People often say sheep aren’t very smart, but The Sheep Detectives proves they can be clever. This 109-minute family film is funny, exciting and full of heart. Based on Leonie Swann’s bestselling novel Three Bags Full, the story follows a group of sheep as they set out to solve the mystery of who killed their shepherd.

Hugh Jackman, best known as Wolverine and as Charlie Kenton in Real Steel, plays George, a kind shepherd who believes sheep are the nicest animals in the world. Every night, he reads detective stories to his flock before bed, thinking they cannot understand him. But after he falls asleep in his caravan, the sheep discuss the clues, guess who the bad guy is, and prove surprisingly good detectives. When George is murdered, the sheep decide to use everything they have learned to solve the mystery themselves.

One of the funniest parts of the film is watching the sheep try to help the police officer solve the case. The sheep can talk to each other, but humans cannot understand them. They know important clues, but they have no easy way to tell people. This leads to many funny moments and shows that good ideas are not always easy to share.

The characters are among the best parts of the movie. Lily, voiced by Julia Louis-Dreyfus, is the smartest sheep and leads the investigation. Chris O’Dowd voices Mopple, a funny sheep with an amazing memory. Bryan Cranston voices Sebastian, a brave sheep who prefers to be on his own, while Sir Patrick Stewart voices Sir Ritchfield. Stewart and Hugh Jackman have acted together before in the X-Men movies, but this time they trade superhero action for a fun mystery.

Regina Hall, Rhys Darby, Bella Ramsey and Brett Goldstein also do a great job, giving each sheep a unique and lovable personality, while Emma Thompson, Nicolas Braun and Molly Gordon impress in live-action roles. Nicholas Galitzine, who recently played He-Man in Masters of the Universe,also plays an interesting character in the movie.

Director Kyle Balda, making his live-action debut after directing the Minions movies, creates a beautiful countryside that feels warm and peaceful. The visual effects are excellent, making the sheep look realistic while still capturing their funny expressions and personalities.

With everyone having a motive to kill George, The Sheep Detectives is a fun, clever and heart-warming family movie with a clue for everyone. For fans of mystery stories, it is a must-watch. If you enjoy talking animals with big personalities, this film is even more entertaining.

Published in Dawn, Young World, August 1st, 2026