The Sheep Detectives opens in US theaters May 8

A new family mystery film, The Sheep Detectives, opened in theaters across the United States on May 8, 2026, drawing audiences with its whimsical premise of a flock of talking sheep investigating the murder of their shepherd in a fictional English village.

Hugh Jackman stars as George, a reclusive shepherd who raises his wool sheep with deep affection, naming each one and reading aloud from detective novels every night. Unbeknownst to him, the sheep comprehend the stories, debate the plots among themselves, and apply those lessons when George is found dead, poisoned by toxic yew tree parts. Led by the clever Lily, voiced by Julia Louis-Dreyfus, the flock ventures into the nearby village of Denbrook to guide the bumbling local constable, Tim Derry, played by Nicholas Braun.

The sheep, rendered as photorealistic CGI animals, include distinct personalities such as the brooding Sebastian, voiced by Bryan Cranston; the pompous elder Sir Ritchfield, voiced by Patrick Stewart; the philosophical Mopple, voiced by Chris O'Dowd; and others voiced by Regina Hall, Bella Ramsey, Brett Goldstein, and Rhys Darby. Human suspects emerge during the reading of George's will, which reveals his...