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Air Bud

Play trailer Poster for Air Bud PG Released Aug 1, 1997 1h 37m Kids & Family Comedy Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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48% Tomatometer 31 Reviews 38% Popcornmeter 250,000+ Ratings
Diffident in the wake of his father's death, high schooler Josh (Kevin Zegers) struggles to adapt to his new home in Washington state. That all changes, however, when he signs up to be the school basketball team's manager and discovers that his pet dog Bud, a stray golden retriever he took in, can play the sport amazingly well. After Bud joins the team, Josh's life brightens considerably, until the dog's former owner Norm Snively (Michael Jeter) returns in hopes of reclaiming the pooch.
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Air Bud

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Critics Consensus

Air Bud's wacky concept isn't entirely enough to fill a feature-length film, but this rather silly family-friendly outing is partly redeemed by its extremely charming title character.

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Critics Reviews

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Kevin Thomas Los Angeles Times Admirable for the way in which writers Paul Tamasy and Aaron Mendelsohn have injected a sense of reality amid lots of rousing fantasy calamities... Mar 1, 2024 Full Review Lisa Alspector Chicago Reader Dubious highlights include the dog wearing two pairs of basketball shoes and eating a frightening amount of vanilla pudding. Mar 1, 2024 Full Review Stephen Hunter Washington Post A smart pet trick that turns into a stupid movie. Mar 1, 2024 Full Review Amelia Navascues Triple J Who wouldn't love a story about a homeless golden retriever who runs away from his alcoholic clown for a father, Norm, to shoot hoops? Mar 6, 2018 Full Review Tim Brayton Antagony & Ecstasy The writing is so messy and aimless that when the film retrenches to generic kid flick mediocrity, it actually counts as a relief. Rated: 2/10 Nov 27, 2014 Full Review Heather Boerner Common Sense Media A high-flying dog tale for kids. Rated: 4/5 Sep 9, 2010 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Audience Member Good for kids. There are some very touching scenes. Cute Golden Retriever (Buddy). 10/10 Rated 5 out of 5 stars 04/23/25 Full Review Pillow R This movie was buns. Rated 2 out of 5 stars 09/09/24 Full Review Desiree W Classic kids movie! Beautiful message. Great actors. Lovely scenery. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 08/29/24 Full Review Luke T The sequels are better but it’s still not a terrible movie Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 07/13/24 Full Review Jace E Air Bud was one of my favorites growing up. The story of a lonely boy who finds a dog, only to discover that he can play basketball: what more could a kid want? While the story is a bit implausible, the acting is clunky and the plot is formulaic, there is a tremendous amount of heart in Air Bud. The film transports me to my childhood in the 90's, a simpler time. Every time that I watch it, I want to break out the vanilla pudding cups and shoot baskets in a leaf covered basketball court. Also, the score is fantastic (very reminiscent of "Rudy"). Best Character: Josh Best Quote: "Good boy. Just like we always do." - Josh Best Scene: Playing on the Secret Court Best Piece of Score: "Remembering Dad" and "Together at First" are brilliant. Note: I watched this movie with my 7-year-old son and we were both sniffling during the "I don't want you anymore!" scene. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 05/13/24 Full Review Bullet In A Bible oh my god what did i just whitness Rated 1 out of 5 stars 11/22/23 Full Review Read all reviews
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Cast & Crew

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Charles Martin Smith

Director

Michael Jeter

Norman F. 'Norm' Snively

Kevin Zegers

Josh Framm

Wendy Makkena

Jackie Framm (Mrs. Framm)

Bill Cobbs

Coach Arthur Chaney

Eric Christmas

Judge Cranfield

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Air Bud

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Movie Info

Synopsis Diffident in the wake of his father's death, high schooler Josh (Kevin Zegers) struggles to adapt to his new home in Washington state. That all changes, however, when he signs up to be the school basketball team's manager and discovers that his pet dog Bud, a stray golden retriever he took in, can play the sport amazingly well. After Bud joins the team, Josh's life brightens considerably, until the dog's former owner Norm Snively (Michael Jeter) returns in hopes of reclaiming the pooch.
Director
Charles Martin Smith
Producer
William Vince, Robert Vince
Screenwriter
Kevin DiCicco, Paul Tamasy, Aaron Mendelsohn
Distributor
Walt Disney Home Video [gb], Buena Vista Pictures
Production Co
Walt Disney Pictures
Rating
PG
Genre
Kids & Family, Comedy, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Aug 1, 1997, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Jan 1, 2014
Box Office (Gross USA)
$24.6M
Runtime
1h 37m
Sound Mix
Surround, Dolby Digital
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