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A Dog's Purpose

Play trailer 2:28 Poster for A Dog's Purpose PG Released Jan 27, 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.
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A Dog's Purpose

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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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Critics Reviews

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Tara Brady Irish Times A welcome, woofy warning against human speciesism. Rated: 3/5 Jun 14, 2017 Full Review 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 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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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 Audience Member Has to be one of the best dog movies I've ever seen! Just a heartwarming story. Perfect 5/5 Stars! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 03/19/25 Full Review Christiaan B Hey, Tim B. Sybau, this film is amazing. I cried. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 03/16/25 Full Review Read all reviews
A Dog's Purpose

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Cast & Crew

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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

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A Dog's Purpose

Photo Credit: Courtesy of A Dog's Purpose Film Photo Credit: Courtesy of A Dog's Purpose Film Photo Credit: Courtesy of A Dog's Purpose Film A Dog's Purpose (2017) A Dog's Purpose (2017) A Dog's Purpose (2017) A Dog's Purpose (2017) Poster Art A Dog's Purpose (2017) View more photos

Movie Info

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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