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Hotel for Dogs

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2:12

Hotel for Dogs

PG

Released Jan 16, 2009

1h 40m

Kids & Family

Comedy

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

46%

Tomatometer

123 Reviews

55%

Popcornmeter

100,000+ Ratings

After moving into a foster home that forbids pets, siblings Andi (Emma Roberts) and Bruce (Jake T. Austin) must quickly find a home for their dog, Friday. The resourceful pair find an abandoned hotel, and with the help of Bruce's mechanical skills, turn it into a pooch paradise for Friday and a number of strays. But when the inevitable barking makes neighbors suspicious, Andi and Bruce must find a way to hide their canine haven from prying eyes.

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Critics Consensus

Hotel for Dogs may appeal to children and dog lovers, but it's ultimately contrived, predictable, and simplistic.

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Peter Whittle

Times (UK)

The dogs are never quite as entertaining as they should be for the kids in the audience, and the hypercutesiness and speechifying at the end will lead to much tightening of adult sphincters.

Rated: 2/5

Feb 19, 2009

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Cath Clarke

Guardian

The schmaltz is laid on thick, but kids love this sort of stuff and, refreshingly, the dog bits are done the old-fashioned, fun way: with animal trainers rather than CGI.

Rated: 2/5

Feb 13, 2009

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Larushka Ivan-Zadeh

Metro Newspaper (UK)

Are you under 11, love dogs and think the only thing funnier than someone stepping in poo is someone stepping in it again? Boy, you've hit the jackpot!

Rated: 3/5

Feb 13, 2009

Full Review

James Croot

The Post NZ

That this doesn't turn into a dog is credit to an engaging young cast, especially the dependable Roberts...

Rated: 3/5

Sep 22, 2022

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Mike Massie

Gone With The Twins

Plays it very safe and sticks to a tried-and-true children's movie formula.

Rated: 3/10

Nov 28, 2020

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Richard Propes

TheIndependentCritic.com

Feels a lot like a retro family film similar in tone to 70's Disney flicks.

Rated: 2.0/4.0

Sep 11, 2020

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Johnny P

Good movie. I liked to see all of the various dogs in the hotel

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

05/19/25

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Audience Member

Huge part of my childhood. Hotel for Dogs is a charming and heartwarming family comedy about two siblings who turn an abandoned hotel into a safe haven for stray dogs. The film is full of fun and inventive moments, with adorable dogs and lively performances, particularly from Emma Roberts and Jake T. Austin as the resourceful siblings. While the plot is predictable, the movie’s lighthearted tone and positive messages about compassion and responsibility make it an enjoyable watch for kids and families. It’s a feel-good film with plenty of laughs and heartwarming moments.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/28/25

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Joseph H

It alright, dogs were cute and thank god they didn't talk.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

11/03/23

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Steve D

Cute enough but strictly for kids.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

10/09/23

Full Review

Chris M

The concept is interesting, if a tad like a sitcom premise. But the movie falls into the trap of foster parents are always abusive assholes addicted to something and doesn't care about the foster kids other than the money the government sends. It's a negative stereotype and cliché. Speaking of cliché the other main villains is a pair of dog hating dog catchers who gets to excited about dog murder. I don't think even in 2009 animal control wonders the town looking for strays. I think they have to be called if you think a dangerous or stray animal is in your area. Lastly, it drags in the middle and of course poop jokes. But thankfully they keep the poop off screen. Overall, it's cute and funny and is pretty good.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

09/15/23

Full Review

Audience Member

What da f**k.. I mean, it’s better than Thor 4, I guess..

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

11/12/23

Full Review

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Thor Freudenthal

Director

Emma Roberts

Andi

Jake T. Austin

Bruce

Lisa Kudrow

Lois Scudder

Kevin Dillon

Carl Scudder

Don Cheadle

Bernie

Hotel for Dogs: Official Clip - You Can't Date Them Both

2:13

Hotel for Dogs: Official Clip - Watch Where You Step

1:07

Hotel for Dogs: Official Clip - Fetch Machine

2:09

Hotel for Dogs: Official Clip - Needs More Cinnamon

2:03

Hotel for Dogs: Official Clip - Better Here Than the Pound

1:49

Hotel for Dogs: Official Clip - The Golden Hydrant

1:12

Hotel for Dogs: Official Clip - How to Steal Food

1:27

Hotel for Dogs: Official Clip - Rock Manifesto

1:55

Hotel for Dogs: Official Clip - Dog Catapult

2:12

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Hotel for Dogs: Trailer 1

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Hotel for Dogs: Official Clip - All That for a Look Out the Window?

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Synopsis

After moving into a foster home that forbids pets, siblings Andi (Emma Roberts) and Bruce (Jake T. Austin) must quickly find a home for their dog, Friday. The resourceful pair find an abandoned hotel, and with the help of Bruce's mechanical skills, turn it into a pooch paradise for Friday and a number of strays. But when the inevitable barking makes neighbors suspicious, Andi and Bruce must find a way to hide their canine haven from prying eyes.

Director: Thor Freudenthal
Producer: Lauren Shuler Donner, Jonathan Gordon, Ewan Leslie, Jason Clark
Screenwriter: Jeff Lowell, Robert Schooley, Mark McCorkle
Distributor: DreamWorks SKG, Paramount Pictures
Production Co: Donners' Company, Montecito Picture Company
Rating: PG (Language|Brief Mild Thematic Elements|Some Crude Humor)
Genre: Kids & Family, Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jan 16, 2009, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 1, 2013
Box Office (Gross USA): $73.0M
Runtime: 1h 40m

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