Ranker EntertainmentList RulesFilm and TV appearances only
When you need to track down a mysterious person or find the real culprit, these detectives are on the case. Sure, it may cost you a pretty penny, but sleuthing is hard work. Batman has solved all sorts of crimes around Gotham City. Sherlock Holmes, a notable inspiration for Batman, has also cleaned up the streets and put some of London's most hardened criminals behind bars. These detectives have tangoed with serial killers, cyborgs, and femme fatales - and that's all before breakfast.
This list of detective characters has some of the best gumshoes in the business. Some may drink a little harder than others, and some may prefer to stick to the shadows, but that doesn't make them any less effective. In fact, it's their unique character traits that often help them uncover hidden clues.
Vote up your favorite detectives who have appeared in films and TV shows, and vote down all the other amateurs.
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16149Sherlock Holmes
Sherlock, The Hound of the BaskervillesPowers & Abilities: Natural deduction, Disguise
Sherlock Holmes is a fictional private detective created by British author Sir Arthur Conan... more on Wikipedia2
Hercule Poirot is the effete, efficient Belgian detective created by mystery writer Dame... more on Wikipedia11352Hercule Poirot
Agatha Christie's Poirot, Murder on the Orient Express3
12790Batman
Batman Beyond, Young JusticePowers & Abilities: Flight, Martial arts, Eidetic memory
Batman is a fictional superhero appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics, as... more on Wikipedia4
Columbo is an American television series starring Peter Falk as a detective with the Los... more on Wikipedia7552Columbo
Columbo5
6040L
Death Note, Death NotePowers & Abilities: Natural deduction
L Lawliet, exclusively known by the mononym L, is a fictional character in the manga series... more on Wikipedia6
Sam Spade is a fictional private detective and the protagonist of Dashiell Hammett's 1930... more on Wikipedia5139Sam Spade
The Maltese Falcon, The Maltese Falcon7
Jane Marple, usually referred to as Miss Marple, is a fictional character appearing in 12 of... more on Wikipedia4941Miss Marple
Miss Marple: Nemesis, Murder Most Foul8
Philip Marlowe is a fictional character created by Raymond Chandler. Marlowe first appeared... more on Wikipedia4739Philip Marlowe
The Singing Detective, Philip Marlowe9
Adrian Monk is a title character and the protagonist of the USA Network television series... more on Wikipedia5447Adrian Monk
Monk, Monk Universe10
Rust Cohle is a fictional character from the 2014 TV series True Detective.4642Rust Cohle
True Detective11
Jessica Fletcher is a character and the protagonist portrayed by veteran Tony-winning actress... more on Wikipedia4443Jessica Fletcher
Murder, She Wrote12
4043DCI John Luther
Luther13
Nero Wolfe is a fictional character, an armchair detective created in 1934 by the American... more on Wikipedia2221Nero Wolfe
The League of Frightened Men, Nero Wolfe14
Perry Mason is a fictional character, a criminal defense lawyer who is the main character in... more on Wikipedia3135Perry Mason
Perry Mason, Perry Mason: The Case of the Lady in the Lake15
Jim Rockford is a fictional character from the film The Rockford Files.84Jim Rockford
The Rockford Files16
Chief Inspector Jacques Clouseau is a fictional character in Blake Edwards' farcical The Pink... more on Wikipedia2730Inspector Clouseau
Trail of the Pink Panther, The Return of the Pink Panther17
1211Shawn Spencer
Psych, PsychPowers & Abilities: Eidetic memory
Shawn Spencer is a fictional character on the American television drama and comedy Psych... more on Wikipedia18
3343Rorschach
Watchmen, WatchmenPowers & Abilities: Gymnastics
Rorschach is a fictional character and an antihero of the acclaimed 1986 graphic novel... more on Wikipedia19
Insp. Lestrade is a fictional character from the 2002 film Case of Evil: Case of Evil.2636Inspector Lestrade
Sherlock, Meitantei Holmes20
1217Conan Edogawa
Case Closed: Private Eye in the Distant Sea21
Clarice M. Starling is a fictional character and the protagonist of the novels The Silence of... more on Wikipedia2739Clarice Starling
The Silence of the Lambs, Hannibal22
J.J. 'Jake' Gittes is a fictional character form the 1990 film The Two Jakes.2738J.J. 'Jake' Gittes
The Two Jakes23
1115Martin Hart
True Detective (Season 1)24
John Ferguson is a fictional character from the 1958 film Vertigo.2030John Ferguson
Vertigo25
John Munch is a fictional character played by actor Richard Belzer. Munch first appeared on... more on Wikipedia1015John Munch
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, Homicide: Life on the Street
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