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Animated comedy

Strays (2023): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Ending

Strays (2023) movie poster

Strays is a 2023 animated comedy directed by Josh Greenbaum, starring Will Ferrell as Reggie, Jamie Foxx and Jade Fernandez. It runs 1 hour 33 minutes and earned $36.1 million worldwide on a $46 million budget. Critics gave it 54% on Rotten Tomatoes and 54 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 4.9/10.

IMDb rating
4.9/10
Rotten Tomatoes
54%
worldwide gross
$36.1M
Echo Score
62
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Strays (2023) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 33m (93 min)
Director
Josh Greenbaum
Original language
English
Budget
$46M
After the credits
Yes Extra scene during or after the credits
The story

What Is Strays About?

The premise of Strays without spoilers. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.

A sweet but naive Border Terrier named Reggie is left abandoned in the city after years of neglect. He teams up with a streetwise Boston Terrier named Bug and a group of unlikely friends to uncover the truth about his previous owner. Together, they embark on an adventure filled with humor and unexpected twists as Reggie seeks to reclaim his home and get revenge.

Strays Themes & Keywords

· 23 tags
  • middle
  • town
  • life
  • arrival
  • psychological thriller
  • flooded house
  • reference to uber eats
  • reference to lil wayne
  • estranged son
  • estranged daughter
  • half brother
  • half sister
+11 more
  • underage drinking
  • peeing in pants
  • basketball
  • chinese food
  • scrabble
  • playing scrabble
  • weightlifting
  • wanting a divorce
  • diner
  • private school
  • male nudity
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Cast & crew

Strays Cast & Characters

Will Ferrell leads the cast as Reggie, with Jamie Foxx as Bug and Jade Fernandez as Ashley. Directed by Josh Greenbaum; 15 actors are credited in all.

From the director

More from Josh Greenbaum

More films directed by Josh Greenbaum, best-rated first: Barb & Star Go to Vista Del Mar, Becoming Bond, Will & Harper and The Short Game.

Full filmography
Ratings

Strays Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Strays 54% on Rotten Tomatoes and 54 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 4.9/10. Our Echo Score gives it 62/100, strongest in character & emotion (70) and weakest in story & flow (55).

62 /100

Strays Echo Score Breakdown

Strays delivers a mixed viewing experience that hinges on its willingness to embrace lowbrow humor while offering occasional moments of genuine charm. Critics note its reliance on gross jokes and a thin plot, yet some praise its brisk pacing and occasional sweet notes. Audience reactions echo this split, with dog lovers appreciating the concept and voice work, while others find the humor repetitive. Overall, the film lands in the modest middle of the rating spectrum.

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

  • Art & Craft 68

    In terms of direction and visual execution, the film shows competent animation and effective editing that keep the pace lively. Critics acknowledge a “perfectly pithy running time” and commend the voice cast’s contribution to the overall polish. Some reviewers, however, cite a predictable script that limits artistic ambition. The net impression is solid craftsmanship with room for greater visual innovation.

  • Character & Emotion 70

    When assessing character work, the voice performances receive consistent praise for injecting personality into the canine leads. Reviewers highlight nuanced, empathetic moments that give the dogs relatable emotional arcs. Conversely, a few critics feel the star actors struggle to sustain energy across the runtime. Overall, the character portrayals are viewed as a strength that enhances audience connection.

  • Story & Flow 55

    Storywise, Strays leans heavily on a single, crass comedic premise, resulting in a predictable and at times uneven narrative. Critics describe the plot as “one‑joke” and note a lack of deeper coherence. Some audience members enjoy the slapstick beats, but many report pacing issues and a thin storyline. The consensus places the story in the lower‑mid range of effectiveness.

  • Sensory Experience 60

    Regarding sensory experience, the film’s animation quality is deemed acceptable, and the sound design supports the comedic timing. While no reviewer singles out an outstanding soundtrack, the overall audio‑visual blend is considered adequate for the genre. The sensory elements neither significantly elevate nor detract from the viewing, resulting in a neutral assessment.

  • Rewatch Factor 58

    Rewatch value is mixed; some critics and viewers admit they would see Strays again for its goofy, “zippy” moments, while others find the humor quickly becomes stale. The film’s raunchy jokes appeal to a niche audience, and the novelty of talking dogs may wear off on subsequent viewings. Consequently, the film offers modest replay potential.

Plot

Strays Plot Summary & Ending Explained

What happens in Strays 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 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Cheryl, portrayed by Ashley Madekwe, is a black woman residing in an undisclosed area in England, struggling with feelings of discrimination and financial hardship. During a phone call with her sister, she voices her mounting concerns, showcasing her emotional turmoil. Following this, we see her deliberately avoiding calls from her husband and leaving behind a note on the fridge indicating a trip to the hair salon.

Full summary

The whole story of Strays, scene by scene, with the ending explained

Read the full summary
Box office

Strays Box Office & Budget

Strays grossed $36.1 million worldwide on a $46 million budget, 78% of what it cost. $24 million came from the US and Canada and $12.1 million (33%) from the rest of the world.

2023 box office

Worldwide gross

$36.1M

78% of its budget back

US & Canada
$24M
International
$12.1M
Budget
$46M
US & Canada 67% Rest of the world 33%
Videos

Strays Trailers & Videos

9 videos: 3 trailers, 2 clips, 1 featurette and 3 behind-the-scenes videos.

All 9 videos
Official Trailer
  • Trailer Official Trailer (Censored)
  • Trailer Official Trailer 2
  • Clip Mushroom Party Scene
  • Clip The Worst Dog Owner Does Indeed Exist Extended Preview
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Strays?

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

What is Cheryl's primary source of frustration in the movie?

Details

Strays Also Known As

38 alternative titles, including “Strays: Doggy Style” and “מתכלבים”.

Also known as
  • Strays: Doggy Style
  • מתכלבים
  • ولگردها
  • Slum Dogs
  • Vida Perra
  • Doggystyle
  • Hijos de perra
  • 스트레이즈
  • Backstreet Dogs
  • Ruim pra Cachorro
  • Кудлаті перці
  • 復仇狗聯盟
+26 more
  • Suuri kusetus
  • ชีวิตหมาต้องไม่หมา
  • Kivert kutyák
  • דוגי סטייל
  • Vocasy na tripu
  • Doggy Style
  • Doggy Style - Quei bravi randagi
  • Spuszczone ze smyczy
  • Những Chú Chó Bụi Đời
  • Отвязные дворняги
  • 復仇戇狗聯盟
  • Psia jazda
  • スラムドッグス
  • 复仇狗联盟
  • 스트레이스
  • Scăpați din Lesă
  • Pušteni s lanca
  • Αδέσποτα
  • Rafeiros: Mas Com Tomates!
  • Paklydėliai
  • Vagabonds
  • Бездомници
  • S ketne, ქუჩის ძაღლები
  • Kulağı Kesikler
  • Пуштени с ланца
  • Klaidoņi

Seen Strays?

FAQ

Strays FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings and post-credit scenes of Strays, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Strays?

Strays runs 1 hour 33 minutes (93 minutes).

When was Strays released?

Strays was released on August 18, 2023.

Who directed Strays?

Strays was directed by Josh Greenbaum.

More films by Josh Greenbaum

Who is in the cast of Strays?

Strays stars Will Ferrell as Reggie, Jamie Foxx as Bug and Jade Fernandez as Ashley, among 15 credited actors.

How much did Strays make at the box office?

Strays grossed $36.1 million worldwide ($24 million domestic, $12.1 million international) on a budget of $46 million.

How is Strays rated?

Strays has 4.9/10 on IMDb, 54% on Rotten Tomatoes, 54 on Metacritic and 72% on TMDB.

Does Strays have a post-credit scene?

Yes. Strays has an extra scene during or after the credits, so it is worth staying seated.

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