Sherlock Holmes (2009)
Kernel Score: 81% · 14,617 ratings · Rated PG-13
Genres: Action, Adventure, Crime, Mystery
Released: 2009-12-23
Runtime: 129 minutes
Is Sherlock Holmes worth watching?
Worth watching. A lively take on Sherlock Holmes as a brawler, with Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law trading barbs. It's more action than mystery but has real charm and a strong period look.
Watch it if you
- like buddy comedies with fights
- enjoy Victorian London settings
- want light entertainment
Skip it if you
- want a puzzle-box mystery
- dislike hyperactive direction
Best for: Easy action night
Fresh Kernels verdict, AI-assisted from our scores, audience reviews and the official rating.
Where to watch Sherlock Holmes
- Rent: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
- Buy: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
US availability, updated 2026-10-23.
Overview
Eccentric consulting detective Sherlock Holmes and Doctor John Watson battle to bring down a new nemesis and unravel a deadly plot that could destroy England.
Sherlock Holmes parents' guide: ages 11+
Parents need to know that Sherlock Holmes is a PG-13 mystery-adventure with stylized action, occult imagery, and a serial-killer plot.
- Violence & scariness: Moderate — Includes serial-killer murders, black-magic imagery, and hyperkinetic action fight sequences typical of PG-13 adventure.
Fresh Kernels AI-assessed from the official PG-13 rating, publicly documented content. A guide for families, not an official rating.
Movies like Sherlock Holmes
If you liked Sherlock Holmes, these are the movies we'd watch next.
- Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows (2011) — 80%: The sequel with the same cast and energy
- Enola Holmes (2020) — 81%: Lighter, family-friendly Holmes family adventure
- Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels (1998) — 89%: Guy Ritchie's fast, funny London crime caper
- Snatch (2000) — 88%: Ritchie's other fast-talking British crime comedy
- The Gentlemen (2020) — 86%: Ritchie's slick crime comedy
- Kingsman: The Secret Service (2015) — 86%: Stylish British action comedy
Director
Cast
- Robert Downey Jr. as Sherlock Holmes
- Jude Law as Dr. John Watson
- Rachel McAdams as Irene Adler
- Mark Strong as Lord Henry Blackwood
- Eddie Marsan as Inspector Lestrade
- Robert Maillet as Dredger
- Geraldine James as Mrs. Hudson
- Kelly Reilly as Mary Morstan
- William Houston as Constable Clark
- Hans Matheson as Lord Coward
Sherlock Holmes FAQ
Is Sherlock Holmes worth watching?
Worth watching. A lively take on Sherlock Holmes as a brawler, with Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law trading barbs. It's more action than mystery but has real charm and a strong period look.
Where can I watch Sherlock Holmes?
In the US you can rent it from Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play and YouTube.
Is Sherlock Holmes OK for kids?
Sherlock Holmes is rated PG-13. Fresh Kernels suggests ages 11+. Parents need to know that Sherlock Holmes is a PG-13 mystery-adventure with stylized action, occult imagery, and a serial-killer plot.
What movies are like Sherlock Holmes?
If you liked Sherlock Holmes, try Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows, Enola Holmes, Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels and Snatch.