Steve Cox and Matthew Walker direct this script by Mark Burton and Giles Pilbrow about a new misadventure at Mossy Bottom Farm. When the farmer (voiced by John Sparkes) accidently trashes the sheep’s beloved pumpkin patch just as Halloween approaches, Shaun (voiced by Justin Fletcher) turns mad scientist to make things right, but instead his experiment leads to a wild creature roaming the countryside. (80 min.)
Glen I’m a big fan of the Wallace & Gromit franchise, but this is the first Shaun the Sheep spinoff I’ve seen, and it’s just as charming and sweet as the claymation franchise from which it sprang. Aardman Animations does wonders with these lumps of clay that are so expressive via facial expression and body language. Down on Mossy Bottom Farm, the farmer is pining for the lady vet (voiced by Nina Sosanya). It seems a little weird to say “voiced by” because these characters don’t have any dialogue, just murmurs and wordless exclamations. That’s part of the joy of these films—they’re very visual, and they’re packed with sight gags and references that kids probably won’t get, like nods to Frankenstein (1931), Psycho (1960), the Friday the 13th series, and Big Foot mythology, not to mention Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” video, right down to the choreography. It’s pretty darn cute.
SHAUN THE SHEEP: THE BEAST OF MOSSY BOTTOM
What’s it rated? PG
What’s it worth, Anna? Full price
What’s it worth, Glen? Full price
Where’s it showing? Colony, Palm, Park, Stadium 10
Anna Cute is the right word for this claymation creation. I love how sometimes you can even see the fingerprints from the makers still in the faces of their works of art. Not having discernable language is a brilliant tool to make the film accessible and enjoyable for even its youngest viewers. We sat in front of a group of kids who were totally jazzed to watch the antics of Shaun and his flock, and all of the nods to other films and pop-culture references meant the adults got to have a bit of fun too. Shaun’s farmer is balding, and boy is he insecure about it. When the sheep’s secret pumpkin patch gets destroyed and Shaun lets his inner mad scientist take over, he accidentally develops something the farmer sees as a miracle—and soon his now luxurious head of hair has taken over his life. The film is silly, and within its 80-minute run time, it’s packed with fun action as Shaun desperately tries to right his mistake. I hope the Palm Theatre sees many more groups of kids come through the doors for this film—it’s a bunch of fun.
Glen Watching it with a group of kids in attendance made it more fun. One little boy noted that he used to watch the Shaun the Sheep TV series “when he was little.” Um, dude, you’re, like, 6 years old. The mom herding this group of kids directed them to “cover your eyes” when a trailer for The Exorcist (1973) came on to advertise the Palm’s Flickerhead Friday series. During The Beast of Mossy Bottom, the kids laughed at all the right places and seemed to love the film, and they were heading for ice cream next. That’s a pretty good Saturday afternoon for the wee tykes. The film’s also playing in Paso Robles, Atascadero, Arroyo Grande, and Santa Maria, so wherever you go, expect to laugh. It’s so packed with so many gags that I’m sure I missed some, so I’ll watch it again one day, guaranteed.
Anna What a great reminder to throw Wallace & Gromit up on the screen when I’m feeling a bit low. They always manage to bring cheer. One kid even did a Wallace impression before the start. I can easily see Shaun the Sheep becoming part of that mix, it’s just as charming—especially when you’re looking for something that doesn’t require following dialogue. ∆
Arts Editor Glen Starkey and freelancer Anna Starkey write Split Screen. Comment at gstarkey@newtimesslo.com.
This article appears in Autumn Arts Annual 2026.
