Barnyard (also known as Barnyard: The Original Party Animals) is a 2006 American animated comedy film written and directed by Steve Oedekerk. The film features an ensemble cast, including Kevin James, Courteney Cox, Sam Elliott, Danny Glover, Wanda Sykes, Andie MacDowell and David Koechner. It tells the story of Otis, a carefree Holstein cow, who learns the value of responsibility when he becomes the leader of his farm home's community after his adoptive father's death from a coyote attack.

Barnyard was released in the United States on August 4, 2006, by Paramount Pictures. The film received mixed reviews from critics and grossed $116.5 million worldwide against a $51 million production budget. A sequel television series, Back at the Barnyard, premiered in 2007.

Plot

Otis, a carefree Holstein steer, lives on a farm in the Arizonian town of Oedeville, where its animal occupants are allowed to reveal their anthropomorphism when humans are not watching them. He prefers to have fun with his friends, Pip the mouse, Pig the pig, Freddy the ferret and Peck the rooster, to the disapproval of Ben, his adoptive father and the farm's leader.

One evening, Otis convinces Ben to cover his night watch so he can attend a massive party in the barn and impress Daisy, a pregnant cow who recently arrived at the farm with her best friend Bessy. Before Otis leaves, Ben tells him he saw the stars dance the night he found him as a calf. As the farm animals party, the sadistic coyote Dag and his pack attempt to raid the farm's hen coop. Ben arrives and successfully fends the coyotes off alone but is mortally wounded. Otis rushes to Ben's aide, but Ben dies in his arms.

Following Ben's death, the animals elect Otis as the new leader. He struggles with his new position and duties, which includes salvaging an incident in which the farmer witnesses the animals partying and Miles, an elderly mule and Ben's childhood friend, knocking him unconscious. Leaving Freddy and Peck to guard the chicken coop, Otis joins the Jersey Cows, a trio of troublemaking cattle, in getting revenge against a cow tipping bully. After narrowly avoiding the authorities, Otis returns for his night watch and shares a tender moment with Daisy, who recalls the time her late husband and fellow cattle were lost to a storm.

Otis soon encounters Dag, who easily deters him using his weakness as a leader and guilt over Ben's death. Dag arranges a deal to periodically steal animals from the farm, threatening to kill them all if Otis attempts any interference. Ashamed, Otis decides to abandon the farm, but relents after learning that the coyotes have kidnapped the hens, including Etta and her young daughter Maddy, during the day behind his back.

Encouraged by Miles, Otis sets out to confront Dag alone at his wrecking yard den. Otis is initially outnumbered by the coyotes but his friends arrive to fight alongside him. Together, they defeat the pack, with Otis warning Dag to never threaten their home again. The animals hijack motorcycles and drive home, where Daisy gives birth to a calf named in Ben's memory. Otis vows to protect the farm as his father did before watching the stars form images of him, Daisy and young Ben dancing together.