Sherlock Holmes 2009 Movie: Is It Still as Good Today? And Where Can You Watch It?
Last Updated on April 22, 2026
Sherlock Holmes 2009 brought Arthur Conan Doyle’s famous detective into a fresh, action-packed adaptation, blending mystery with high-energy set pieces.
Directed by Guy Ritchie, best known for his stylish crime films like Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels and Snatch, the film starred Robert Downey Jr. as Holmes and Jude Law as Dr. John Watson.
Their dynamic chemistry and the film’s gritty, fast-paced approach introduced a new generation to the famous detective.
Plot Summary
Set in Victorian-era London, the film opens in 1891 with Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson thwarting a ritualistic murder orchestrated by Lord Henry Blackwood (played by Mark Strong), a mysterious nobleman dabbling in the occult.
Blackwood is sentenced to death and hanged, but his apparent return from the grave sets off a new mystery.
As more murders occur, Holmes and Watson investigate the dark forces at play, uncovering a sinister conspiracy involving the Order of the Golden Dawn, a secret society with ties to the British government.
Blackwood’s plan is revealed to be a scheme to take over Britain using fear and supposed supernatural abilities.
However, Holmes unravels the scientific explanations behind Blackwood’s “magic,” proving that logic and deduction triumph over deception.
Meanwhile, Holmes also faces a personal challenge in the form of Irene Adler (Rachel McAdams), a cunning and resourceful woman from his past.
She is working for the enigmatic Professor Moriarty, setting up a sequel and leaving audiences intrigued about Holmes’ greatest adversary.
The film culminates in a dramatic showdown on the under-construction Tower Bridge, where Holmes confronts Blackwood and ensures that justice prevails.
The final scene teases the arrival of Moriarty, setting up the events for the sequel, Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows (2011).
Sherlock Holmes Cast & Characters
Robert Downey Jr. as Sherlock Holmes
Robert Downey Jr. brings a brilliant, eccentric, and more action-driven version of Sherlock Holmes.
This Holmes is a bare-knuckle fighter, a master of disguise, and an expert in deduction, but he is also deeply flawed, socially awkward, and unpredictable.
Jude Law as Dr. John Watson
Jude Law’s portrayal of Watson moves away from the bumbling sidekick seen in earlier adaptations.
Instead, he is a capable, intelligent, and skilled veteran of the Second Anglo-Afghan War, providing both emotional balance and physical support to Holmes.
Rachel McAdams as Irene Adler
Rachel McAdams plays Irene Adler, an independent, cunning, and charming woman who is one of the few people to ever outwit Holmes.
Her involvement with Moriarty hints at a larger scheme in the Sherlock Holmes universe.
Mark Strong as Lord Henry Blackwood
Mark Strong delivers a chilling performance as Blackwood, a calculating and ruthless antagonist whose apparent supernatural powers make him a formidable foe for Holmes.
Eddie Marsan as Inspector Lestrade
Eddie Marsan portrays Scotland Yard’s Inspector Lestrade, a recurring figure in Conan Doyle’s stories.
In this adaptation, he is both frustrated and fascinated by Holmes’ unconventional methods.
Who Wrote and Directed the Film?
The screenplay was written by Michael Robert Johnson, Anthony Peckham, and Simon Kinberg.
They took inspiration from Lionel Wigram’s graphic novel about Sherlock Holmes, which reimagined the detective as a more active, physically engaged figure while staying true to his intellectual prowess.
Guy Ritchie, known for his stylish and fast-paced films, was the perfect director for this fresh take on Holmes.
His signature quick-cut action sequences and kinetic style breathed new life into the character, making Holmes feel modern while still rooted in Victorian London.
The film’s music, composed by Hans Zimmer, was another standout feature, featuring an offbeat and unconventional soundtrack that helped define the film’s distinct style.
How Popular Was It?
The film was a massive commercial success. It grossed $524 million worldwide against a budget of $90 million, making it one of the highest-grossing films of 2009.
Critics praised the dynamic chemistry between Downey Jr. and Law, the engaging plot, and the unique reimagining of Holmes.
Some felt that the action-heavy approach deviated too much from the detective’s traditional intellectual style, but audiences largely embraced the film’s fresh energy.
On Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds a 69% critic rating and a 77% audience score, reflecting its strong fan reception.
It was nominated for two Academy Awards (Best Original Score and Best Art Direction) and won the Golden Globe for Best Actor (Robert Downey Jr.).
Where Can You Watch Sherlock Holmes 2009 Today?
Like any movie or TV show, where you live will determine where you can watch the 2009 Sherlock Holmes movie.
As of 2025, the film is available on Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and HBO Max in various regions.
In the UK, you will have to rent it on Amazon Prime, and in the US, it is included in your HBO Max subscription.
Availability will vary, so checking local streaming services is recommended.
How Does It Compare to Other Adaptations?
Elementary (2012-2019)
Elementary offered a fresh interpretation of Arthur Conan Doyle’s iconic detective, played by Jonny Lee Miller.
The long-running procedural, which also starred Lucy Liu, brought Sherlock Holmes into modern-day New York with a more realistic, grounded aesthetic focused on detective work.
BBC’s Sherlock (2010-2017)
The Sherlock TV series starring Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman offers a modern reimagining of Holmes, set in present-day London.
It is more cerebral and deeply tied to the original stories, though it takes liberties with characters and storytelling.
Granada’s Sherlock Holmes (1984-1994)
Many traditionalists consider Jeremy Brett’s portrayal of Holmes in this series to be the most faithful to the books.
The series closely follows Conan Doyle’s original plots, focusing purely on deduction without modern action elements.
Other Holmes Films
- The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes (1970): A more introspective take on the detective’s personal life.
- Sherlock Holmes and the Voice of Terror (1942): A wartime adaptation that reimagines Holmes fighting against the Nazis.
- Enola Holmes (2020): Focuses on Sherlock’s fictional younger sister, played by Millie Bobby Brown.
Compared to these, Sherlock Holmes (2009) is the most action-oriented but still retains the spirit of Holmes’ intellect.
Arthur Conan Doyle
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (1859–1930) was a British author and physician best known for creating Sherlock Holmes.
Holmes first appeared in A Study in Scarlet (1887), and Doyle went on to write four novels and 56 short stories featuring the detective.
His works became some of the most influential detective fiction ever written, shaping the mystery genre.
Holmes’ sharp reasoning and scientific approach to solving cases were groundbreaking at the time.
Doyle initially tried to move away from Holmes by killing him off in The Final Problem (1893), but public demand forced him to bring the detective back in The Hound of the Baskervilles (1902) and later collections.
The stories remain bestsellers even today, with new adaptations keeping Holmes relevant in the modern era.
