Hugh Jackman’s “charming” murder mystery debuts with near-perfect Rotten Tomatoes rating

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The new animated movie, The Sheep Detectives, starring Hugh Jackman, is getting rave reviews, with a nearly perfect score on Rotten Tomatoes. The film, directed by Kyle Balda, features Jackman as the voice of a shepherd named George.

This clever new mystery features George, a shepherd with a unique hobby: he reads detective stories to his sheep each night, believing they don’t comprehend a word he says.

When something strange happens on the farm, the sheep decide it’s up to them to solve the mystery. They start gathering clues and questioning the people who live there, showing everyone that even sheep can be surprisingly good detectives.

Hugh Jackman is joined by a talented group of actors, including Emma Thompson, Nicholas Braun, Nicholas Galitzine, and Hong Chau.

The film boasts a fantastic voice cast, featuring Bryan Cranston, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Chris O’Dowd, Regina Hall, Brett Goldstein, Rhys Darby, and the legendary Patrick Stewart as the sheep.

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After early screenings, The Sheep Detectives received overwhelmingly positive reviews, earning a 96% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Critics described the movie as “charming.”

Digital Spy gave the film three stars and described it as a gentle introduction to mystery stories for younger children, despite its PG rating. They compared it to more adult crime shows like Death in Paradise and Bergerac, suggesting it’s a sweet starting point for the genre.

Both Time Out and Common Sense Media enjoyed the film, describing it as a delightful and engaging murder mystery set in the countryside.

Critics are charmed by this heartwarming animal detective story. The Wrap called it simply delightful, while Mashable praised it as a feel-good movie perfect for the whole family.

According to The AV Club, the film feels reminiscent of heartwarming classics like Babe, while also thoughtfully exploring themes of death and the importance of community. They also praised Julia Louis-Dreyfus’s performance, calling it wonderful and noting her character is a clever sheep who still has much to learn.

To be honest, it’s over the top. However, the enthusiastic attempt to ground such a ridiculous idea in something meaningful actually gives the show’s cozy, Midsomer Murdersesque world a surprising depth. The dramatic elements also make the comedy work better, according to The Independent*.

According to The Guardian, the film might not appeal to everyone, but it works as a heartwarming family comedy. A funny appearance by Emma Thompson is also a definite plus.

According to Variety, despite its playful title, The Sheep Detectives surprisingly offers thoughtful insights into important themes like grief, being present in the moment, and understanding our own mortality. It’s a film with unexpected depth.

You can see The Sheep Detectives in movie theaters starting May 8th, with early showings available over the May Bank Holiday weekend, from May 2nd to 4th.

I’m so excited! The latest issue of Living Legends is out, and it’s a gorgeous, full-colour tribute to Sir David Attenborough – it’s 100 pages long! You can grab a copy at any newsagent or order it online.

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2026-04-28 14:50