The Best Detective Movies & Shows If You Loved ‘Enola Holmes 3’
By the time Enola Holmes 3 wraps up, it's obvious why Netflix's detective franchise is so popular. This time, Enola (Millie Bobby Brown) is preparing for her wedding to Lord Tewkesbury (Louis Partridge) when her brother, Sherlock Holmes (Henry Cavill), is kidnapped. Part of Enola's appeal is that she trusts her instincts just as much as the clues in front of her.
Enola's natural curiosity and impulsiveness also tend to get her in trouble because she acts before thinking things through. There are lots of other movies and television shows with the same vibe. Some feature brilliant detectives solving impossible murders, while others focus on younger investigators who are still figuring things out. All of them can be found on streaming platforms like Netflix and Disney+.
Enola Holmes 3 wouldn't have been possible if Enola Holmes hadn't brought Sherlock Holmes' younger sister to the big screen. Based on The Enola Holmes Mysteries novel series by Nancy Springer, the story follows the titular heroine who wakes up on her 16th birthday to discover that her mother, Eudoria Holmes (Helena Bonham Carter), has mysteriously disappeared.
The movie does a fantastic job of showcasing Enola's intelligence without constantly comparing her to Sherlock. And her habit of breaking the fourth wall gives it a fun vibe that differentiates it from more serious detective dramas. While the mystery is entertaining, Enola's personality essentially carries the entire story. Anyone who enjoys adventure-led mysteries instead of murder stories will love it.
The 2010 BBC series, Sherlock, reimagines Sherlock Holmes (Benedict Cumberbatch) and Dr. John Watson (Martin Freeman) in modern-day London, where they investigate everything from murders to international conspiracies. They also cross paths with Mycroft Holmes (Mark Gatiss), Inspector Greg Lestrade (Rupert Graves), and Sherlock's greatest enemy, Jim Moriarty (Andrew Scott).
The series also deals with the complicated relationships Sherlock has with the people around him, particularly Watson, whose friendship keeps him grounded. Cumberbatch plays Sherlock as brilliant but deeply flawed, which makes him feel like someone whose greatest strength is also his biggest weakness. The show is perfect for anyone who loves character-driven detective stories like Endeavour (2012).
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Based on Agatha Christie's classic novel, Murder on the Orient Express follows world-famous detective Hercule Poirot (Kenneth Branagh) as he heads back to London on the Orient Express. But his quiet trip home is interrupted when a wealthy businessman is murdered in his cabin, leaving Poirot with a train full of passengers who all seem to have something to hide.
As he interviews suspects, Poirot realizes the truth is far more complicated than a simple murder investigation. Branagh's version of the famous detective is wonderfully methodical. And even if you've read the book, it's hard not to get pulled into trying to solve the mystery before he does. It's an ideal pick for fans of traditional whodunits like 2022's See How They Run.
Knives Out opens with the apparent suicide of bestselling crime novelist Harlan Thrombey (Christopher Plummer). But private detective Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig) isn't convinced the case is as straightforward as it seems. As he questions Harlan's argumentative family and Harlan's nurse Marta Cabrera (Ana de Armas), Blanc uncovers several motives for murder hidden inside family secrets.
One of the smartest things Knives Out does is tell the audience more than a typical murder mystery usually would. Instead of asking who committed the crime, the movie keeps changing the questions, which makes every new revelation feel fresh. Anyone who enjoyed Only Murders in the Building (2021) will probably have a great time watching this movie.
The Nancy Drew series reimagines one of fiction's most famous teenage detectives for a new generation. The story follows the titular detective (Kennedy McMann) who finds herself investigating the murder of a local socialite. She eventually teams up with her restaurant co-workers George (Leah Lewis), Bess (Maddison Jaizani), Ace (Alex Saxon), and mechanic Nick (Tunji Kasim) to crack the case.
Unlike the books, this series isn't afraid to fully embrace horror. There are lots of genuinely creepy moments. But the series never loses sight of the relationships holding everything together. Anyone who enjoyed Wednesday (2022) will probably feel right at home with Nancy and her pals thanks to how perfectly the overarching mystery mixes with supernatural storytelling.
Long before Sherlock Holmes became a legendary detective, he was developing his sharp observational skills at Oxford University in Young Sherlock. The series follows the titular hero (Hero Fiennes Tiffin) as he figures out his place in the world. He eventually gets drawn into increasingly dangerous investigations and mysteries far beyond what anyone expects a 19-year-old boy to solve.
The young cast brings plenty of energy to the story, while the serialized mysteries allow Sherlock's growth to feel natural instead of rushed. Although the story becomes surprisingly dark at times, the series balances its suspense with enough adventure to keep things light. It's a great choice for fans of Vienna Blood (2019) or other shows where young protagonists uncover dangerous secrets.
