The Sheep Detectives

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2:33

The Sheep Detectives

PG

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1h 49m

Kids & Family

Comedy

Mystery & Thriller

Action

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

94%

Tomatometer

180 Reviews

96%

Popcornmeter

2,500+ 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.

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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.

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Audience Says

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

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Sara Michelle Fetters

MovieFreak.com

3d

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.

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Steven D. Greydanus

Decent Films

4d

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

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Melanie McFarland

Salon.com

4d

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.

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Bruce R. Miller

Sioux City Journal

10h

2.5/4

It’s fascinating to watch, even though Balda uses too many celebrity voices (who happen to be American) to portray the sheep.

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Linda Cook

OurQuadCities / WHBF-TV (Illinois)

16h

4 stars

The clever 'Sheep Detectives' leads the herd as the best film of the year so far.

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Emily Wheeler

Emily Wheeler Movie Ops

1d

You may not realize it as The Sheep Detectives leads you down its gentle path, but it’s doing a lot.

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Dawn

1h

Unexpectedly heartfelt. CGI animation of the sheep was marvelous but so was the story.

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Kevin M

2h

So lovely to see a great movie just trying to tell a little story, but so well done

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Jimmy S

2h

Wonderful family movie! Beautiful message. Fun story for anyone!

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Diane

3h

Very funny, entertaining

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Sergio

3h

Very fun, creative and engaging. British comedy at its best! Fully recommended.

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Susan

3h

Very cute. Good message.

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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

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The BEST Script Hugh Jackman's Ever Read?!

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

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The Sheep Detectives: Featurette - First Look

1:49

The Sheep Detectives: Trailer 2

2:33

The Sheep Detectives: Trailer 1

2:39

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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