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Animated comedy

Dog Man (2025): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Ending

Dog Man (2025) movie poster

Dog Man is a 2025 animated comedy directed by Peter Hastings, starring Lil Rel Howery as Chief, Pete Davidson and Poppy Liu. It is partly based on Dog Man by Dav Pilkey. It runs 1 hour 29 minutes and earned $146.1 million worldwide on a $40 million budget. It earned 2 award nominations, including Outstanding Achievement for Voice Acting in an Animated Feature Production at the Annie Awards 2026. Critics gave it 66 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.3/10.

IMDb rating
6.3/10
worldwide gross
$146.1M
award nominations
2
Echo Score
71
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Dog Man (2025) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 29m (89 min)
Director
Peter Hastings
Original language
English
Budget
$40M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Dog Man About?

The premise of Dog Man without spoilers, adapted from Dog Man by Dav Pilkey. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.

After a police dog and his officer are injured in the line of duty, a unique surgery fuses them together, creating Dog Man. Now tasked with protecting and serving, Dog Man must learn to balance his new abilities and identity while striving to impress his Chief.

Dog Man Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • based on children's book
  • anthropomorphic animal
  • anthropomorphic dog
  • anthropomorphic animal as protagonist
  • cat
  • animal in title
  • dog
  • police officer
  • cgi animation
  • cg animation
  • police
  • city
+38 more
  • computer animation
  • abandoned child
  • based on book series
  • tennis ball
  • fish
  • dandelion
  • estranged father
  • kitten
  • bottle
  • villain turns good
  • father son relationship
  • painted cgi
  • jail
  • talking animal
  • human animal hybrid
  • police chief
  • time bomb
  • news reporter
  • doughnut
  • cutting a wire
  • picture book
  • supervillain
  • superhero
  • injury
  • talking cat
  • urban setting
  • squirrel
  • telekinesis
  • arrogance
  • cameraman
  • hospital
  • anthropomorphic cat
  • 3d animation
  • playing piano
  • bomb
  • dog movie
  • surgeon
  • female reporter
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Cast & crew

Dog Man Cast & Characters

Lil Rel Howery leads the cast as Chief, with Pete Davidson as Petey and Poppy Liu as Butler. Directed by Peter Hastings; 12 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Dog Man

· 8 more
From the director

More from Peter Hastings

One more film directed by Peter Hastings: The Country Bears.

Full filmography
Ratings

Dog Man Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Dog Man 66 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.3/10. Our Echo Score gives it 71/100, strongest in art & craft (80) and weakest in rewatch factor (60).

71 /100

Dog Man Echo Score Breakdown

Dog Man delivers a lively animated experience that consistently highlights its energetic humor and dynamic visual style. Reviewers note the film’s rapid pace and inventive comedy, effectively engaging its young audience while occasionally overwhelming narrative cohesion for older viewers. The adaptation maintains Pilkey’s irreverent tone through expressive animation and frequent sight gags, though some viewers find the pacing frenetic and story simplicity limiting. Ultimately, Dog Man succeeds as a spirited children’s feature with strong visual appeal, even if its brisk tempo may divide adult reactions.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 80

    In terms of art and craft, Dog Man excels through its lively animation and creative design choices. Critics and viewers alike praise the unique blend of 2D and 3D techniques and the vibrant production design that captures Pilkey’s playful aesthetic. While some note an occasional reliance on familiar styles, the overall visual execution remains engaging and polished.

  • Character & Emotion 75

    When it comes to character and emotion, Dog Man offers a charming protagonist and expressive supporting cast. Reviews highlight the film’s blend of comedy and heartfelt moments, noting that Dog Man’s wordless barks and physical humor effectively convey personality. Some viewers mention limited development for secondary figures, but the film sustains a warm, playful tone that resonates emotionally.

  • Story & Flow 65

    In terms of story and flow, the film delivers a straightforward plot anchored by rapid-fire gags and frequent twists. Critics point to its energetic pacing as a strength for young audiences, though some viewers find the frenetic tempo undermines clarity and character focus. The narrative remains faithful to the source material’s irreverent spirit, providing consistent engagement despite occasional simplicity.

  • Sensory Experience 75

    Regarding sensory experience, Dog Man impresses with its dynamic sound design and upbeat musical cues, which complement the vivid animation. Reviewers commend the high-energy soundtrack and well-timed audio effects that enhance comedic moments. Although the film’s aural elements rarely stray from a lively register, they consistently support the entertaining and cohesive audiovisual presentation.

  • Rewatch Factor 60

    When considering rewatch factor, Dog Man offers enduring appeal for its target demographic through its humorous set pieces and visual flair. Fans note that the film’s brief runtime and rapid pacing invite multiple viewings, though adult viewers may feel its simplicity limits depth on repeat watches. Overall, the film maintains a playful charm that encourages return engagement.

Plot

Dog Man Plot Summary & Ending Explained

What happens in Dog Man from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 4-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

In the vibrant city of Ohkay, a thrilling adventure unfolds as Officer Knight and his loyal dog Greg, both voiced by Peter Hastings, embark on a daring pursuit to capture the nefarious Petey, an evil genius cat portrayed by Pete Davidson. Petey has been wreaking havoc throughout the town, and their aggressive chase culminates on the rooftop of a building where a wild standoff occurs. In a surprising twist, Petey launches a bomb at Knight and Greg, a bomb that he meticulously crafted alongside his reluctant assistant, Poppy Liu. Unfortunately, despite Knight’s brave attempts to neutralize the explosive device, the duo falls victim to the blast.

Full summary

The whole story of Dog Man, scene by scene, with the ending explained

Read the full summary
Box office

Dog Man Box Office & Budget

Dog Man grossed $146.1 million worldwide on a $40 million budget, 3.7 times what it cost. $98 million came from the US and Canada and $48.1 million (33%) from the rest of the world.

2025 box office

Worldwide gross

$146.1M

3.7× its budget

US & Canada
$98M
International
$48.1M
Budget
$40M
US & Canada 67% Rest of the world 33%
Awards

Dog Man Awards & Nominations

Dog Man earned 2 award nominations, including Outstanding Achievement for Voice Acting in an Animated Feature Production at the Annie Awards 2026. The 2 nominations come from 2 ceremonies.

2 nominations2 ceremonies

Videos

Dog Man Trailers & Videos

19 videos: 1 trailer, 6 teasers, 4 clips, 3 featurettes and 5 behind-the-scenes videos.

All 19 videos
Official Trailer
  • Teaser Fetch
  • Teaser Colourblind 30s Spot
  • Teaser Dogmanas
  • Teaser Wicked 30s Spot
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Dog Man?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

Who does Officer Knight team up with after the accident?

Details

Dog Man Also Known As

29 alternative titles, including “Las aventuras de Dog Man” and “神探狗狗”.

Also known as
  • Las aventuras de Dog Man
  • 神探狗狗
  • 超狗神探
  • مرد سگی
  • Dreamworks Dog Man
  • Нохой хүн
  • O Homem-Cão
  • Homem-Cão
  • Super Chien
  • Dog Man: Anh Hùng Lộ Diện
  • Policán
  • 도그맨
+17 more
  • Szimat naplója
  • Ку-Чо
  • איש הכלב
  • ด็อกแมน
  • Людопес
  • Koiramies
  • Čovpas
  • Pasji mož
  • Dogman
  • Köpek Adam
  • Догмен: Пушистая справедливость
  • Hundmannen
  • Dog Man: Wau gegen Miau
  • Hundemand
  • Koermees
  • Dogmeno nuotykiai
  • Dogmens, დოგმენი

Seen Dog Man?

FAQ

Dog Man FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Awards

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, the book behind it and awards of Dog Man, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Dog Man?

Dog Man runs 1 hour 29 minutes (89 minutes).

When was Dog Man released?

Dog Man was released on January 31, 2025.

Who directed Dog Man?

Dog Man was directed by Peter Hastings.

More films by Peter Hastings

Who is in the cast of Dog Man?

Dog Man stars Lil Rel Howery as Chief, Pete Davidson as Petey and Poppy Liu as Butler, among 12 credited actors.

How much did Dog Man make at the box office?

Dog Man grossed $146.1 million worldwide ($98 million domestic, $48.1 million international) on a budget of $40 million.

How is Dog Man rated?

Dog Man has 6.3/10 on IMDb, 66 on Metacritic and 74% on TMDB.

Is Dog Man based on a book?

Yes. Dog Man is partly adapted from Dog Man by Dav Pilkey.

Was Dog Man nominated for any awards?

Dog Man received 2 nominations across 2 ceremonies.

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