Hercule Poirot (Peter Ustinov) movies in order Hercule Poirot (Peter Ustinov) Marathon
Page Last Modified:
15 December 2025
Most Recent Release:
Appointment with Death - 1988
Total Runtime:
638 Minutes
Total Items:
6
Average User Score:
(6.3)Hercule Poirot (Peter Ustinov) movies in order
Do you want to watch an old-school murder mystery marathon with a little vintage flair? The Hercule Poirot (Peter Ustinov) film series is the perfect thing to watch on a night off. Picture luxurious cruises, tropical island hotels, English country houses, and a brilliant Belgian detective with an unforgettable mustache. These Agatha Christie adaptations from the '70s and '80s are classic whodunit films, full of drama, stars, and stylish murders. Watching them in the right order makes all the difference. So, brew some tea (or popcorn, we don't mind), and let Hercule Poirot guide you through six murders, six locations, and a bunch of suspects.
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1
Death on the Nile Movie 140 min. 1978As Hercule Poirot enjoys a luxurious cruise down the Nile, a newlywed heiress is found murdered on board and every elegant passenger becomes a prime suspect.USER SCORE 7 -
2
Evil Under the Sun Movie 117 min. 1982An opulent beach resort provides a scenic background to this amusing whodunit as Poirot attempts to uncover the nefarious evildoer behind the strangling of a notorious stage star.USER SCORE 7 -
3
Thirteen at Dinner Movie 95 min. 1985Actress Jane Wilkinson wants a divorce, but her husband, Lord Edgware, refuses. She convinces Hercule Poirot to use his famed tact and logic to make her case. Lord Edgware turns up murdered, a well-placed knife wound at the base of his neck. It will take the precise Poirot to sort out the lies from the alibis - and find the criminal before another victim dies.USER SCORE 6 -
4
Dead Man's Folly Movie 90 min. 1986During a murder hunt game at a country house, to which Hercule Poirot is invited as an "expert", a real murder occurs.USER SCORE 6 -
5
Murder in Three Acts Movie 94 min. 1986In Acapulco, Hercule Poirot attends a dinner party in which one of the guests clutches his throat and suddenly dies. The causes seem to be natural until another party with most of the same guests produces another corpse.USER SCORE 6 -
6
Appointment with Death Movie 102 min. 1988Emily Boynton, the stepmother to three children, blackmails the family lawyer into destroying a second will of her late husband that would have freed the children from her dominating influence. She takes herself, the children, and her daughter-in-law on holiday to Europe and the Holy Land. At a dig, Emily is found dead and Hercule Poirot investigates.USER SCORE 6
Death on the Nile (1978)
The story starts on the fancy S.S. Karnak, where Poirot finds himself caught up in a murder mystery during a cruise on the Nile. "Death on the Nile" is a great way to start the Hercule Poirot series because it has a great atmosphere, tension, and cast. Peter Ustinov's first performance as Poirot is really memorable. Jane Birkin as Louise Bourget, Mia Farrow as Jacqueline de Bellefort, and Angela Lansbury as the colorful Salome Otterbourne make this Agatha Christie adaptation unforgettable. It's full of intrigue, jealousy, and the typical Christie puzzle structure, so it's the perfect start to your marathon.
Evil Under the Sun (1982)
Poirot trades the river for a sun-drenched, yet equally deadly, Mediterranean island. "Evil Under the Sun" takes place at a tropical hotel where Poirot is enjoying a relaxing vacation, that is, until someone is murdered. Diana Rigg kills it as Arlena Marshall in a setting that feels like the summer version of "Death on the Nile," with Maggie Smith as the delightfully sharp Miss Bowers. Ustinov's Poirot is at his best here. He's witty, observant, and as stylish as his white linen suits. This film picks up where the first one left off, but with a summery twist.
Thirteen at Dinner (1985)
Fast forward to the '80s and a new style: "Thirteen at Dinner" brings Poirot to modern-day England. This CBS Mystery Movie feels different from the others, less grand but just as intriguing. Peter Ustinov returns as the Belgian detective, this time with Faye Dunaway, who is playing two roles. What makes this TV film extra fun? It's a small but brilliant appearance that will make fans of David Suchet happy, and it hints at his future success as Poirot. "Thirteen at Dinner" is a lighter installment in the series, perfect as a palate cleanser in your marathon.
Dead Man's Folly" (1986)
A classic English country house setting? Check. A mysterious murder game that turns into a real murder? Double-check. "Dead Man's Folly" is pure Christie: an estate full of suspects, a seemingly innocent setting, and Poirot who senses everything. This film gives you that satisfying puzzle feeling, and the pace is nice and brisk. Ustinov is totally at ease in the role, and the production feels like a return to the roots of Agatha Christie adaptations. The vibe is classic, the tension builds, and the reveal? Chef's kiss.
Murder in Three Acts (1986)
Poirot goes Hollywood… or rather, to a sunny house in Acapulco. "Murder in Three Acts" is one of the most unique entries in the Ustinov series. It stars Tony Curtis as a flamboyant showbiz personality (and Arlena's husband, for the attentive viewer). This TV film plays around with the idea of illusion and reality, and Ustinov's Poirot feels like a fish out of water, which makes for a fun watch. The film's structure is tight, and the build-up to the reveal is delightfully refined. It's like Agatha Christie, but with a cocktail in hand and sunglasses on.
Appointment with Death (1988)
We end the marathon with a mystery set in the heat of the desert, among ancient ruins, and with a group of suspects on an archaeological expedition in the Middle East. "Appointment with Death" is a grand and epic conclusion to the Hercule Poirot film series. James Mason really shines as Colonel Race, and the script makes the story into an intense finale. The setting gives Poirot's deductive powers a new dimension, and Ustinov's final performance as the Belgian detective is a stylish farewell to the audience.
Why This Order Works
The Peter Ustinov Hercule Poirot films can be watched independently, but in this chronological order, you see how the character subtly evolves. You start with the big-budget movies directed by the likes of Guy Hamilton and John Guillermin for Paramount, and end with the more intimate CBS Mystery Movies directed by Clive Donner. The style changes, the setting shifts, but Poirot remains Poirot: sharp, charmingly arrogant, and irresistibly eccentric.
For the Ultimate Viewing Experience
Plan your marathon wisely. Split it over two evenings: first the cinema films (Death on the Nile, Evil Under the Sun), then the TV films (Thirteen at Dinner to Appointment with Death). Set the mood: candlelight for the country house films, cocktails for "Murder in Three Acts," and an old-fashioned for "Death on the Nile." And if you really want to go all out, read the Agatha Christie novels that go with it before or after for some extra lore. This marathon is a tribute to 20th-century detective cinema. It's stylish, mysterious, and perfect for fans of vintage detective mysteries and classic mystery franchises.
Poirot Beyond Ustinov
If you're still craving more of the Christie universe, dive into other versions of the famous Belgian detective. Think about the whole series with David Suchet (even that subtle cameo in "Thirteen at Dinner") or the more recent Kenneth Branagh adaptations that bring back the Orient Express universe. But one thing is for sure: Peter Ustinov's version of Hercule Poirot is a warm, charming, and stylish addition to the long history of Poirot on the silver screen.
Let the Mustache Guide You
Are you ready to step into a world of murders, mysteries, and monocles? This Hercule Poirot (Peter Ustinov) movie marathon is your ticket to an elegant detective experience with a vintage twist. It's great for a themed night, a film quiz, or just a solo binge with a blanket and some snacks. With so many streaming options out there, there's nothing quite like a well-crafted, complete film series with a leading man who effortlessly shines in every scene. Let the mustache lead the way.