Family films these days are generally reduced to animation, rarely live action, at least those that might appeal to every member of the family, but the whimsical and wonderful The Sheep Detectives is that rarity, a movie that recalls the delight of 1995’s multi-Oscar nominated Babe mixed with the kind of murder mystery you might find in Knives Out. Add that all up, sprinkle it with a slice of Agatha Christie, a bit of Animal Farm, and the small town element of Murder She Wrote and, well , you get the picture.
A wondrously entertaining and winning concoction, this has been brought to the screen by director Kyle Balda, best known for his work at Illumination on the Minions and Despicable Me franchises, as well as screenwriter Craig Mazin, who has seen his eclectic career zig zag from comedy with The Hangover to heavier fare like The Last Of Us and his Emmy-winning work on Chernobyl. Here he becomes the unexpected choice to adapt Leonie Swann’s book, Three Bags Full: A Sheep Detective Story, which came along, first in German, and then globally in 2005. Producer Lindsay Doran has pretty much been chasing it ever since and finally got the film version made. It is a charmer, and fortunately one in which both kids and their parents will find equally much to like. The talking sheep are a no-brainer to keep the little ones amused, and the cleverly written murder mystery is actually a step above what makes the grade in the genre these days. Plus, it could not have a better cast, both on camera with the human thesps, and voiceover for the various sheep .
Plotwise, George (Hugh Jackman) is the caring shepherd for the many sheep in his flock and as he tells us the true key happiness in his life, knowing each one by their name and personal traits, and reading a new murder mystery to them as they gather at the end of each day in front of his winnebago. Contrary to speculation about the intellectual capabilities of sheep, this herd loves solving fictional crimes and is pretty good at it, especially the very smart Lily (Julia Louis-Dreyfus) the titular head of this ragtag crew. But it doesn’t take long before things take a dark turn and George turns up dead. How could this happen, and who could be responsible.? The sheep rise to the occasion and use all the mental mystery-solving skills George and his stories have left behind. They include Lily, and Sebastian (Bryan Cranston), the older self-doubting member whose sad carnival past and eventual rescue by George has made him wise if distrusting in his later years.
There is also a wide variety of personalities like the very patient Mopple (voiced by Chris O’Dowd) ; Regina Hall as the fluffy Cloud; Patrick Stewart as the statesman-like Sir Ritchfield; Bella Ramsey as the curious Zora; Brett Goldstein voicing both rowdy twins Ronnie and Reggie; Rhys Darby as the vision-challenged Wool Eyes; and Tommy Biorchald as the sweet outsider Winter Lamb, a term used for outcast lambs born at what is known to be the wrong time to be born if you want to conform to the rest of the flock. The big question is how will they find out who murdered their beloved George, who has the motive, and who could possibly care so little about the well-being of this tightly wool knit group as to wipe out their leader? To solve it they have to gain some courage, even to do the unthinkable and cross the road from their farm to unknown territory on the other side. In one of the film’s best sight gags, a chicken shows them the way.
As for the humans, leading the investigation is Tim Derry (Succession’s Nicholas Braun), an awkward young police officer looking for clues among a choice group of suspects including Rebecca Hampstead (Molly Gordon) the daughter no one knew George even had; Caleb Merrow (Tosin Cole) the good-looking and popular shepherd next door who may be hiding some secret business ambitions; Beth Pennock (Hong Chau) the town’s innkeeper; preacher Rex Hillcoate (Kobna Brook-Smith) and butcher (Conleth Hill). New to town is intrepid reporter Elliott Matthews (Nicholas Galitzine) whose initial assignment to cover the Denbrook Cultural Festival turns into something much larger. Also new to town is rich lawyer Lydia Harbottle (Emma Thompson) who arrives for the reading of the will including a major previously unknown clue that might explain why anyone might really want the lovable shepherd dead.
With glorious small town production design by Suzie Davies, and superb visual effects, animation, and puppetry creating the sheep, this fine family film looks every bit as colorful and idyllic as Babe, its distant cousin. Narrated and starring Jackman, who in pure Hitchcock top-billed star fashion is killed off in the first act ala Janet Leigh in Psycho, but the role doesn’t completely end there, and the entire movie is about him. All the other live action stars have their moments, including perfectly cast Thompson and bumbling Braun.The starry voice cast delivers on all fronts, especially with lines provided by Mazin’s witty and wise script.
You’ve no doubt heard the phrase: “fun for the whole family”? This one really is.
Producers are Lindsay Doran, and Working Title’s Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner. Among the Executive Producers are Project Hail Mary’s Phil Lord and Chris Miller.
Title: The Sheep Detectives
Distributor: Amazon MGM Studios
Release Date: May 8, 2026
Director: Kyle Balda
Screenwriter: Craig Mazin
Cast: Hugh Jackman, Nicholas Braun, Nicholas Galitzine, Molly Gordon, Tosin Cole with Hong Chau and
Emma Thompson, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Bryan Cranston, Chris O’Dowd, Regina Hall, Patrick Stewart,
Bella Ramsey, Brett Goldstein, Rhys Darby, Korna Brook-Smith, Conleth Hill.
Rating: PG
Running Time: 1 hr 43 mins