89 min | PG | January 31, 2025 | DreamWorks Animation
DreamWorks adapts Dav Pilkey’s graphic novel with genuine respect for the source material and young audiences. Smart, fast, and surprisingly heartfelt.
Kids’ entertainment is a minefield of condescension and lazy writing. Most studios assume children will watch anything colorful and loud, so they deliver exactly that. DreamWorks takes a different approach here. They hire people who actually understand what makes Dav Pilkey’s work resonate with young readers. The Captain Underpants adaptation got this right too. Dog Man continues that tradition.
The voice cast is perfectly calibrated. Pete Davidson brings energy without overplaying the comedy. Lil Rel Howery and Isla Fisher provide solid support. The script moves fast without feeling rushed. The humor lands for kids and adults without resorting to cheap innuendo or pop culture references that will age poorly. The animation style honors the rough-hewn energy of Pilkey’s drawings while giving the story cinematic scope.
What separates this from disposable children’s content is the emotional core. The film understands that kids can handle themes of identity, belonging, and moral complexity. Dog Man is a cop with a dog’s head and a human body. The film mines that premise for comedy and genuine pathos. The relationships feel earned. The villain has motivation beyond “I am evil.” The climax delivers spectacle and emotional resolution without talking down to its audience.
This is what children’s entertainment should be. Respects its audience. Delivers on craft. Leaves kids with something to think about beyond buying the toy.