Shaun the Sheep: The Flight Before Christmas — all we know

Shaun and the gang celebrate Christmas in Shaun the Sheep: The Flight Before Christmas

(Image credit: BBC / Aardman Animation)

Shaun the Sheep: The Flight Before Christmas is a brand new Christmas caper starring everyone's favorite animated sheep!

Netflix is home to so many great holiday movies and specials every single year, and 2021 is proving to be no different. After Aardman Animation's star sheep made the jump to Netflix for his latest series, Shaun the Sheep: Adventures from Mossy Bottom in 2020, he's joining Netflix's festive line-up this year.

It's been six years since Shaun and co. last had a proper festive outing (2015's The Farmer's Llamas), but he's back for a new adventure. When a raid on the farmhouse for Christmas supplies goes wrong, one of the members of the Flock will go missing, and it's over to Shaun and his friends to rescue them before it's too late.

UK viewers will be seeing Shaun and his friends on BBC1 very soon, as Aardman Animation has produced a series of Christmas idents (short films that air between shows to help identify which channel you're watching) featuring their beloved farmyard characters. These channels idents will start appearing on BBC1 from Saturday, Dec. 4, and run right through the festive period. We also finally know when The Flight Before Christmas will air on BBC1

Here's everything we know about Shaun the Sheep: The Flight Before Christmas so far...

'Shaun the Sheep: The Flight Before Christmas' release date

Shaun the Sheep: The Flight Before Christmas launches on Netflix in the US, Latin America, Canada, parts of Europe, and the Middle East on Friday, Dec. 3.

The BBC has now confirmed that the half-hour special will be broadcast on BBC1 at 6 pm on Christmas Eve.

How long is 'Shaun the Sheep: The Flight Before Christmas'?

Shaun the Sheep: The Flight Before Christmas will be a half-hour Christmas special.

'Shaun the Sheep: The Flight Before Christmas' plot

Thanks to the official Shaun the Sheep website, we know what we can expect from Shaun's latest caper. Their summary of The Flight Before Christmas reads:

"Shaun's season excitement turns to dismay when a farmhouse raid to get bigger stockings for the Flock inadvertently leads to Timmy going missing. Can Shaun get Timmy back before he becomes someone else's present?"

It sounds exactly like the kind of chaotic adventure that Aardman's beloved sheep is famous for, so The Flight Before Christmas is sure to be a hit for all the family when it airs in December.

'Shaun the Sheep: The Flight Before Christmas' voice cast

At the time of writing, the only confirmed member of the voice cast is Justin Fletcher, who has voiced the character since the show debuted way back in 2007.

We'd wager that it's highly likely fellow actors like John Sparkes (Bitzer the dog) will be back on board for Shaun's latest escapade, too!

Is there a trailer?

Yes! We've just gotten a trailer for Shaun's festive caper, and it sees him and the rest of the Flock waking up to a true winter wonderland on Mossy Bottom Farm. There's a Christmas market in town, the decorations are up, and Shaun has packed Timmy inside a present to hide him whilst they lead their raid on the farmhouse for decorations.

As you'd expect, it looks like chaos will ensue when the rest of the sheep try to get him back, plus it looks like there'll be plenty of problems for the Farmer as he does his best Santa impression, and Bitzer's will get himself into a few scrapes, too!

You can watch the trailer for Shaun the Sheep: The Flight Before Christmas below:

Martin is a Staff Writer with WhatToWatch.com, where he produces a variety of articles focused on the latest and greatest films and TV shows.

Some of his favorite shows are What We Do In The Shadows, Bridgerton, Gangs of London, The Witcher, Doctor Who, and Ghosts. When he’s not watching TV or at the movies, Martin’s probably still in front of a screen playing the latest video games, reading, or watching the NFL.