Dat Deerstalker: The Essential Sherlock Holmes On Streaming

The most popular and critically-acclaimed iteration of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s brilliant sleuth in the 21st century is undoubtedly the BBC’s (and Benedict Cumberbatch’s) Sherlock. Noted Sherlock nerds Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss decided to take Holmes and Watson out of the past and into 21st century London. The move would reinvigorate interest in the character and launch the career of one Mr. Benedict Cumberbatch. [Watch Sherlock on Netflix]

Remember how Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss had the idea of a modern Sherlock? Well, they have a bone to pick with CBS. After the network nixed their pitch to do an American version of Sherlock, they sneakily picked up Elementary. While the show is a modern version of Sherlock Holmes set in New York City, it’s really much more of a progressive law procedural than American version of Sherlock. Really! Watson is a woman, Moriarity is also a woman, and the series as a whole espouses a modern look on traditional crime storytelling. [Watch Elementary on Hulu]

A few years ago it looked like Robert Downey, Jr. was set to be the 21st century’s favorite Sherlock Holmes. While Guy Ritchie’s action take on the Victorian crime stories was a hit at the box office, it’s failed to maintain favor amongst fans. Still, we would be remiss if we didn’t point out that this recent iteration is available to stream (and contrast with more inventive modern adaptations). [Where to Stream Sherlock Holmes]

This Sunday, watch the man behind Sherlock Holmes take a crack at solving a mystery. Arthur & George is the latest entrée into the legendary series Masterpiece Mystery. Martin Clunes plays Sir Arthur Conan Doyle in this yarn (based on a Julian Barnes novel) about how the author once used his own powers of deduction to clear George Edalji of a wrongful conviction. [Watch Arthur & George on PBS after it premieres this Sunday night]

The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes is a rather controversial take on the detective. Some film fans praise it as one of the best Sherlock adaptations — and one of Billy Wilder’s most underrated movies. However others take severe umbrage at the liberties taken with the source material. Still, it’s inventive vision (and creation of a backstory for Sherlock) inspired the likes of Moffat and Gatiss (and many more) when they started on their own Sherlock adaptations. [Where to Stream The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes]

Sadly, you can’t stream Basil Rathbone’s most famous outing as Sherlock Holmes. The Hound of the Baskervilles, but you can catch him in action with Nigel Bruce in The Woman in Green. This 1945 production reunites all the major players who made The Hound of the Baskervilles a classic, but they’re breathing life into a lesser-known Sherlock story. [Watch The Woman In Green on Hulu]

For many people the world over, Benedict Cumberbatch will never be Sherlock Holmes — because Jeremy Brett is. The English actor portrayed the literary hero in numerous television adaptations over the years and delivered what is often considered the superlative take on the sleuth. While he starred in many series, we would suggest starting with The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes. [Buy The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes on VOD on Amazon]

Young Sherlock Holmes imagines the detective’s youth steeped in riotous adventure and witty fun. The film was directed by Barry Levinson and written by a young Chris Columbus, the latter of which went on to bring another British literary hero’s early years to life. If you’ve enjoyed the first two Harry Potter films chances are you’ll like this film, too. [Where to Stream Young Sherlock Holmes]

Sometimes people want to twist Sherlock Holmes by showing his early days, other times they want to see him old, or placed in modern times, or in America. Murder by Decree plucks Holmes off the page and lands him in real life Victorian London. Christopher Plummer plays the detective, here facing one of the most befuddling murder mysteries of all time: Jack the Ripper.
[Watch Murder by Decree on Netflix]

Maybe you swoon over Benedict Cumberbatch or Jonny Lee Miller’s takes on Sherlock Holmes, but Ronald Howard was the original hunky Holmes. The British actor shot to fame playing a fresh and youthful version of the detective on a popular 1950s television series. Lucky for you, you can catch the show in 2015. [Watch The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes on Hulu]

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