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Animated comedy

Sherlock Gnomes (2018): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot

Sherlock Gnomes (2018) movie poster

Sherlock Gnomes is a 2018 animated comedy directed by John Stevenson, starring Johnny Depp as Sherlock Gnomes, James McAvoy and Emily Blunt. It brings to the screen characters from The Complete Sherlock Holmes by Arthur Conan Doyle. It runs 1 hour 26 minutes and earned $90.5 million worldwide on a $59 million budget. Critics gave it 28% on Rotten Tomatoes and 36 on Metacritic.

Rotten Tomatoes
28%
worldwide gross
$90.5M
Echo Score
39
Metascore
36
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Sherlock Gnomes (2018) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 26m (86 min)
Director
John Stevenson
Original language
English
Budget
$59M
After the credits
Yes Extra scene during or after the credits
The story

What Is Sherlock Gnomes About?

The premise of Sherlock Gnomes without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

The peaceful existence of Gnomeo and Juliet is shattered when several garden gnomes vanish without a trace. Sherlock Gnomes, a renowned detective, and his faithful companion, Watson, are called upon to investigate the puzzling disappearances. Their search leads them on a thrilling journey through London, where they meet a colorful cast of characters and discover a hidden world beneath the city. As they follow the clues, they uncover a dangerous plot and must race against time to save their fellow gnomes.

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Cast & crew

Sherlock Gnomes Cast & Characters

Johnny Depp leads the cast as Sherlock Gnomes, with James McAvoy as Gnomeo and Emily Blunt as Juliet. Directed by John Stevenson; 14 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Sherlock Gnomes

· 10 more
From the director

More from John Stevenson

More films directed by John Stevenson, best-rated first: Kung Fu Panda, Middle Watch and The Polar Bears.

Full filmography
Ratings

Sherlock Gnomes Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Sherlock Gnomes 28% on Rotten Tomatoes and 36 on Metacritic. Our Echo Score gives it 39/100, strongest in art & craft (70) and weakest in rewatch factor (25).

39 /100

Sherlock Gnomes Echo Score Breakdown

The film struggles to coalesce its elements into a coherent and engaging whole. While the animation quality shows notable improvement over its predecessor, the weak narrative and shallow character work undermine the experience. The pacing feels uneven, and the soundtrack choices do not sustain interest beyond initial novelty. Audiences may appreciate occasional visual flair but will find limited reasons for repeat viewings. Ultimately, the film leaves a predominantly negative impression despite isolated technical strengths.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 70

    In terms of art and craft, the animation quality represents the film’s strongest technical asset. Reviews highlight a crisp, detailed CG style and more textured set pieces compared to the original. Direction and editing maintain a brisk pace during action sequences, although certain visual choices lack cohesion within the broader design. Overall, the film delivers serviceable production values but stops short of being visually memorable.

  • Character & Emotion 45

    When it comes to characters and emotional resonance, the film delivers uneven results. Voice performances range from a standout lead turn to largely interchangeable supporting roles, leading to limited connection with most figures. Character development feels superficial, with motivations sparsely explored and moments of chemistry failing to coalesce. Overall, the emotional dimension remains underdeveloped, resulting in a cast presentation that struggles to engage beyond surface-level interactions.

  • Story & Flow 30

    In terms of story and narrative flow, the film lacks coherence and originality. Plot progression relies on predictable beats and forced connections to its predecessor, resulting in a thin premise with minimal stakes. Pacing oscillates between rushed set pieces and lulls in development, and attempts at mystery generate little suspense. Overall, the narrative feels formulaic and undercooked, undermining engagement throughout the runtime.

  • Sensory Experience 50

    In terms of sensory experience, the soundtrack and design produce uneven results. The score incorporates recognizable pop tunes and licensed remixes, though these choices can seem disjointed and dilute the film’s tonal consistency. Sound design and mixing adequately support action sequences, but the musical moments lack thematic cohesion. Overall, the auditory presentation is competent yet fleeting, contributing little lasting impact to the viewing experience.

  • Rewatch Factor 25

    In terms of rewatch appeal, the film offers limited incentive for repeat viewings. Narrative engagement hinges on novelty rather than depth, and humor suited to young audiences does not translate into sustained enjoyment. While isolated action set pieces and visual flourishes may momentarily entertain, the lack of emotional or thematic layers reduces long-term interest. Overall, the film’s fleeting charms are unlikely to inspire subsequent viewings.

Plot

Sherlock Gnomes Plot Summary

What happens in Sherlock Gnomes from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 5-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

In a bold heist, the infamous Moriarty, disguised as a clever pie mascot, seizes control of London’s Natural History Museum, taking the city’s tiny gnomes hostage. The authorities, spearheaded by the brilliant detective Sherlock Gnomes and his steadfast companion Dr. Watson, initiate a quick rescue operation to apprehend the villain. After an exciting showdown, Moriarty appears to meet his end, crushed beneath the mighty weight of a dinosaur skeleton.

Full summary

The whole story of Sherlock Gnomes, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

Sherlock Gnomes Box Office & Budget

Sherlock Gnomes grossed $90.5 million worldwide on a $59 million budget, 1.5 times what it cost. $43.2 million came from the US and Canada and $47.3 million (52%) from the rest of the world.

2018 box office

Worldwide gross

$90.5M

1.5× its budget

US & Canada
$43.2M
International
$47.3M
Budget
$59M
US & Canada 48% Rest of the world 52%
Videos

Sherlock Gnomes Trailers & Videos

4 videos: 2 trailers, 1 clip and 1 behind-the-scenes video.

Official UK Trailer
  • Trailer Official US Trailer
  • Clip Sherlock Gnomes (2018) - Stronger Than I Ever Was Scene (7/10) | Movieclips
  • Behind the Scenes SHERLOCK GNOMES (2018) | Behind The Scenes of Johnny Depp Animation Movie
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Sherlock Gnomes?

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

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

Who is the main antagonist disguised as a pie mascot?

Details

Sherlock Gnomes Also Known As

26 alternative titles, including “Gnomeo & Juliet: Sherlock Gnomes” and “셜록놈즈”.

Also known as
  • Gnomeo & Juliet: Sherlock Gnomes
  • 셜록놈즈
  • 名探偵シャーロック・ノームズ
  • Gnomeu e Julieta: O Mistério do Jardim
  • Šerloks Rūķis
  • Шерлок Гномс
  • Mesterdetektiven Sherlock Gnomes
  • Gnómeó és Júlia 2: Sherlock Gnomes
  • Ζουμπαίος και Ιουλιέτα 2: Σέρλοκ Ζουμπόμς
  • Гномео и Жулиета 2
  • עולמם הסודי של גמדי הגינה
  • 셜록 놈즈
+14 more
  • Cüce Dedektif Şerlok
  • Gnomeo i Julia. Tajemnica zaginionych krasnali
  • Mästerdetektiven Sherlock Gnomes
  • Патуљак Шерлок Гномс
  • Sherlock Koumes
  • 吉诺密欧与朱丽叶2:淘气大侦探
  • 神探福爾摩侏
  • Mestarietsivä Sherlock Gnomes
  • شرلوک نومز
  • 糯爾摩斯
  • เชอร์ล็อค โนมส์
  • Šerlokas Gnomsas
  • Šerloks Rolmss
  • Sherlock Gnomes: Thám Tử Siêu Quậy

Seen Sherlock Gnomes?

FAQ

Sherlock Gnomes FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings and post-credit scenes of Sherlock Gnomes, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Sherlock Gnomes?

Sherlock Gnomes runs 1 hour 26 minutes (86 minutes).

When was Sherlock Gnomes released?

Sherlock Gnomes was released on March 23, 2018.

Who directed Sherlock Gnomes?

Sherlock Gnomes was directed by John Stevenson.

More films by John Stevenson

Who is in the cast of Sherlock Gnomes?

Sherlock Gnomes stars Johnny Depp as Sherlock Gnomes, James McAvoy as Gnomeo and Emily Blunt as Juliet, among 14 credited actors.

How much did Sherlock Gnomes make at the box office?

Sherlock Gnomes grossed $90.5 million worldwide ($43.2 million domestic, $47.3 million international) on a budget of $59 million.

How is Sherlock Gnomes rated?

Sherlock Gnomes has 28% on Rotten Tomatoes, 36 on Metacritic, 57% on TMDB and 2.2/5 on Letterboxd.

Does Sherlock Gnomes have a post-credit scene?

Yes. Sherlock Gnomes has an extra scene during or after the credits, so it is worth staying seated.

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