Agatha Christie might be the most prominent name in mystery fiction. Born in Devon, England, Christie captured the world with her incredible storytelling and deft mystery-based plotting. She wrote 66 detective novels throughout her career, dozens of short story collections, and the world's longest-running play (The Mousetrap, debuting in 1952). She has also sold literally billions of novels and the Guinness World Records has officially recognized her sales at two billion copies.
And while nothing beats the book, Christie's works have been adapted into countless great and interesting movies. Some of these movies are more popular than others, but all are well worth watching and experiencing as masterpieces of detective fiction.
Crooked House (2017) - 57%
Crooked House was originally published in America in March of 1949, and it received a film adaptation nearly 70 years later. Directed by Gilles Paquet-Brenner and starring the likes of Glenn Close, Gillian Anderson, and Christina Hendricks, Crooked House was released in 2017 to mediocre reviews.
It currently stands at 57% on Rotten Tomatoes, the result of only 30 reviews. Unfortunately, the movie has not received enough reviews for a true consensus.
The Mirror Crack'd (1980) - 65%
Miss Marple was one of Agatha Christie's most popular characters, and in 1962, she served as the protagonist in the novel The Mirror Crack'd from Side to Side. In the United States, the novel was released simply as The Mirror Crack'd - the same title given to the 1980 film adaptation directed by Guy Hamilton.
The movie has received decent, if not spectacular, reviews, and currently holds a modest 65% on Rotten Tomatoes. The movie is perhaps most notable for starring the legendary Angela Lansbury and Elizabeth Taylor.
Death On The Nile (1978) - 76%
As the title suggests, most of the action of Death On the Nile takes place in Egypt. Starring Christie's most popular detective, Hercule Poirot, it received a positive reception upon its original publication in 1937. It is now regarded as one of Christie's most popular works.
Part of its strong reputation is undoubtedly due to this strong movie adaptation, directed by John Guillermin and starring Peter Ustinov as Poirot. It currently stands at a solid 76% on Rotten Tomatoes.
Murder, She Said (1961) - 83%
Published in 1957, 4.50 from Paddington was released under different titles, including What Mrs. McGillicuddy Saw! in the United States. In 1961, the multi-titled book was adapted into a movie. Only, the movie yet again changed the title - this time to Murder, She Said.
Directed by George Pollock and starring Margaret Rutherford as Miss Marple, Murder, She Said kickstarted a successful series for MGM, which went on to produce three sequels starring Rutheford as Marple. The movie currently stands at a very respectable 83% on Rotten Tomatoes.
Evil Under The Sun (1982) - 90%
Evil Under the Sun was originally published in 1941 and concerns Hercule Poirot investigating a murder while on vacation in Devon. Following the success of Guy Hamilton's The Mirror Crack'd in 1980, the director once again returned to the Christie canon to direct a movie adaptation of Evil Under the Sun.
The movie once again saw Peter Ustinov in the role of Poirot following the success of Death on the Nile in 1978. With just 10 reviews, the movie currently sits at an excellent 90% on Rotten Tomatoes.
Murder On The Orient Express (1974) - 90%
Murder On the Orient Express is arguably Agatha Christie's most popular novel. Originally published in 1934, it has been adapted to radio, TV, and film - once in 1974 and again in 2017. And while the 2017 remake certainly has its positive qualities, it has nothing on the 1974 original.
Directed by Sidney Lumet and starring a then-A-list cast, the movie stands at 90% on Rotten Tomatoes, with the consensus reading, "Murder, intrigue, and a star-studded cast make this stylish production of Murder on the Orient Express one of the best Agatha Christie adaptations to see the silver screen."
Ordeal By Innocence (2018) - 94%
Published in the late '50s, Ordeal By Innocence originally received a lukewarm critical reception, with many critics not taking kindly to its dark tone and psychological examinations. Luckily, the novel has enjoyed a bit of a critical resurgence in recent years and it received a stellar miniseries adaptation in 2018.
Starring Bill Nighy as Leo Argyll, Ordeal By Innocence sits at 94% on Rotten Tomatoes, with the consensus reading, "A classic British period piece that takes its time, Ordeal by Innocence will satisfy Agatha Christie fans and novices alike."
Witness For The Prosecution (1957) - 100%
Serving as one of Christie's earlier works, The Witness for the Prosecution was originally published under the title Traitor's Hands in a pulp magazine called Flynn's. It later appeared in the short story collection, The Hound of Death.
In 1957, it received a stellar movie adaptation directed by Billy Wilder of Sunset Boulevard and Some Like It Hot fame. The movie currently sits at 100% on Rotten Tomatoes and received six Oscar nominations, including Best Director and Best Picture.
Murder At The Gallop (1963) - 100%
This is the second MGM film to star Margaret Rutherford as Miss Marple, following the success of Murder, She Said. The movie is technically based on the novel After the Funeral, but it shares almost nothing in common with the source material.
The characters were altered (with the novel's protagonist, Poirot, being replaced by Miss Marple), and the movie's tone was radically altered from suspense drama to comedy. Regardless, the film received strong reviews and currently stands at a perfect 100% on Rotten Tomatoes.
And Then There Were None (1945) - 100%
Arguably Christie's most famous work, And Then There Were None has reportedly sold over 100 million units, making it one of the best-selling novels in history (and the best-selling mystery novel of all time).
Originally published in 1939, the popular novel received a stellar film adaptation in 1945 that remains one of the greatest mystery films ever produced. It stands at a perfect 100% on Rotten Tomatoes and received the Best Direction Award at the 1946 Locarno International Film Festival.