Sherlock Holmes

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2:26

Sherlock Holmes

PG-13,

2009,

2h 8m,

Action/

Adventure/

Mystery & Thriller

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69%

245 Reviews

Tomatometer

77%

250,000+ Ratings

Popcornmeter

69%

Tomatometer

245 Reviews

77%

Popcornmeter

250,000+ Ratings

When a string of brutal murders terrorizes London, it doesn't take long for legendary detective Sherlock Holmes (Robert Downey Jr.) and his crime-solving partner, Dr. Watson (Jude Law), to find the killer, Lord Blackwood (Mark Strong). A devotee of the dark arts, Blackwood has a bigger scheme in mind, and his execution plays right into his plans. The game is afoot when Blackwood seems to rise from the grave, plunging Holmes and Watson into the world of the occult and strange technologies.

Critics Consensus

Guy Ritchie's directorial style might not be quite the best fit for an update on the legendary detective, but Sherlock Holmes benefits from the elementary appeal of a strong performance by Robert Downey, Jr.

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Shubhra Gupta

The Indian Express

Apr 17, 2019

2/5

Watch it, by all means, for a dazzling visual feast, but be warned, this Sherlock is more show than tell.

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Ed Koch

The Atlantic

Jan 16, 2018

The Victorian sets are terrific and the performances of Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law, both consummate actors with a special style, are excellent. Nevertheless, their performances are not enough to compensate for a less than stellar script.

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Candice Frederick

Reel Talk Online

Sep 11, 2017

B

As for the film itself, in true Guy Ritchie style is was all over the place with the craziness. But if you can set aside your image of Boyle's Sherlock, you may enjoy this a little more.

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Nick Rogers

Midwest Film Journal

Apr 28, 2025

4/5

The film lets character elements breathe before enshrouding Sherlock Holmes in a rather rote mystery. Even amid herky-jerky rushes of headlong exposition, Robert Downey, Jr. keeps the proceedings humming at a good clip with amusing performative nuance.

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Elliott Cuff

Loud and Clear Reviews

Mar 20, 2025

3.5/5

Sherlock Holmes remains a strong calling card for Ritchie, as well as an under-appreciated chapter in the respective careers of its star-studded cast.

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Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

Aug 28, 2023

3/4

Ritchie [has] slapped the viewer across the face to get their attention, and in the process changed the character for a less attentive audience.

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George G

Apr 7, 2019

The style of Guy Ritchie does not fit this franchise's previously set tone very well but Rober Downey Jr's charming performance and his relationship with Jude Law's John Whatson elevate the films overly complicated plot to a much higher level.

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Luke S

Apr 4, 2019

Would have been SO much better if the two leads had switched roles. Well, that and a better writer.

Draco R

Jan 7, 2019

Dare I say this was quite...boring? The script was a little muddled and some of the accents were atrocious but Richie's tight directing during the more action-centric scenes (and a fun last 20 mins) save it from being a complete flop!

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Han W

Jan 4, 2019

Robert Downey Jr. goes all out and makes for the perfect Sherlock Holmes in this great adaptation of the classic stories.

Abraham S

Dec 30, 2018

Great performances by Jude Law and Downey Jr. make this a film worth watching at least once. Possibly twice.

Theodore M

Dec 27, 2018

Alot of people say how the two Sherlocks were horrible. But personally these are 2 of my fav. movies!

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Guy Ritchie

Director

Robert Downey Jr.

Sherlock Holmes

Jude Law

Dr. John Watson

Rachel McAdams

Irene Adler

Mark Strong

Blackwood

Eddie Marsan

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Sherlock Holmes: Trailer 1

2:26

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Synopsis

When a string of brutal murders terrorizes London, it doesn't take long for legendary detective Sherlock Holmes (Robert Downey Jr.) and his crime-solving partner, Dr. Watson (Jude Law), to find the killer, Lord Blackwood (Mark Strong). A devotee of the dark arts, Blackwood has a bigger scheme in mind, and his execution plays right into his plans. The game is afoot when Blackwood seems to rise from the grave, plunging Holmes and Watson into the world of the occult and strange technologies.

Director: Guy Ritchie
Producer: Joel Silver, Lionel Wigram, Susan Downey, Dan Lin
Screenwriter: Michael Robert Johnson, Anthony Peckham, Simon Kinberg
Distributor: Warner Bros.
Production Co: Silver Pictures, Wigram Productions
Rating: PG-13 (Intense Sequences of Action|A Scene of Suggestive Material|Intense Sequences of Violence|Startling Images)
Genre: Action, Adventure, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 25, 2009, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Jun 20, 2013
Box Office (Gross USA): $209.0M
Runtime: 2h 8m

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