Common Sense Media Review
By Sandie Angulo Chen
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Amusing adaptation is true to book's silly humor, slapstick.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 6+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
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Dog Man
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 32 parent reviews
Parents say that the movie elicits strong opinions, with some praising it for its humor and educational value for young kids while others criticize it for being unfunny, boring, or inappropriate for certain age groups due to its darker themes. Many parents noted that while the visuals appeal to children, the story tends to be too silly or complex for older viewers, and the film's pacing can be uneven, failing to fully engage both kids and adults alike.
- educational value
- kid-friendly humor
- dark themes
- pacing issues
- mixed reactions
- age-appropriate concerns
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
Based on 30 kid reviews
Kids say the movie is enjoyable and funny, particularly for those aged 5-7, but opinions on its appropriateness vary, with some noting that it contains mild violence and adult jokes that may not be suitable for all children. Many viewers appreciate the humor, positive messages about kindness, and the faithful adaptation of the original books, while others criticize some awkward moments and content that veers into adult themes.
- entertaining for kids
- positive messages
- mild violence
- adult jokes
- faithful adaptation
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
DOG MAN opens with the backstory of how Officer Knight of Ohkay City and his loyal dog, Greg, were critically injured in the line of duty, only to be turned into the half-human, half-dog superhero known as Dog Man (whose barks are voiced by director Peter Hastings). Still on the police force and working for the curmudgeonly Chief (Lil Rel Howery), Dog Man's primary mission is to take down infamous criminal mastermind Petey the Cat (Pete Davidson), who relentlessly designs ingenious inventions to thwart Dog Man's efforts. Since Petey keeps escaping from "cat jail," the frustrated Mayor (Cheri Oteri) pressures Chief to remove Dog Man from the case. Meanwhile, Petey's beleaguered assistant, Butler (Poppy Liu), quits, and Petey creates a clone of himself—though instead of an exact replica, he makes a kitten. Li'l Petey (Lucas Hopkins Calderon) quickly grows attached to Petey, whom he believes to be his father, though Petey has no interest in being a "papa." When Li'l Petey crosses paths with Dog Man, the two form an unexpected bond. But that bond is put to the test when Petey plans to reanimate villainous fish Flippy (Ricky Gervais) and destroy all of the city's "do-gooders."
Is It Any Good?
This crowd-pleasing adaptation of Dav Pilkey's popular graphic novels combines goofy humor with a charming voice cast. Dog Man is an ideal pick for existing and new fans of the hero's escapades. And the animated story, while simple, manages to be both funny and surprisingly sweet. When Dog Man discovers that his ex-girlfriend/human owner has moved on with a new boyfriend and dog, his loneliness finds purpose in caring for Li'l Petey. Their friendship, along with Dog Man's connection to his easily annoyed boss, highlights the importance of found family.
Liu brings a no-nonsense snarkiness to Petey's assistant, Butler, while Isla Fisher shines as intelligent TV reporter Sarah Hatoff; both characters serve as comic foils to their zanier counterparts. Davidson captures Petey, the "most evil cat in the world," with just the right tone of menacing charisma, especially when confronted with his young clone/child, who's brilliantly voiced by Hopkins Calderon. Gervais leans into his role as Flippy the evil genius, delivering his most diabolical-sounding performance. Though the original book series has faced many challenges for its overreliance on potty humor, this adaptation proves surprisingly heartfelt. Whether you're a parent, a teen who's nostalgic for elementary school favorites, or a childfree adult, this joke-filled adventure demonstrates why the books have sold tens of millions of copies worldwide.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the cartoon violence in Dog Man. Does animated violence impact viewers differently than live-action violence?
For those familiar with the books, what do you think makes them so popular with young readers? How closely does the movie follow the books?
Pilkey's Dog Man books are often among the most challenged by parents and educators. Why do you think that's the case? Do you think all books need to be educational to have value?
How would you describe the movie's message? How do characters demonstrate courage, empathy, and teamwork?
Movie Details
- In theaters : January 31, 2025
- On DVD or streaming : February 18, 2025
- Cast : Pete Davidson , Lil Rel Howery , Isla Fisher
- Director : Peter Hastings
- Inclusion Information : Black Movie Actor(s) , Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Universal Pictures
- Genre : Family and Kids
- Topics : Book Characters , Animals
- Character Strengths : Courage , Empathy , Teamwork
- Run time : 89 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : some action and rude humor
- Awards : Common Sense Selection , NAACP Image Award - NAACP Image Award Nominee
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
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