With the latest adventure of Hercule Poirot hitting theaters this month, we figured it was a good time to rank some of the top investigators through films and series.
Each writer ranks his or her top 15 characters in the category. Those lists are then weighted on a reverse point system. After all the points are tallied up, the entries with the most total points make up the Bitesize Top Five.
5. HOLLAND MARCH AND JACKSON HEALY
It’s a crime that we still haven’t gotten a sequel to 2016’s The Nice Guys featuring my favorite dysfunctional private investigators, Holland March and Jackson Healy. This buddy-cop duo is extremely underappreciated, and while they may be considered the world’s worst detectives, the slapstick performances that Ryan Gosling (March) and Russell Crowe (Healy) bring to film are something special. Their comedy is spot-on and will leave you laughing throughout while also having you root for this trainwreck team of detectives to solve the mystery in front of them. - Paige
4. BATMAN
There is a reason one of Bruce Wayne’s many monikers is “The World’s Greatest Detective.” Between the awesome ‘90s animated series and the first real cinematic look at the Bat’s detective work in Matt Reeves’ The Batman, we all can see how having the superpower of money can enhance the deduction skills of an already brilliant mind. And without a doubt, Bruce Wayne is a brilliant mind. Sorry if you’re tired of seeing his name pop up on these lists. - Amarú
3. MYSTERY INC.
Whether it's the trope of unmasking the "creature" to find the person behind the mystery, Velma looking for her glasses, or Scooby Snacks, everyone knows Mystery Inc. Through both television and film, both live-action and animated, Fred Jones, Daphne Blake, Velma Dinkley, Shaggy Rogers, and Scooby-Doo have been solving mysteries together since 1969, and they show no signs of stopping. Their inclusion on this list is a no-brainer. - Nick
2. BENOIT BLANC
What other gentleman sleuth can perfectly solve a murder-mystery game before the game even begins? The lead player of Rian Johnson’s Knives Out franchise, that’s who. Benoit Blanc is a charming, brilliant detective who can effortlessly solve whatever case gets thrown his way, and Daniel Craig’s portrayal of him is instantly iconic, from his fun clothing to his thick southern drawl. I can’t think of a more entertaining murder-mystery reveal than Benoit’s, especially as he exposes all the small things we didn’t notice, making him a no-brainer as one of entertainment’s best detectives. - Adriano
1. SHERLOCK HOLMES AND JOHN WATSON
What else is there to say about Sherlock Holmes? The most iconic, well-known investigator of all time is such an ubiquitous influence on the very idea of detective work that he always comes to mind first, presiding over London from his 221 Baker Street flat with the sharpest mind on earth and the greatest partner he’s ever had in John Watson. BBC’s Sherlock (at least its first two seasons) boasts the most engaging version of the super sleuthing pair yet, with Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman a perfect match against each other’s respective quirks. - Jacob
HONORABLE MENTIONS
CLARICE STARLING
EDDIE VALIANT
HERCULE POIROT
ACE VENTURA
JOHN MCCLANE
Photo Credits: Photo 1, 2, 3, 5 - Warner Bros. Pictures; Photo 4 - Netflix