The Queen of Mystery, the weaver behind countless tales of mystery, deception, and murders most foul, Agatha Christie is a name not easily lost to the pages of history. Christie, with her knack for crafting intricate plots and iconic characters, has been spellbinding readers for generations. Now as long as she held the pen, ensuring the readers’ intrigue till the last page was no task. But her stories have taken life beyond those dusted pages of books. What do you think about those adaptations?
From the big screen to the small screen, there have been countless attempts to translate Christie’s genius into film and television. Many have tried but not every hiker reaches the mountaintop, they do get pretty close though. So, grab your magnifying glass and join me as we explore the 10 best Agatha Christie adaptations that have graced our screens so far.
Related:Why Are Agatha Christie’s Classic Mysteries Being Rewritten?
1. ‘Murder On The Orient Express’ (2017)
2017’s Murder on the Orient Express takes viewers on a thrilling journey on a luxury train. Detective Hercule Poirot, portrayed brilliantly by Kenneth Branagh, stumbles upon a tangled scam and takes it upon himself to detangle it. With a stellar star-studded cast including Johnny Depp and Michelle Pfeiffer and their compelling performances its a must-watch for every Agatha Christie fan. That paired with the lavish production design earned this movie an Academy Award nod for Best Achievement in Fashion Drawing. It’s not just an adaptation but a visual feast that pays homage to Christie’s timeless mystery and whimsy. Unsurprisingly, this film tops our list for its flawless artwork and timeless appeal.
2. ‘And Then There Were None’ (2015)
2015’s ‘And Then There Were None’ is another one of Christie’s mysteries embodied into a masterful screenplay directed by Craig Viveiros. This 2015 adaptation delivers a suspenseful tale of ten strangers who are falsly lured to a remote island only to be charged with crimes they did not commit. With a stellar cast led by Douglas Booth and Maeve Dermody, this adaptation stays true to Christie’s original story, keeping viewers on the edge of their seats until the very end. Praised for its atmospheric tension and loyalty to the author’s vision this adaptation earns its spot as number 2 on our list for its masterful storytelling.
3. ‘Death On The Nile’ (1978)
1978’s ‘Death on the Nile’ takes viewers on another one of Detective Poirot’s mystery filled voyages and this time is a luxury cruise along the river Nile. On the waters, our detective Hercule Poirot becomes involved in yet another murder mystery. In this 70s gem, Peter Ustinov leads the cast as Poirot, playing the part to perfection. With a nod for an Academy Award for Best Costume Design, this film takes viewers into a world of glamor that sets it apart in the Christie canon. Securing third place on our list, ‘Death on the Nile’ is a classic whodunit that delivers thrills and suspense in equal measure.
4. ‘The ABC Murders’ (2018)
2018’s ‘The ABC Murders’ puts a fresh spin on Christie’s classic tale of detective Poirot’s face-off against a cunning serial killer. For the cast what we have here is John Malkovich as our beloved Poirot and everyone’s favorite ginger from ‘Harry Potter’ Rupert Grint as Inspector Crome. Unsurprisingly as it is for the tales of the great Agatha, this Alex Gabassi-directed adaptation also keeps viewers guessing until the very end. With its iconic style and that dark, atmospheric tone of mystery novels, we crown ‘The ABC Murders’ as the no. 4.
5. ‘Evil Under The Sun’ (1982)
1982’s ‘Evil Under the Sun,’ even the title gives the vibe of that hauntingly beautiful manor we all wanna live in. But for the duration of this Guy Hamilton creation, you’re going to be vacationing at a luxurious island hotel with none other than our detective Poirot. Played once again by Peter Ustinov, we get to see a colorful cast including Diana Rigg and Maggie Smith and a bunch of sun-drenched locals. Sliding effortlessly into the fifth spot on our list, ‘Evil Under the Sun’ is as charming and entertainingly adapted as is possible for Christie’s work.
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6. ‘Crooked House’ (2017)
2017’s ‘Crooked House,’ a tangled tale of a rich family torn apart by murder and betrayal. That’s what happens when you’re disgustingly rich. This masterful Christie adaptation is directed by talented Gilles Paquet-Brenner with a cast led by Max Irons. Glenn Close delivers a standout performance as the matriarch of the troubled family. It’s easily a must-watch for the fans of age-old family politics with that knot of mystery that only Agatha Christie can tie and untie.
7. ‘Witness For The Prosecution’ (1957)
1957’s ‘Witness for the Prosecution’ is a courtroom drama at its finest. If you are craving some legal drama that’s not your own, give this one a go. Now the story goes as a brilliant barrister takes on the case of a man accused of murder, keyphrase ‘accused’. With Tyrone Power, Marlene Dietrich, and Charles Laughton gracing the cast panel this adaptation is already packed for a powerful performance. A 1957 Agatha Christie adaptation directed by Billy Wilder, sounds like a mind bending masterpiece to me. That’s why we’ve graced it with the spot no. 7 on our list.
8. ‘Ordeal By Innocence’ (2018)
2018’s ‘Ordeal by Innocence,’ another rich family gone to the gallows because of murder and betrayal. Told ya, money is the root cause of all the troubles superficial. Anyway, we have Bill Nighy delivering a compelling performance as the patriarch of this grief-stricken wealthy family. Sandra Goldbacher direction with a gripping plot and a surprise at every dark, this adaptation speaks true to its roots in the pages of the book. With the atmospheric setting and strong cast and that dark moody tone, yes, this is your no. 8.
9. ‘Death Comes As The End’ (2003)
2003’s ‘Death Comes as the End’ is another feast for the eyes as it takes you to ancient Egypt where another one of those wealthy families is being haunted by a series of mysterious murders. With talented Kate Maberly, Paul Freeman and Penelope Cruttwell as the cast there’s no lack of stardom here. Director Tom Clegg’s fresh take on Christie’s classic formula with Penelope’s compelling performance as the headstrong heroine makes it one of the top 10 adaptations we’re discussing today.
10. ‘The Pale Horse’ (2020)
This adaptation is here to give all the chills and thrills with a story this young woman seeking the help of a private detective. Now why would a young woman do something so bold? To understand a mysterious list of names connected to a series of unexplained deaths. Outstanding performances are delivered by Rufus Sewell, our detective Kaya Scodelario and Bertie Carvel. Directed by Leonra Lonsdale, ‘The Pale Horse’ is a perfect period on our long list of Agatha Christie’s on screen gems.
From the opulent luxury of ‘Murder on the Orient Express’ to the sun-drenched locales of ‘Evil Under the Sun’, these adaptations come as close to the worlds created by Agatha Christie as possible. Now whether you’re a seasoned sleuth or a newcomer to Christie’s work, you can start from your best pick on this list.
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