Logo What's After the Movie

The Secret Life of Pets 2016

When a pampered terrier named Max is abandoned by his owner, his life takes an unexpected turn with the arrival of Duke, a large and boisterous stray. Their rivalry escalates until they are forced to team up after encountering Snowball, a radical bunny leading a group of abandoned pets on a mission to punish owners and their beloved companions. Facing a common enemy, Max and Duke must learn to cooperate to protect their fellow pets and the humans they depend on.

When a pampered terrier named Max is abandoned by his owner, his life takes an unexpected turn with the arrival of Duke, a large and boisterous stray. Their rivalry escalates until they are forced to team up after encountering Snowball, a radical bunny leading a group of abandoned pets on a mission to punish owners and their beloved companions. Facing a common enemy, Max and Duke must learn to cooperate to protect their fellow pets and the humans they depend on.

Does The Secret Life of Pets have end credit scenes?

Yes!

The Secret Life of Pets does have end credit scenes. Stay until the very end!

Meet the Full Cast and Actors of The Secret Life of Pets

Explore the complete cast of The Secret Life of Pets, including both lead and supporting actors. Learn who plays each character, discover their past roles and achievements, and find out what makes this ensemble cast stand out in the world of film and television.


Ratings and Reviews for The Secret Life of Pets

See how The Secret Life of Pets is rated across major platforms like IMDb, Metacritic, and TMDb. Compare audience scores and critic reviews to understand where The Secret Life of Pets stands among top-rated movies in its genre.


Metacritic

61

Metascore

6.2

User Score

Rotten Tomatoes
review

71%

TOMATOMETER

review

62%

User Score

IMDb

6.5 /10

IMDb Rating

TMDB

63

%

User Score

Movie Insider

3.79/5

From 171 fan ratings

Take the Ultimate The Secret Life of Pets Movie Quiz

Challenge your knowledge of The Secret Life of Pets with this fun and interactive movie quiz. Test yourself on key plot points, iconic characters, hidden details, and memorable moments to see how well you really know the film.


The Secret Life of Pets Quiz: Test your knowledge about the adventures and antics of our favorite animated pets in The Secret Life of Pets.

What type of dog is Max?

Full Plot Summary and Ending Explained for The Secret Life of Pets

See more

Read the complete plot summary of The Secret Life of Pets, including all major events, twists, and the full ending explained in detail. Explore key characters, themes, hidden meanings, and everything you need to understand the story from beginning to end.


A Jack Russell Terrier named Max enjoys life in a cozy New York City apartment with his beloved owner, Katie. When Katie is away, Max passes the time socializing with other pets in the building, including tabby cat Chloe, pug Mel, dachshund Buddy, and budgerigar Sweet Pea. However, everything changes when Katie decides to adopt a Newfoundland named Duke, sparking feelings of jealousy in Max. Determined to rid himself of Max, Duke attempts to abandon him in an alley, but a group of aggressive cats, led by the Sphynx cat Ozone, attack them, ripping off their collars and leaving them vulnerable to capture by Animal Control. Duke is terrified of the prospect of returning to the pound, fearing for his life.

Max and Duke find unexpected allies in a white rabbit named Snowball, the charismatic leader of “the Flushed Pets,” a gang of discarded animals that harbor bitterness toward humans for abandoning them. In a bid to gain acceptance from the gang, Max and Duke feign disdain for humans, claiming they’ve “killed” their owners. However, their deceit is soon uncovered when Snowball realizes they are domesticated, forcing Max and Duke to flee the sewers and hilariously board a ferry to Brooklyn, unintentionally dispatching the viper that was to test their loyalty. Snowball, enraged, vows to bring them to justice.

While this is happening, Gidget, a lovestruck white Pomeranian with feelings for Max, discovers his absence and sets off on a mission to find him. Teaming up with a red-tailed hawk named Tiberius, who clumsily leads her to Ozone, Gidget persuades him to reveal what he knows about the missing dogs. She quickly rallies others including Mel, Buddy, Chloe, guinea pig Norman, and Sweet Pea. Their journey introduces them to Pops, an elderly Basset Hound who supports Gidget and her friends in their search for Max. However, they soon confront Snowball, who threatens their lives. During a chaotic chase, Norman is captured, but Gidget and the crew narrowly escape.

Meanwhile, Duke shares with Max heartbreaking memories of his previous owner, Fred, who adopted him as a puppy and cherished their time together. Tragically, Duke reveals that he was lost while pursuing a butterfly and was ultimately abandoned at Animal Control, as Fred never returned for him. In a desperate bid to reunite with Fred, they visit his home nearby, only to be met by the resident cat, Reginald, who informs them of Fred’s passing. Overwhelmed with grief, Duke wrongly believes Max is trying to rid himself of him and lashes out at the new homeowners, prompting Animal Control to intervene. In a twist of fate, Duke’s brave interference allows Max to escape, while he himself is captured.

Determined to rescue Duke, Max battles Snowball, who surprises everyone with his unexpected aggression. However, when Snowball’s gang is caught, they must put aside their differences and join forces to rescue themselves. A thrilling scene unfolds as they commandeer a bus, crashing into the Animal Control van on the Brooklyn Bridge while holding up traffic. Just when things look dire, Gidget and her team arrive to assist, leading to an explosive climax where the van tumbles into the East River, all while Max tries desperately to free Duke from captivity. In an act of bravery, Snowball jumps into the river to hand over the keys to Duke’s cage and help secure their escape.

In a heartwarming conclusion, the group returns to their apartment via a pig-driven taxi. Snowball and the Flushed Pets concoct a new scheme to rid the world of humans, but everything changes when a little girl named Molly adopts Snowball. Initially defiant, Snowball eventually succumbs to the joy of re-domestication. With their adventures behind them, the other pets proudly return to their owners, and Max and Duke joyously reunite with Katie, forever forging their bond.

Uncover the Details: Timeline, Characters, Themes, and Beyond!

Watch Trailers, Clips & Behind-the-Scenes for The Secret Life of Pets

See more

Watch official trailers, exclusive clips, cast interviews, and behind-the-scenes footage from The Secret Life of Pets. Dive deeper into the making of the film, its standout moments, and key production insights.


The Secret Life Of Pets - Official Teaser Trailer (HD) - Illumination

The Secret Life of Pets - Kevin Hart Is Snowball (HD) - Illumination

The Secret Life of Pets - Trailer #2 (HD) - Illumination

The Secret Life Of Pets - Trailer #3 (HD) - Illumination

Cars Featured in The Secret Life of Pets

See 8 more

Explore all cars featured in The Secret Life of Pets, including their makes, models, scenes they appear in, and their significance to the plot. A must-read for car enthusiasts and movie buffs alike.


Bentley

2012

Continental GTC

Chevrolet

Step-Van

DesignLine

2009

EcoSaver IV

Dodge

2007

Nitro

Ford

2008

Escape

MINI

Cooper

Nissan

2007

Altima

Toyota

Prius II

The Secret Life of Pets Themes and Keywords

Discover the central themes, ideas, and keywords that define the movie’s story, tone, and message. Analyze the film’s deeper meanings, genre influences, and recurring concepts.


rodentanimalfrogfightbetrayalgroup name in title3 dimensionalscene during end creditsnew york cityblockbusterturkey meatpet doganimal adoptedpet rabbitmale protagonistcomputer animationclotheslinedrowningtrapped underwatercitybusviperbrooklyn bridgejack russell terrierbasset houndbudgerigarsphynx catnew yorkapartmentfive word titlewhite rabbitpet owner relationshiptabby catsausage factorytalking dogtalking rabbittalking guinea pigtalking cattelevisionbridgetattoofirst partanimal protagonistdreamnewfoundland dogtalking birdapartment buildingbrown animalmotor vehiclecar

Similar Movies To The Secret Life of Pets You Should Know About

Browse a curated list of movies similar in genre, tone, characters, or story structure. Discover new titles like the one you're watching, perfect for fans of related plots, vibes, or cinematic styles.


© 2025 What's After the Movie. All rights reserved.