Dog Man movie review: Silly, sweet and surprisingly deep
Dog Man has officially made the leap from book pages to the big screen - and honestly, it’s everything your kids have been waiting for (and then some).
Based on Dav Pilkey’s wildly popular graphic novels, this animated adventure is packed with high-energy chaos, heartwarming moments, and just the right amount of absurdity.
Whether you’ve got long-time fans of the books or a crew that’s completely new to the series, Dog Man is shaping up to be this school holidays’ big-ticket family film.
Here’s what you need to know before you grab your popcorn…
Dog Man movie details
| Release Date (Theatres) | April 3, 2025 |
| Cast | Pete Davidson, Lil Rel Howery, Isla Fisher, Ricky Gervais, Poppy Liu, Stephen Root, Billy Boyd |
| Director | Peter Hastings |
| Producer | DreamWorks Animation |
| Screenwriter | Peter Hastings (based on the books by Dav Pilkey) |
| Original Language | English |
| Inclusion Information | Diverse voice cast, themes of chosen family |
| Studio | DreamWorks |
| Genre | Animation, Comedy, Family |
| Character Strengths | Empathy, responsibility, creativity, teamwork |
| Run Time | 95 minutes |
| Australian Classification | G |
| Classification Explanation | Very mild themes, animated violence and coarse language |
| Last Updated | March 2025 |
Age recommendation
Recommended age: 6+
Why: Mild animated action, wordplay-based humour, and some deeper emotional moments better suited for older kids. A great all-ages pick.
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The story of Dog Man (the movie)
When a loyal police dog and his human partner are both injured in the line of duty, science (and some epic silliness) brings them together – literally, as a part man, part dog police officer.
(from left) Petey (Pete Davidson) and Dog Man (Peter Hastings) in DreamWorks Animation’s Dog Man, directed by Peter Hastings.
Dog Man is trying to prove himself to his no-nonsense boss (voiced hilariously by Lil Rel Howery), but things take a crazy turn thanks to his long-time arch-nemesis, Petey the Cat (Pete Davidson). Petey decides to clone himself, but failing to read the instructions on the cloning machine properly, his clone turns out to be a child version of himself… an adorable Lil Petey! Lil Petey has a heart of gold and ends up becoming besties with Dog Man, (much to Petey’s dismay!)
When Lil Petey is in trouble (from an evil fish voiced by Ricky Gervais), Dog Man and Petey have to team up to save him in a fast-moving, action-packed, laugh-out-loud rescue mission that (SPOILER ALERT) just might change their furry little lives forever.
What parents need to know
Dog Man might seem like just another wacky animated film, but this is one to love…
Yes, there’s all the essential slapstick comedy, punny wordplay and some genuinely absurd moments (the moment the nurse decided to stitch a dog’s head onto a policeman’s body for starters…) but it’s also packed with genuine warmth.
For parents, you’ll have a good old laugh along at Petey as he has to deal with the all-too-relatable moments alongside his mini Lil Petey, who asks ‘Why?’ over and over and over again until he begins to question his own existence. And the sweet moment that Lil Petey flat-out refuses to sleep in his own bed.
Li’l Petey (Lucas Hopkins Calderon) in DreamWorks Animation’s Dog Man, directed by Peter Hastings.
There’s also subtle commentary on parenting, emotional growth, and learning from your own mistakes (and those of previous generations), all wrapped up in playful and colourful storytelling that never feels preachy.
Content-wise, it’s pretty clean: no real violence, just some cartoonish action scenes, stacks of silly jokes, and (my personal favourite) clever puns galore!
Is Dog Man a good movie for kids?
Absolutely! This is one of those rare gems that the whole family will enjoy – kids, tweens, parents, and even grandparents. I could see families of all ages in the cinema enjoying themselves.
My 8-year-old (a long-time fan of the graphic novels) gave me the entire plot rundown before we even got to the cinema, and she was totally glued to the screen, laughing along and loving it sick.
The film balances pure silliness (a robot named 80HD… brilliant), with deeper themes about family, identity, and forgiveness. It’s the kind of movie that might spark some lovely conversations afterwards about things like love, chosen family, and how even the “baddies” might have a soft spot after all.
(from left) Petey (Pete Davidson) and Li’l Petey (Lucas Hopkins Calderon) in DreamWorks Animation’s Dog Man, directed by Peter Hastings.
It really doesn’t matter if you’re a dog or cat lover, there are brilliant jokes in there for both. And don’t be fooled into thinking it’s just a “boy movie” – my girls aged 6, 8 and 10 loved it, especially all the cat jokes and adorable Lil Petey!
Where to watch the Dog Man movie
Dog Man comes out in Aussie cinemas on April 3, 2025, just in time for the school holidays!
Check local listings at:
Streaming info is still TBC, but it’ll likely hit platforms like Apple TV and Amazon Prime Video for hire around 6–8 weeks after its cinema release. Stay tuned!
Wrapping it up
If your family can’t find something to laugh about in Dog Man, I honestly don’t know what to tell you. It’s packed with silliness and slapstick for the kids (giant farting buildings anyone?), cheeky one-liners for the grownups, and more emotion than you’d expect from a dog-headed policeman.
This one’s a school holiday must-see – grab some popcorn and your kids, and prepare to get a little silly and giggle your head off.
10/10 for epic silliness, warm fuzzies, and brilliant casting. Highly recommend.
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