A Dog's Purpose

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2:28

A Dog's Purpose

PG

Released Jan 27, 2017

2h 0m

Comedy

Drama

Fantasy

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

35%

Tomatometer

147 Reviews

74%

Popcornmeter

10,000+ Ratings

A devoted dog discovers the meaning of its own existence through the lives of the humans it teaches to laugh and love. Reincarnated as multiple canines over the course of five decades, the lovable pooch develops an unbreakable bond with a kindred spirit named Ethan. As the boy grows older and comes to a crossroad, the dog once again comes back into his life to remind him of his true self.

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Critics Consensus

A Dog's Purpose offers an awkward blend of sugary sentiment and canine suffering that tugs at animal-loving audiences' heartstrings with shameless abandon.

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Tara Brady

Irish Times

A welcome, woofy warning against human speciesism.

Rated: 3/5

Jun 14, 2017

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Jake Wilson

The Age (Australia)

This remains a textbook example of what the website Snopes.com refers to as "glurge" -- the kind of gooey uplift associated with the novels of Nicholas Sparks and their film adaptations.

Rated: 1.5/5

May 10, 2017

Full Review

Simran Hans

Observer (UK)

It's hard not to be charmed by the film's pack of hyperactive, wriggling puppies, but there's only so much time to be spent watching them play before it becomes eye-wateringly banal.

Rated: 2/5

May 7, 2017

Full Review

Hosea Rupprecht

Pauline Media Studies

Lasse Hallström once again provides theater-goers with some food for thought in A Dog's Purpose. Of course, the food tastes better out of the trash and bacon from under the table is just the best.

Aug 26, 2021

Full Review

Linda and Al Lerner

Movies and Shakers

It's a safe family film that's a heart tugger for dog lovers.

Sep 4, 2019

Full Review

Rachel Wagner

rachelsreviews.net

The problem with that premise is you have to watch a dog die 5 times, which is like Marley and Me times 5.

Rated: C

Mar 12, 2019

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carson m

salright but its simple and looks pretty flat and cheap

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

08/25/25

Full Review

jhesua d

The film has a very interesting plot based on reincarnation, it is very emotional and is made for both children and adults. Jhesua Díaz

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/23/25

Full Review

Dani G

Emotive, dynamic, sentimental film, simple and light

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

07/08/25

Full Review

Andrew B

One of my favorite movies ever

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/04/25

Full Review

wolf g

Honestly this just felt like it was trying too hard to be a tear jerker like it's only attribute was "I might make you cry" the plot was ...fine. I honestly wouldn't recommend this. Also there's been several reports the German shepherd used for the police dog chase scene was mistreated so that's a big no from me.

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

04/12/25

Full Review

Ahmet W

I do not understand why this movie got 35 percent in tomatometer. It is more heart aching, saddest story as far I know since I saw Marley and Me.. I honestly start to loose my interest for rotten tomatoes critics and reviews in general. My advice will be, Please don't let anyone to decide for you from here until you watch and see the movie.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/22/25

Full Review

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Lasse Hallström

Director

Josh Gad

Bailey

Dennis Quaid

Ethan Montgomery

Peggy Lipton

Adult Hannah

Bryce Gheisar

Ethan - 8 Years Old

K.J. Apa

Teen Ethan

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A Dog's Purpose: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

A devoted dog discovers the meaning of its own existence through the lives of the humans it teaches to laugh and love. Reincarnated as multiple canines over the course of five decades, the lovable pooch develops an unbreakable bond with a kindred spirit named Ethan. As the boy grows older and comes to a crossroad, the dog once again comes back into his life to remind him of his true self.

Director: Lasse Hallström
Producer: Gavin Polone
Screenwriter: W. Bruce Cameron, Cathryn Michon, Audrey Wells, Maya Forbes, Wallace Wolodarsky
Distributor: Universal Pictures
Production Co: Pariah, Walden Media, Reliance Entertainment, Universal Pictures
Rating: PG (Thematic Elements|Some Peril)
Genre: Comedy, Drama, Fantasy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jan 27, 2017, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 18, 2017
Box Office (Gross USA): $64.3M
Runtime: 2h 0m
Sound Mix: Datasat, Dolby Digital, DTS, Dolby Atmos, SDDS
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

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