Who is the world's greatest detective?
Asked by: Nelda Howe | Last update: February 11, 2026Score: 4.2/5 (12 votes)
The title of "world's greatest detective" most famously and consistently belongs to the fictional character Sherlock Holmes, created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, due to his legendary powers of deduction, observation, and logical reasoning, influencing the entire detective genre. While other characters like Batman and L from Death Note are also called this, Holmes is the archetype, holding Guinness World Records for the most portrayed fictional character in film and television.
Who is the world's greatest detective in real life?
Top ten real life detectives
- Jay J Armes. ...
- Alice Clement. ...
- Dave Toschi. ...
- William E Fairbairn. ...
- Francois Vidocq. ...
- Allan Pinkerton. ...
- Mary Doyle. ...
- Kate Warne. Kate Warne was the first and only female detective Allan Pinkerton ever hired, and she was deeply influential.
Is Tim Drake the world's greatest detective?
Investigation: Tim is considered to be the world's second greatest detective by many. Batman says that Tim's detective skills will surely outmatch him one day.
Is Benoit Blanc the world's greatest detective?
Benoit Blanc, the brilliant Southern private investigator from the Knives Out films, is often called the "world's greatest detective" within the movie universe, a reputation earned through solving numerous high-profile, complex mysteries, though he's a fictional character, so it's a title given by fans and the films' world rather than an official decree. He's known for his unique charm, eccentric comparisons, and keen ability to piece together seemingly small details into a definitive, often surprising, conclusion, making him a modern, relatable, yet genius detective.
What is the world's greatest detective?
Sherlock Holmes
- Sherlock Holmes (/ˈʃɜːrlɒk ˈhoʊmz/) is a fictional detective created by British author Arthur Conan Doyle. ...
- The character Sherlock Holmes first appeared in print in 1887's A Study in Scarlet. ...
- Though not the first fictional detective, Sherlock Holmes is arguably the best known.
This is why Batman is the World's Greatest Detective | Batman: Assault on Arkham
Who is World No. 1 detective?
At the heart of these detective stories is often a fascinating character—someone like Sherlock Holmes, the world's greatest detective, whose sharp mind and keen observation skills have become legendary.
Who is better, Poirot or Holmes?
Sherlock Holmes has solved 60 cases after appearing in 62 stories in total, 4 novels and 58 short stories. In comparison, Hercule Poirot has solved 80 cases and has appeared in 33 of Christie's novels, 51 short stories and a play.
Who is America's best detective?
There's no single "best detective," but recent top honors went to Sgt. Julissa Trapp (Anaheim PD) for "America's Greatest Detective" (2025), recognizing her work on serial killer cases. Other highly regarded detectives include retired Lt. Joe Kenda (Colorado Springs PD), known for his high closure rate on Homicide Hunter, and cold case expert Detective Kevin Hutchison (Sunnyvale, CA). Historical figures like Kate Warne, Pinkerton's first female detective, are also legendary.
Which is the No. 1 suspense movie?
There's no single "No. 1" suspense movie, as it's subjective, but highly acclaimed contenders often cited for their gripping tension include Alfred Hitchcock's classics like Psycho and Rear Window, psychological thrillers like Se7en, The Silence of the Lambs, and Inception, and modern hits like Get Out, with Joker leading box office for the genre.
What is Sherlock's IQ?
In adaptations, the intelligence can be as high as the creators want, for example Dr. House had an IQ of 178 and Holmes in Sherlock had an IQ of 180.
Who's richer, Batman or Tony Stark?
While estimates vary across comics and films, Tony Stark (Iron Man) is generally portrayed as richer than Bruce Wayne (Batman), though Bruce's diversified Wayne Enterprises wealth and massive charity spending make him a close second, with some sources even placing him ahead due to his broader business empire versus Stark's reliance on tech. Both are considered among the wealthiest fictional characters, with estimates often putting Stark in the $12-20 billion range and Wayne slightly lower, but definitions of "wealth" (assets vs. liquid cash) can shift the balance.
Does Batman support LGBTQ?
The characters we highlight and enjoy everyday, The Batman and the Bat- Family, would never discriminate against which lives they protect in Gotham City based on things like sexual orientation and someone's own happiness. All are equal and in need of Gotham's vigilantes' help.
Who has a higher IQ than Batman?
Lurhor is probably the one with the highest IQ, followed by Mr Terrific and Bruce Wayne. The Captain is not that smart, but he can channel Salomon's wisdom. That's a superpower, not being smart.
What's the best True Detective?
Season 1 is generally recognized as True Detective's best season, with the dynamic between Woody Harrelson and Matthew McConaughey making the most of a compelling mystery, but the show's other seasons also have plenty of great moments.
Who was the greatest detective who never lived?
The Great Detective: The Amazing Rise and Immortal Life of Sherlock Holmes. I confess to a long-held fascination with Holmes and Watson and was instantly intrigued at this promised “biography of someone who never lived”.
Who is the ultimate detective?
Ultimate Detective refers to Kyoko Kirigiri and Shuichi Saihara. Although they have the same talent, their personalities and their detective skills are different. Kyoko, in Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc, is stoic and reserved about her feelings, not wanting them to affect her cases.
What is the #1 film of all time?
There's no single "number one movie" as it depends on the metric, but by worldwide box office gross, James Cameron's Avatar (2009) is #1, followed by Avengers: Endgame (2019) and Avatar: The Way of Water (2022). For critical acclaim, The Godfather (1972) and Citizen Kane (1941) are often cited, while The Shawshank Redemption tops user-rated lists like IMDb's.
What is the most mind boggling movie?
There's no single "most" mind-bending movie, but top contenders consistently include Inception, Mulholland Drive, Memento, Donnie Darko, Fight Club, and Primer, known for challenging reality, perception, and narrative structure with complex plots, dream logic, or unreliable perspectives, often involving time loops, identity shifts, or altered states. Other popular choices are Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Jacob's Ladder, Predestination, and 2001: A Space Odyssey.
Which movie has a 9.6 rating?
Movies with 9.6 IMDb ratings are exceptionally highly-rated, often independent or documentary films like Hello Beautiful (2025) and The Edge of Possible, though extremely popular films like The Shawshank Redemption (9.3) and The Godfather (9.2) are near this range, showing it's reserved for cinematic gems, often including recent indie dramas, documentaries, or international titles with strong viewer votes on IMDb.
Why is Poirot better than Holmes?
The contrast between his physical features and his outstanding brain is one of his most important weapons. While Holmes is a master at disguise, Poirot does not need to, and perhaps could not, disguise.
What is the salary of a detective in America?
As of Jan 17, 2026, the average annual pay for a Detective in the United States is $61,905 a year. Just in case you need a simple salary calculator, that works out to be approximately $29.76 an hour. This is the equivalent of $1,190/week or $5,158/month.
Who is the most played detective worldwide?
Unsurprisingly consulting detective Sherlock Holmes has been portrayed the most times on TV worldwide. From his earliest small-screen appearance on NBC experimental programming in 1937 to the present day more than 30 actors have essayed the role.
Who is the best Poirot ever?
While personal preference varies, David Suchet is overwhelmingly considered the definitive and best Hercule Poirot for his unparalleled fidelity to Agatha Christie's detailed character, embodying his meticulousness, vanity, and brilliance over 25 years on television. Other popular choices include Peter Ustinov, praised for his charming wit, and Albert Finney, who delivered a memorable cinematic performance, though Suchet's deep immersion into the character's psyche makes him the top choice for most fans.
Which Poirot story was deemed unfilmable?
The Agatha Christie short story deemed "unfilmable" by David Suchet, preventing him from portraying Poirot in every story, was "The Lemesurier Inheritance," a tale involving a family curse where the firstborn son supposedly won't inherit the title, with the difficulty possibly lying in its structure or a key plot element. While Black Coffee (a play) was also not filmed, "The Lemesurier Inheritance" is specifically cited as the one short story due to its perceived unfilmable nature, according to Agatha Christie Wiki and WordPress.com.
What is the famous line from Sherlock Holmes?
"How often have I said to you that when you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth?