The Ultimate Showdown: Why Sherlock Season 5 Will Reignite the Cumberbatch Magic

BBC's Sherlock, based on the Arthur Conan Doyle character, is widely adored. While the possibility of a season 5 remains uncertain, some argue that a movie adaptation would be a better choice. The show reimagines Sherlock Holmes in a contemporary setting and has successfully adapted many of Doyle's stories with creative twists. Despite some negative feedback for season 4, the show's popularity has only grown with each subsequent season. However, it has been over six years since the last season concluded, leaving fans eager for new content.

There is a ongoing debate about whether Sherlock should continue as a series or transition into a movie, similar to another popular BBC crime series, Luther, which released a movie sequel in 2023. The idea of a Sherlock movie has been acknowledged by the show's co-creator, Mark Gatiss. Although initially hesitant due to the challenges of securing movie funding, Gatiss expressed interest, stating, "We would love to make a Sherlock movie. It's the logical next step." Although the busy schedules of the actors make a Sherlock movie unlikely, it would serve as a fitting continuation of the series and could potentially redeem Gatiss and Steven Moffat for their work on season 4.

8 A Sherlock Movie Could Make Benedict Cumberbatch's Holmes Feel Fresh Again

Though renowned and highly rated, Sherlock reached its peak in season 2. Season 3 was criticized for its excessive comedy, while season 4 shifted its focus towards global adventures instead of solving mysteries. Even the standalone 19th-century special failed to impress. Regrettably, Cumberbatch's portrayal of Sherlock took a backseat to Watson and Mary, with the detective overly reliant on his mind palace. Season 5 of Sherlock may not enjoy much goodwill, but perhaps a movie could address these issues.

7 A Sherlock Movie Could Avoid The Potential Writing Problems With Season 5

Sherlock's 90-minute episodes have always been one of its strongest features, allowing ample time for each mystery to unfold. However, as the series progressed, the creators, Steven Moffat and Gatiss, faced a challenge - the diminishing number of classic Sherlock stories to draw inspiration from. Nevertheless, there remains one untapped source of material - The Valley of Fear, the ultimate Sherlock Holmes novel. It would be fitting to see this narrative brought to life in a Sherlock movie. Of course, the writers would have to navigate the task of resurrecting the notorious Moriarty to make it happen.

6 A Sherlock Movie Might Be The Only Way Benedict Cumberbatch Returns Now

Cumberbatch has always embraced TV work, including his roles in Sherlock and his showtime series Patrick Melrose. However, he is also a successful Hollywood actor, appearing in the MCU film Doctor Strange and starring in numerous major Hollywood movies. Martin Freeman, who also appears in the MCU as Everett K. Ross, shares a similar trajectory. While scheduling conflicts have made it challenging to organize Sherlock season 5, creating a movie would require a shorter shooting schedule than a full season. Moreover, the prospect of a one-off movie is likely more enticing to the actors than committing to three additional episodes.

5 A Sherlock Movie Would Have A Bigger Budget Than The TV Show

Opting for a film adaptation rather than another installment of the series would entail a significantly larger financial investment. Nonetheless, the decision to allocate a heftier budget poses potential risks, as a Sherlock movie, even with a modest $30 million budget, could encounter similar setbacks to those experienced in the fourth season (e.g., a misguided inclination towards heightened action sequences). Nonetheless, despite the shortcomings of Sherlock's fourth season, the unfavorable reception has undoubtedly prompted Moffat and Gatiss to learn from their missteps. With a greater budget in hand, resources would be wisely directed towards enhancing production value and securing a stellar cast.

4 A Sherlock Movie Could Have A Huge A-List Cast

The movie is bound to include the returning cast of Cumberbatch, Freeman, Graves, Gatiss, and Scott. However, with a larger budget and a wider audience, the project is likely to attract some high-profile actors as well. Elevating the Sherlock material from a TV episode to a movie can be challenging, especially considering the episodes are already feature-length. Nevertheless, having a star-studded cast to complement the supporting characters would give the Sherlock film the desired "event movie" feel. It would be easy to imagine some of the best British actors of our time, such as Tom Hiddleston and Tilda Swinton, seamlessly fitting into the world of Sherlock.

3 A Sherlock Movie Can Capitalize On The Current Murder Mystery Movie Trend

As of the late 2010s, there has been a resurgence in the murder mystery genre. Kenneth Brannagh's Hercule Poirot series and the Knives Out movies have proven to be highly successful, both commercially and as anticipated event releases. Even Adam Sandler has achieved triumph in the genre with his Netflix franchise aptly titled Murder Mystery. With mystery movies enjoying their peak popularity, it would make much more sense to have a Sherlock Holmes film rather than a fifth season. The contemporary whodunnit movies feature renowned actors portraying suspects, a formula that audiences thoroughly enjoy. A Sherlock Holmes movie would undoubtedly provide equal excitement and potentially even set a new standard.

2 There Hasn’t Been A Great Sherlock Holmes Movie In Over A Decade

Sherlock Holmes is one of the most beloved and enduring figures in literature, with numerous adaptations for the silver screen. However, it has been more than ten years since we last witnessed a truly exceptional Sherlock Holmes film. The Enola Holmes series falls short of doing justice to the character, while Will Ferrell's Holmes & Watson is widely regarded as his weakest film. This leaves us with Guy Ritchie's Hollywood productions featuring Robert Downey Jr., the most recent of which was released in 2011. Despite their popularity among audiences, these high-budget films received mixed reviews from critics. Thus, there is a significant opportunity for a new Sherlock Holmes movie to become the first outstanding portrayal of the character in over a decade.

1 A Sherlock Movie Could Span Decades

Martin Freeman has expressed his desire to reprise his role in the series, mentioning that he envisions a future where Sherlock and Watson have aged considerably. In this alternate timeframe, the show would delve into a completely contrasting phase of their lives. One possibility could be a movie that spans across several decades, showcasing events occurring before and after the events of Sherlock season 4.

The Valley of Fear presents an interesting opportunity as it includes Moriarty, despite his demise in season 2. A potential movie adaptation could explore a prequel, as well as a storyline set decades later, similar to The Godfather Part II. Given that the TV show episodes are already 90 minutes in length, a movie would need to be significantly longer to warrant a cinematic release. A narrative spanning over a decade would offer an appropriately grand and epic tale.