My kids are huge Dog Man fans. Dav Pilkey’s beloved graphic novels have been their favorites since second grade. Pilkey is the author of the bestselling Captain Underpants series and in 2016, he released the Dog Man books, which now total 12 in the series, and have sold more than 60 million copies worldwide. The books are fun, hilarious, and great reading material for kids who are transitioning from younger content to more mature material. That’s why when they heard the movie adaptation of Dog Man was coming out in theaters on January 31, 2025, they were thrilled.
For me, the value of the movie goes beyond the animation and how fun of a watch it is for the kids. In this zany kid-friendly world, there’s also an important message about positivity, family, and doing the right thing. Plus, the movie is totally enjoyable for adults too. It’s legit the perfect family movie!
Kids will love the fun world of Dog Man.
The movie brings the books to life in such a special way. We loved that it’s clear the movie is based on a graphic novel because there is so much use of text in funny and deliberate ways, like when Petey the Cat tears up the words “Supa Cop” on screen with his claws, as he’s complaining that his evil plan went awry and he unwittingly helped create Dog Man. There’s more of that brilliant balance of words and visuals throughout the film, which is such a refreshing take on an animated graphic novel.
Parents are sure to enjoy the movie as well!
Parents will LOL at the characters’ antics and will appreciate the film’s visual appeal. Plus, clever use of wordplay and some of the subtle allusions keep us interested and looking for those little nuggets throughout — the borderline unhealthy work relationship between the Mayor and the Chief (voiced by Lil Rel Howery) was so relatable. I’m a sucker for animated movies and Dog Man did not disappoint; while I haven’t read the book, it was clear that so much attention was taken to retain the graphic novel feel and the integrity of Pilkey’s humor. Director Peter Hastings, who also voices Dog Man, was spot on when he called his approach to the movie “intelligently silly.” Pete Davidson, of SNL fame, embodies Petey perfectly. Isla Fisher as reporter Sarah Hatoff, who appears at the unlikeliest times with her tiny dog in her purse, was also a favorite. And Ricky Gervais as Flippy, the evil telekinetic regenerated bionic fish, was a touch of casting genius and a fun nod to us adults watching.
The movie can be a starting point for conversations with your kids.
As kids get older, watching movies together is a great way to start conversations with them, either about deeper topics or just to pique their curiosity. My 4-year-old was all about the story, about how Dog Man and Petey had to join forces to save Li’l Petey after an unexpected turn of events made the archenemies come together. With her, I emphasized how sometimes even people that seem “mean” have a nice side with the help of kindness and friendship.
With my older kids, I was able to talk about how the book was brought to life, asking them how loyal the movie was to the actual Dog Man graphic novel. My daughter fully approved of the adaptation and said she was surprised that so much of what made the book hilarious and relatable was used in the movie (like the interaction between Petey and the girl who asked how much the free kitten was!). “Li’l Petey’s voice is exactly how I imagined it in my head!” she also told me. We also talked about the level of creativity it probably took to make a movie out of such a beloved book.
But what I focused on the most with all three of my kids was the message in the movie about how important family is — it made Petey change his ways and changed the course of Dog Man’s life! For us, family and kindness are the most important values you could have and Dog Man showed them exactly why.
Needless to say, all three of my kids wholeheartedly approved of the movie. And, of course, so did I. Dog Man is the perfect movie to see together! Check it out in theaters starting on January 31, 2025.
