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Max

Play trailer 2:25 Poster for Max PG Released Jun 26, 2015 1h 51m Drama Adventure Play Trailer Watchlist
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37% Tomatometer 98 Reviews 70% Popcornmeter 10,000+ Ratings
After U.S. Marine Kyle Wincott is killed in Afghanistan, Max, his highly trained service dog, is too traumatized to remain in service. Back in the U.S., Kyle's family adopts the dog, but teenage brother Justin (Josh Wiggins) has problems of his own and doesn't want the animal. However, Max may be Justin's only chance to learn what really happened to his brother. With the help of a dog-savvy friend, Justin and Max begin to bond, and set out to unravel the mystery of Kyle's death.
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Max

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Critics Consensus

Max has good intentions and tries to hearken back to classic family-friendly features, but its disjointed, manipulative plot overwhelms the efforts of its talented human and canine stars.

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Critics Reviews

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Max Weiss Baltimore Magazine How a sweet story about a boy and his dog turns into a lame thriller about backwoods weapons dealing is anyone's guess. Rated: 1.5/4 Jun 10, 2016 Full Review Alex Abad-Santos Vox Lost in this shuffle of bullets and narrow misses is Yakin's stated goal of telling a story about the great service that military dogs provide... I'm not sure where that film went, but the bizarre, violent mess I saw isn't it. Rated: 1/5 Dec 17, 2015 Full Review Jonathan Romney Observer (UK) A watchable but predictable family film drenched in stars-and-stripes piety - Lassie Come Home with combat stress. Rated: 2/5 Aug 9, 2015 Full Review Hosea Rupprecht Pauline Media Studies There's a little more violence than your usual early teen flick but it still stays within the realm of family-friendly film. Sep 13, 2021 Full Review Richard Crouse Richard Crouse Feels like a direct-to-DVD movie that somehow escaped the pound and made it's way to theatres. Rated: 1/5 Feb 3, 2021 Full Review Dan Scully Cinema76 Max is cynical, joyless, and filled with surprising violence. Apr 9, 2020 Full Review Read all reviews

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dumbfound d They did not have to kill another dog. It doesn't add to the plot at all. 😡😡😡 Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars 09/13/25 Full Review BadNews R Starring Josh Wiggins, Robbie Amell, Lauren Graham, and Thomas Haden Church, Max is one of those rare family films that manages to balance emotion, heart, and a bit of adventure while also tackling heavier themes like grief, loyalty, and sacrifice. The story follows Max, a military dog left traumatized after his handler—Justin’s older brother—is killed in action. With the dog set to be put down, Justin (Josh Wiggins) reluctantly steps in. From that moment on, the film builds a deeply emotional bond between boy and dog, one filled with mistrust, compassion, and ultimately, love. Does the movie have flaws? Absolutely. It’s not a perfect film, and at times the writing feels a little too on-the-nose or predictable. A few story beats could have been polished or rearranged to heighten the drama. But to write it off completely, as some critics have, feels unfair. This is a heartfelt, family-friendly story that knows exactly what it wants to be—and it delivers. Josh Wiggins shines as Justin, portraying a teenager struggling with grief, responsibility, and whether he can live up to his late brother’s legacy. His chemistry with Max is the heart of the movie, and their journey together feels genuine and moving. Lauren Graham, as always, brings warmth and presence, playing the role of a caring but firm mother who grounds the family through tragedy. Thomas Haden Church also provides a steady balance as the father figure, adding depth to the family dynamic. The director deserves credit for crafting a story that isn’t just about a dog—it’s about healing, trust, and the complicated emotions that come with loss. Watching Justin slowly open up to Max, and Max doing the same in return, is what makes the film so rewarding. At the end of the day, Max is an emotional, family-friendly film that might not break new cinematic ground but succeeds in exactly what it sets out to do: make you care, make you cry, and make you appreciate the bond between humans and animals. ⭐ Verdict: Not perfect, but heartfelt, powerful, and worth watching. A wonderful family film that will almost certainly bring tears to your eyes. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 09/08/25 Full Review Dennis M This was a great heart-felt, action film that did its job well. It is a great tribute to service dogs throughout the years. Critics did this movie dirty. I’m glad I ignored as per usual. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/27/25 Full Review Chris M Max will probably will give him more PTSD because Kyle’s family is awful. Nothing says family movie like a story about a war that we never should have started and a dog with sever mental disorder like PTSD. You know, for kids. I know we should hide death from kids but this isn’t preparing kids for death and tragedy. This is throwing them into the concepts like throwing them into the deep end of the swimming pool with a cement life vest. Yet, this gets a PG rating? At the time of writing this review the rating system is still a sick joke. As little kids need to stay away from this movie even with parents. Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars 05/15/24 Full Review Genesis 1 Excellent heartfelt family friendly movie for pets..too..action packed .. humorous with a decent ending and doesn't run to long Rated 4 out of 5 stars 05/13/24 Full Review Ryan B cute dog, bad movie. the writing and the acting was terrible. Rated 1 out of 5 stars 02/23/24 Full Review Read all reviews
Max

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Movie Info

Synopsis After U.S. Marine Kyle Wincott is killed in Afghanistan, Max, his highly trained service dog, is too traumatized to remain in service. Back in the U.S., Kyle's family adopts the dog, but teenage brother Justin (Josh Wiggins) has problems of his own and doesn't want the animal. However, Max may be Justin's only chance to learn what really happened to his brother. With the help of a dog-savvy friend, Justin and Max begin to bond, and set out to unravel the mystery of Kyle's death.
Director
Boaz Yakin
Producer
Karen Rosenfelt, Ken Blancato
Screenwriter
Boaz Yakin, Sheldon Lettich
Distributor
Warner Bros. Pictures
Production Co
Sunswept Entertainment
Rating
PG (Brief Language|Action/Violence|Peril|Some Thematic Elements)
Genre
Drama, Adventure
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Jun 26, 2015, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Jun 28, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA)
$42.7M
Runtime
1h 51m
Aspect Ratio
Scope (2.35:1)
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