A humorous take on Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's classic mysteries featuring Sherlock Holmes and Doctor Watson.A humorous take on Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's classic mysteries featuring Sherlock Holmes and Doctor Watson.A humorous take on Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's classic mysteries featuring Sherlock Holmes and Doctor Watson.
- Awards
- 4 wins & 4 nominations total
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Featured reviews
I love the experience of going to the movies, loading up with popcorn and Coca-Cola and sitting in big comfy chairs. It doesn't matter if the movie is good or bad. Then Holmes & Watson came along and changed all that.
This film is a mess from start to finish, if you're expecting to see another Step Brothers or Talladega Nights, you will be sorely disappointed.
Sherlock Holmes is determined to capture Professor Moriarty. However, Holmes (Will Ferrell) is an idiot and seems to do his best to help Moriarty escape....and having his devoted partner hung instead! And, in doing so, he's allowing Moriarty's plot to kill the Queen to move forward.
One of my favorite comedies is "Talladega Nights" starring Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly. And, while not as funny, their film "Step Brothers" also makes me smile. So, you'd think that the pair would pretty much a guarantee of a good laugh....though "Holmes & Watson" is ample proof that even this duo can make a dud. And, it all boils down to the script, as "Holmes & Watson" hasn't a single laugh in the film. Instead, it resorts to the cheap and disgusting...such as vomiting, an autopsy, male lactation, horse excrement, and urination. Most children could write a script funnier than this bilge.
The bottom line is that even funny folks need a competent script....and this script is pure crap through and through. Unfunny, mean-spirited and stupid....that's "Holmes & Watson". Rarely has a film cost this much and delivered so little.
By the way, if you watch this film (DON'T), it's obvious they set it up for a sequel. Considering nearly everyone hated "Holmes & Watson" the chances of this sequel are pretty much one in a billion (give or take 10).
One of my favorite comedies is "Talladega Nights" starring Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly. And, while not as funny, their film "Step Brothers" also makes me smile. So, you'd think that the pair would pretty much a guarantee of a good laugh....though "Holmes & Watson" is ample proof that even this duo can make a dud. And, it all boils down to the script, as "Holmes & Watson" hasn't a single laugh in the film. Instead, it resorts to the cheap and disgusting...such as vomiting, an autopsy, male lactation, horse excrement, and urination. Most children could write a script funnier than this bilge.
The bottom line is that even funny folks need a competent script....and this script is pure crap through and through. Unfunny, mean-spirited and stupid....that's "Holmes & Watson". Rarely has a film cost this much and delivered so little.
By the way, if you watch this film (DON'T), it's obvious they set it up for a sequel. Considering nearly everyone hated "Holmes & Watson" the chances of this sequel are pretty much one in a billion (give or take 10).
It's been ten years since Will Farrell and John C Reilly starred in a movie together. Their previous two outtings not only done well at the box office but are now considered to be classic. This movie must have been something many comedy fans have been waiting for... but what went wrong? I don't think I've read such bad reviews for quite sometime. Luckily or some may say unluckily I went to see it before I read anything about the movie.
Honestly, I don't think the world needs another Sherlock Holmes spoof, it's been done to death almost as much as spoofing James Bond but I was in the mood for a comedy and this was really my only choice. Comedy at the cinema isn't as easy to come by nowadays I find, so seeing these two guys in a film together again I thought.... it can't be that bad.
My honest opinion is... well it isn't that bad. Moments made me laugh, I felt it was paced well and although not as good as their last two movies I felt their fans would get something from it.
I do however see why people are disappointed. Ferrell's portrait as Holmes, I can seeing being annoying to many, it's pretty crude for a 12 certificate (UK , guessing PG-13 in the US)..Mostly though I think is the advertising of the rest of the cast. Several actors names are on the posters, they appear in the trailer but are barely in it. Steve Coogan has a cameo at best. Fans of these actors will only come away disappointed. If they were unexpected,I think the audience would come away pleased with their appearances. Like when Bill Murray pops up in 'Zombieland' for example.
Overall it made me chuckle a fair bit, which is the point of a comedy and I can't think of many films that have done thst for me this year. Most of the comedies we get are animated (lately far more laughs in a pixar than in a live action movie) or the odd random film like 'tag' which although a better made film than this, I dont think I laughed more. I do miss the days of looking forward to the latest movies from my favourite comic actors like Steve Martin, John Candy, Chevy Chase and even Adam Sandler. I saw Will Farrell as one of the last of this breed. It would be a shame for this misfired movie to ruin his career. I think in years to come it will be seen as more favourable.
Also I couldn't help comparing it to the Peter Cook/Dudley Moore 'Hound of the baskervilles' another bomb with a great cast. Actually I say give that movie a go, you may realise this one isn't too bad after all.
Hollywood comedy seems in a slump at the moment, we either need to not have our expectations too high or possibly throw movies the way of new talent? Maybe both.
After this I'm not sure this pair will get the chance to make other film together. A shame.... who knows though they may need the money and the audience get the long awaited Stepbrothers 2. At least they tried something different I guess, remember the first 'Police Academy' was great but sequels aren't always the way forward.
The low reviews on here say more about the IMDB crowd than the movie itself. Anyone reviewing this with one star is inaccurate and motivated by other influences.
It's a silly movie. If you enjoy watching Will Ferrell, you will probably enjoy this.
It's a silly movie. If you enjoy watching Will Ferrell, you will probably enjoy this.
Never have I ever been so bored, disgusted, and repulsed by a movie. My family and I collectively decided to walk out about an hour in, realizing what a waste of time this film has been. There are so many better movies in theaters right now- please, please, please stay away from this hot garbage.
Did you know
- TriviaAccording to Deadline, after disastrous test screenings, Sony attempted to sell the film to Netflix, which declined.
- GoofsAt Moriarty's trial, the judge draws particular attention to his gavel. British judges have never used gavels.
- Quotes
Dr. Grace Hart: Shall we begin the autopsy? Dr. Grace Hart.
Watson: A woman doctor?
Holmes: Impossible. Fortunately we have a *real* doctor here.
Watson: Would you like some heroin?
- Crazy creditsThe film opens with a fake quote from a Hannah Montana episode; Season 2, Episode 4. "Logic is the sword by which we slay ancient superstitions. But lo, the heart has its own truths to tell us."
- Alternate versionsUS and international versions have two different pre-title scenes, showing how the pair first met:
- In the US release, Watson helps a bullied Holmes when the two are children.
- In the international release, Watson attempts suicide above Holmes' garden, where he is growing a large vegetable. Holmes manages to convince Watson not to, although he is actually suggesting alternative methods instead, which Watson misinterprets. Nevertheless, Watson accidentally falls onto Holmes' vegetable.
- ConnectionsFeatured in The Film Brain Podcast: Holmes & Watson: Investigating a Failure (2019)
- SoundtracksJust Won't Stop
Written by Ollie Teeba (as Oliver Trattles), Jake Wherry and Nicholas Eziefula
Performed by The Herbaliser
Courtesy of K7 Music GmbH
- How long is Holmes & Watson?Powered by Alexa
Details
- Release date
- Countries of origin
- Official site
- Language
- Also known as
- Holmes and Watson
- Filming locations
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Budget
- $42,000,000 (estimated)
- Gross US & Canada
- $30,573,626
- Opening weekend US & Canada
- $7,411,522
- Dec 30, 2018
- Gross worldwide
- $40,466,970
- Runtime
- 1h 30m(90 min)
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 2.39 : 1
Contribute to this page
Suggest an edit or add missing content