Film Review: The Sheep Detectives

The Sheep Detectives
Director: Kyle Balda
Working Title Films, Three Strange Angels, Lord Miller Productions
In Theater: 05.08.2026

The term “family movie” can too often be used as a defense against criticism on the grounds that at least the said feature is innocuous, or even as a warning that your kids will be placated but you’ll be bored out of your mind. Then there are those all too rare cases where it refers to a terrific piece of entertainment for all ages, and The Sheep Detectives is the most pleasant surprise to fall into the last category that we’ve had in some time.

In the small English country hamlet of Dembrook, a herd of sheep live a peaceful and idyllic life safe from care, blissfully believing that sheep simply turn into clouds when their time comes and choosing to collectively forget anything that’s even mildly upsetting. But when their shepherd, George Hardy (Hugh Jackman, X-Men, The Greatest Showman), is found dead, they can’t forget what he meant to them. Foul play is suspected, and the local constable, Tim Derry (Nicholas Braun, Succession, Cat Person) is hardly up to the task of solving a murder case. Thankfully, the sheep have learned a thing or two from George’s nightly readings of mystery novels. Led by Lily (Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Seinfeld, Tuesday) and Sebastian (Bryan Cranston, Breaking Bad, Trumbo), the sheep begin investigating, and as suspicion falls upon George’s long lost daughter, Rebecca (Molly Gordon, Theater Camp, Oh, Hi!), the flock goes to work uncovering secrets within the community, trusting each other — and no one else — if they are going to deliver justice.

The Sheep Detectives turns a silly premise into one of the year’s most unexpectedly charming offerings, blending a genuinely clever murder mystery with sharp wit, emotional sincerity and a surprisingly sophisticated script. What could have been a one-joke talking-animal gimmick instead becomes an affectionate tribute to cozy British detective stories, elevated by strong vocal performances and a warm sense of melancholy beneath the humor. The mystery itself is solidly crafted, with a solution that should be easy enough for genre aficionados to crack without being completely obvious, but that’s of secondary importance. What truly matters in a story like this is that we care enough about the victim and the sleuths to stay glued to the proceedings, and all I can say is that I feel sad for anyone who isn’t thoroughly enchanted by this herd of fluffy and lovable investigators and their bond with George. The script, by Craig Mazin (The Hangover sequels) and adapted from the book Three Bags Full by Leonie Swann, is cute without being cutesy, consistently funny and deeper than you’d expect it to be. Themes of grief, fear, self-doubt, regret and prejudice are thoughtfully explored in ways that will give children and parents something to talk about, and the dialogue is clever.

Jackman, though hardly the lead, adds both likability and gravity as George, and Braun is simply marvelous as the clueless but earnest Derry. The voice cast (helped along by remarkable visual effects) are the ones who anchor the film, with Louis-Dreyfus shining as Lily, and Cranston bringing such layered nuance to Sebastian that it’s an almost Oscar-worthy performance. Brett Goldstein (Ted Lasso) is hilarious as Reggie and Ronnie, twin Norfolk horn sheep.

The Sheep Detectives is the most joyful time I’ve had at the movies all year, and given that I saw Project Hail Mary five times, that’s hardly faint praise. It’s everything you could want from a fun family film, and I recommend leading your herd straight to the nearest multiplex. —Patrick Gibbs

Read more film reviews by Patrick Gibbs:
Film Review: Remarkably Bright Creatures
Film review: Michael

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