Hercule Poirot (film series)

Hercule Poirot is a mystery film series developed by 20th Century Studios. It has been primarily directed by 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 in November 2017, shortly after the first film’s release. 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. In March 2022, 20th Century Studios officially confirmed development of a third installment, later revealed as 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

Murder on the Orient Express (2017)

Belgian detective Hercule Poirot boards the luxurious Orient Express for what should be a peaceful journey. However, 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)

Belgian detective Hercule Poirot embarks on a glamorous river cruise in Egypt, hoping for a relaxing voyage. However, 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, before being rescheduled to October 9, 2020, due to production issues. It was then pushed back two weeks to October 23, and again to December 18, in response to the domestic box office underperformance of Tenet during the COVID-19 pandemic. In November 2020, the studio removed the film, along with Free Guy, from its upcoming release schedule until further notice. The next month, the film was rescheduled to September 17, 2021. In March 2021, it was then moved to the current February 2022 date. 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. "If Ken [Branagh] wants to do more, and Michael [Green] wants to write more, we'll certainly do another. There's a lot of material still to go, so we're not going to run out of inspiration."

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.