A Dog's Purpose | Rotten Tomatoes (2024)

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35%

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147 Reviews

74%

Popcornmeter

10,000+ Ratings

A devoted dog (Josh Gad) discovers the meaning of its own existence through the lives of the humans it teaches to laugh and love. Reincarnated as multiple canines over the course of five decades, the lovable pooch develops an unbreakable bond with a kindred spirit named Ethan (Bryce Gheisar). As the boy grows older and comes to a crossroad, the dog once again comes back into his life to remind him of his true self.

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Critics Consensus

A Dog's Purpose offers an awkward blend of sugary sentiment and canine suffering that tugs at animal-loving audiences' heartstrings with shameless abandon.

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Critics Reviews

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Tara Brady

Irish Times

A welcome, woofy warning against human speciesism.

Rated: 3/5

Jun 14, 2017

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Jake Wilson

The Age (Australia)

This remains a textbook example of what the website Snopes.com refers to as "glurge" -- the kind of gooey uplift associated with the novels of Nicholas Sparks and their film adaptations.

Rated: 1.5/5

May 10, 2017

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Simran Hans

Observer (UK)

It's hard not to be charmed by the film's pack of hyperactive, wriggling puppies, but there's only so much time to be spent watching them play before it becomes eye-wateringly banal.

Rated: 2/5

May 7, 2017

Full Review

Hosea Rupprecht

Pauline Media Studies

Lasse Hallström once again provides theater-goers with some food for thought in A Dog's Purpose. Of course, the food tastes better out of the trash and bacon from under the table is just the best.

Aug 26, 2021

Full Review

Linda and Al Lerner

Movies and Shakers

It's a safe family film that's a heart tugger for dog lovers.

Sep 4, 2019

Full Review

Rachel Wagner

rachelsreviews.net

The problem with that premise is you have to watch a dog die 5 times, which is like Marley and Me times 5.

Rated: C

Mar 12, 2019

Full Review

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Audience Reviews

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Ryland C WHY THE HECK DID THE CRITICS GIVE IT A LOW SCORE?!? AM I MISSING SOMETHING? This movie made me cry so much when saw this as a kid. It’s a fun emotional roller coaster about how dogs live and grow. Rated 4.5/5 Stars • Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 11/22/24 Full Review Nevergiveupfaith F Great movie really symbolizes the plot. However, I was expecting it to stay closer to the book's story and it messed up and missed some crucial parts of the book that it was made after. Otherwise was great. Rated 3.5/5 Stars • Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 10/28/24 Full Review Marlon W I really like this movie, one of the few that made me cry, the narrative is not the best, but it has cool characters, it's worth it 🥲 Rated 3.5/5 Stars • Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 10/27/24 Full Review Sabrine A Laughed a lot, cried a lot more. Absolutely love this movie. I've been waiting for my daughter to be old enough to understand and we sobbed together. Will definitely be watching again. Rated 5/5 Stars • Rated 5 out of 5 stars 10/22/24 Full Review yaz p A very good movie. It definitely made me cry at some point. Must see. Rated 5/5 Stars • Rated 5 out of 5 stars 08/17/24 Full Review Ayaan M I just lost my doooooogggggg Rated 3/5 Stars • Rated 3 out of 5 stars 08/06/24 Full Review Read all reviews

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Cast & Crew

Lasse Hallström Director Josh Gad Bailey Dennis Quaid Ethan Montgomery Peggy Lipton Adult Hannah Bryce Gheisar Ethan - 8 Years Old K.J. Apa Teen Ethan

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A Dog's Purpose (2017)

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Synopsis A devoted dog (Josh Gad) discovers the meaning of its own existence through the lives of the humans it teaches to laugh and love. Reincarnated as multiple canines over the course of five decades, the lovable pooch develops an unbreakable bond with a kindred spirit named Ethan (Bryce Gheisar). As the boy grows older and comes to a crossroad, the dog once again comes back into his life to remind him of his true self.

Director: Lasse Hallström
Producer: Gavin Polone
Screenwriter: W. Bruce Cameron, Cathryn Michon, Audrey Wells, Maya Forbes, Wallace Wolodarsky
Distributor: Universal Pictures
Production Co: Reliance Entertainment, Universal Pictures, Walden Media, Pariah
Rating: PG (Thematic Elements|Some Peril)
Genre: Comedy, Drama, Fantasy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jan 27, 2017, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 18, 2017
Box Office (Gross USA): $64.3M
Runtime: 2h 0m
Sound Mix: Datasat, Dolby Digital, DTS, Dolby Atmos, SDDS
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)