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

95%

Tomatometer

186 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.

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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Coleman Spilde

Salon.com

1d

Like “Babe” and “Homeward Bound” before it, the film treats its younger audience with the respect and maturity they deserve.

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Shirley Li

The Atlantic

May 27

The result may just be the most tonally surprising feature of the year so far, a rare, unabashedly earnest PG-rated film that has enchanted audiences with the deceptively simple power of well-deployed tropes.

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Sara Michelle Fetters

MovieFreak.com

May 22

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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Tatsam Mukherjee

The Wire (INDIA)

1d

For a civilisation intent on burying the innocence and dignity of those who won’t fight back, a children’s film might be the best way to get the message across. And, Balda’s film more than gets the job done.

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Robert Roten

Laramie Movie Scope

3d

B

A movie like this leans heavily on its characters, and how interesting they are. This movie has strong characters, aided by a good voice cast for the sheep characters, including Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Bryan Cranston and Chris O'Dowd.

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Aglaia Berlutti

El nacional

4d

Kyle Balda's film uses its bizarre premise—a flock of book-loving sheep trying to solve an absurd crime—to explore the theme of grief. [Full Review in Spanish]

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Gianna

3h

Best movie ever!!!!!!!!!

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LadyGator

5h

Very entertaining throughout the movie. Very poignant in various scenes yet laugh-out-loud funny in others. Loved it.

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kathy k

6h

The story is charming and a fun one to watch with the children. Great humor for the adults.

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Robert Sutton

7h

Like a wonderful girlfriend it was cute, funny and heartwarming I was pleasantly entertained

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Dana Scott

8h

Very good and cute movie. Perfect for the kids and family!

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Shirley H

9h

It was funny and had a cute story line and interesting wrap up ending!

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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

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The Sheep Detectives: Trailer 2

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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