GKIDS & StudioCanal
Available on VOD
Coming to Blu-ray and DVD January 26, 2027.
As a kid-friendly film for the season, Shaun the Sheep The Beast of Mossy Bottom brings a little scare to its quiet hamlet. Shaun has come a long way since his introduction in Wallace & Gromit: A Close Shave (1995). That little sheep went on to lead his own TV series in 2007, with the Farmer, Bitzer the dog and the flock turning life into anything but a quiet country retreat. Aardman built this world around visual gags and expressive characters. Nobody needs a proper conversation for us to understand who’s causing trouble.
The leap to features gave that mischief more room to roam. Shaun the Sheep Movie (2015) took the flock to the big city, while Farmageddon (2019) brought an alien visitor to the countryside. For someone who loves silent films like I do, the appeal is easy to understand. A look, a gesture or a badly timed mishap can carry the joke. That’s nothing to bleat at, pardon the pun.
After a very short theatrical run amid the busy summer season, I wondered where this one had gone. I don’t always see a movie on opening night, and by the time I was ready, it was gone! I don’t need every Halloween movie to scare me silly. If memory serves, this might be Shaun’s funniest feature yet. And for younglings wanting something to enjoy after trick or treating, this film is one to wind down to.
In this outing, there’s a lot going on and there’s romance in the air. Shaun (Justin Fletcher) iks up to his usual, and Farmer (John Sparkes) looks anxious for a certain visit. The old fellow is smitten. Visits from the local vet (Nina Sosanya) to give the sheep their shots offer him a chance at courtship. When he’s fretting over his receding hairline, therein lies the plot.
Yes, they talk (sort of), but we mostly hear grunts, squeaks and other fun noises. True to the silent film era, orchestral cues and pantomime help sell the comedy. Some gags are downright hilarious; others had me shaking my head. That’s part of the charm. This is children’s entertainment with a couple of clever nods for old timers to appreciate. The introduction does all the heavy lifting, and although they do not serve a grander purpose, I enjoyed it!
Afterwards, there’s still a few nods to those golden oldies to chuckle over too. When actions speak louder than words, Aardman’s stop-motion performers have plenty to say. The fun comes from watching them sell a reaction or let a gag unfold without spelling everything out.
In the right season, this movie feels like a romp through the countryside, with a few branches waiting to trip everyone up. There might even be a kiss at the finish line. As for whether the Farmer gets the girl, you’ll have to find out for yourself!
4 Stars out of 5
Blu-ray & DVD Bonus Features
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- Behind the Scenes with the Creators
- Scene Breakdowns: The Lab and Meeting the Vet
- Crafting a Poster
- Teasers & Trailers
Shaun the Sheep The Beast of Mossy Bottom Trailer
About Aardman
Aardman is an employee-owned company, based in Bristol (UK) and co-founded in 1976 by Peter Lord and David Sproxton. An independent, multi-Academy Award® and BAFTA® award winning studio, it produces feature films, series, advertising and interactive entertainment.
Its global productions are renowned for their uniquely entertaining and brilliantly crafted characters. 2026 sees the studio celebrate its 50th anniversary with a roster of events and celebrations highlighting the craft and legacy of this company and the launch of a new movie, Shaun the Sheep The Beast of Mossy Bottom in the autumn.