by Alex Billington
June 23, 2026
Source: YouTube
“Would you be happier without me here?” Neon has revealed their own official US trailer for the lo-fi robot boy sci-fi film titled Sheep in the Box, the latest emotional movie from beloved, award-winning Japanese filmmaker Hirokazu Koreeda. It premiered at the 2026 Cannes Film Festival & opened in Japan in May. Now it’s set to play in US theaters this July if anyone’s curious despite many bad reviews. Koreeda’s newest following his recent films Broker and Monster. A couple who lost their son welcomes in a humanoid. Sheep in the Box is Koreeda’s take on AI and recreating lost loved ones with tech – a family brings back their son as a robot. “This project began with the idea of ‘bringing the dead back to life using the latest technology,'” he explains. “I was interested in exploring the conflicting perspectives [about] how technological advancement clashes with human inner values…” Alas it becomes a Ghost in the Shell spin about them taking control of their bodies. The film stars Haruka Ayase as the Mom, Daigo (Chidori) as the Dad, and Rito Kuwaki as their robo son. I saw this in Cannes already and it’s a huge let down unfortunately. Only worth watching if you’re really into this story and finding out what happens to this humanoid machine and his robo friends.
Here’s the official US trailer (+ poster) for Hirokazu Koreeda’s film Sheep in the Box, from YouTube:
You can rewatch the full Japanese trailer for Koreeda’s Sheep in the Box movie right here for even more.
Director Kore-eda, acclaimed for his sharp perspective & warm gaze portraying people living in society, presents a story starring Haruka Ayase and Daigo (Chidori). Set in the near future, it follows a couple who lost their child and decide to welcome a state-of-the-art humanoid in their son’s likeness. “Welcome home, Sho.” “I’m home, Mom, Dad.” Family time begins anew. But what unimaginable future awaits this family? Sheep in the Box, originally known as 箱の中の羊 in Japanese, is written and directed by acclaimed Japanese filmmaker Hirokazu Kore-eda, director of many other great films including Maborosi, Without Memory, After Life, Distance, Nobody Knows, Still Walking, Air Doll, Like Father Like Son, Our Little Sister, After the Storm, The Third Murder, Palme d’Or winner Shoplifters, The Truth, Broker, and Monster previously. Made in Japan by Fuji Television Network, AOI Promotion, Gaga, Toho. This first premiered at the 2026 Cannes Film Festival and it already opened in Japan in May this year. Neon will release Koreeda’s Sheep in the Box in select US theaters starting July 24th, 2026 coming soon this summer. Look any good?
