes.
Like the 1983 animated films, The Great Mouse Detective will also appeal to everyone, as it contains a wonderful blend of animation, adventure, and clever Holmes references. I think this movie is one of Disney’s wildly underrated movies, and deserves so much more love and recognition than it currently receives. Basil’s eccentric personality and deductions feel very much inspired by the canonical character (who knew this quirky, rodent-sized detective would be so endearing?) Sure, because the target audience is primarily younger viewers, the narrative is simplified; that said, it doesn’t make the movie any less of a delight, and should definitely be on your watch list regardless of whether you’re a Holmes fan or not.
8. Young Sherlock Holmes (1985)
While most people know Hero Fiennes Tiffin as the titular Young Sherlock, there was a movie that was released way back in 1985 that explored this concept first in Young Sherlock Holmes. The film looks at the early friendship between Holmes and Watson at Brampton Academy in London where they stumble into a conspiracy involving hallucination-inducing darts and Egyptian cults (I bet this was out of syllabus, huh?)
Since it’s produced by Steven Spielberg, it’s not at all surprising that the movie contains a slightly fantastical edge. Think of it this way: Young Sherlock Holmes is what we’d get if Indiana Jones met Sherlock Holmes, and that’s a combination I can honestly get behind. Compared to the newer Young Sherlock, the 1985 version of course doesn’t have that sleek modern energy, which is kind of a given. Because the latter sometimes prioritizes spectacle (the movie has one of the earliest fully CGI characters), it enters the list at #8, nonetheless it was an unexpectedly fun romp. Fans of adventure-heavy mysteries like the ones Harry Potter embarks on will find a lot to love here.
7. Basil Rathbone’s Sherlock Holmes Films (1939-1946)
Over a course of 14 films, Basil Rathbone cemented himself as the first actor who truly defined Holmes on screen. Beginning with The Hound of the Baskervilles and continuing through lesser-known gems like The Woman in Green (my favorite!) Rathbone's Holmes is poised and confident, and somehow seems like the embodiment of the detective you imagine while reading the original stories by Arthur Conan Doyle.
Yes, these films are more traditional, making the production design feel a bit dated, but there’s a joy that can’t quite be matched while watching Holmes navigate the London streets in black-and-white. Also, here’s a fun bonus: two of the films, The Woman in Green and Dressed to Kill, are in the public domain, which means they can be streamed for free on our very own JustWatch TV! Classic film lovers and anyone curious about how Holmes has evolved in cinema should definitely check out Rathbone’s Sherlock Holmes. I’ll leave you with another fun fact: in The Great Mouse Detective, we hear Holmes in one of the scenes, and it was sampled from Rathbone’s voice!
6. Sherlock Holmes Animated TV Films (1983)
If you take a bit of time to dig into the Sherlock Holmes rabbit hole, you might find a little gem that sometimes gets swept under the rug: the animated Sherlock Holmes TV movies. Four of the original Holmes novels were adapted into animated films with Peter O’Toole voicing Holmes, and when I came across this adaptation, I found it oddly fascinating. Honestly, this may be one of those rare adaptations that everyone can appreciate. Kids will enjoy the vintage style animation, and adults will find the sincerity of the films intriguing.
The films don’t parody the detective, instead presenting the mysteries in a straightforward fashion with the kind of animation that is reminiscent of The Adventures of Tintin. Unlike the more fast paced entries on this list, the animated films are much more story-book paced, which can be refreshing if you’re tired of drama turned up to eleven. Like I mentioned, you’ll have 4 movies to choose from, so start with A Study In Scarlet and make your way through! The animation is definitely a product of its era, however, that’s exactly what I find charming about it and why it’s placed at #6. Some viewers may also find themselves gravitating towards the hybrid 2D-3D animation style and the sci-fi twist of Sherlock Holmes in the 22nd Century, which is yet another worthwhile animated series to look into.
5. Sherlock Holmes (2009)
I’ll never forget the first time I watched Guy Ritchie’s Sherlock Holmes. It was on a flight, and watching Robert Downey Jr. throwing punches in slow motion was something I wasn’t expecting, but after his diva-like antics in Iron Man and other Marvel projects (and I say this with love), it’s not completely out of left field that Downey would portray Holmes with just as much flair. Downey’s interpretation of Holmes is far from the more put together portrayal of Jeremy Brett; he’s messy and eccentric, but still brilliant.
Jude Law takes on Dr. Watson’s role, and their chemistry is also fantastic, making their partnership seem more like a buddy comedy, which isn’t very surprising considering the fact that Downey has excellent comedic timing, and works magic with his co-stars no matter who they are. Sherlock Holmes is extremely entertaining, and those who love stylish crime comedies like Snatch will have a blast with this one. If you’re done watching the first movie, head on over to the sequel, Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows for more Downey (is it ever enough?)
4. Elementary (2012)
Remember the good old days when shows would have like eight seasons, 30+ minutes each? Anyone who’s missing that format, but still hasn’t watched Elementary must rectify that, because this satisfying Sherlock adaptation ran for seven seasons and somehow still feels underrated. The show places Holmes (Jonny Lee Miller) as a recovering addict in New York City, with a gender-swapped Joan Watson (Lucy Liu). If you love a procedural with case-of-the-week mysteries and strong character arcs like The Mentalist, then you’ll feel right at home with Elementary.
The best thing about Elementary is that, unlike other procedurals like Lucifer and the aforementioned The Mentalist, this series doesn’t explore an eventual romantic relationship between our leads, making their platonic relationship an extremely sweet and refreshing change. Another interesting element is that the show takes its time developing its characters across dozens of cases; there’s no quick growth overnight. Miller and Liu steal the show, and for me, Liu’s Watson is the best interpretation of Watson, as she’s not just Holmes’ sidekick, but an equal. If you’re looking for a series you can binge for weeks, you’ve found it!
3. Miss Sherlock (2018)
Tired of Sherlock Holmes adaptations being dominated by men? Well, never fear, because we’ve got the brilliant titular Japanese female detective living in Tokyo in Miss Sherlock. In fact, our Sherlock and Wato-san (see what they did there?) are both female, and anyone who’s been craving an adaptation that highlights the world of Holmes from a different cultural perspective will find Miss Sherlock flips the script in the best possible way. The only qualm I have is that more people aren’t aware of it, which is why it lands at #3 in the list, falling behind the top 2 because it hasn’t reached the iconic status they have.
Nevertheless, Miss Sherlock is daring and punchy, bringing the quintessential Holmes into a brand new light, and it totally works. She doesn’t try to fit into the mold, instead she breaks it. Give the show a try, you’ll find clever mysteries and charismatic performances from all the characters, and the thrill of watching Holmes being reinvented without losing the core of what makes Holmes, well, Holmes is undeniable. If you want more badass female sleuths giving male detectives a run for their money in an East Asian setting like Miss Sherlock, check out Miss S, the Chinese adaptation of Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries that delivers just as much glam and mystery, only it’s set in Shanghai.
2. Sherlock (2010)
When most people hear the name ‘Sherlock Holmes,’ more often than not, they find it synonymous with the Benedict Cumberbatch BBC starrer, Sherlock. Cumberbatch’s Holmes lives in modern London, and brings forth an electric performance with a whirlwind of deductions, balanced perfectly by Martin Freeman’s warm Watson. Unless you’re genuinely not interested in mystery shows, Sherlock is an absolute must watch that everyone will love.
Viewers who prefer a traditional Victorian setting might find the vibe of modern London a bit off, but even then, don’t write the show off just yet. The first two seasons were television magic, with its witty banter, suspense, humor, and a Holmes and Watson duo that had so much chemistry that people were actually shipping the two romantically. Sherlock is just shy of the top spot because while it’s one of the best known adaptations of Sherlock Holmes, the later seasons fell a bit flat for me (please don’t come for me!) but it had nothing to do with Cumberbatch’s charisma; I’m just a fan of adaptations that are as close to the source material as possible (it's the reason why I rewatch the 1995 version of Pride and Prejudice so frequently.)
1. Sherlock Holmes (1984-1994)
Anyone who wants the purest possible Sherlock Holmes experience will find it in Sherlock Holmes, the Granada Television series starring Jeremy Brett. The series is extremely faithful to the original Sherlock Holmes canon, and for that reason it tops the list at #1. Brett truly embodies Holmes, and similar to Basil Rathbone’s portrayal, it feels as though we’re watching the stories visually leap off of the page, and each case comes alive, which might be the reason this version is such a fan-favorite.
The only minor quibble here would be that modern viewers might not love the production, as the series came out in 1984, but that's not that big of a deal when Brett dominates each frame, where it’s exciting to watch him even decades later. If you love Holmes, but haven’t gotten around to watching this series yet, please do, as Brett is the gold standard. Fans of mysteries in general, looking at getting into Sherlock Holmes lore will find this series to be the smoothest entry point (second to only the books), so start with A Scandal in Bohemia, and make your way through all 41 episodes!
