10 Agatha Christie Movies Every Mystery Fan Must Watch

Witness for the Prosecution (1957)

Directed by the legendary Billy Wilder, this is widely considered the gold standard of Christie adaptations. Unlike her typical manor-house mysteries, this is a gripping courtroom drama starring Charles Laughton as a veteran barrister defending a man (Tyrone Power) accused of murdering a wealthy widow. With a 100% score on Rotten Tomatoes, the film is famous for its shocking double-twist ending—so secretive that theater audiences were reportedly asked to sign a "pledge" not to spoil it for others.

And Then There Were None (1945)

Based on Christie’s best-selling novel, this René Clair adaptation remains the most iconic version of the "ten strangers on an island" trope. As the guests are picked off one by one in accordance with a nursery rhyme, the tension becomes unbearable. While later remakes (often titled Ten Little Indians) added more action, the 1945 original is praised for its atmospheric, macabre wit and its perfect blend of suspense and dark comedy.

Murder on the Orient Express (1974)

Sidney Lumet’s star-studded masterpiece is perhaps the most famous portrayal of Hercule Poirot. Albert Finney leads an incredible ensemble cast including Sean Connery, Lauren Bacall, and Ingrid Bergman (who won an Oscar for her role). The film’s lavish production and eerie, snowbound atmosphere perfectly capture the isolation of the train, culminating in one of the most famous and debated solutions in literary history.

Death on the Nile (1978)

Peter Ustinov makes his debut as Poirot in this visually stunning journey down the Egyptian river. The film is celebrated for its on-location filming at the Great Pyramids and a cast that includes Bette Davis, Maggie Smith, and Angela Lansbury. Ustinov’s version of Poirot is slightly warmer and more humorous than Finney’s, making this a fan favorite for its balance of "star power" and classic mystery pacing.

A Haunting in Venice (2023)

Directed by and starring Kenneth Branagh, this recent entry is a departure from the traditional Christie formula. Loosely based on the novel Hallowe'en Party, it reinvents the story as a supernatural gothic horror set in a decaying Venetian palazzo. Branagh’s Poirot is a retired, skeptical man forced to confront the seemingly impossible. It has been praised for revitalizing the franchise with a dark, moody aesthetic and genuine scares.

Murder, She Said (1961)

This film introduced Margaret Rutherford as Miss Jane Marple, a role she would play four times. While Christie herself famously disliked how much the film leaned into comedy, audiences loved Rutherford’s "eccentric and energetic" take on the character. The plot follows Marple as she witnesses a murder through the window of a passing train; when the police find no body, she takes a job as a housekeeper to solve the crime herself.

Evil Under the Sun (1982)

Peter Ustinov returns as Poirot in this "sun-drenched" mystery set at a Mediterranean resort. The film is known for its bright, colorful 1930s costume design and a sharp, witty script. It feels more like a "vacation mystery" than its darker predecessors, but the central puzzle—how someone could be murdered on a crowded beach with everyone watching—remains one of Christie's most clever clockwork plots.

Crooked House (2017)

Often overlooked during the hype for the newer Poirot films, this stylish adaptation features a script by Downton Abbey creator Julian Fellowes. It focuses on a dysfunctional family in a sprawling estate after their patriarch is poisoned. With a cast including Glenn Close and Gillian Anderson, the film is praised for its "cold, clinical" atmosphere and for staying faithful to the book's notoriously dark and unsettling ending.

Murder Most Foul (1964)

In what is often cited as the best of the Margaret Rutherford series, Miss Marple serves as a lone juror in a murder trial. Convinced of the defendant’s innocence, she refuses to agree to a guilty verdict and joins a traveling theater troupe to find the real killer. It is a charming, lighthearted mystery that showcases Rutherford’s incredible comedic timing and the "cozy mystery" vibe that Marple is famous for.

The Mirror Crack'd (1980)

This film is a delight for fans of classic Hollywood, starring Elizabeth Taylor and Kim Novak as rival actresses. Angela Lansbury plays Miss Marple, essentially a "warm-up" for her later iconic role in Murder, She Wrote. The story centers on a poisoning at a movie set in a quiet English village. It’s a 10/10 for its meta-commentary on fame and for Lansbury’s sharp, insightful portrayal of the silver-haired sleuth.