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| Love a Good Whodunnit? These Agatha Christie Films Still Deliver Twists, Drama and Brilliant Detectives. (Credits: IMDb) |
A murder mystery never really goes out of fashion, and that might explain why Agatha Christie remains one of the most adapted authors in film history. Whether it's a glamorous train packed with suspects, a haunted Venetian palazzo, or a remote island where nobody can be trusted, Christie’s stories continue to attract audiences decades after they were first published. In May 2026, streaming platforms are still packed with adaptations that prove a clever mystery can be every bit as gripping as the latest blockbuster. Some are elegant, some are delightfully theatrical, and a few are so packed with suspicious characters that trusting anyone feels like a terrible life decision.
Among the strongest titles currently available, A Haunting in Venice (2023) sits comfortably near the top. Directed by and starring Kenneth Branagh as the famously meticulous Hercule Poirot, the film takes the detective into a shadowy Venetian palazzo where a séance quickly turns into something far more sinister. Unlike traditional Christie adaptations, this one leans heavily into gothic atmosphere, making Venice itself feel like another suspect.
The cast, including Michelle Yeoh, Tina Fey, Jamie Dornan, and Kelly Reilly, brings plenty of star power, but the real attraction is how the film keeps viewers questioning whether the mystery is supernatural or simply another case of human greed. It's available on Hulu and remains one of the freshest entries in Christie cinema.
Before Venice, Branagh tackled one of Christie’s most celebrated novels with Murder on the Orient Express (2017). Set aboard the luxurious train crossing Europe, the film follows Poirot as he investigates a killing that leaves practically every passenger looking guilty.
The ensemble cast reads like an awards-season guest list, featuring Johnny Depp, Daisy Ridley, Judi Dench, Penélope Cruz, Willem Dafoe, and Michelle Pfeiffer. The film may be polished to the point where even the train looks more expensive than some small countries, but its central mystery remains brilliantly constructed.
Another modern adaptation worth revisiting is Death on the Nile (2022). Once again led by Branagh, the story swaps train compartments for the stunning landscapes of Egypt. A luxurious honeymoon quickly descends into chaos after a shocking murder, forcing Poirot to untangle a web of jealousy, secrets, and personal rivalries.
The film's visuals are undeniably lavish, although viewers occasionally joked online that everyone appeared too glamorous to possibly be involved in wrongdoing. Naturally, Christie had other ideas.
Fans looking for classic mystery cinema should not overlook The Mirror Crack’d (1980). Featuring Angela Lansbury as Miss Marple, the film combines village intrigue with Hollywood drama when a poisoning occurs during a film production in St Mary Mead.
With screen legends Elizabeth Taylor, Kim Novak, Rock Hudson, and Geraldine Chaplin involved, the movie often feels like a mystery wrapped inside a celebrity gathering. Thankfully, Marple remains the smartest person in the room, which is fortunate because nearly everyone else seems busy creating new reasons to look suspicious.
One of the most influential Christie adaptations ever made remains And Then There Were None (1945). Directed by René Clair, the film traps a group of strangers on an isolated island where guests begin disappearing one by one.
Long before modern survival thrillers became fashionable, Christie had already perfected the formula. The film's atmosphere remains remarkably effective even today, proving that fear does not need elaborate effects when paranoia is doing most of the work.
Another overlooked gem is Evil Under the Sun (1982). Once again featuring Peter Ustinov as Poirot, the story unfolds at an idyllic holiday resort where a glamorous actress is found dead.
Naturally, a beautiful seaside escape immediately becomes everyone's worst holiday memory. The film balances humour, mystery, and sunshine surprisingly well while delivering a satisfying investigation.
For viewers interested in Poirot's earlier screen adventures, Appointment with Death (1988) deserves attention. Set in Jerusalem, the story centres on the murder of an overbearing matriarch whose family members all seem to have motives.
That may sound straightforward, but Christie never made life easy for detectives. Peter Ustinov's Poirot once again carries the story with charm and intelligence, navigating a maze of family tensions and hidden agendas.
Another adaptation that deserves more appreciation is Witness for the Prosecution (1957). Based on Christie’s famous courtroom story, the film stars Tyrone Power, Marlene Dietrich, and Charles Laughton.
Rather than focusing on a detective investigation, it unfolds through legal battles and shocking revelations. The twists arrive with such precision that even experienced mystery fans may find themselves caught off guard.
Of course, no discussion of Christie adaptations would be complete without mentioning Crooked House (2017). While not as famous as Poirot or Miss Marple stories, it delivers one of Christie’s most unexpectedly ruthless mysteries.
The dysfunctional family at its centre spends so much time accusing each other that viewers may wonder whether solving the crime is even the biggest problem in the household.
Fan reactions to these films remain surprisingly divided. Many viewers praise A Haunting in Venice for refreshing the Christie formula with a darker and more atmospheric style, while others still argue that the classic adaptations from the 1940s through the 1980s capture the author's spirit more faithfully.
On social media, some mystery enthusiasts continue debating whether Kenneth Branagh's flamboyant Poirot is a bold reinvention or simply a detective with a spectacular moustache and endless confidence. Meanwhile, nostalgia-driven audiences regularly champion Angela Lansbury and Peter Ustinov, insisting their performances remain unmatched.
What remains undisputed is Christie’s remarkable ability to keep audiences guessing. Nearly a century after many of these novels first appeared, viewers are still eagerly trying to spot clues, identify suspects, and convince themselves they have solved the mystery before the final reveal. Usually, they haven't. That's part of the fun.
Have a favourite Agatha Christie adaptation that deserves more recognition? Are you team Poirot, team Miss Marple, or simply here for the dramatic suspects and impossible mysteries? Join the conversation and share which Christie film fooled you the most—and which ending you genuinely never saw coming.