From his breakout days wielding adamantium claws in X-Men to the high-energy spectacle of The Greatest Showman, Hugh Jackman has firmly cemented his legacy as one of Hollywood's most versatile leading actors. His filmography is defined by this remarkable range, earning him critical acclaim for gripping psychological thrillers like Prisoners and sweeping musical epics like Les Misérables. With a career built on such creative left turns, his next choice is always a mystery. This year, Jackman lent his formidable talents to a thrilling new cinematic venture that quickly skyrocketed to become one of his top-rated releases.

The sweeping critical and commercial success of the actor's latest undertaking lies in its masterful execution of its Knives Out-style mystery, built upon a framework of brilliantly inventive plotting, sharp wit, and an ensemble of eccentric suspects. Anchored by Jackman's commanding screen presence, the film carefully constructs a classic whodunnit structure, while breathing fresh life into the genre. It subverts expectations at every turn until the final piece of the puzzle locks into place. The resulting masterclass in modern storytelling has taken audiences by storm, establishing its status as a wonderfully unforgettable title.

Molly Gordon, Kobna Holdbrook-Smith, Nicholas Galitzine and Hong Chau in The Sheep DetectivesAlex Bailey/Amazon MGM Studios/Courtesy Everett Collection

That title is, of course, The Sheep Detectives. The movie lives up to its name through its absurd premise, which centers around a high-profile murder on a remote pasture where a flock of sheep are the only eyewitnesses to the tragedy. Teaming up to outsmart human investigators and navigate a world of treacherous suspects, these wooly sleuths set out to solve the mystery, resulting in a delightfully whimsical blend of heart, humor, and subversively sharp crime-solving that critics couldn't stop bleating about.

"In this witty, new breed of mystery, George (Hugh Jackman) is a shepherd who reads detective novels to his beloved sheep every night, assuming they can't possibly understand. But when a mysterious incident disrupts life on the farm, the sheep realize they must become the detectives. As they follow the clues and investigate human suspects, they prove that even sheep can be brilliant crime-solvers."

Directed by Kyle Balda from a script written by Craig Mazin adapted from the 2005 novel Three Bags Full, The Sheep Detectives managed to defy initial skepticism and become a surprise success, earning rave reviews for its "Babe meets Knives Out" vibe. The mystery thriller boasts a spectacular 95% critics' score and 96% audience rating on Rotten Tomatoes, cementing it as the highest-rated film of Jackman's career so far, surpassing the likes of Bad Education (94%), Logan (93%), and X-Men: Days of Future Past (90%).

The Sheep Detectives officially opened in theaters on May 8, 2026, positioning it in the middle of a crowded theatrical window that included steep competition from the likes of Michael and The Devil Wears Prada 2. However, the cozy crime caper refused to be shepherded into the background and managed to gather a substantial global audience. It ended up shattering expectations, finishing its theatrical run with a box office haul of over $132 million worldwide, proving that the quirky whodunnit is truly a premier breed.

Following its stellar performance, The Sheep Detectives seamlessly transitioned to the small screen, landing on Prime Video on Jun. 24, 2026. It took no time at all for the film to capture the streaming market, quickly claiming the No. 1 spot worldwide. Its continued dominance has paved the way for an exciting new release that will allow fans to add the historic entry in Jackman's filmography to their collections. Alliance Home Entertainment has announced that The Sheep Detectives will be coming to Blu-ray and DVD on Aug. 25, 2026, per Blu-ray.com.​​​​​​​ With stunning high-definition visuals and immersive audio, the physical release will allow armchair detectives to bring the wooly investigation right into their living rooms this summer.

Release Date May 8, 2026

Runtime 109 Minutes

Director Kyle Balda

Writers Craig Mazin, Leonie Swann

Producers Eric Fellner, Lindsay Doran, Tim Bevan