TITLE: Shaun the Sheep: The Beast of Mossy Bottom
RELEASED: 18 September 2026
DIRECTORS: Steve Cox, Matthew Walker
CAST: Justin Fletcher, John Sparkes, Kate Harbour, Nina Sosanya, Paul Whitehouse, Roman Kemp, Dani Dyer
This autumn, the ever-popular Shaun the Sheep has returned to cinemas for his third film, and this time it’s a spooky tale set around Halloween!
Halloween comes to Mossy Bottom
Shaun and his flock have been carefully cultivating pumpkins to turn into jack-o’-lanterns for All Hallows’ Eve. Unfortunately, despite all their precautions, the whole patch is destroyed by the Farmer, leaving the flock distraught.
Intent on re-growing their prized pumpkins in time for the holiday, Shaun turns into a mad scientist and creates a special growth formula to use on the leftover seeds.
Things start going wrong, though, when someone else gets their hands on the formula and transforms into a big hairy beast!
When Shaun realises the truth behind the massive monster, however, it becomes a race against time to save it from a furious mob of villagers and the designs of a well-meaning vet.
As this short outline suggests, the film has a pretty straightforward premise, as one might expect with a movie aimed at younger children.
However, like previous Shaun the Sheep films, Aardman manages to add lots of fun and flavour to this simple plot, keeping it amusing and interesting for all ages.
Horror references for the grown-ups
Adults in particular will appreciate the horror references scattered throughout – from the Nosferatu-like shadow of the Farmer as he comes down the stairs in the morning, to the reference to Psycho when the sheep all hide in the bathroom.
Shaun’s personal arc also reflects the classic descent of the mad scientist.
He begins dabbling in science with the best of intentions to solve the pumpkin problem, only to become reliant on it for all his problems. Each time he turns to his book of homemade science experiments, the source of his knowledge, it simply makes things worse.
It’s an excellent introduction to the classic horror trope for kids.
Aardman also does a great job of creating some very atmospheric scenes and sets in this film, with perhaps the best location being where Shaun sets up his lab – in a dark, abandoned windmill.
This is obviously a homage to films such as Frankenstein 1931 or Tim Burton’s Sleepy Hollow 1999, and its exterior really captures the air of a creepy, desolate building.
Of course, part of this atmosphere is down to the excellent lighting.
The film uses coloured lights to good effect here, first in the opening scenes and then later in Shaun’s lab, which is lit up in shades of green, blue and purple. The moonlight hitting the cogs of the windmill as it starts up is also a wonderfully lit little scene.
A very English Halloween
What makes this movie really stand out, though, at least to this reviewer, is seeing a Halloween film for children set in England.
Most family-friendly Halloween films, such as Hocus Pocus 1993 or Hotel Transylvania 2012, are made in America, with a primarily American audience in mind.
This is not an issue, of course – Halloween is bigger in the States – but there is something rather delightful in seeing the familiar English countryside become the setting for such spooky shenanigans.
It is something a younger version of me, enthralled by The Simpsons’ Treehouse of Horror episodes, would have enjoyed seeing.
Although, to be fair, this isn’t the first time Aardman has done a horror parody.
Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit 2005 is basically a werewolf tale with bunnies!
Five baas for Shaun the Sheep
All in all, Shaun the Sheep: The Beast of Mossy Bottom is another solid production from Aardman.
The movie is fast-paced and action-packed without feeling rushed or too hyperactive. Meanwhile, the humour is well balanced with moments of drama and genuine emotion.
While this is a great pick for families, it can be recommended to anyone of any age.
A spooky yet cosy Halloween movie that will keep you amused from beginning to end.
Five baas!
