A Dog's Purpose

PG

Released Jan 27, 2017

2 hr. 0 min.

Comedy

Drama

Fantasy

TRAILER

for A Dog's Purpose: Trailer 1

List

34%

148 Reviews

Tomatometer

73%

10,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

A devoted dog (Josh Gad) 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 (Bryce Gheisar). 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.

Read More

Read Less

Watch on Fandango at Home

Premiered Apr 16

Buy Now

Fandango at Home

Prime Video

Apple TV

Rent A Dog's Purpose on Fandango at Home, Prime Video, Apple TV, or buy it on Fandango at Home, Prime Video, Apple TV.

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

Audience Member

A Dog's Life" is an exciting remake of Bruce Cameron's film, filmed in the USA. The world premiere of the film took place on January 27, 2017. Directed by Lasse Hallström. The genre of the film is drama, fantasy, action. The plot is exciting and fascinating, telling the story of a dog that can be reborn after death and with each new incarnation comes closer to understanding a person and his problems. The acting is great. The people were very nice and experienced, I also liked the dog in the main role and I was surprised how well trained and obedient he was. The special effects are simply fantastic. I recommend watching this movie because it is short, only 1 hour and 40 minutes, and the movie is filled with love and kindness. I also recommend watching this movie because it's the best thing I've seen in a long time!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/18/24

Full Review

Dimitar M

A heartwarming movie exploring the everlasting bond between a dog and his owner. Hating critics should be honest and just admit they like cats instead.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/14/24

Full Review

Eduarda O

This review may contain spoilers. Pessoalmente, a ideia de colocar uma pessoa para narrar os pensamentos de um cachorro me desagrada, mas foi até que bem colocada aqui, sem exageros, para expressar verbalmente as feições dos doguinhos. Parte que me pegou e diz respeito à prática dá-se no momento que a menina pergunta "No que você está pensando?" e ele responde "Que talvez eu já esteja pronto". Não esperava que choraria tanto nesse filme (três vezes KKK) mas colocarei a culpa na minha TPM. Adorei a maneira que cada uma das vidas foram exploradas mas sem muito enfoque, uma vez que este é de Ethan e Bailey. Ainda assim, da maneira que aconteceu, consegui me apegar o suficiente para chorar na morte da cachorrinha Ella 🥺🥺 Muito bom o filme, e mesmo abordando espiritualidade - assunto cujo qual nos me simpatizo - fez de isso de forma muito leve e proveitosa. Apenas tem um início muito lento e quase desisti de ver. Assistiria de novo caso quisesse pagar o choro da semana, novamente.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

04/13/24

Full Review

Rafael Souza

I want put 4/5 just for the audacity of the film's creator to make me cry until i sleep😡

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/12/24

Full Review

Antony G

It made me laugh, it made me cry.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

04/08/24

Full Review

Ravi T

Great movie! Definitely a good dog movie!

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

04/07/24

Full Review

Read all reviews

Post a 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

Show Less Cast & Crew

Show More Cast & Crew

52%

91%

A Dog's Journey

TRAILER

for A Dog's Journey

14%

41%

Nine Lives

TRAILER

for Nine Lives

54%

84%

The Resurrection of Gavin Stone

TRAILER

for The Resurrection of Gavin Stone

36%

67%

The Odd Life of Timothy Green

45%

96%

The Art of Racing in the Rain

TRAILER

for The Art of Racing in the Rain

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

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 Center for 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

Synopsis

A devoted dog (Josh Gad) 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 (Bryce Gheisar). 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
Executive Producer: Alan C. Blomquist, Mark Sourian, Lauren Pfeiffer
Screenwriter: W. Bruce Cameron, Cathryn Michon, Audrey Wells, Maya Forbes, Wallace Wolodarsky
Distributor: Universal Pictures
Production Co: Reliance Entertainment, Universal Pictures, Walden Media, Pariah
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
Sound Mix: Datasat, Dolby Digital, DTS, Dolby Atmos, SDDS
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

Most Popular at Home Now