For the murder mystery and couch sleuth, Agatha Christie is a must-read – and highly undervalued movie night watch as well. The author herself is a bit of a mystery, creating chaos in her own life that has sparked more excitement about her collection of work. She is without a doubt the queen of mystery, and her contribution to the genre has made it timeless but the page jump to the screen opened up a world of film.
If you are craving a murder mystery night, take a look back on the best Agatha Christie film adaptations of all time, spanning over the last 70 years. There is something for those who love a steamy twist, a classic, and of course, a new edition of the Poirot mysteries.
Check out the 10 best Agatha Christie film adaptations for your next mystery movie night.
Note
Despite the fact that the list is not complete, it will be updated overtime as we add more book adaptations to this article. Additionally, the books were selected by us based on what we’ve read and seen. The order of the books is based on the audience score of Rotten Tomatoes, which we deem to be more representative of if the adaptation was good or not.
10. Witness For The Prosecution (1957)
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 95%
When you think of a classic murder mystery where the story revolves around the perfect jury, Witness For The Prosecution is what sets the stage.
The entire film follows the trial of a man accused of murdering women, as his lawyer is defending his case – until his wife takes the stand and speaks out. The twists and turns are so indulgent, it has gone down in history as the best Agatha Christie adaptation of all time.
RelatedTop 10 Essential Agatha Christie Books to Dive Into
9. Death On The Nile (2011)
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 82%
This iconic novel was revitalized in a second major adaptation in 2022 as Poirot returns to Egypt for a wedding that mysteriously turns into a murder investigation.
A famous Hollywood actress who is swept up into a whirlwind romance has an intimate wedding in Egypt, but she and her fiancee are being followed by his jealous ex-lover. This femme fatal revenge murder story begins when the wedding party sets sail on the Nile and becomes trapped by a murder and murderer.
8. Murder, She Said (1961)
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 78%
Miss Marple strikes back in a comedic murder mystery based on the novel, 4.5 From Paddington. In the novel and film, Miss Marple witnesses the murder of a young woman, but the police do not believe her.
The incredible thing about this storyline it surpasses the test of time, as Christie takes a jab at pop culture commenting on how women fight to be heard even in the most absurd circumstances. And in this case, how they come up on top.
RelatedAnd Then There Were None by Agatha Christie
7. The Haunting In Venice (2023)
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 77%
One of Agatha Christi’s few ghostly novels, The Haunting In Venice takes Poirot’s sleuthing to new levels. Poirot is summoned to Venice, but he never catches a break on a holiday when he is invited to a suspicious seance.
One of the guests in the event is murdered, and the palazzo is locked into the evil world of ghosts and demons. Check out this book and film combo for a step outside the ordinary murder mystery and cross over into ghostly realms.
6. And Then There Were None (1945)
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 77%
The one you have been waiting for you, And Then There Were None was the 1939 murder mystery novel that put Christie and the genre on the map.
This hit novel was quickly adapted into a film in 1945, and albeit the original, it still holds its ground for being the best version. There have been countless film and TV adaptations, but you can’t get more classic than this one. 8 strangers are called to an island for a mysterious event – just to begin disappearing one by one.
RelatedExplained: The Mysterious Disappearance of Mystery Author Agatha Christie
5. Crooked House (2017)
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 54%
Fun fact this novel was one of Agatha Christie’s favorites from her collection and follows the murder of an 85-patriarch which brings his entire family into question as suspects.
Aside from being an A-grade sleuthing novel, it also puts family dynamics into play which creates a dynamic collision of murder mystery troupes and the depth of familial deception.
4. Murder On The Orient Express (2022)
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 54%
Continuing with the theme of murders on forms of transport, Poirot finds himself on a long train ride from Istanbul to London, mysterious events begin to occur throughout the first night of the journey. In the morning the train is at a complete stop, and one of the train’s passengers has been murdered.
Poirot jumps on the case as he always does, but the stopping of the train in the snow adds challenging difficulties involving not just passengers but outside motives.
3. The Mirror Crack’d (1980)
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 47%
Finally, Jane Marple gets a slot on this list of best film Agatha Christie. A woman is found poisoned, and the mystery of her death turns out to have been an accident – in that the murder was intended for a Hollywood actress who is visiting the town.
Played by none other than Angela Lansbury, this iconic 80s film brings the Jane Marple series to life. Plus, Elizabeth Taylor plays the intended target.
2. Endless Nights (1972)
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 39%
Largely underrated as a novel and film, Endless Nights is a grade-A psychological thriller. A young couple has built their dream home, to find out that the land they own is cursed.
The thriller kicks in as the couple grapples with their fear as strange events begin to unwind. On top of a chilling plot that makes you want to watch it over and over to piece the puzzle together, the 70s cinematic vibes are unmatched.
1. Innocent Lies (1995) Based On Toward Zero
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 15%
Taking Christie’s work into the mid-90s for a steamy murder mystery loosely based on the novel Toward Zero. This very 90s film takes place on the French Rivera where a detective attends his friend’s funeral in hopes of breaking the case about what happened to him.
In doing so, he dives deep into a rich community with family secrets and dark surfaces, all leading to the truth behind the murder.
