Modern Agatha Christie Adaptations You Must Watch

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There’s been A surge of New Agatha Christie adaptations in the last five years, like Amazon’s Ordeal by Innocence (2018). | Photo Credit: BBC / Fair Use.

Agatha Christie’s first mystery novel, The Mysterious Affair at Styles, was published over 100 years ago, and since then there have been countless stage plays, television shows, movies, and mini-series created from her genius plots. As a huge fan, and oftentimes critic, of Christie, I have not only read all of her mysteries but seen many adaptations of her work.

Here’s what may shock you: some of the best Christie adaptations have been the modern ones. In fact, some of them are so good, I would argue they are better than their source material. And it seems they are going to keep coming as new adaptations are being released every season. Below I’ve made a chronological list of the most recent ones, all of which I highly recommend.

(Prefer to read the book first? Check out my list of The Best and Worst of Agatha Christie.)

I suggest watching these with an open mind. If you love a good mystery, with a touch of twisted drama, plus superb acting, these adaptations will get you hooked. Diehard Christie fans will have to let go of preconceptions, however. Say goodbye to any outdated ideology and stale stereotypes from the books, and say hello to dynamic characters and fresh spins on tired plots. (Also, be prepared, Poirot’s mustache will take on many forms.)

Here’s a list of recent, modern takes on Agatha Christie that you must watch—as soon as possible, if you ask me. All are available to stream or buy, so settle on your couch and prepare to flex your skills of deduction.

Partners in Crime (2015)

Watch a scene from Partners In Crime (2015). Photo Credit: BBC / Fair Use.

Husband-and-wife spy team Tommy and Tuppence Beresford take on Russian communists in 1950’s Britain in this series based on Agatha Christie’s novels The Secret Adversary and N or M? While it differs quite a bit from its source material, the chemistry between the charming sleuth couple remains and makes for an entertaining trip through history.

Available to purchase on Amazon.

And Then There Were None (2015)

Watch a Scene from And Then There Were None (2015). Photo Credit: BBC / Fair Use.

Trust no one. This is a fresh take on Christie’s most well-known work, And Then There Were None. Ten strangers arrive to a private island at the request of a Mr. and Mrs. Owen, who turn out not to exist. Cut off from the mainland, they begin to die one by one. Accusations fly, but who will make it out alive? Critically acclaimed for its cinematography, writing, and performances, this is a stark and brutal adaptation worth watching.

Available to purchase on Amazon.

The Witness For The Prosecution (2016)

Watch the Trailer for The Witness for the Prosecution (2016). Photo Credit: BBC / Fair Use.

Leonard Vole stands trial for the murder of a glamorous heiress. His lawyer, John Mayhew, counts on the testimony of Vole’s wife to clear his name. Only she instead becomes a witness for the prosecution, mounting evidence against him. This twisted courtroom mystery, based on Christie’s short story and play of the same name, will have you on the edge of your seat.

Available to stream on Amazon Prime’s Acorn TV Channel. Click here to start your 7-day free trial of Acorn TV with Amazon Prime.

Murder on the Orient Express (2017)

Watch a Scene from Murder on the Orient Express (2017). Photo Credit: 20th Century Fox / Fair Use.

This star-studded whodunit takes on one of Christie’s most well-loved novels, Murder on the Orient Express, featuring famous detective Hercule Poirot, a retired Belgian police officer with a penchant for order. A grizzly murder occurs on an exotic train traveling through Europe. Any of twelve suspects could have committed the crime, and only Poirot has the power to find out the truth.

Click here to rent or purchase on Amazon.

Crooked House (2017)

Watch a Scene from Crooked House (2017). Photo Credit: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment / Fair Use.

Based on one of the best Agatha Christie novels, and one of my favorites, Crooked House tells the story of a family thrown off center by the death of their patriarch, wealthy tycoon Aristide Leonides. His granddaughter Sophia calls in her former lover, who happens to be a private detective, to investigate, only to find that the truth is sometimes better left buried.

Click here to rent or purchase on Amazon.

Ordeal by Innocence (2018)

Watch the Trailer for Ordeal by Innocence (2018). Photo Credit: BBC / Fair Use.

This adaptation, based on Christie’s novel of the same name, is one that I think far outmatches the book, and one that also makes significant changes. The murder case of wealthy heiress Rachel Argyll has already been sealed when a man named Arthur Calgary approaches the family with new evidence—an alibi for Rachel’s son, who was accused and convicted. To Calgary’s dismay, he finds that the son has died in prison and the rest of the Argyll family does not wish to bring up the horrors of the past. But a murderer still walks free, and he resolves to uncover the truth.

Available to stream on Amazon Prime. Click here to start your 30-day free trial.

The ABC Murders (2018)

Watch the Trailer for The ABC Murders (2018). Photo Credit: BBC / Fair Use.

Hercule Poirot is on the case again—this time in search of a serial killer who uses the ABC railway guide to choose his victims at random. But are they as random as they might seem? This thrilling adaptation, based on the novel of the same name, has gotten a lot of flack from purists who, like Poirot, prefer things a certain way. However, I found it to be a grounding portrayal of an oftentimes frivolously characterized detective.

Available to stream on Amazon Prime. Click here to start your 30-day free trial.

The Pale Horse (2020)

Watch the Trailer for The Pale Horse (2020). Photo Credit: BBC / Fair Use.

This well-crafted adaptation of The Pale Horse soars where the eponymous novel falls flat, offering fresh perspectives on guilt, sanity, and the supernatural. Mark Easterbrook has been cursed. He discovers his name on a list of people dying one by one, linking to three women in the English countryside who claim to be witches. He refuses to believe in the supernatural, but cannot explain the things happening around him. When his name comes up next on the list, he knows he must unearth the truth before it’s too late.

Available to stream on Amazon Prime. Click here to start your 30-day free trial.

Death on the Nile (2022)

Watch the Trailer for Death on the Nile (2022). Photo Credit: 20th Century Studios / Fair Use.

Like Murder on the Orient Express before it, Death on the Nile adapts one of the best Poirot mysteries and features a dramatic, picturesque setting. A newlywed couple asks for Poirot’s assistance to avoid a vengeful former lover while sailing the Nile for their honeymoon, only for things take a violent turn. With a star-studded cast and beautiful visuals, it’s hard not to fall in love.

Available to rent or purchase on Amazon.

Why Didn’t They Ask Evans? (2022)

Watch the Trailer for Why Didn’t They Ask Evans? (2022). Photo Credit: BritBox / Fair Use.

In this one-off Agatha Christie adaptation, two amateur detectives set out to solve a murder after one of them witnesses the victim’s death—and hears his mysterious final words: “Why didn’t they ask Evans?” Chemistry between the two stars sparkles and you’ll be left wishing that Christie wrote more one-off novels.

Available to stream on Amazon Prime’s BritBox TV Channel. Click here to start your 7-day free trial of BritBox with Amazon Prime.

(This post was last updated October 18, 2022).

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