Dog Man (film)

A villainous orange cat named Petey constantly terrorizes Ohkay City, with one of his schemes involving planting a bomb to destroy an abandoned warehouse. Famed cop Officer Knight and his dog Greg arrive to defuse the bomb, but Knight cuts the wrong wire and it explodes, severely injuring Knight's head and Greg's body. Two female surgeons save Knight and Greg by stitching Greg's head onto Knight's body, creating the dog-human hybrid, which they called Dog Man. Dog Man quickly becomes beloved for his repeated arrests of Petey, creating a heated rivalry between the two, but becomes lonely and depressed due to the loss of Knight and the abandonment of his girlfriend Alice, who sells their house. He takes a tennis ball he used to play with as his only memory of human life and moves into a doghouse on the city outskirts.

After firing his assistant, Petey decides to clone himself to create an assistant just like him. However, it creates a copy of him as an innocent child with no interest in evildoing, whom he calls Li'l Petey. Petey steals the corpse of an evil telekinetic fish named Flippy and plans to use Living Spray to resurrect him and defeat Dog Man, but Li'l Petey interferes. Petey decides to abandon him in a cardboard box in the middle of the city, where Dog Man finds and decides to adopt him. The two then begin to bond with each other as they spend time together in Dog Man's doghouse.

At his lair, Petey discovers a picture book drawn by Li'l Petey depicting both of them as a family, making him feel guilty for abandoning him. Learning from his former assistant that Li'l Petey was adopted by Dog Man, Petey uses his orb-shaped mech, 80-HD, to kidnap and return him. Dog Man realizes that Li'l Petey is nowhere to be seen, and he and news reporter Sarah Hatoff begin to look for him, but they realize that he was gone. Meanwhile, Petey reveals to his clone that his abusive father abandoned him as a child. In an attempt to cheer him up, Li'l Petey uses 80-HD to bring Petey's father, called Grampa by Li'l Petey, to his lair. Grampa immediately starts berating Petey, revealing that he has not changed despite Li'l Petey's hopes.

Flippy is resurrected at the Living Spray factory after being mishandled by the factory employees, which also causes the factory itself to come to life. Having been reprogrammed by Petey to destroy all do-gooders, he targets Dog Man and his friends, who fight a horde of buildings affected by the Living Spray. A remorseful Petey reluctantly decides to team up with Dog Man, swapping out Li'l Petey inside 80-HD with himself. Realizing that his reviver is redeemed, Flippy decides to drop Petey into an active volcano to kill him, but Li'l Petey arrives and shows him a comic book depicting them as friends, making him drop his evil ways. Dog Man sacrifices his old tennis ball to save Petey from falling in the lava, and Flippy is arrested.

Petey is pardoned as a do-gooder for his actions, but refusing to be considered a do-gooder, he and Li'l Petey return to their lair to find that Grampa took everything except for Li'l Petey's books. After a talk with his clone, Petey decides to share custody of his son with Dog Man, and gives him a brand new ball to keep. He then heads back to his lair with a new outlook on life.

• Peter Hastings as the voice of Dog Man, a hybrid between a dog and a police officer who was created as a result of a medical operation that fused an injured Officer Knight together with his pet dog, Greg. Keeping in line with the source material, Dog Man does not speak, although Hastings still provides his barks and expressions.{{Cite tweet |number=1864369124442337403 |user=Dreamworks |title=RINGGG! 📞 This SUPA SQUAD answered the call! Watch this paw-some 🐾 cast ROOOMBA into theaters January 31! 🎟️🔥 |access-date=December 5, 2024}}{{primary source inline|date=December 2024}}
• Hastings also voices Officer Knight, a police officer whose body from the neck down is used to create Dog Man, and also provides the vocal effects of Greg, Knight's Golden Retriever dog whose head is used to create Dog Man.
• Pete Davidson as Petey, a quick-witted and arrogant orange cat who is Dog Man's archenemy and the self-proclaimed "world's most evilest cat"{{cite news |last1=Maison |first1=Jordan |title=Meet Dog Man in First Trailer for Animated Film |url=https://www.cinelinx.com/movie-news/dog-man-movie-trailer/ |access-date=September 17, 2024 |work=Cinelinx |date=September 17, 2024}}
• Lucas Hopkins Calderon as Li'l Petey, a kind-hearted kitten clone of Petey and Dog Man's adopted son and sidekick
• Lil Rel Howery as Chief, the irritable yet supportive police chief of the station Dog Man works at
• Isla Fisher as Sarah Hatoff, a news reporter.{{cite web |last1=Weiss |first1=Josh |title=Dog Man: Captain Underpants Spinoff Starring Pete Davidson Fetches First Tail-Wagging Trailer |url=https://www.syfy.com/syfy-wire/dog-man-watch-trailer-for-captain-underpants-spinoff |website=SYFY Official Site |access-date=17 September 2024 |date=17 September 2024}}
• Billy Boyd as Seamus, Sarah's cameraman
• Ricky Gervais as Flippy the Fish, a fish with telekinesis
• Stephen Root as Grampa, an elderly orange cat who is Petey's estranged, abusive father and Li'l Petey's grandfather
• Poppy Liu as Butler, Petey's former assistant
• Luenell as Milly, Chief's assistant
• Cheri Oteri as the Mayor of Ohkay City, who frequently berates Chief and Dog Man's police work{{Cite Instagram |user=peterhastings |postid=DAC3ZvHJu5w |title=Besides taking pictures, I've been writing and directing this movie for three years - comes out January 31. A shout out to my cast, friends old and new - Pete Davidson, Lil Rel Howery, Isla Fisher, Ricky Gervais, Luenell, Poppy Liu, Stephen Root, Laraine Newman, Melissa Villasenor, Cheri Oteri, Kate Micucci, Maggie Wheeler, Pearce Bunting, Max Koch, Rahnuma Panthaky, and more! Trailer on the YouTubes!! |date=18 September 2024}}{{primary source inline|date=September 2024}}
• Kate Micucci as Dippy, a donut shop owner who tries to adopt Li'l Petey
• Melissa Villaseñor as the realtor who sells Officer Knight's house. In the British English version, the role was dubbed by Louise Redknapp.{{citation needed|date=April 2025}}
• Brian Hopkins as Big Jim, an amicable inmate at cat jail
• Yung Gravy as Mr. Whiskers, a tough inmate at cat jail

George Beard and Harold Hutchins, the in-universe creators of Dog Man and Captain Underpants, make a brief appearance. Kelly Stables provides the voice of Harold, who was previously voiced by Thomas Middleditch in Captain Underpants: The First Epic Movie.{{cite web |last1=Hood |first1=Cooper |title=Dog Man's Captain Underpants Cameos Explained |url=https://screenrant.com/dog-man-captain-underpants-harold-george-cameos-explained/ |website=ScreenRant |access-date=2 February 2025 |language=en |date=30 January 2025}}

On December 9, 2020, DreamWorks Animation (DWA) announced that a film based on the Captain Underpants spin-off graphic novel series Dog Man was in development, with Peter Hastings attached to direct after his experience with Dav Pilkey's works from The Epic Tales of Captain Underpants (2018–20).{{Cite web |last=Milligan

|first=Mercedes |url=https://www.animationmagazine.net/features/dreamworks-developing-dav-pilkeys-dog-man-as-animated-feature/|title=DreamWorks Developing Dav Pilkey's 'Dog Man' as Animated Feature|date=9 December 2020|website=Animation Magazine}} On January 29, 2024, following the release date announcement, DreamWorks announced that Karen Foster would serve as producer.{{cite web |last=Grobar |first=Matt |date=January 29, 2024 |title='Dog Man' Movie Based On Books From 'Captain Underpants' Creator Set For 2025 Release From Universal And DWA |url= https://deadline.com/2024/01/dog-man-movie-release-date-universal-dreamworks-1235807860/ |access-date=January 29, 2024 |website=Deadline Hollywood}} On September 17, 2024, with the release of the first trailer, Pete Davidson, Lil Rel Howery, Isla Fisher, Poppy Liu, Stephen Root, Billy Boyd, and Ricky Gervais were revealed to be part of the film's voice cast.

On October 6, 2023, the film was confirmed to be released in 2025, while it was also confirmed that Dog Man and Gabby's Dollhouse: The Movie would be animated entirely at partner studios (excluding Sony Pictures Imageworks who was named as the animation partner for The Bad Guys 2).{{cite web |last1=Amidi |first1=Amid |author-link=Amid Amidi |date=October 6, 2023 |title=Dreamworks Shifting Away From In-House Production In Los Angeles; Sony Imageworks Is A New Production Partner |url=https://www.cartoonbrew.com/studios/dreamworks-shifting-away-from-in-house-production-in-los-angeles-sony-imageworks-is-new-production-partner-233466.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231120112219/https://www.cartoonbrew.com/studios/dreamworks-shifting-away-from-in-house-production-in-los-angeles-sony-imageworks-is-new-production-partner-233466.html |archive-date=November 20, 2023 |access-date=October 8, 2023 |website=Cartoon Brew}} Unlike Captain Underpants: The First Epic Movie (2017), which was animated by Mikros Image and Technicolor Animation Productions, the film's animation is handled by Jellyfish Pictures, who previously did the animation for DreamWorks' How to Train Your Dragon: Homecoming (2019) and Spirit Untamed (2021), along with marketing custom animation for Trolls World Tour (2020) and providing additional production assets for The Boss Baby: Family Business (2021), The Bad Guys (2022), and Kung Fu Panda 4 (2024). Nate Wragg was the production designer.{{cite news |last1=Taylor |first1=Drew |title='Dog Man' Director Explains the 'High-End Handmade' Visual Style of the 'Captain Underpants' Spinoff - Exclusive |url=https://www.thewrap.com/dog-man-movie-trailer-visual-style-explained/ |access-date=17 September 2024 |work=TheWrap |date=17 September 2024}}

{{Main|Dog Man (soundtrack)}}

The film's score was composed by Tom Howe.{{cite web |last1=Reporter |first1=Film Music |title=Tom Howe Scoring DreamWorks Animation's 'Dog Man' |url=https://filmmusicreporter.com/2024/10/21/tom-howe-scoring-dreamworks-animations-dog-man/ |website=Film Music Reporter |access-date=23 October 2024 |language=en-US |date=1 October 2024}}

In May 2024, Jakks Pacific and its costume division Disguise entered into a partnership with Dav Pilkey to make merchandise based on the Dog Man film along with the comic book series. A book featuring the art of the film was released on December 10, 2024, published by Abrams Books.{{cite web |last=Foster |first=Elizabeth |date=May 14, 2024 |title= JAKKS Pacific Bites Into Upcoming Dog Man Movie From DreamWorks/Universal and Dav Pilkey's Global Bestselling Book Franchise for Toys and Costumes |url=https://markets.businessinsider.com/news/stocks/jakks-pacific-bites-into-upcoming-dog-man-movie-from-dreamworks-universal-and-dav-pilkey-s-global-bestselling-book-franchise-for-toys-and-costumes-1033376552 |access-date=May 16, 2024 |website=Markets Insider}} Universal's marketing campaign for the film began in September 2024 with a trailer on YouTube that accumulated 102 million views. Theatrical trailers were paired with screenings of Transformers One, The Wild Robot, Moana 2, and Sonic the Hedgehog 3. Television advertisements targeted families during the holidays (Thanksgiving and Christmas) during airings of the National Dog Show, holiday specials, New Year's Eve programming, show premieres and finales, and major sports events. The push extended to Amazon devices, Hulu, Peacock, and Hallmark. On January 20, Dog Man was integrated into the Food Network's Kids Baking Championship, with a film-themed baking challenge, sets, and custom animation. Social media analytics firm RelishMix reported that online marketing led to 246.6 million interactions across social media platforms, attracting both fans of the graphic novels and newcomers intrigued by the animation style.

Dog Man had its world premiere during the 2025 edition of the Festival de l'Alpe d'Huez in Alpe d'Huez, France on January 15, 2025, and was released theatrically in the United States on January 31.{{Cite web|url=https://www.festival-alpedhuez.com/programme/|language=fr-fr|title=Programme - Festival de l'Alpe de Huez|access-date=2025-01-08}} On January 24, 2025, a week before release, DreamWorks announced that the short film Little Lies and Alibis, a short connected to DWA's film The Bad Guys, would run before Dog Man in theaters; the film also serves as a promotional feature for DWA's following film, The Bad Guys 2, set to release on August 1.{{cite web|url=https://youtube.com/watch?v=N3ENzFoWYeY|title=The Bad Guys: Little Lies and Alibis|date=January 24, 2025|via=YouTube}}

Dog Man was made available for purchase and rent on digital streaming services on February 18, 2025.{{cite news |last1=Rouse |first1=Lauren |title=Dog Man Movie Reveals Imminent Streaming Release Date |url=https://thedirect.com/article/dog-man-movie-streaming-release-date |access-date=17 February 2025 |website=The Direct |date=February 16, 2025}}{{cite news |last1=Anne |first1=Kenzie |title='Dog Man' VOD Release Date Revealed |url=https://maxblizz.com/dog-man-vod-release-date-revealed/ |access-date=17 February 2025 |website=Maxblizz |date=February 16, 2025}} The film was released on April 1 on DVD and Blu-ray.{{Cite web |date=2025-02-17 |title=Dog Man; Arrives On Digital February 18 & On Blu-ray & DVD April 1, 2025 From DreamWorks - Universal {{!}} Screen-Connections |url=https://screen-connections.com/2025/02/17/dog-man-2025-blu-ray-dvd-digital-release-details/ |access-date=2025-02-22 |website=screen-connections.com |language=en-US}} As part of Universal's long-term deal with Netflix, the film will stream on Peacock for the first four months of the pay-TV window before moving to Netflix for the next ten and then returning to Peacock for the remaining four.{{cite web |last=Hayes |first=Dade |title=NBCUniversal's New Theatrical Window Scheme To Bring Films To Peacock After As Few As 45 Days Of Release |url=https://deadline.com/2021/12/nbcuniversal-theatrical-window-films-stream-peacock-45-days-1234887914/ |access-date=December 10, 2021 |work=Deadline Hollywood |date=December 9, 2021 |archive-date=December 9, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211209190325/https://deadline.com/2021/12/nbcuniversal-theatrical-window-films-stream-peacock-45-days-1234887914/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web|url=https://www.engadget.com/netflix-exclusive-rights-universal-animated-films-105446842.html|title=Netflix extends exclusive rights to Universal's animated films in the US|last=Moon|first=Mariella|website=Engadget|date=2021-07-14|access-date=2021-07-14|language=en|archive-date=July 10, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220710055401/https://www.engadget.com/netflix-exclusive-rights-universal-animated-films-105446842.html|url-status=live}}

{{As of|2025|4|17|df=US}}, Dog Man has grossed $98 million in the United States and Canada, and $39.9 million in other territories for a worldwide total of $137.9 million.

In the United States and Canada, Dog Man was released alongside Companion and Valiant One and was projected to gross $20–30 million from 3,800 theaters in its opening weekend, with some estimates going as high as $40 million.{{Cite web |last=Rubin |first=Rebecca |date=January 29, 2025 |title=Box Office: Dog Man Chases $30 Million Opening Weekend, Sci-Fi Thriller Companion Targets $10 Million |url=https://variety.com/2025/film/box-office/box-office-dog-man-companion-opening-weekend-estimates-1236289785/ |access-date=January 30, 2025 |website=Variety}}{{Cite web|last=D'Alessandro|first=Anthony|date=January 29, 2025|title=Dog Man To Bark Louder Than Companion At Weekend Box Office With $20M+ – Preview|url=https://deadline.com/2025/01/dog-man-companion-box-office-preview-1236271539/|access-date=January 29, 2025|website=Deadline Hollywood}} It made $10.8 million on its first day, including an estimated $1.36 million from Thursday night previews. It debuted to $36 million, topping the box office. The opening was the second biggest for animated films released in January after DreamWorks Animation's Kung Fu Panda 3 (2016; $41.8 million) and the third consecutive box office-topping debut for DreamWorks after Kung Fu Panda 4 and The Wild Robot (both 2024). Exit polling indicated that 45% of attendees saw the film because it looked "fun" and "entertaining" and a third bought tickets because they were fans of the IP. Men accounted for 52% of the opening weekend audience, with those under 35 comprising 70% and premium large format screens contributing 22%.{{Cite web|last=D'Alessandro|first=Anthony|date=February 2, 2025|title=The Dog Man Cometh With Second-Best January Debut For Animated Pic With $36M; Why Didn't Companion Find More Friends At Weekend Box Office? – Sunday AM Box Office Update|url=https://deadline.com/2025/02/box-office-dog-man-companion-1236274220/|access-date=February 2, 2025|website=Deadline Hollywood}} During Super Bowl weekend, in which movies in the United States regularly perform below average, the film grossed $13.8{{nbsp}}million, dropping a bigger-than-expected 61.6% while remaining atop the box office.{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2025/02/box-office-heart-eyes-love-hurts-dog-man-1236281448/|title=No Box Office Touchdowns This Super Bowl Weekend: Dog Man Drops -62%; Few Falling In Love With Heart Eyes & Love Hurts – Sunday AM Update|date=February 9, 2025|first=Anthony|last=D'Alessandro|website=Deadline Hollywood|access-date=February 12, 2025}}{{cite web|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/weekend/2025W06/|title=Domestic 2025 Weekend 6|website=Box Office Mojo|access-date=February 12, 2025}} During its four-day third weekend, it made $13.4{{nbsp}}million and finished in third place.{{cite web |last1=D'Alessandro |first1=Anthony |title=Disney Calls Captain America: Brave New World 4-Day At $100M Opening – Box Office Update |url=https://deadline.com/2025/02/box-office-captain-america-brave-new-world-1236289044/ |website=Deadline Hollywood |date=February 16, 2025 |access-date=17 February 2025}}{{cite web|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/weekend/2025W07/occasion/us_presidentsday_weekend/|title=Domestic 2025 Weekend 7 {{!}} February 14-17, 2025 - Presidents' Day weekend (US)|website=Box Office Mojo|access-date=February 18, 2025}} Dog Man dropped out of the box office top ten in its ninth weekend.{{cite web|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/weekend/2025W13/|title=Domestic 2025 Weekend 13|website=Box Office Mojo|access-date=April 4, 2025}}

{{Rotten Tomatoes prose|80|6.5|96|Realizing Dav Pilkey's canine creation with a frenzied energy that never lets up, Dog Man will delight kids while throwing their parents a bone.|ref=yes|access-date=April 12, 2025}} {{Metacritic film prose|66|22|ref=yes|access-date=March 11, 2025}} Audiences surveyed by CinemaScore gave the film an average grade of "A" on an A+ to F scale.

{{Reflist}}

{{Wikiquote}}

• [https://www.dreamworksdogman.com/ Official website]
• {{IMDb title|tt10954718}}

{{DreamWorks animated films}}

{{Universal theatrical animated features}}

{{Captain Underpants}}

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