A Dog's Way Home

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2:06

A Dog's Way Home

PG

Released Jan 11, 2019

1h 36m

Kids & Family

Adventure

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

59%

Tomatometer

79 Reviews

71%

Popcornmeter

1,000+ Ratings

As a puppy, Bella finds her way into the arms of Lucas, a young man who gives her a good home. When Bella becomes separated from Lucas, she soon finds herself on an epic 400-mile journey to reunite with her beloved owner. Along the way, the lost but spirited dog touches the lives of an orphaned mountain lion, a down-on-his-luck veteran and some friendly strangers who happen to cross her path.

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Critics Consensus

A Dog's Way Home may not quite be a family-friendly animal drama fan's best friend, but this canine adventure is no less heartwarming for its familiarity.

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Christy Lemire

FilmWeek (LAist)

Wall-to-wall voiceover... Lassie never had to explain herself.

Sep 13, 2019

Full Review

Stephen Romei

The Australian

It touches on ongoing problems in modern society such as homelessness and the postwar physical and psychological suffering of soldiers, and on the growing use of animal-based therapy.

Rated: 2.5/5

Mar 2, 2019

Full Review

Paul Byrnes

Sydney Morning Herald

There's not much variation on the old themes here. What's new is the film's definition of community and family.

Rated: 3/5

Feb 27, 2019

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M.N. Miller

Ready Steady Cut

The film is unapologetically feel-good while unabashedly manipulating your feelings, even though it is hard to knock a film that serves up cats and dogs living peacefully while giving each other endless Eskimo kisses.

Rated: 2.5/5

Aug 17, 2022

Full Review

Nicolás Delgadillo

Cultured Vultures

A Dog's Way Home has a bit too much filler thrown in to pad out the runtime, and the segments at home feel very detached from the dog's journey back home, but it's a cute and heartwarming story that any dog lover will enjoy.

Rated: 6/10

Aug 17, 2019

Full Review

Rashid Irani

Hindustan Times

Predictably, the last act unfolds in full-on heartstrings-tugging mode...

Rated: 1.5/5

May 3, 2019

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Christine

the movie was so sweet and told a great message for all about loyalty & compassion.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/03/22

Full Review

Lisa C

I thought the movie was heartwarming. There were several moments that had me crying. This movie reminded me of Homeward Bound, a favorite movie of mine. 5/5 imo.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/08/25

Full Review

Kaleena G

I just loved it. I cried more than 3 times, it is sad but also very heartwarming.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/20/25

Full Review

Kamishin x

Lo primero que pienso al recordarla es en lo feo que eran los modelos, bastante incomodo en muchas partes. Mas allá de la fantasia de un perro viajando tanto sin morir en el intento me parecio super entretenida. Lo peor fue el nudo de la misma, no tiene sentido, cada vez que decian algo al respecto me causaba rabia de lo ridiculo que era. No me terminá de convencer, no me sentí mal por nadie mas que por la pareja de la nieve. Lo de la cadena de metal fue inesperado, si tan solo todo eso no pasara en 5 minutos quizas y si me sentia re mal, pero solo daba rabia. Es entretenida si estas con alguien mas.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

06/10/25

Full Review

Stefi C

me gustó que el chico se haya preocupado por todos los animalitos que habían ahí abajo y haya adoptado a la perrita, también me gustó la parte de la gatita grande, si bien da pena decir adiós es lo mejor en ese caso, me gustó mucho el reencuentro con el prota y que luego hayan echado a ese rancio

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

06/09/25

Full Review

Gabby M

I love dog movies so much.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/02/25

Full Review

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Charles Martin Smith

Director

Ashley Judd

Terri

Jonah Hauer-King

Lucas

Edward James Olmos

Axel

Alexandra Shipp

Olivia

Chris Bauer

Kurch

A Dog's Way Home: Official Clip - Hit by a Car

1:48

A Dog's Way Home: Official Clip - Standing Up to the Dogcatcher

3:16

A Dog's Way Home: Official Clip - Goodbye, Bella

3:12

A Dog's Way Home: Official Clip - A Homeless Dog

2:59

A Dog's Way Home: Official Clip - Big Kitten

3:13

A Dog's Way Home: Official Clip - The Avalanche

2:52

A Dog's Way Home: Official Clip - Fun in the Snow

2:10

A Dog's Way Home: Official Clip - Finding Her Human

2:27

A Dog's Way Home: Official Clip - Big Kitten Returns

3:21

A Dog's Way Home: Official Clip - Hunted by Coyotes

3:00

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The Upside Doesn’t Have Much of One

A Dog's Way Home: International Trailer 1

2:06

A Dog's Way Home: Trailer 1

2:29

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Synopsis

As a puppy, Bella finds her way into the arms of Lucas, a young man who gives her a good home. When Bella becomes separated from Lucas, she soon finds herself on an epic 400-mile journey to reunite with her beloved owner. Along the way, the lost but spirited dog touches the lives of an orphaned mountain lion, a down-on-his-luck veteran and some friendly strangers who happen to cross her path.

Director: Charles Martin Smith
Producer: Gavin Polone
Screenwriter: W. Bruce Cameron, Cathryn Michon
Distributor: Columbia Pictures, Sony Pictures Entertainment
Production Co: Columbia Pictures Corporation, Bona Film Group, Pariah
Rating: PG (Some Peril|Language|Thematic Elements)
Genre: Kids & Family, Adventure, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jan 11, 2019, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 26, 2019
Box Office (Gross USA): $42.0M
Runtime: 1h 36m
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

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