7 Best Action Scenes From Guy Ritchie’s Sherlock Holmes Movies, Ranked

Guy Ritchie’s Sherlock Holmes films successfully revived the detective for modern audiences, portraying him as a dynamic action star. Though some fans debated this change, it actually drew from the original stories by Arthur Conan Doyle, which mentioned Holmes’ proficiency in fighting skills like boxing, swordplay, and a martial art called baritsu. This fresh take on the character also helped introduce Sherlock Holmes to a new generation of moviegoers.

Sherlock Holmes is famous for being a brilliant thinker, and director Guy Ritchie reflected that in the action scenes of his films. Instead of just brute force, the fights showed Holmes carefully planning each move, leading to some incredibly imaginative sequences. Ritchie’s distinctive filmmaking style made these scenes even more exciting. Here’s a ranking of seven of the best action moments from the Sherlock Holmes movies, from the memorable boxing match to the thrilling forest chase in Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows.

Holmes and Watson Race to Stop Lord Blackwood

The movie Sherlock Holmes opens with Sherlock and Dr. Watson stopping a dangerous ritual and rescuing a woman. They have to battle the villain’s followers to reach her. This exciting scene immediately showcases their fighting skills and establishes the action-packed style of the films.

I was really impressed with how they showed Holmes and Watson in action! Holmes has this unique, almost unpredictable fighting style, and you can definitely see Watson’s military training kicking in. The sound design was cool too – I loved that metallic ringing during the fight. My only issue was the editing felt a little jumpy, making it hard to follow everything. Still, it was a great little scene and it definitely got me excited to see more of their fighting skills later on. They just need to smooth out the editing a bit.

Sherlock and Simza Face Off Against Moriarty’s Assassin

In Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows, we meet Simza Heron, a Romani fortune teller. Her brother is linked to a dangerous situation, and when Sherlock Holmes discovers he may have sent her a secret message, Moriarty dispatches an assassin to silence her. Holmes intervenes to protect her, but Simza proves to be a capable fighter herself.

This fight scene begins like many in the Sherlock Holmes films, with Holmes carefully planning his strategy. However, Simza unexpectedly disrupts his plan, leading to a humorous turn of events as the two become entangled. This moment effectively introduces Simza as an important character, and while well-done, the scene doesn’t stand out as much as some of the more creative action sequences in the series.

Sherlock Holmes’ Shipyard Explosion Is the Height of Drama

Following Blackwood’s trail to a factory near the River Thames, the detectives unexpectedly fall into a trap, allowing Blackwood to escape. The scene unfolds in slow motion, showing every detail of their movements as the factory yard explodes. Watson is seriously injured in the blast, leaving Sherlock – and the viewers – uncertain if he will survive.

The slow motion might seem like overkill to some, but it really emphasizes how much is at stake and how dangerous the situation is for Sherlock, Watson, and Irene. Paired with the tense, dramatic music, it creates a strong feeling of anxiety and helplessness as Sherlock fights to keep everyone safe. Despite being a difficult scene to watch, it’s visually stunning.

A Game of Shadows’ Train Ambush Is Comedy Gold

In A Game of Shadows, Moriarty quickly begins threatening Watson, sending attackers after him while he’s traveling by train for his honeymoon. Sherlock rushes to help, but doesn’t have time to explain what’s going on. This leads to a fight between Sherlock and Watson after Sherlock pushes Mary off the train to keep her safe, all as they try to escape numerous enemies with guns.

Even though Watson is understandably upset and bewildered by everything happening, this action scene is easily one of the most hilarious in the Sherlock Holmes movies. Sherlock’s unusual disguise lets the filmmakers playfully acknowledge what fans already expect from the story, and the humor is boosted by the difference between Sherlock’s cool composure and Watson’s frustration. The quick cuts to Sherlock’s past actions can be a little fast-paced, but they’re definitely fun to watch.

Sherlock’s Boxing Match Remains Iconic

Following a terrible first encounter with Mary, Holmes impulsively enters a bare-knuckle boxing match. He struggles initially, but when he spots Irene Adler watching from the crowd, he carefully formulates a plan to defeat his opponent. The audience then sees, through slow-motion replay and Holmes’s own narration, how he flawlessly carries out this plan, ultimately winning the fight.

Sherlock frequently demonstrates his impressive abilities, but this particular instance is especially rewarding to watch. When he explains his thought process, it gives the audience a deeper understanding – and perhaps a little worry – about just how skilled he is and how easily he can defeat his enemies. Though it later became a popular online joke, this captivating scene truly embodies the essence of Robert Downey Jr.’s portrayal of Sherlock Holmes and highlights what makes it unique.

A Game of Shadows’ Forest Chase Is a Visual Marvel

Holmes, Watson, and Simza follow Moriarty’s scheme to a German weapons factory, but they’re quickly forced to flee through a forest as his followers give chase. This escape sequence is the highlight of A Game of Shadows. The film expertly mixes normal speed and slow motion as the group barely dodges bullets, with the trees around them constantly being hit by gunfire.

Building on the action from the shipyard scenes in Sherlock Holmes, the forest chase is even more thrilling. The extended shots of characters loading weapons create a strong sense of suspense. The scene is visually striking, especially the contrast between the characters moving in slow motion while bullets whiz by and destroy the surrounding trees – it’s the most impressive action sequence in the series so far.

Holmes vs. Dredger Is the Perfect Blend of Action and Comedy

While visiting Luke Reordan’s workshop, Holmes and Watson encounter some of Blackwood’s men, including a very large man named Dredger, who are there to destroy evidence. Watson handles two of the henchmen while Sherlock fights Dredger, even exchanging a few words in French. Though significantly smaller, Sherlock manages to briefly gain control of the situation using an early version of a taser. However, after pursuing Dredger to a shipyard, the henchman manages to turn the fight around again.

Okay, let me tell you, the action in this Sherlock Holmes scene is easily the best in the whole series. It’s a total rollercoaster as Watson desperately tries to make it to his meeting with Mary, while Sherlock gets into a ridiculously funny fight with Dredger. What I really loved is how both of them use everything around them as weapons – it’s a chaotic, escalating brawl. Honestly, even if director Guy Ritchie hadn’t put his usual stamp on it, the scene would still be captivating, because the story it tells within the action is just so well done.

2026-03-14 16:08