SHAUN THE SHEEP: THE BEAST OF MOSSY BOTTOM (2026)

Genre: Animation
Director: Steve Cox and Matthew Walker
Cast: Justin Fletcher, John Sparkes, Nina Sosanya, Kate Harbour, Paul Whitehouse, Richard Webber, Emma Tate, Andy Nyman, Simon Greenall, Dani Dyer
Runtime: 1 hr 21 mins
Rating: PG13 (Some Mature References)
Released By: Shaw Organisation
Official Website: 

Opening Day: 1 October 2026

Synopsis: On Halloween Eve at Mossy Bottom Farm, excitement turns to dismay when the clumsy Farmer ruins the pumpkin patch. Shaun tries fixing it with science experiments, but things go wrong when a wild beast appears in the woods.

Movie Review:

Shaun the Sheep has become the second most recognisable creation from stop-motion animation studio Aardman Animations, after Wallace & Gromit. And now, Shaun, the creative and inventive farm sheep, has returned for his third big-screen outing following Shaun the Sheep Movie (2015) and A Shaun the Sheep Movie: Farmageddon (2019).

In anticipation of Halloween, Shaun and his beloved gang have been growing pumpkins on the farm. But when the pumpkin patch is destroyed by the clumsy Farmer, Shaun comes up with a growing potion to regrow the pumpkins overnight, using a children’s science book and effectively turning himself into a “mad scientist”.

Mistaking the potion for a hair-regrowth formula, the Farmer decides to apply it to his head in an effort to rescue his balding scalp, only to turn himself into a hairy Bigfoot. Now, it’s up to Shaun and the gang, along with his loyal canine friend Bitzer and the town’s vet, who happens to be his love interest, to rescue the Farmer from being chased by the frightened townsfolk.

Shaun the Sheep: The Beast of Mossy Bottom is also Aardman’s second attempt at pulling off a monster-themed animation, if you recall Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit. The movie delivers plenty of tongue-in-cheek humour aimed at both younger audiences and adults. With no dialogue, younger children will find it all the more relatable and amusing, thanks to the gibberish, growls and expressive antics. There are plenty of side gags, too, although adults will be more likely to recognise the references to classic horror movies such as Frankenstein and Psycho. An obvious nod to Michael Jackson’s Thriller music video and a Star Wars reference are also thrown into the mix.

In the grand tradition of Aardman, directors Steve Cox and Matthew Walker keep things bustling with plenty of clever visual gags. The second half of the animation sees the vet send the Farmer to Bigfoot Island, unaware of his true identity. What follows is a madcap chase as Shaun, the gang and the vet race to rescue him and bring him back to the mainland. In between all the chaos, the script also manages to throw in some good-natured environmental messages.

As the animation is primarily targeted at kiddos, this is frankly a Halloween movie in name only, lacking the spookiness and suspense one might expect from the occasion. Sure, there are references to the famous festival and its beloved jack-o’-lanterns, but rest assured, there’s nothing here that will scare the wits out of you. What matters most is the craftsmanship that goes into creating all the gags and laughs. The animation is an instant delight to behold, especially the painstakingly crafted characters, props and backgrounds. If its American counterpart, Laika, tends to cater more to adult audiences with its movies, then everyone’s favourite Brit, Aardman, continues to amaze children and adults alike.

Movie Rating:

(The Beast of Mossy Bottom continues Aardman’s tradition of delivering a wildly brilliant and funny stop-motion masterpiece)

Review by Linus Tee