Bringing talking animals to the big screen is always a gamble. Yet, when you anchor an animal murder mystery with heavyweights like Hugh Jackman and Emma Thompson, you can’t help but hope the bizarre premise for a film actually pays off. For their own reputations, at least.
The Aussie actor’s latest flick, The Sheep Detectives, is exactly what you’d expect from a title like that – a bunch of sheep who turn into a bunch of unlikely sleuths to solve the murder of their dear shepherd, George Hardy (Jackman).
George has a special relationship with his flock – he reads detective novels to them every sundown – not that they understand a word he’s saying. Or so he thinks.
After his mysterious death, the sheep – lead by Lily (with the help of Julia Louis-Dreyfus’ voice) and Mopple (voiced by Chris O’Dowd) – take charge of the case to prove that even sheep can be brilliant crime-solvers.
Thompson, as George’s lawyer Lydia Harbottle, strolls in with a bombshell that turns the case upside down – George was secretly worth $30 million.
On paper, it sounds like a good film you’d reserve for the school holidays but the trailer boasted loveable moments that take you back to the success of Babe.
Surprisingly, it hits the same mark.
With a Rotten Tomatoes score of 94%, the flick is being celebrated as one of the highest rated wide-release films of 2026.
“This movie is the best,” one fan gushed on X.
“We need more live action animal movies like this,” another agreed.
Over on Reddit, the comments were much the same.
“Talking animals is always going to be a bit corny, but it reminds me a lot of Babe, which is largely beloved,” someone shared.
And another reviewer echoed the need for more wholesome family films.
“Something about this movie reminds me of the live action family friendly movies that were so prevalent in my 90s childhood and frankly I’m here for it.”
The Sheep Detectives is based on Leonie Swann’s 2005 novel Three Bags Full: A Sheep Detective Story. It was a screenplay that Jackman has always admired before taking on the lead role.
“When I read this script, I actually, if I’m honest, I thought this was one of the most perfect scripts I’ve read. I absolutely loved it,” he shared in an interview with Radio Nova / Classic Hits.
The Sheep Detectives is in Aussie cinemas May 7th.