Air Bud

PG

Released Aug 1, 1997

1 hr. 37 min.

Kids & Family

Comedy

Drama

List

48%

31 Reviews

Tomatometer

38%

250,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

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.

Read More

Read Less

Watch on Fandango at Home

Premiered Apr 02

Buy Now

Fandango at Home

Prime Video

Disney+

Apple TV

Watch Air Bud with a subscription on Disney+, rent on Fandango at Home, Prime Video, Apple TV, or buy on Fandango at Home, Prime Video, Apple TV.

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.

Read Critics Reviews

Bullet In A Bible

oh my god what did i just whitness

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

11/22/23

Full Review

Michael W

This sports movie was great. Michael Jeter, Kevin Zegers, Bill Cobbs, Wendy Makkena, and the rest of the cast did a great job in this movie. The story of the movie was entertaining, humorous, and heartfelt. It's about making a friend and having fun with a skilled dog that can play basketball. If you haven't seen this movie yet, check it out sometime. It's a great movie for an entire family. Don't listen to the bad reviews this movie has gotten. Those people have terrible tastes in movies.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

10/07/23

Full Review

Tyler N

Awesome kids movie! Pets, sports, great scenery, very clean. One of my childhood favorites, now I'm getting to share with my children.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/07/23

Full Review

Brittany G

W movie a dog playing basket ball WHAT A W so much more about the movie that is good 10/10 would try again! Should watch and that makes you a certified W and you have 15+ social credit so watch the Moabite and give it 5 stars

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/19/23

Full Review

It's impossible, but it cheers me up. It only cheers me up.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

11/20/22

Full Review

Rosana B

Bem bonitinho, todos os ingredientes de um filminho dramático infantil, menino franzino, novato na escola, sofre bullying, perde o pai, ama esporte, mas abonadona e se sente só, até encontrar um adorável cãozinho que joga basquete, o palhaço é um senhor vilão, o menino malvado é punido, o jogador aposentado injustiçado reintegrado ao esporte e comunidade, um tribunal exagerado, mas no enfim, todos vivem felizes para sempre, nem tanto pq a franquia são mais de 6 filmes, bora maratonar...

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

11/06/22

Full Review

Read all reviews

Post a rating

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

Show Less Cast & Crew

Show More Cast & Crew

95%

92%

Hundreds of Beavers

TRAILER

for Hundreds of Beavers

67%

29%

The Stranger

TRAILER

for The Stranger

50%

92%

The Stolen Valley

TRAILER

for The Stolen Valley

93%

95%

Dune: Part Two

TRAILER

for Dune: Part Two

71%

60%

Immaculate

TRAILER

for Immaculate

82%

75%

In the Land of Saints and Sinners

TRAILER

for In the Land of Saints and Sinners

69%

86%

Sweet Dreams

TRAILER

for Sweet Dreams

56%

84%

DogMan

TRAILER

for DogMan

%

41%

Jimmy Carr: Natural Born Killer

%

%

An American Bombing: The Road to April 19th

TRAILER

for An American Bombing: The Road to April 19th

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

View more photos

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

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
Executive Producer: Michael Strange, Anne Vince, Bob Weinstein, Harvey Weinstein
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
Sound Mix: Surround, Dolby Digital

Most Popular at Home Now