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Yes, ‘The Sheep Detectives’ Really Is That Good

By Rachel Leishman May 15th, 2026, 3:27 pm
a man and a sheep

The first time news of The Sheep Detectives broke, many asked themselves an important question: Is this real or a joke? Luckily it is real and very good and yes, you will cry.

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The Sheep Detectives stars Hugh Jackman as George, a man who lives with his sheep and tends to them daily. But when someone comes and murders George in the dead of night, this sleepy town must solve his murder. The problem is that the ones who know the most are the sheep. Having been read murder mystery novels by George, who thought they didn’t understand them, the sheep know what to do to solve George’s death!

But the part of The Sheep Detectives that really works is the connection between the sheep. Yes, I am aware of how insane I sound. But let me explain: Winter Lamb doesn’t have a name and is outcast because he was born in the winter. I have since learned this is not a thing sheep do but for the purpose of this movie, it works.

Winter Lamb is loved by George but banished by the sheep because he is not a spring sheep. This little baby just wants to help, is probably one of the smarter lambs, and is the cutest thing on this planet. So yes, we’re all crying over Winter Lamb. I have also since learned that there is no real “age” a lamb becomes a sheep. It’s kind of a vibe situation and when a lamb feels like a sheep, it is a sheep. Anyway, back to the detectives.

Part of what I think makes The Sheep Detectives so special is rooted in the sweetness of the story being told, even with the murder involved. And more than that, that lamb really gets us.

For the Winter Lamb in us all

man feeding a sheep
(Amazon MGM Studios)

Finding a place to belong is a universal message. Watching a group of sheep yell at a baby lamb?! Harder than you’d imagine. But the real joy of The Sheep Detectives boils down to the family nature of the whodunit. Especially if you’re a fan of the genre.

As someone who loves to solve a mystery, The Sheep Detectives isn’t necessarily the hardest case to crack. But the joy of these sheep trying their best to get it figured out makes this movie just a sweet watch over all.

But you will be crying over the Winter Lamb by the end of it. So if you can find a screening with tickets, go and see The Sheep Detectives now.

(featured image: MGM)

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Rachel Leishman - Editor in Chief

Rachel Leishman (She/Her) is the Editor in Chief of the Mary Sue. She's been a writer professionally since 2016 but was always obsessed with movies and television and writing about them growing up. A lover of Spider-Man and Wanda Maximoff's biggest defender, she has interests in all things nerdy and a cat named Benjamin Wyatt the cat. If you want to talk classic rock music or all things Harrison Ford, she's your girl but her interests span far and wide. Yes, she knows she looks like Florence Pugh. She has multiple podcasts, normally has opinions on any bit of pop culture, and can tell you can actors entire filmography off the top of her head. Her current obsession is Glen Powell's dog, Brisket. Her work at the Mary Sue often includes Star Wars, Marvel, DC, movie reviews, and interviews.