Hugh Jackman's 'The Sheep Detectives' Makes Waves at the Box Office: Can It Surpass 'Primate'?

Hugh Jackman's latest film, 'The Sheep Detectives,' has debuted at the North American box office with a solid opening, earning $15.08 million. While it has received high praise from critics, the film faces a challenge in surpassing the global earnings of the horror film 'Primate.' With a unique storyline involving a shepherd and his sheep solving a murder mystery, the film continues to attract attention. Can it break into the top 30 grossers of 2026? Read on to find out more about its performance and critical reception.

By Narendra Chaudhary May 12, 2026, 17:50 IST

A Promising Start for 'The Sheep Detectives'

'The Sheep Detectives,' starring Hugh Jackman, has kicked off its journey at the North American box office with a commendable debut. However, the film still faces a significant path ahead to achieve full theatrical success. Its global opening was also on the modest side, establishing minor milestones that could aid in reaching its broader objectives. Presently, it is poised to exceed the global earnings of the 2026 horror film 'Primate.'

On the critical front, 'The Sheep Detectives' has garnered impressive ratings, with both critics and audiences giving it scores exceeding 90% on Rotten Tomatoes. Critics have rated the film at 94%, with the consensus noting it as 'drolly funny and sweet as a lamb,' emphasizing its capacity to convey deep themes within a family-friendly framework.

As per the latest data from Box Office Mojo, 'The Sheep Detectives' earned $15.08 million during its opening weekend in North America. Despite this robust performance, it did not claim the top spot among its rivals, debuting at #4 in the domestic box office rankings. Internationally, it added $11.9 million to its earnings, bringing its total worldwide gross to $27.0 million.

In contrast, 'Primate,' directed by Johannes Roberts, presents a different premise as a natural horror film and is recognized as the 31st highest-grossing film globally for 2026, with a total of $39.05 million during its theatrical run. Currently, 'The Sheep Detectives' is approximately $12 million away from surpassing 'Primate's' global earnings and is gradually approaching the top 30 grossers of 2026.

The storyline of 'The Sheep Detectives' centers around a shepherd who narrates murder mysteries to his sheep each night, convinced they understand the tales. When he is discovered dead under mysterious circumstances, the sheep suspect foul play and set out to solve the mystery, utilizing the lessons learned from their nightly stories. Released on May 8, the film continues to draw attention in the box office arena.