‘Shaun the Sheep: The Beast of Mossy Bottom’ Just Beat Its Own Oscar-Nominated Predecessors on Rotten Tomatoes

Aardman Animations has built one of the most beloved stop-motion legacies in modern film history, and few of the studio’s characters have proven as enduringly popular as Shaun the Sheep. Since first spinning off from ‘Wallace & Gromit’ nearly two decades ago, the wordless flock has grown into a genuine global phenomenon spanning seven television seasons, spin-offs, stage plays, and multiple video games.

That legacy carried real weight into the franchise’s two previous feature films. Both 2015’s ‘Shaun the Sheep Movie’ and 2019’s ‘A Shaun the Sheep Movie: Farmageddon’ earned Academy Award nominations for Best Animated Feature, with critics consistently praising the series’ blend of dry British humor, inventive visual gags, and handcrafted charm that made it stand out even among Aardman’s already impressive catalog.

Now, the franchise’s long-awaited third installment has arrived, and it’s already topped its predecessors in one specific way. ‘Shaun the Sheep: The Beast of Mossy Bottom’ has debuted with a perfect 100% score on Rotten Tomatoes based on early reviews, edging out the 99% earned by the original film and the 96% earned by ‘Farmageddon.’

The new film trades the series’ usual gentle whimsy for something considerably spookier, following the residents of Mossy Bottom Farm as their Halloween plans go hilariously awry. After the clumsy Farmer accidentally destroys the Flock’s beloved pumpkin patch, Shaun’s increasingly desperate mad-scientist scheme to fix things spirals out of control, leading to the Farmer’s disappearance and rumors of a wild “beast” roaming the nearby woods of Mossingham.

Critics have leaned heavily into praise for how confidently the film embraces its horror-movie framing without sacrificing the franchise’s signature warmth. Reviewers have specifically pointed to the film’s stack of genre references, including nods to zombies, werewolves, and even the “Thriller” music video, drawing direct comparisons to Aardman’s own ‘Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit’ for its similarly horror-inflected sensibility. Some outlets have even suggested it could become the third entry in the franchise to earn an Oscar nomination for Best Animated Feature.

‘SHAUN THE SHEEP: THE BEAST OF MOSSY BOTTOM’ debuts with a perfect 100% score on Rotten Tomatoes 🍅 The first film received a 99% while the second received a 96%… https://t.co/IxvitSuIYH

— The Hollywood Handle (@HollywoodHandle) September 14, 2026

Reflecting on the vision behind the project, Aardman’s Chief Creative Director Sarah Cox described the film’s ambitions clearly. “Shaun the Sheep is an iconic character, beloved by viewers of all ages around the world. In our new animated movie, we bring family-friendly thrills to this light-hearted, spooky Halloween adventure. Expect smashed pumpkins, wayward science and a wild hairy beast on the loose in Mossy Bottom — all delivered with the Flock’s trademark joyous comedy,” Cox said at the film’s original announcement.

New clip from ‘SHAUN THE SHEEP: THE BEAST OF MOSSY BOTTOM’.

In theaters September 18. pic.twitter.com/XeSao1rMb2

— MovieHub (@moviehubnow) September 10, 2026

Directed by Steve Cox and Matthew Walker from a script by Mark Burton and Giles Pilbrow, the nearly dialogue-free film runs a lean 80 minutes and features voice and performance work from Justin Fletcher, John Sparkes, Kate Harbour, Dani Dyer, Nina Sosanya, and Roman Kemp. Notably, the film is also securing a proper theatrical release rather than heading straight to streaming, a fate that befell Aardman’s recent ‘Wallace & Gromit’ and ‘Chicken Run’ follow-ups.

With ‘Shaun the Sheep: The Beast of Mossy Bottom’ set to hit theaters September 18, the franchise’s continued critical dominance suggests Aardman has once again found a way to keep its wordless flock feeling fresh, even after two decades of adventures.

Have something to add? Let us know in the comments!