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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18755Sherlock 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... more2
12965Hercule Poirot
Agatha Christie's Poirot, Murder on the Orient ExpressHercule Poirot is the effete, efficient Belgian detective created by mystery writer Dame... more3
147110Batman
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... more4
8458Columbo
ColumboColumbo is an American television series starring Peter Falk as a detective with the Los... more5
7550L
Death Note, Death NotePowers & Abilities: Natural deduction
L Lawliet, exclusively known by the mononym L, is a fictional character in the manga series... more6
5342Miss Marple
Miss Marple: Nemesis, Murder Most FoulJane Marple, usually referred to as Miss Marple, is a fictional character appearing in 12 of... more7
6049Adrian Monk
Monk, Monk UniverseAdrian Monk is a title character and the protagonist of the USA Network television series... more8
5142Sam Spade
The Maltese Falcon, The Maltese FalconSam Spade is a fictional private detective and the protagonist of Dashiell Hammett's 1930... more9
4844Rust Cohle
True DetectiveRust Cohle is a fictional character from the 2014 TV series True Detective.... more10
4643Jessica Fletcher
Murder, She WroteJessica Fletcher is a character and the protagonist portrayed by veteran Tony-winning actress... more11
4644Philip Marlowe
The Singing Detective, Philip MarlowePhilip Marlowe is a fictional character created by Raymond Chandler. Marlowe first appeared... more12
3430Inspector Clouseau
Trail of the Pink Panther, The Return of the Pink PantherChief Inspector Jacques Clouseau is a fictional character in Blake Edwards' farcical The Pink... more13
2522Nero Wolfe
The League of Frightened Men, Nero WolfeNero Wolfe is a fictional character, an armchair detective created in 1934 by the American... more14
4144DCI John Luther
Luther15
1712Shawn Spencer
Psych, PsychPowers & Abilities: Eidetic memory
Shawn Spencer is a fictional character on the American television drama and comedy Psych... more16
105Jim Rockford
The Rockford FilesJim Rockford is a fictional character from the film The Rockford Files.... more17
3136Perry Mason
Perry Mason, Perry Mason: The Case of the Lady in the LakePerry Mason is a fictional character, a criminal defense lawyer who is the main character in... more18
3345Rorschach
Watchmen, WatchmenPowers & Abilities: Gymnastics
Rorschach is a fictional character and an antihero of the acclaimed 1986 graphic novel... more19
2840Clarice Starling
The Silence of the Lambs, HannibalClarice M. Starling is a fictional character and the protagonist of the novels The Silence of... more20
2941Inspector Lestrade
Sherlock, Meitantei HolmesInsp. Lestrade is a fictional character from the 2002 film Case of Evil: Case of Evil.... more21
2738Veronica Mars
Veronica Mars, Veronica MarsVeronica Mars is the fictional protagonist, occasional narrator, and antiheroine in UPN/The CW... more22
1218Conan Edogawa
Case Closed: Private Eye in the Distant Sea23
1218Olivia Benson
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, Law & Order: Special Victims UnitOlivia Benson is a fictional character on the NBC police procedural drama Law & Order: Special... more24
2639J.J. 'Jake' Gittes
The Two JakesJ.J. 'Jake' Gittes is a fictional character form the 1990 film The Two Jakes.... more25
1522Elliot Stabler
Law & Order: Special Victims UnitElliot Stabler is a fictional character portrayed by Christopher Meloni and one of the lead... more
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