The Sheep Detectives (2026)

Sheep who think death only happens in paperback mysteries have to solve a real one, and that’s weirder and sadder than any poster lets on. The humans are the weak link. Every time the story trots off to the village, the broad comic types and will-reading business slow it down, and Emma Thompson and Hong Chau barely get room to work. The sheep, though, are wonderful. Julia Louis-Dreyfus makes Lily a sharp little sleuth who has clearly absorbed every book George read aloud. Chris O’Dowd gives Mopple, the ram who never forgets anything, a soulful voice, and Bryan Cranston’s Sebastian is a gruff loner George once rescued from a carnival. Hugh Jackman is so warm as George that you get why they’d crack a case for him. Under the jokes, it’s a lovely movie about grief. It made $133.1 million worldwide on a reported $75M. An 8.2 because it’s funny, clever and quietly moving. $45.22 says you read a mystery out loud to your pet this week, and the pet guesses the culprit first.

What works: The sheep are funny and touching, the voice cast is terrific, and the mystery hides a thoughtful, gentle story about loss.

What doesn’t: The human characters in the village are broad and less interesting, and great actors like Emma Thompson and Hong Chau are underused.

Who it’s for: Families who like a cozy whodunit, and anyone who grew up loving Babe.