Guy Ritchie’s run of movies over the past two decades hasn’t been the greatest. But easily his best film this century is making an unexpected comeback on a new streaming home. Following the release of Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, it looked like Guy Ritchie could go anywhere. However, that “anywhere” included the awful live-action Aladdin remake and the (somehow) even worse King Arthur: Legend of the Sword. But in between that awful run, Ritchie still managed to churn out an incredible action movie that still has fans pining for another sequel. The third film in the trilogy might still be in limbo, but Ritchie’s original movie is on the case on its new streaming home.
Released in the long forgotten year of 2009, Guy Ritchie’s Sherlock Holmes was recently added to Apple TV, and it is using its deductive reasoning to sneak up the global streaming charts. After just a few days on the platform, Sherlock Holmes has cracked Apple TV’s global top 10. Although, it can’t quite steal the top spot, which is currently held by Ryan Reynolds and Kenneth Brannaugh’s Mayday.
Sherlock Holmes’ addition to Apple TV comes as part of the streamer’s new strategy of adding licensed films to its platform. Apple TV used to only host its original shows and movies. For its TV offerings, including Severance, Silo, Ted Lasso and many other hits, this wasn’t a problem. But Apple’s original movies have often failed to reach the same heights. In August, Apple TV added 19 beloved movies, including Jurassic Park and E.T: The Extraterrestrial, which all went down a storm on streaming. Sherlock Holmes’ addition is the second wave of the new strategy.
‘Sherlock Holmes’ Is Still One of Guy Ritchie’s Best Movies
Despite having some of the sharpest dialogue around, Guy Ritchie has failed to make an impact over the past few years. But, when that dialogue is paired with the most iconic fictional detective of all time, and a meme-worthy use of the word “discombobulate,” you get Sherlock Holmes. Robert Downey Jr. starred as the eponymous English detective, with Jude Law playing Dr. Watson, and Mark Strong as the villainous Lord Henry Blackwood.
Sherlock Holmes was modestly received by critics upon its release, holding a 69% Rotten Tomatoes score. Audiences rated it slightly higher at 77%. Those might not sound like the most impressive scores. But, when you compare them to Ritchie’s more recent movies, like In the Grey, The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, and Wrath of Man, they’re exceptional. Those decent reviews also helped Sherlock Holmes to make a killing at the box office. Against a budget of $90 million, the film grossed roughly $524 million worldwide.
Will ‘Sherlock Holmes 3’ Ever Happen?
Warner Bros. Pictures
The immense financial success of Sherlock Holmes, unsurprisingly, resulted in a sequel, that being 2011’s slightly worse (but still decent) Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows. The sequel was a similar success story, grossing $543 million against a budget of $125 million. But, for several reasons, including Robert Downey Jr. going on to star in several Avengers movies, a third film never happened. But, Ritchie recently revealed that there is a script for Sherlock Holmes 3. Although, considering how much Robert Downey Jr. probably costs now, we can’t see it being made anytime soon.
Release Date
December 25, 2009
Runtime
129 minutes
