Have you ever looked at the sheer number of Sherlock Holmes television adaptations? The number is truly staggering, but when you consider the enduring popularity of Sir Arthur Conan Doyles canon, its not exactly surprising. The Holmes stories have been in the public domain as of January 1, 2023, but television studios have been churning them out for decades before that.So, what makes Sherlock Holmes so TV-friendly, given that he and his adventures were conceived before TV was even invented? Its simple enough: Doyles stories follow a formula that works for televisionshort mysteries in single acts, able to be condensed down into a screenplay that lasts an hour or so. Sherlock Holmes was a case-of-the-week procedural before case-of-the-week procedurals had beeninvented.Theres also an enduring appeal to mystery stories that the Sherlock Holmes tales harnessed, creating storylines and narrative webs that invite obsession and fascination. Its also true that Sherlock Holmes the character, like his friend Dr. Watson, his housekeeper Mrs. Hudson, and his reluctant employer Inspector Lestrade are easy to like no matter what version of the stories youre reading or watching.In that vein, weve decided to rank the ten best Sherlock Holmes TV shows, from lesser-known sci-fi cartoons and Soviet dramas to the modern-day adaptations set in England, America, and even Japan. What makes Sherlock Holmes so popular? Its, well, elementary.The Best Sherlock Holmes TV Adaptations, RankedPut on your deerstalker cap and let's rank the best Sherlock Holmes shows.Gallery Credit: Emma StefanskyREAD MORE:10 TV Shows Everyone Loves That Are Actually BadGet our free mobile appTV Shows We Used to Love That Are Cringe NowWe can't say why we liked these shows, but we can certainly say why we can't watch them now.Gallery Credit: Emma StefanskyFiled Under: Sherlock, Sherlock HolmesCategories: Galleries, Original Features, TV News