Hotel for Dogs

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2:12

Hotel for Dogs

PG

2009

1h 40m

Kids & Family

Comedy

Drama

Adventure

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

47%

Tomatometer

122 Reviews

55%

Popcornmeter

100,000+ Ratings

After moving into a foster home that forbids pets, siblings Andi and Bruce must quickly find a home for their dog, Friday. The resourceful pair finds 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

The Times (UK)

02/19/2009

2/5

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.

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Cath Clarke

Guardian

02/13/2009

2/5

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.

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Larushka Ivan-Zadeh

Metro Newspaper (UK)

02/13/2009

3/5

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!

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James Croot

The Post NZ

09/22/2022

3/5

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

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Mike Massie

Gone With The Twins

11/28/2020

3/10

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

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Richard Propes

TheIndependentCritic.com

09/11/2020

2.0/4.0

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

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Erica B.

@russell123 Feb 22

It’s a very sad and suspenseful movie with comical scenes, but it has a good ending. Made me cry. But overall 3 stars

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Stephen C

@bob25009 Nov 23

Funny in 01 hour, 39 minutes, and 57 seconds!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Rated PG for Language, Brief Mild Thematic Elements and Some Crude Humor!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The USA grossed over $73,000,000.00!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Filmed in color for the January 16th, 2009, release of this movie!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Anna K

@RT43835847 07/15/2025

I think it is a cute movie. Some scenes with the kids going through the foster system made me emotional at times, of course there is a happy ending with that. And with me being an animal lover, the dogs doing cute stuff during the movie sold me. It is not a movie for everyone, but I enjoyed the story.

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Johnny P

@RT57746356 05/19/2025

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

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help p

@RT14398170 02/28/2025

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.

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Joseph H

@RT68593842 11/03/2023

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

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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

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Synopsis

After moving into a foster home that forbids pets, siblings Andi and Bruce must quickly find a home for their dog, Friday. The resourceful pair finds 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, Drama, Adventure
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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