Common Sense Media Review
By Jennifer Borget
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Silly snowboarding dog story promotes friendship over fame.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 6+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Powder Pup
What's the Story?
In POWDER PUP, Shaun (Ashton Arbab), a surfer from California, feels bummed when he and his dad move to snowy Montana. But everything changes when he meets Bodi (voiced by Joey Diaz), a dog who can snowboard like a pro. With Bodi's newfound fame on social media, Shaun and his friend Kayla (Maiah Wynne) enter him in a snowboarding competition to show off his skills and face some jealous competitors along the way. Together, they learn about hard work, teamwork, and friendship over fame.
Is It Any Good?
Powder Pup offers a charming concept of a snowboarding dog, but it's probably best for dog lovers. While the film has some amusing moments, it loses its appeal a bit as it diverts from its furry main character to focus on repetitive scenes with the human characters.
Despite a strong message about the importance of putting down the phone and embracing real-life experiences, the movie might struggle to engage some young viewers with its repeated snowboarding footage. Adults in the room might appreciate the cameo appearance from Jay Mohr, who plays a sportscaster character interviewing Shaun about their story, but it might not be enough to keep them entertained through the entire movie. Ultimately, Powder Pup has its cute moments, and an admirable message about friendships over fame, but there are stronger options out there for talking athletic dog movies.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how the movie portrays the use of social media and fame. Do you think it accurately reflects the reality of social media influence? Why or why not?
How does Kayla challenge stereotypes about gender roles in sports?
In what ways does the movie address the theme of friendship? How does Shaun and Bodi's friendship evolve throughout the story?
The movie suggests that life happens when you put your phone down. Do you agree with this message? Why or why not?
Discuss the role of competition in the movie. How does competition drive the actions of the characters, and what are the consequences of their competitive behavior?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : March 25, 2024
- Cast : Ashton Arbab , Jay Mohr , Mike Manning , Maiah Wynne , Joey Diaz
- Director : Ari Novak
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s) , Female Movie Writer(s)
- Studio : Lionsgate
- Genre : Family and Kids
- Topics : Animals
- Run time : 89 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : some mild language
- Last updated : September 18, 2025
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