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The Sheep-Pig adaptations: books & films
Every version of The Sheep-Pig — the books & films, compared across media.
The Sheep-Pig tells the story of a piglet who arrives at Farmer Hogget's farm, is adopted by an old sheepdog, and goes on to accomplish things no one expected. It is a quiet story about an animal finding where it belongs — funny, warm, and genuinely surprising. That same premise exists as a 1983 novel and a 1995 film, giving readers and viewers two distinct ways to meet the same pig.
The Sheep-Pig films
The Sheep-Pig books
Frequently asked
Is Babe based on a book?
Yes — Babe is based on The Sheep-Pig, a 1983 novel about a piglet raised by a sheepdog on Farmer Hogget's farm. The film was released in 1995 and follows the same core premise.
How many versions of The Sheep-Pig are there?
There are two versions covered here: the original 1983 novel The Sheep-Pig and the 1995 family film Babe, which brought the same story to cinema audiences.
Should I read the book or watch the film first?
Either works as a starting point. The Sheep-Pig (1983) is the original source. Babe (1995) is a family film featuring characters including Ferdinand the duck and Fly the sheepdog.