The classic murder-mystery-whodunnit structure meets… basically any movie that comes to mind about a talking animal in “The Sheep Detectives,” a delightful new movie that hits streaming today.
A hybrid live action-animation feature, “The Sheep Detectives” is based on the novel “Three Bags Full” by Leonie Swann and hit theaters in early May. It comes to Prime Video today, June 24.
Hugh Jackman stars as George Hardy, a shepherd who we learn cares deeply for his flock. He gives them all names, knows all of their individual needs, and every night, reads them murder mystery detective novels. Until one day, when George’s mysterious death leads to the titular sheep becoming detectives.
His flock, unsatisfied with the way humans are handling this investigation, decide to take matters into their own… cloven hooves… even if it means leaving their meadow for the first time in their lives.
“The Sheep Detectives” was a critical success, currently holding a 95% certified fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
‘The Sheep Detectives’ Amazon Prime release date
It’s a Prime Day miracle! “The Sheep Detectives” hits streaming today, June 24, exclusively on Amazon Prime Video.
How to watch ‘The Sheep Detectives’ for free
“The Sheep Detectives” is streaming now at no additional cost for Prime Video subscribers.
‘The Sheep Detectives’ cast guide
“The Sheep Detectives” is both live action and animation. Here’s who you can expect to see, live and in person, in the film:
- Hugh Jackman as George Hardy, a shepherd who is mysteriously found dead
- Nicholas Braun as Tim Derry, a clumsy local police officer
- Nicholas Galitzine as Elliot Matthews, a reporter
- Molly Gordon as Rebecca Hampstead, George’s daughter
- Hong Chau as Beth Pennock, the innkeeper
- Emma Thompson as Lydia Harbottle, George’s lawyer
- Tosin Cole as Caleb Merrow, a fellow shepherd of George
- Kobna Holdbrook-Smith as Reverend Hillcoate, a priest
- Conleth Hill as Ham Gilyard, a butcher
- Mandeep Dhillon as Postwoman Jo, a mail carrier
- Michael Wildman as Frank, a county police officer
If you find yourself wondering why some of the sheep sound so familiar, here’s a guide to who’s who:
- Julia Louis-Dreyfus as Lily, a Shetland sheep trying to solve the mystery of George’s death
- Bryan Cranston as Sebastian, a black Castlemilk Moorit sheep
- Chris O’Dowd as Mopple, a Merino sheep
- Regina Hall as Cloud, a North Country Cheviot sheep
- Patrick Stewart as Sir Richfield, a Boreray sheep
- Bella Ramsey as Zora, a Danish Landrace sheep with brown wool
- Rhys Darby as Wool-Eyes, a Lincoln Longwool sheep
- Brett Goldstein as Reggie and Ronnie, twin Norfolk Horn sheep
- Laraine Newman as a “fainting sheep”
- Aroop Shergill as Daisy, a lamb
- Jasper Ambrose as Oliver, a lamb
- Ishi Agrawal as Pickles, a lamb
- Tommy Birchall as Winter Lamb
‘The Sheep Detectives’ trailer
Why Trust Post Wanted by the New York Post
This article was written by Angela Tricarico, Commerce Streaming Reporter for Post Wanted Shopping, Page Six, and Decider.com. Angela keeps readers up to date with cord-cutter-friendly deals, and information on how to watch your favorite sports teams, TV shows, and movies on every streaming service. Not only does Angela test and compare the streaming services she writes about to ensure readers are getting the best prices, but she’s also a superfan specializing in the intersection of shopping, tech, sports, and pop culture. When she’s not writing about (or watching) TV, movies, and sports, she’s also keeping up on the underrated perfume dupes at Bath & Body Works and testing headphones. Prior to joining Decider and The New York Post in 2023, she wrote about streaming and consumer tech at Insider Reviews.