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Arts & Culture
27 September 2025

Guy Ritchie’s Sherlock Holmes Surges As Pub Menu Stuns

The director’s 2009 film returns to streaming charts while his London pub’s festive menu raises eyebrows with its price and modern twist.

Guy Ritchie, the celebrated British filmmaker known for his energetic crime capers and stylish direction, is enjoying a remarkable resurgence in 2025—not only on the silver screen, but also in the heart of London’s culinary scene. As his 2009 film Sherlock Holmes returns to streaming charts more than fifteen years after its debut, Ritchie is also making headlines for raising the price of the Festive Menu at his upscale pub, The Lore of the Land, in Fitzrovia. Both endeavors reflect Ritchie’s enduring popularity and his flair for reinvention, whether he’s behind the camera or curating a six-course seasonal feast.

Let’s start with the cinematic comeback. According to Collider, Sherlock Holmes—the blockbuster mystery starring Robert Downey Jr. as the legendary detective and Jude Law as Dr. Watson—has re-entered the Video On Demand (VOD) top 10 streaming charts in the United Kingdom this September. The film, which also features Rachel McAdams and Eddie Marsan, first captivated audiences on December 25, 2009. It was met with a warm reception, scoring 70% from critics and 77% from audiences on Rotten Tomatoes, and it raked in a staggering $524 million worldwide against a reported $90 million budget. Such commercial and critical success paved the way for a sequel, Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows, which enjoyed its own streaming renaissance earlier in the summer of 2025.

The renewed interest in Sherlock Holmes is hardly surprising given the film’s pedigree. Ritchie’s kinetic direction, coupled with Downey Jr.’s quirky take on the iconic sleuth, breathed fresh life into Arthur Conan Doyle’s classic stories. The film’s 129-minute runtime was packed with action, wit, and the kind of visual flair that has become Ritchie’s trademark. It’s no wonder that, even after more than a decade, viewers are eager to revisit the cobblestone streets of Victorian London and the high-stakes cat-and-mouse games between Holmes and his formidable adversaries.

But Ritchie hasn’t been resting on his laurels. In 2025, he’s been busier than ever, juggling multiple projects. Among them are the films Fountain of Youth and MobLand, both of which have kept his name in the entertainment headlines. According to Collider, he is also set to return to the world of Sherlock Holmes—not with another feature film, but with a television series titled Young Sherlock. The upcoming show will star Hero Fiennes Tiffin as a youthful version of the detective, with Ritchie directing several episodes. Meanwhile, he’s reuniting with Henry Cavill for the action-adventure movie In the Grey, which also stars Jake Gyllenhaal. That project, however, has faced several post-production delays, keeping fans in suspense for its eventual release. And for those who were hoping for Ritchie’s take on Road House 2, there’s some disappointment: he was once attached to direct but has since left the project, with Ilya Naishuller stepping in as his replacement.

While Ritchie’s cinematic pursuits are drawing in global audiences, his ventures in hospitality are attracting a different kind of crowd closer to home. The director’s pub, The Lore of the Land, has just announced its 2025 Festive Menu—a six-course extravaganza that’s as ambitious as any of his film plots. But there’s a twist: this year, the price for the experience has climbed to £95 per head, up £10 from last year, as reported by NeedToKnow. For those seeking a little extra indulgence, a glass of champagne tacks on an additional £14.50, bringing the total to £109.50. Factor in the optional 12.5% service charge, and diners could see their bill rise to over £126.95 per person. Oh, and don’t forget the £25 per person deposit required to secure a booking.

The menu itself is a testament to Ritchie’s penchant for doing things differently. Forget the traditional turkey and Christmas pudding—neither makes an appearance on this six-course spread. Instead, guests are greeted with sharing bites like bread and white bean pâté, followed by individual nibbles such as celeriac tartlet and oysters. Starters include white onion and thyme soup or venison tartare, while mains range from duck breast to a 28-day aged 10oz sirloin steak, monkfish, and even a mushroom and chestnut filo pie for those seeking a vegetarian option. For dessert, the choices veer away from the classic Christmas pudding in favor of chocolate brownie and spiced coconut rice pudding, with mulled wine and fudge to round out the meal.

The Festive Menu is available from November 18 until December 21, 2025, served Tuesday through Saturday—meaning it won’t actually be available on Christmas Day itself. Ritchie, who purchased the pub in 2018, has chosen to label the offering as a "Festive Menu" rather than a Christmas meal, perhaps to underscore its contemporary twist on tradition. A spokesperson for The Lore of the Land told WhatsTheJam, “We are thrilled to announce the release of our Festive Set Menu for the Christmas period, thoughtfully crafted by our Head Chef Michal, to highlight the finest British seasonal ingredients with a touch of Christmas magic. Whether you’re organising a Christmas work do, a festive family meal, or a celebration with friends, we are here to make it unforgettable.”

The pub’s private dining area, which seats up to 24 guests, is available for those seeking a more intimate gathering, while the main restaurant welcomes smaller groups. The menu’s modern, upscale approach stands in contrast to the more traditional holiday fare offered by other high-profile establishments. For instance, TV chef Gordon Ramsay’s Pétrus restaurant recently raised its own Christmas Day menu price to £325 per person, up from £290 two years ago, showing that festive dining in London is becoming an increasingly premium affair.

Ritchie’s ability to command attention across such varied endeavors speaks to his status as a cultural force in the UK. From his breakthrough films like Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels and Snatch to his recent streaming successes and his foray into hospitality, he remains a figure who knows how to keep people talking—and coming back for more. Whether it’s the thrill of a Sherlock Holmes mystery or the allure of a decadent six-course meal, Ritchie’s signature blend of tradition and innovation continues to resonate with fans and foodies alike.

As the festive season approaches, both the big screen and the dining table offer a taste of Guy Ritchie’s creative spirit. For those seeking a cinematic adventure or an unconventional holiday feast, 2025 is shaping up to be another banner year for the director-turned-publican, whose knack for reinvention shows no sign of slowing down.