Hercule Poirot (franchise)

Hercule Poirot is a film franchise based on the novels by Agatha Christie, featuring the Belgian detective of the same name. The franchise consists of three films directed by and starring Kenneth Branagh as Poirot, with each film adapting a different novel. The first film, Murder on the Orient Express, was released in 2017 and followed Poirot as he investigated a murder on a train. The second film, Death on the Nile, was released in 2022 and followed Poirot as he investigated a murder on a cruise ship. The third film, A Haunting in Venice, was released in 2023 and followed Poirot as he investigated a murder at a haunted palazzo. The franchise is notable for its ensemble cast, lavish production design, and use of 65 mm film cameras.
==Film series==
===Murder on the Orient Express (2017)===
:Main article: Murder on the Orient Express
Murder on the Orient Express is a 2017 mystery film co-produced and directed by Kenneth Branagh from a screenplay by Michael Green, based on the 1934 novel of the same name by Agatha Christie. The film stars an ensemble cast with Branagh as Hercule Poirot, alongside Tom Bateman, Penélope Cruz, Willem Dafoe, Judi Dench, Johnny Depp, Josh Gad, Derek Jacobi, Leslie Odom Jr., Michelle Pfeiffer, and Daisy Ridley. The plot follows Poirot, a world-renowned detective, as he investigates a murder on the luxury Orient Express train service in the 1930s.
Murder on the Orient Express had its world premiere on November 2, 2017, at the Royal Albert Hall in London, and was released theatrically in the United Kingdom on November 3, 2017, and in the United States on November 10, 2017, by 20th Century Fox. The film grossed over $351 million worldwide and received mixed reviews from critics, with praise for the performances of the cast and production values, but some criticism for the screenplay and for not adding anything new to previous adaptations.
===Death on the Nile (2022)===
Death on the Nile is a 2022 mystery film directed by Kenneth Branagh from a screenplay by Michael Green, based on the 1937 novel of the same name by Agatha Christie. As a sequel to Murder on the Orient Express (2017), it was produced by Branagh, Ridley Scott, Judy Hofflund, and Kevin J. Walsh. It stars an ensemble cast with Branagh and Tom Bateman reprising their roles as Hercule Poirot and Bouc, respectively, alongside Annette Bening, Russell Brand, Ali Fazal, Dawn French, Gal Gadot, Armie Hammer, Rose Leslie, Emma Mackey, Sophie Okonedo, Jennifer Saunders, and Letitia Wright. Death on the Nile follows Poirot as he investigates a murder on a cruise ship sailing along the Nile River.
Death on the Nile was first released in several international markets on February 9, 2022, and in the United Kingdom and the United States on February 11, 2022, following several delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The film received mixed reviews from critics and grossed $137.3 million. A sequel, A Haunting in Venice, an adaptation of "Hallowe'en Party", was released in September 2023.
===A Haunting in Venice (2023)===
A Haunting in Venice is a 2023 horror mystery film directed by Kenneth Branagh from a screenplay by Michael Green, based on the 1969 novel "Hallowe'en Party" by Agatha Christie. As a sequel to Death on the Nile (2022), it was produced by Branagh, Judy Hofflund, Simon Kinberg, and Ridley Scott. It stars an ensemble cast with Branagh reprising his role as Hercule Poirot, alongside Tina Fey, Camille Cottin, Riccardo Scamarcio, Kelly Reilly, Jude Hill, Michelle Yeoh, and Jamie Dornan. A Haunting in Venice follows Poirot as he investigates a murder at a haunted palazzo in post-World War II Venice.
A Haunting in Venice was released theatrically in several international markets on September 8, 2023, and in the United Kingdom and the United States on September 15, 2023. The film received positive reviews from critics.
==Reception==
===Box office performance===
The franchise has grossed over $686 million worldwide, making it one of the most successful adaptations of Agatha Christie's works.
===Critical and public response===
The franchise has received mixed to positive reviews from critics and audiences, with praise for the cast, production values, and cinematography, but some criticism for the scripts, direction, and lack of originality.
Category:Hercule Poirot
Category:Franchises
Category:20th Century Studios
Category:20th Century Studios films
Category:Acquired franchises