Hercule Poirot (, ) is a mystery film series developed by 20th Century Studios based on the eponymous book series created by Agatha Christie. It stars Kenneth Branagh, who directed all three films. The series has grossed over $600 million worldwide and has received a generally positive critical reception.
Development Following the commercial success of Murder on the Orient Express (2017), 20th Century Fox announced plans for a sequel, with Kenneth Branagh returning as director and reprising his role as Hercule Poirot. The sequel, Death on the Nile, was officially confirmed shortly after the first film's release in 2017. Screenwriter Michael Green, who adapted Murder on the Orient Express, was brought back to pen the script. Production was initially set to begin in mid-2019, but delays pushed principal photography to September 2019. The film was primarily shot at Longcross Studios in England, with additional filming in Egypt. Originally scheduled for a 2020 release, Death on the Nile faced multiple delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic before ultimately premiering in February 2022 under the now-rebranded 20th Century Studios.
Before the release of Death on the Nile, Branagh expressed interest in continuing the series with more Poirot adaptations. A third installment was later confirmed, titled A Haunting in Venice, based on Agatha Christie's novel Hallowe'en Party. Michael Green returned as the screenwriter, with Branagh once again directing and starring as Poirot. The film marked a shift in tone from its predecessors, incorporating gothic horror elements. Filming took place in Venice and at Pinewood Studios in late 2022. A Haunting in Venice was released in September 2023, receiving a generally positive critical response.
Branagh has since stated that he remains open to further adaptations, citing Agatha Christie's extensive library of Poirot stories as potential material for future films.
Films Film Original release date Director Screenwriter(s) Story by Producer(s) Murder on the Orient Express Kenneth Branagh Michael Green Agatha Christie Mark Gordon, Ridley Scott, Judy Hofflund, Simon Kinberg, Kenneth Branagh & Michael Schaefer Death on the Nile Ridley Scott, Judy Hofflund, Kevin J. Walsh & Kenneth Branagh A Haunting in Venice Ridley Scott, Judy Hofflund, Simon Kinberg & Kenneth Branagh Murder on the Orient Express (2017)
Belgian detective Hercule Poirot boards the luxurious Orient Express for what should be a peaceful journey, but when a shady American businessman, Samuel Ratchett, is found murdered in his compartment, Poirot is tasked with solving the case. As the train becomes stranded due to an avalanche, Poirot interviews the diverse group of passengers, uncovering hidden connections and long-buried secrets. With time running out, he must untangle the web of lies to reveal the shocking truth behind the murder. The first film in the series, it was released in theaters on November 10, 2017.
Upon its release, the film was met with mixed reviews from critics, but was a box-office success, becoming the twenty-sixth highest-grossing film of 2017.
Death on the Nile (2022)
Hercule Poirot embarks on a glamorous river cruise in Egypt, hoping for a relaxing voyage. When wealthy heiress Linnet Ridgeway-Doyle is found murdered, Poirot must unravel a tangled web of love, jealousy, and betrayal among the passengers. As tensions rise and more lives are put at risk, he races against time to uncover the killer before they strike again. The second film in the series, it was released in theaters on February 11, 2022.
It was originally set to be released on December 20, 2019, but was delayed several times due to production issues and COVID-19 pandemic until it was finally released in February 2022. Upon its release, the film received mixed reviews from critics but was a moderate box-office success, becoming the thirty-seventh highest-grossing film of 2022.
A Haunting in Venice (2023)
Now retired and living in self-imposed exile in Venice, Hercule Poirot reluctantly attends a séance in a decaying palazzo on Halloween night. When one of the guests is mysteriously murdered, Poirot is drawn into a chilling investigation that blurs the line between the supernatural and reality. Confronting eerie occurrences and deeply buried secrets, he must use his skills to separate fact from fiction. The third film in the series, it was released in theaters on September 15, 2023.
Upon its release, the film received generally positive reviews from critics and was a modest box-office success, becoming the fifty-seventh highest-grossing film of 2023.
Future In October 2024, executive producer James Prichard hinted at possible future installments, stating that much like A Haunting in Venice, future films could potentially break from the norm and add other elements besides the supernatural, also stating that Kenneth Branagh and Michael Green could reprise their roles as director and screenwriter respectively.
That same month, 20th Century Studios boss Steve Asbell confirmed that other Agatha Christie stories will be adapted including And Then There Were None, The Witness for the Prosecution, and a Miss Marple film.
In September 2026, Branagh stated that he is open to reprising the role and expressed interest in an adaptation of Hercule Poirot's Christmas.https://screenrant.com/hercule-poirot-agatha-christie-movie-return-kenneth-branagh-response/
Cast and characters The following table lists the main cast members of the Hercule Poirot film series and their appearances in each film.
CharactersFilms Murder on the Orient Express Death on the Nile A Haunting in Venice 2017 2022 2023 Hercule Poirot Kenneth Branagh Monsieur Tim Bouc Tom Bateman Murder on the Orient Express Caroline Hubbard Michelle Pfeiffer colspan="2" Samuel Ratchett Johnny Depp colspan="2" Edward Masterman Derek Jacobi colspan="2" Hector MacQueen Josh Gad colspan="2" Princess Natalia Dragomiroff Judi Dench colspan="2" Hildegarde Schmidt Olivia Colman colspan="2" Count Rudolph Andreyni Sergei Polunin Countess Helena Andrenyi Lucy Boynton colspan="2" Dr. John Arbuthnot Leslie Odom Jr. colspan="2" Miss Mary Debenham Daisy Ridley colspan="2" Pilar Estravados Penélope Cruz colspan="2" Biniamino Marquez Manuel Garcia-Rulfo Gerhard Hardman Willem Dafoe colspan="2" Pierre Michel Marwan Kenzari colspan="2" Death on the Nile Simon Doyle Armie Hammer Linnet Ridgeway-Doyle Gal Gadot Jacqueline de Bellefort Emma Mackey Euphemia Bouc Annette Bening Louise Bourget Rose Leslie Salome Otterbourne Sophie Okonedo Rosalie Otterbourne Letitia Wright Marie Van Schuyler Jennifer Saunders Miss Bowers Dawn French Andrew Katchadourian Ali Fazal Dr. Linus Windlesham Russell Brand A Haunting in Venice Ariadne Oliver colspan="2" Tina Fey Vitale Portfoglio colspan="2" Riccardo Scamarcio Rowena Drake colspan="2" Kelly Reilly Joyce Reynolds colspan="2" Michelle Yeoh Maxime Gerard colspan="2" Kyle Allen Olga Seminoff colspan="2" Camille Cottin Dr. Leslie Ferrier colspan="2" Jamie Dornan Leopold Ferrier colspan="2" Jude Hill Desdemona Holland colspan="2" Emma Laird Nicholas Holland colspan="2" Ali Khan
Crew The following table lists the main crew members involved in each film. Role Film Murder on the Orient Express (2017) Death on the Nile (2022) A Haunting in Venice (2023) Director Kenneth Branagh Screenwriter(s) Michael Green Producer(s) Mark GordonRidley ScottJudy HofflundSimon KinbergKenneth BranaghMichael Schaefer Ridley ScottJudy HofflundKevin J. WalshKenneth Branagh Ridley ScottJudy HofflundSimon KinbergKenneth Branagh Based on Murder on the Orient Expressby Agatha Christie Death on the Nileby Agatha Christie Hallowe'en Partyby Agatha Christie Cinematographer Haris Zambarloukos Editor Mick Audsley Úna Ní Dhonghaíle Lucy Donaldson Composer Patrick Doyle Hildur Guðnadóttir Production companies Kinberg GenreScott Free ProductionsThe Mark Gordon Company Kinberg GenreScott Free ProductionsAgatha Christie LimitedThe Mark Gordon Company Distributor 20th Century Studios Running time 114 mins 127 mins 103 mins
Reception Box office performance FilmOriginal release dateBox office grossAll-time rankingBudgetU.S. and CanadaOther territoriesWorldwideU.S. and CanadaWorldwideMurder on the Orient Express$102,826,543$249,963,268$352,789,811783458$55 millionDeath on the Nile$45,630,104$91,677,131$137,307,2351,000+1,000+$90–100 millionA Haunting in Venice$42,471,412$79,819,044$122,290,4561,000+1,000+$60 millionTotal$190,928,059$421,459,443$612,387,502$205–215 million
Critical and public response FilmCriticalPublicRotten TomatoesMetacriticCinemaScorePostTrakMurder on the Orient Express60% (300 reviews)52 (46 reviews)Death on the Nile62% (291 reviews)52 (51 reviews)77%A Haunting in Venice75% (296 reviews)63 (52 reviews)B73%
References