Agatha Christie's timeless mysteries continue to captivate audiences, and Kenneth Branagh's lavish adaptation of Death on the Nile is proving that the Queen of Crime's appeal is as strong as ever. The 2022 film, which stars Branagh as the iconic detective Hercule Poirot alongside a glittering ensemble cast, has surged back into the spotlight by landing at No. 2 on Netflix's global top 10 chart in July 2026.
Directed by and starring Branagh, Death on the Nile follows Poirot as he investigates a murder aboard a luxurious cruise ship sailing the Nile. The victim is Linnet Ridgeway (Gal Gadot), a beautiful heiress who has just married the charming but penniless Simon Doyle (Armie Hammer). As Poirot peels back layers of jealousy, greed, and betrayal among the passengers, he uncovers a web of secrets that leads to a shocking conclusion.
The film boasts a powerhouse cast that includes Annette Bening as a bohemian painter, Russell Brand as a doctor, Ali Fazal as Linnet's cousin, Rose Leslie as a maid, and Emma Mackey as Simon's scorned ex-lover. Critics gave the film a 62% score on Rotten Tomatoes, while audiences were more generous with an 82% approval rating. Despite mixed reviews for its pacing and heavy use of CGI to recreate 1930s Egypt, the movie was a commercial hit, grossing $137.3 million worldwide.
Branagh's Christie franchise began with Murder on the Orient Express in 2017, which was a box office success and paved the way for Death on the Nile and the subsequent A Haunting in Venice. Now, four years after its initial release, Death on the Nile is finding a new audience on Netflix, where it's riding high alongside titles like the Spanish thriller Desire, the eagerly awaited Heartstopper Forever movie, and The Creator.
For fans of classic whodunits, this resurgence is a reminder of why Christie's stories remain so beloved. If you're in the mood for more murder mysteries, check out our analysis of why the 2015 'And Then There Were None' is the definitive Agatha Christie adaptation. And for those who love a good streaming chart battle, Apple TV's 'Cape Fear' remake dominates streaming charts ahead of July 2026 finale.
Death on the Nile is now streaming on Netflix. Stay tuned to ShowtimeSpot for more updates on your favorite movies and shows.
