Sherlock Gnomes – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Sherlock Gnomes

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

movie2018

38%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

Garden gnome detective story that's safe for kids but so boring even the target audience didn't show up.

28%

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Sherlock Gnomes

movie

PG, 2018

38%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

Garden gnome detective story that's safe for kids but so boring even the target audience didn't show up.

28%

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28%

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Screenwise Verdict

Look, I'm not going to sugarcoat this: Sherlock Gnomes is one of those movies that exists purely because the first one made money. It's completely safe—no scary parts, no inappropriate content, nothing that'll give anyone nightmares. Your kid can watch it and you won't regret it from a content perspective.

But here's the thing: it's just...bad. Like, really bad. A 28% critic score isn't a fluke. The movie is boring, uninspired, and even kids found it meh (36% audience score). There are literally hundreds of better animated movies you could watch instead.

If your 5-year-old is sick on the couch and you've exhausted every other option on Paramount+, sure, throw this on. It won't hurt anyone. But if you're actively choosing what to watch for family movie night? Keep scrolling. This is the definition of forgettable kids' content that neither children nor parents will enjoy or remember.

Age Fit

Common Sense Media suggests age 6+, which tracks for content safety. However, even kids in the 6-8 range may find this dull. Best for very young viewers (4-7) who aren't yet picky about quality and just want colorful animated characters.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

Animated sequel featuring garden gnomes solving a mystery promotes cooperation and teamwork. The gnome detective premise is whimsical and non-threatening. However, the execution feels rushed and chaotic rather than thoughtfully paced, with forced humor that doesn't land well for building genuine emotional connections or modeling meaningful relationships.

Imaginative

While the concept of garden gnomes coming to life and playing detective has some creative potential, this is a derivative sequel to Gnomeo & Juliet that leans heavily on Sherlock Holmes references without bringing fresh ideas. The mystery-solving premise could spark curiosity, but critics universally noted the lack of originality and uninspired execution. It's more paint-by-numbers than genuinely imaginative.

Safe

This is a G-rated (implied from Common Sense Media age 6) animated family film with no concerning content. Garden gnomes investigating missing ornaments is about as low-stakes as it gets. No violence beyond cartoon slapstick, no scary elements, no inappropriate content. Straightforward and predictable in a way that makes it very safe for young viewers.

Enriching

Minimal educational or developmental value. While there's a mystery-solving element that could theoretically encourage logical thinking, the film is so poorly executed (28% critic score, 36% audience score) that it doesn't deliver meaningful takeaways. The entertainment value is also extremely low—even kids found it boring based on audience scores. It's neither enriching nor particularly entertaining.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Completely safe and inoffensive—no content concerns whatsoever for even the youngest viewers
Mystery-solving premise could appeal to kids who like detective stories
Colorful animation and gnome characters might entertain very young children for 90 minutes
Available on multiple streaming platforms if you're desperate for something new

⚠

What to Watch For

Universally panned by critics (28%) and audiences (36%)—this isn't a hidden gem, it's just not good
Kids may get bored quickly despite the bright colors and silly premise
If your child loved Gnomeo & Juliet, temper expectations—this sequel is significantly weaker
The Sherlock Holmes references will fly over kids' heads and aren't clever enough for adults

Conversation Starters

"What clues would you look for if your toys went missing?"
"Have you ever heard of Sherlock Holmes? He's a famous detective from old stories."
"Which garden ornament would you want to come to life—a gnome, a flamingo, or something else?"

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