A Dog's Purpose

Play trailer

2:28

A Dog's Purpose

PG

2017

2h 0m

Comedy

Drama

Fantasy

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

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.

Watch on Fandango

Stream Now

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.

Read Critics Reviews

Tara Brady

Irish Times

06/14/2017

3/5

A welcome, woofy warning against human speciesism.

Go to Full Review

Jake Wilson

The Age (Australia)

05/10/2017

1.5/5

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.

Go to Full Review

Simran Hans

Observer (UK)

05/07/2017

2/5

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.

Go to Full Review

Hosea Rupprecht

Pauline Media Studies

08/26/2021

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.

Go to Full Review

Linda and Al Lerner

Movies and Shakers

09/04/2019

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

Go to Full Review

Rachel Wagner

rachelsreviews.net

03/12/2019

C

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

Go to Full Review

Read all reviews

john M

@johnnyzen 3d

If you have ever had dogs this movie will be entertaining. I think the critics just missed the point of the movie. It was lovely to watch.

See more

Ali A

@RT34546304 5d

Its truly an amazing movie, lots of tears but truly worth it !!

See more

Koi P

@hopepink 5d

Good film. It's worth the tears...I think.

See more

Bob V

@bvail Jul 16

I got a lump in my throat watching this movie.

See more

Nicholas T

@nicktalbert2025 Jul 14

a dogs purpose is a drama film about puppy and dog name bayley and budby i think this movie should be a family movie i hope you get the blue ray and dvd combo pack to watch it a home with the kids

See more

Evan I

@WhyteTiger Jul 10

So sad but so good. 🥹 I have to go hug my dog now

See more

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

POST RATING

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

A Dog's Journey

53%

91%

A Dog's Journey

Watchlist

TRAILER

for A Dog's Journey

Nine Lives

14%

41%

Nine Lives

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Nine Lives

The Resurrection of Gavin Stone

54%

84%

The Resurrection of Gavin Stone

Watchlist

TRAILER

for The Resurrection of Gavin Stone

The Odd Life of Timothy Green

36%

67%

The Odd Life of Timothy Green

Watchlist

The Hundred-Foot Journey

69%

81%

The Hundred-Foot Journey

Watchlist

TRAILER

for The Hundred-Foot Journey

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

Before They Were Riverdale

How Family-Friendly Are Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 and 3 Generations?

On DVD This Week: The Red Turtle, The Salesman, and More

A Dog's Purpose: TV Spot - Now Playing

0:30

A Dog's Purpose: Trailer 1

2:28

View more videos

View more photos

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)