A murder mystery involving sheep detectives? It may end up one of Amazon MGM‘s biggest hits in 2026. Deadline reports that the studio has their cast lined for up “Three Bags Full: A Sheep Detective Movie,” a live-action comedy helmed by “Minions” vet Kyle Balda. And this cast is a whopper, so don’t be surprised if this one ends up as popular as a “Knives Out” mystery.
Hugh Jackman leads an ensemble that includes Emma Thompson, Nicholas Braun, Nicholas Galitzine, and Molly Gordon. Hong Chau, Tosin Cole, Kobna Holdbrook-Smith, Conleth Hill, and Mandeep Dhillon round out the main cast. So, a couple A-listers with buzzy up-and-comers mixed in; that’s not a bad group for this murder mystery.
But what is “Three Bags Full” about? Based on Leonie Swann‘s 2005 international bestseller and Glauser Award winner “Glennkill,” the movie follows Jackman’s shepherd George Hardy, whose intimate relationship with his pasture involves reading them mystery stories aloud. Little does George know that his sheep are actually cognizant, and bicker about the whodunnit for hours when he’s not around. But when George dies suddenly, his flock recognizes someone killed him and try and solve his murder.
The only problem is, well, they’re sheep. As a bumbling local cop tries to the mystery, the sheep group up and leave their meadow in pursuit of justice, only to realize real life is a lot different than the detective fiction they’re used to. “The Last Of Us” showrunner Craig Mazin adapts Swann’s novel for the big screen. Lindsay Doran produces the film with Working Title‘s Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner. Phil Lord and Chris Miller lead executive producers, with Aditya Sood and Tim Wellspring. Amazon MGM has “Three Bigs Full” slated for a February 20, 2026 theatrical release; not a premier date, but one that should attract an audience.
“Three Bags Full” will be Balda’s live-action debut directing-wise. And while Jackman and Thompson are the big names here, this is a good vehicle for the likes of Braun, Galitzine, Gordon, and Chau, four actors poised to break out further in the next couple of years. Of course, no shade to other up-and-comers like Cole, Holdbrook-Smith, and Dhillon there, and it’s always a pleasure to see Hill onscreen.
So will “Three Bags Full” be a winner for Amazon MGM? If Leonie Swann’s book is any indication, why didn’t a movie studio adapt this one sooner? As noted earlier, Balda’s film hits theater on February 20, 2026.
