Oscar winner Hugh Jackman has reached a new career milestone with his latest film, which has earned the highest Rotten Tomatoes rating of his career. Considering his extensive filmography, including blockbusters like X-Men, Les Misérables, and The Greatest Showman, this achievement is particularly notable.
Top-Rated Film on Rotten Tomatoes
Jackman’s new film, The Sheep Detectives, is a family-friendly mystery described as a cross between Babe and Knives Out. When the embargo on critics’ reviews lifted earlier this week, the film soared to the top with 96% based on 26 reviews. As of Friday, with additional reviews filed, it has settled at 94%. This ties with his 2019 crime drama Bad Education for the top spot. Just behind at 93% is Logan, Jackman’s acclaimed 2017 return to his iconic role. Other high-ranking films include X-Men: Days of Future Past (2014), the animated Missing Link (2019), and X2.
Plot and Cast
In The Sheep Detectives, Jackman plays shepherd George Hardy, who reads detective novels to his sheep every night, unaware that they understand. After a mysterious incident disrupts their lives, the sheep decide to become detectives, following clues and investigating human suspects. The film also stars Emma Thompson, Nicholas Braun, Nicholas Galitzine, and Hong Chau in human roles, with voice work from Bryan Cranston, Sir Patrick Stewart, Chris O’Dowd, Bella Ramsey, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, and Brett Goldstein.
Critical Reception
Collider called it “one of the year’s most delightful surprises”, while Time Out praised it as “irrepressibly jolly”. Comparisons have been drawn to Midsomer Murders, The Thursday Murder Club, and Watership Down, with critics noting its whimsical charm reminiscent of the Babe films. The Playlist commented, “A movie about crime-solving animals has more to say about bearing witness and the transmission of values than many a prestige indie drama.” Mashable promised it is “a feel-good movie that’s sure to delight all ages.”
Audience Ratings
While critics have ranked The Sheep Detectives highly, audience ratings on Rotten Tomatoes show different favorites: Song Sung Blue (97%), Deadpool & Wolverine (94%), The Prestige (92%), and Logan and X-Men: Days of Future Past (both 91%).
Release Information
The Sheep Detectives is released in UK cinemas on Friday, May 8, with special advance screenings over the Bank Holiday weekend.
