Shaun the Sheep: The Beast of Mossy Bottom

Shaun the Sheep: The Beast of Mossy Bottom is playing at Vue Cinema in Oxford, with screenings running from Monday 26 October through to Thursday 29 October. It's a stop-motion short that fits the half-term break, and since it's only 80 minutes long, it's an easy one to slot in around the school run or a morning out.

The story is pure Mossy Bottom: everyone on the farm is looking forward to Halloween, until the clumsy Farmer trashes the flock's beloved pumpkin patch. From there, it's the sheep taking charge to sort out the mess, and if you've seen any of the Aardman stuff, you know exactly how that's going to go. It's the same wordless, visual comedy that works for all ages, so it's as much for the adults as it is for the kids.

There are plenty of times to choose from over the four days, and they're mostly morning and afternoon slots. On Monday 26 October, it's 10.45am and 12.45pm. Tuesday 27 October adds a third with 9.30am, 11.45am and 2.45pm. Wednesday 28 October is 9.30am, 11.25am and 1.25pm, and Thursday 29 October runs 9.50am, 12.30pm and 3.40pm. If you're taking the little ones, the earlier ones are probably your best bet, but there's a late afternoon option on Tuesday and Thursday if you'd rather do it after lunch.