The Sheep Detectives

Play trailer

2:33

The Sheep Detectives

PG

Now Playing

1h 49m

Kids & Family

Comedy

Mystery & Thriller

Action

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

94%

Tomatometer

177 Reviews

96%

Popcornmeter

1,000+ Verified Ratings

In this witty, new breed of mystery, George (Hugh Jackman) is a shepherd who reads detective novels to his beloved sheep every night, assuming they can't possibly understand. But when a mysterious incident disrupts life on the farm, the sheep realize they must become the detectives. As they follow the clues and investigate human suspects, they prove that even sheep can be brilliant crime-solvers.

Now in Theaters

Now Playing

Buy Tickets

Critics Consensus

Drolly funny and sweet as a lamb, The Sheep Detectives is a delightful family entertainment that bundles disarmingly profound themes in a cozy package.

Read Critics Reviews

Audience Says

A flock of committed sleuths spin a splendid whodunnit in The Sheep Detectives, a mystery as whimsical as it is charming.

Read Audience Reviews

Sara Michelle Fetters

MovieFreak.com

1d

3.5/4

Like the great kid films of the 1970s and ‘80s, Mazin isn’t afraid to deal with heady topics like unexpected death, racism, grief, cultural bias, and shortsighted groupthink.

Go to Full Review

Steven D. Greydanus

Decent Films

1d

A kind of movie that Hollywood has all but forgotten how to make, if they ever knew.

Go to Full Review

Melanie McFarland

Salon.com

2d

Even if you don’t buy into the notion that sheep, of all creatures great and small, could possibly have the brainpower to crack a murder case, a movie like this is exactly what we need in these ungentle days.

Go to Full Review

Michael J. Casey

Metro Arts

7h

4/5

A delight.

Go to Full Review

Jeffrey Overstreet

JeffreyOverstreet.com (Ghost.io)

18h

B+

In a world fraught with lawlessness, this plays as a quaint but clarifying fantasy. While villainy makes us feel helpless, we underestimate ourselves. With courage, rigorous memory, and truth-telling, we can make good trouble for baaad actors.

Go to Full Review

Leandro Ariel Porcelli

Cinéfilo Serial

1d

8/10

A literal "baby's first whodunnit"! A simple but enjoyable mystery that feels like a mix of Paddington and Knives Out. More than the average feel good flick thanks to it's balanced tone and talented cast of voices. [Full review in Spanish]

Go to Full Review

Read all reviews

Marc P

4h

A bit corny in parts of the story, but overall a sweet movie with some clever gags that were hilarious for the adults. For kids old enough to follow mystery clues and logic.

See more

Glen

5h

Just like the great book! Highly entertaining !

See more

Dennis T

5h

Great movie. Nice mystery with a fun twist. The sheep were adorable!

See more

Lauren

6h

Such a sweet and sentimental movie! Sheep are sweet!

See more

Kelly

6h

Went in expecting another mediocre at best movie. Considering that's almost all they put out in bulk these days. Turned out to be an above average truly engaging movie. It has all the kind of traditional inspirational messages you'd expect delivered in a unique and fun way.

See more

Anon

7h

Literally laughed out loud and then later cried at this movie! Highly recommend.

See more

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

POST RATING

Kyle Balda

Director

Hugh Jackman

George Hardy

Nicholas Braun

Officer Tim Derry

Emma Thompson

Lydia Harbottle

Nicholas Galitzine

Elliot Matthews

Hong Chau

Beth Pennock

The Sheep Detectives: Movie Clip - I Have A Question As Well

1:05

The Sheep Detectives: Exclusive Clip - Introducing the Sheep

1:27

The Sheep Detectives: Movie Clip - I See Everything

0:35

The Sheep Detectives: Movie Clip - Reading

0:51

The Sheep Detectives: Movie Clip - Crossing the Road

1:15

View more videos

Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One

96%

94%

Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One

Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse

95%

95%

Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse

Incredibles 2

93%

84%

Incredibles 2

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Incredibles 2

The Bad Guys

87%

93%

The Bad Guys

Watchlist

TRAILER

for The Bad Guys

Soul

95%

88%

Soul

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Soul

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

The BEST Script Hugh Jackman's Ever Read?!

0:44

"It's Knives Out Meets Babe" Hugh Jackman & Nicholas Braun on 'The Sheep Detectives'

14:23

The Sheep Detectives: Featurette - First Look

1:49

The Sheep Detectives: Trailer 2

2:33

The Sheep Detectives: Trailer 1

2:39

View more videos

View more photos

Synopsis

In this witty, new breed of mystery, George (Hugh Jackman) is a shepherd who reads detective novels to his beloved sheep every night, assuming they can't possibly understand. But when a mysterious incident disrupts life on the farm, the sheep realize they must become the detectives. As they follow the clues and investigate human suspects, they prove that even sheep can be brilliant crime-solvers.

Director: Kyle Balda
Producer: Lindsay Doran, Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner
Screenwriter: Craig Mazin, Craig Mazin
Distributor: Amazon MGM Studios
Production Co: Working Title Films, Three Strange Angels
Rating: PG (Thematic Material|Some Violent Content|Brief Language)
Genre: Kids & Family, Comedy, Mystery & Thriller, Action
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): May 8, 2026, Wide
Runtime: 1h 49m
Sound Mix: Dolby Digital, Dolby Atmos