Epoch Watchlist: Recommended Viewing for May 8–14

This week, we feature a hilarious mystery of talking sheep investigating their minder’s murder and a high-octane actioner about an assassin’s quest for redemption.

New Release

‘The Sheep Detectives’

George (Hugh Jackman) reads murder stories to his flock each night, unaware they follow every detail, until he is found dead and the sheep begin retracing his routines, treating the farm as a crime scene and the people around them as suspects.

The woolly detectives set out solving their shepherd’s murder like they’ve been studying crime novels for years, and that commitment keeps it engaging. It drifts a bit when it shifts focus to the human side, but whenever it stays with the sheep piecing things together, it’s worth watching.

Action | Comedy | Mystery Release Date: May 8, 2026 Director: Kyle Balda Starring: Hugh Jackman, Brett Goldstein, Patrick Stewart Running Time: 1 hour, 49 minutes MPAA Rating: PG Where to Watch: Theaters Rated: 3 stars out of 5

Family Pick

‘Turbo’

Snail Turbo (Ryan Reynolds) catches a freak jolt that turns him into a blur chasing the Indianapolis 500, while his brother Chet (Paul Giamatti) keeps calling him out. A crew of street snails builds Turbo into something reckless yet skilled, pushing him toward a race he has no business surviving.

It runs a familiar track, though the visuals pop and the characters are easy to root for. The final Indy run moves with real push and emphasizes a simple idea families can get behind: You can go further with people who stand with you.

Comedy | Family | Sport Release Date: July 17, 2013 Director: David Soren Starring: Ryan Reynolds, Paul Giamatti, Maya Rudolph Running time: 1 hour, 36 minutes MPAA Rating: PG Where to Watch: YouTube, Amazon, Apple TV Rated: 3 1/2 stars out of 5

Honor, Duty, and Comradery

‘The Killer’

Hitman Ah Jong (Chow Yun-Fat) botches a nightclub job and blinds singer Jennie (Sally Yeh), then takes one last contract to fund her surgery. Meanwhile, Inspector Li Ying (Danny Lee) closes in, but may not be the enemy Jong thinks he is.

Chow owns the role of a weary assassin with a personal code that bleeds into every shootout, while John Woo transforms the many gun battles into something both poetic and balletic, alongside heartfelt emotional drama that stays with you long after the bullets stop.

Action | Crime | Drama Release Date: Jan. 22, 1990 Director: John Woo Starring: Chow Yun-Fat, Danny Lee, Sally Yeh Running time: 1 hour, 51 minutes MPAA Rating: R Where to Watch: fuboTV, Tubi TV, YouTube Rated: 4 1/2 stars out of 5

Finding Direction

‘Pat and Mike’

Athlete Pat (Katharine Hepburn) hits a wall every time her fiancé hovers, slipping under his control, until she meets with Mike (Spencer Tracy), a fast-talking promoter who helps her get her edge back.

This rom-com moves quickly through tennis matches, golf hustles, and locker room pressure, with Pat finding her footing as the old engagement cracks and a new path opens.

Comedy | Romance | Sport Release Date: June 13, 1952 Director: George Cukor Starring: Spencer Tracy, Katharine Hepburn, Aldo Ray Running Time: 1 hour, 35 minutes Not Rated Where to Watch: YouTube, Amazon, Apple TV Rated: 3 1/2 stars out of 5

What arts and culture topics would you like us to cover? Please email ideas or feedback to [email protected].