Holmes & Watson (2018): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot
Holmes & Watson is a 2018 adventure comedy directed by Etan Cohen, starring Will Ferrell as Sherlock Holmes, John C. Reilly and Ralph Fiennes. It brings to the screen characters from The Complete Sherlock Holmes by Arthur Conan Doyle. It runs 1 hour 30 minutes and earned $40.5 million worldwide on a $42 million budget. Critics gave it 10% on Rotten Tomatoes, and IMDb users rate it 3.9/10.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 30m (90 min)
- Director
- Etan Cohen
- Original language
-
English
- Studio
- Columbia Pictures
- Budget
- $42M
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Holmes & Watson About?
The premise of Holmes & Watson without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
When the Queen's life is threatened, Sherlock Holmes and Dr. John Watson investigate a complex plot within the palace. It appears Moriarty is involved, but as they delve deeper, they uncover surprising twists and turns. The iconic duo must use all their skills to outwit a dangerous adversary and expose a web of deceit, where appearances can be deceiving and loyalties are tested.
Holmes & Watson Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- judge
- england
- professor moriarty character
- kiss
- first kiss
- younger version of character
- boarding school
- saving a life
- clue
- animated sequence
- bomb
- male corset
+38 more Show fewer
- trial
- explosion
- fake mustache
- moving mustache
- prologue
- scene during opening credits
- queen victoria character
- dr. john watson character
- turtle
- first day at school
- blindfold
- donkey
- prank
- year 1867
- written by director
- reference to shakespeare's romeo and juliet
- inspector lestrade character
- onion
- buckingham palace
- surprise birthday party
- poison
- telegraph
- stabbed in the back
- stabbed to death
- wyoming
- worst picture razzie winner
- rms titanic
- humiliation
- disgrace
- sigmund freud character
- mark twain character
- charlie chaplin character
- harry houdini character
- reference to mahatma gandhi
- legendary character
- school bullying
- autopsy
- birthday cake
Holmes & Watson Cast & Characters
Will Ferrell leads the cast as Sherlock Holmes, with John C. Reilly as Dr. Watson and Ralph Fiennes as Professor James Moriarty. Directed by Etan Cohen; 12 actors are credited in all.
- Director Etan Cohen
-
Will Ferrell as Sherlock Holmes -
John C. Reilly as Dr. Watson -
Ralph Fiennes as Professor James Moriarty -
Kelly Macdonald as Mrs. Martha Hudson
Also Starring in Holmes & Watson
· 8 more- Rob Brydon Inspector Lestrade
- Pam Ferris Queen Victoria
- Lauren Lapkus Millicent
- Steve Coogan
- Hugh Laurie
- Bella Ramsey
- Noah Jupe
- Bronson Webb
More from Etan Cohen
More films directed by Etan Cohen, best-rated first: Get Hard and My Wife Is Retarded.
Holmes & Watson Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave Holmes & Watson 10% on Rotten Tomatoes, and IMDb users rate it 3.9/10. Our Echo Score gives it 34/100, strongest in character & emotion (45) and weakest in story & flow (25).
Holmes & Watson Echo Score Breakdown
Overall, Holmes & Watson struggles with uneven humor and uninspired execution across its key elements. Most commentary notes the film’s reliance on a handful of repeated jokes and a lack of narrative inventiveness, leading to a tedious viewing experience. Although a small group of viewers praise its anarchic energy and comic interplay, these moments fail to overcome the pervasive flat pacing and weak structure. Ultimately, the film is unable to deliver consistent engagement or meaningful comedic impact.
Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.
- Art & Craft 25
In terms of art and craft, the film's visual execution offers little distinction. Critics point to lethargic pacing and uninspired editing that emphasize repeated gags rather than visual variety. User feedback does not highlight any memorable production design or cinematographic flair, and the modest reveal of props is undermined by flat staging. Overall, the technical presentation feels perfunctory and fails to elevate the material.
- Character & Emotion 45
In terms of character and emotion, the film presents uneven performances that hinder emotional investment. Many reviewers describe the lead duo's interplay as forced, citing a lack of genuine chemistry and caricatured portrayals. However, some viewers admire Ferrell’s comic timing and O’Reilly’s affectionate take on Watson, noting occasional spontaneous moments of energy. Despite these sparks, character depth remains superficial and underdeveloped.
- Story & Flow 25
In terms of story and flow, the film relies heavily on a few recurring gags that undercut narrative momentum and undermine engagement. Critics note a thin plot that offers minimal coherence or inventive twists, while several users echo frustration with weak scripting and pacing. Although occasional humorous beats emerge, they are insufficient to overcome the film’s overall lack of narrative substance.
- Sensory Experience 30
In terms of sensory experience, the film offers limited auditory or visual distinction. The score and sound design are largely unremarkable, receiving little mention in reviews, while the visual style leans on generic staging and uninspired editing transitions. A few viewers highlight precise timing in sound cues, but these moments are overshadowed by the overall lack of stylistic cohesion. The sensory elements fail to enrich the comedy.
- Rewatch Factor 45
When it comes to rewatch factor, opinions diverge sharply, but negative sentiment predominates. Critics discourage repeat viewings due to tedious humor, while a minority of fans describe discovering new laughs on subsequent watches. Some users believe the film could gain a cult following, yet the prevailing consensus is that the inconsistent comedic quality undermines lasting appeal. Overall, few viewers consider it highly rewatchable.
-
IMDb 3.9 /10
See on IMDb -
Rotten Tomatoes 10% Tomatometer
Popcornmeter 25%
See on Rotten Tomatoes -
TMDB 43% User score
See on TMDB -
Letterboxd 1.6 /5
22 ratings
See on Letterboxd -
Movie Insider 1.0 /5
See on Movie Insider
Holmes & Watson Plot Summary
What happens in Holmes & Watson from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
In England, 1867, a young Sherlock Holmes (Hector Bateman-Harden) finds himself dropped off at a boarding school by his mother. Soon after his arrival, he becomes the target of relentless bullying from his classmates. Despite their initial attempts to befriend him, which lead to a humiliating incident involving a donkey, Sherlock decides to shut off his emotions entirely and devote his life to crime-solving. He resolves from that day forward to use his intelligence to expose the misdeeds of his peers. It’s during this time that he encounters young John Watson (Codie-Lei Eastick), setting the stage for a lifelong friendship.
Full summary
The whole story of Holmes & Watson, scene by scene
Holmes & Watson Box Office & Budget
Holmes & Watson grossed $40.5 million worldwide on a $42 million budget, 96% of what it cost. $30.6 million came from the US and Canada and $9.9 million (24%) from the rest of the world.
Worldwide gross
$40.5M
96% of its budget back
- US & Canada
- $30.6M
- International
- $9.9M
- Budget
- $42M
Holmes & Watson Trailers & Videos
2 videos: 2 trailers.
- Trailer Holmes and Watson: Official Trailer
How Well Do You Know Holmes & Watson?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
What is the year setting for the beginning of the movie?
Cars in Holmes & Watson
31 cars on screen, including the 2005 Chevrolet Aveo and the 2006 Chevrolet Super Carry.
-
2005 Chevrolet Aveo Minor role -
2006 Chevrolet Super Carry Minor role -
2015 Dodge Journey Minor role -
1977 Renault 12 Minor role
Holmes & Watson Also Known As
29 alternative titles, including “Holmes and Watson” and “福尔摩斯&华生”.
- Also known as
-
- Holmes and Watson
- 福尔摩斯&华生
- Holmes y Watson
- Holmes & Watson: 2 (de)menti al servizio della regina
- Holmes & Watson - 2 de menti al servizio della regina
- Holmes and Watson 2 dementi al servizio della regina
- Холмс і Ватсон
- Holmes & Watson: Weapons of Mass Deduction
- Холмс и Ватсон
- Холмс и Уотсън
- Holmes és Watson
- הולמס & ווטסון
+17 more Show fewer
- Σέρλοκ Χολμς & Δρ. Γουότσον
- 홈즈 & 왓슨
- Холмс и Вотсон
- Holmes i Watson
- Holmes e Watson
- Holmes și Watson
- 福尔摩斯与华生
- Šerlokas Holmsas ir daktaras Vatsonas
- Holmes ja Watson
- 福爾摩濕與滑生
- Holmes et Watson
- Šerloks Holmss un doktors Vatsons
- 俺たちホームズ&ワトソン
- Holmes in Watson
- होम्स और वॉट्सन
- شارلوك هولمز والدكتور واطسون
- โฮล์มส์ แอนด์ วัตสัน
Seen Holmes & Watson?
Movies Like Holmes & Watson
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Sherlock Holmes, Young Sherlock Holmes and The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes.
-
Sherlock Holmes 2009 -
Young Sherlock Holmes 1985 -
The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes 1939 -
Sherlock Holmes 1916 -
The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes 1970 -
Sherlock Holmes 1932 -
Sherlock Holmes 1922 -
Sherlock Holmes: Incident at Victoria Falls 1992 -
The Adventure of Sherlock Holmes’ Smarter Brother 1975 -
Sherlock Holmes Faces Death 1943 -
Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows 2011 -
The Triumph of Sherlock Holmes 1935
Holmes & Watson FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime
Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings and post-credit scenes of Holmes & Watson, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Holmes & Watson?
Holmes & Watson runs 1 hour 30 minutes (90 minutes).
When was Holmes & Watson released?
Holmes & Watson was released on December 25, 2018.
Who directed Holmes & Watson?
Holmes & Watson was directed by Etan Cohen.
More films by Etan Cohen Who is in the cast of Holmes & Watson?
Holmes & Watson stars Will Ferrell as Sherlock Holmes, John C. Reilly as Dr. Watson and Ralph Fiennes as Professor James Moriarty, among 12 credited actors.
How much did Holmes & Watson make at the box office?
Holmes & Watson grossed $40.5 million worldwide ($30.6 million domestic, $9.9 million international) on a budget of $42 million.
How is Holmes & Watson rated?
Holmes & Watson has 3.9/10 on IMDb, 10% on Rotten Tomatoes, 43% on TMDB and 1.6/5 on Letterboxd.
Does Holmes & Watson have a post-credit scene?
No. Holmes & Watson has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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