A Dog's Purpose

34%

Tomatometer

148 Reviews

74%

Audience Score

10,000+ Ratings

A devoted dog (Josh Gad) discovers the meaning of its own existence through the lives of the humans it teaches to laugh and love. Reincarnated as multiple canines over the course of five decades, the lovable pooch develops an unbreakable bond with a kindred spirit named Ethan (Bryce Gheisar). As the boy grows older and comes to a crossroad, the dog once again comes back into his life to remind him of his true self. Read More Read Less

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Critics Consensus

A Dog's Purpose offers an awkward blend of sugary sentiment and canine suffering that tugs at animal-loving audiences' heartstrings with shameless abandon.

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Tara Brady

Irish Times

A welcome, woofy warning against human speciesism.

Rated: 3/5

Jun 14, 2017

Full Review

Jake Wilson

The Age (Australia)

This remains a textbook example of what the website Snopes.com refers to as "glurge" -- the kind of gooey uplift associated with the novels of Nicholas Sparks and their film adaptations.

Rated: 1.5/5

May 10, 2017

Full Review

Simran Hans

Observer (UK)

It's hard not to be charmed by the film's pack of hyperactive, wriggling puppies, but there's only so much time to be spent watching them play before it becomes eye-wateringly banal.

Rated: 2/5

May 7, 2017

Full Review

Hosea Rupprecht

Pauline Center for Media Studies

Lasse Hallström once again provides theater-goers with some food for thought in A Dog's Purpose. Of course, the food tastes better out of the trash and bacon from under the table is just the best.

Aug 26, 2021

Full Review

Linda and Al Lerner

Movies and Shakers

It's a safe family film that's a heart tugger for dog lovers.

Sep 4, 2019

Full Review

Rachel Wagner

rachelsreviews.net

The problem with that premise is you have to watch a dog die 5 times, which is like Marley and Me times 5.

Rated: C

Mar 12, 2019

Full Review

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Audience Reviews

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yaz p A very good movie. It definitely made me cry at some point. Must see. Rated 5/5 Stars • Rated 5 out of 5 stars 08/17/24 Full Review Ayaan M I just lost my doooooogggggg Rated 3/5 Stars • Rated 3 out of 5 stars 08/06/24 Full Review Emily B It came out when I was 11 in middle school. I really wanted to watch it. My grandma read the book and decided it was too sad for me. So my mom and I watched it when it came out on demand. I didn't cry because I knew that the dogs didn't really get hurt or die, so I was fine watching it. Overall I really liked it. I haven't seen it in a couple years. It was pretty good. I give it a 7/10. Rated 4/5 Stars • Rated 4 out of 5 stars 07/25/24 Full Review Jack G If you love dogs, this one is worth watching, just make sure you have plenty of tissues Rated 5/5 Stars • Rated 5 out of 5 stars 07/08/24 Full Review Jack N It’s very sad but has a repetitive storyline until the end. Rated 3/5 Stars • Rated 3 out of 5 stars 06/23/24 Full Review Alayna F This is an amazing movie I highly recommend it for ages +5 every time the dog died it made me cry, this movie shows a lot of emotion. Rated 5/5 Stars • Rated 5 out of 5 stars 06/09/24 Full Review Read all reviews

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Cast & Crew

Lasse Hallström Director Josh Gad Bailey Dennis Quaid Ethan Montgomery Peggy Lipton Adult Hannah Bryce Gheisar Ethan - 8 Years Old K.J. Apa Teen Ethan

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Synopsis A devoted dog (Josh Gad) discovers the meaning of its own existence through the lives of the humans it teaches to laugh and love. Reincarnated as multiple canines over the course of five decades, the lovable pooch develops an unbreakable bond with a kindred spirit named Ethan (Bryce Gheisar). As the boy grows older and comes to a crossroad, the dog once again comes back into his life to remind him of his true self.

Director: Lasse Hallström
Producer: Gavin Polone
Screenwriter: W. Bruce Cameron, Cathryn Michon, Audrey Wells, Maya Forbes, Wallace Wolodarsky
Distributor: Universal Pictures
Production Co: Pariah, Walden Media, Reliance Entertainment, Universal Pictures
Rating: PG (Thematic Elements|Some Peril)
Genre: Comedy, Drama, Fantasy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jan 27, 2017, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 18, 2017
Box Office (Gross USA): $64.3M
Runtime: 2h 0m
Sound Mix: Datasat, Dolby Digital, DTS, Dolby Atmos, SDDS
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

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