A Dog's Journey

Name: A Dog's Journey
Genre: Adventure, Drama, Fantasy, Comedy, Family
Released: May 17, 2019
Duration: 109 min
Rating: 43
Cast: Abby Ryder Fortson, Angela Narth, Arlene Duncan, Betty Gilpin, Daniela Barbosa

2019

METASCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 16 Critic Reviews

See All

USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 29 Ratings

See All

7.4

VOTE NOW

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

7.4	Your Score
7.4	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 29 Ratings

Would you like to write a review?

There is a 75 character minimum for reviews. If your review contains spoilers, please check the Spoiler box. Please do not use ALL CAPS. There is no linking or other HTML allowed. Your review may be edited for content. 0/5000

Check box if your review contains spoilers

Play Sound

Please enter your birth date to watch this video:

You are not allowed to view this material at this time.

A Dog's Journey

Now Playing: A Dog's Journey

Movie Details & Credits

Universal Pictures | Release Date: May 17, 2019 | PG

Starring: Abby Ryder Fortson, Angela Narth, Arlene Duncan, Betty Gilpin, Daniela Barbosa, Dennis Quaid, Emma Volk, Henry Lau, Ian Chen, Jake Manley, Johnny Galecki, Josh Gad, Kathryn Prescott, Kevin Claydon, Marg Helgenberger

Summary: A dog finds the meaning of his own existence through the lives of the humans he meets.

Director: Gail Mancuso

Genre(s): Adventure, Drama, Fantasy, Comedy, Family

Rating: PG

Runtime: 109 min

See All Details and Credits

Watch Now

Buy on

Stream On

Expand

Metascore

Positive:

Mixed:

Negative:

Critic Reviews

Katie Walsh

May 16, 2019

The whole schtick of these movies is the treat-motivated, not-quite-getting-it doggie voice-over, performed by Josh Gad, and it lightens the film. But going dark and emotional makes the film work better than the prior two. Read full review

Leslie Felperin

May 1, 2019

Don't tell anyone I said this, but the result is not only pleasingly emotionally purgative, but also has some elements worthy of genuine admiration, despite the fact that the third word in the title is one that should now be entirely banished from the English language for its precious, psychobabble connotations. Read full review

Fionnuala Halligan

May 1, 2019

A Dog’s Journey is certainly manipulative - humans aren’t safe here either, with a significant cancer side-plot. At times, it even seems obsessed by death. Yet there’s something oddly cathartic about sobbing your way through this film, with its mash-up of Buddhism and All-American values. Read full review

Katie Rife

May 15, 2019

Director Gail Mancuso, a TV comedy veteran, gets the desired effect — as manipulative as it may be — out of both the funny scenes and the sad ones, leading up to a finale that can only be described as weapons-grade tearjerker material. Read full review

Brad Wheeler

May 16, 2019

Heartstrings are pulled like a puppy’s leash; nothing much unpredictable happens. Read full review

The Guardian Mike McCahill

May 5, 2019

By their very nature, dog lovers may be more forgiving and enthusiastic, but much of it is reaction shots of trained mutts, right through to the closing-credit snapshots of the crew’s Forever Friends, this movie is almost literally all puppy eyes. Read full review

Glenn Kenny

May 16, 2019

I suppose it’s a genuine achievement that a movie packed with as much delightful canine (and agreeable human) talent as this one should be so insufferable. Read full review

SEE ALL 16 REVIEWS

Write a Review

User Reviews

Maxximize

Aug 13, 2019

First of all, the film is absolutely brilliant! I like the way they put benevolent humanity and dogs' loyalty together. This combination is probably the most remarkable thing on earth 'cause love between them is pure and flawless. This film also reminds me of my own dog, her name is Maxine.First of all, the film is absolutely brilliant! I like the way they put benevolent humanity and dogs' loyalty together. This combination is probably the most remarkable thing on earth 'cause love between them is pure and flawless. This film also reminds me of my own dog, her name is Maxine. She was poisoned and the killer was never be found. Ever since then i haven't get another dog and wish she will come back one day just like what the movie told. Keeping her safe means lots of responsibilities to me and i also knew the law can't support dogs in the same way what it did to human. But still, those precious memories that remain are the best part of my life. This world is a mess and having a dog is the most satisfying thing to me. And i am really looking forward to seeing next '' A Dog's...'' film in the cinema.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

air-force

Aug 31, 2019

This is a beautiful movie about a dog being reincarnated. The way the characters act is so emotional because the dog named Bailey has a new purpose to protect a girl named CJ. It is very touching and show sentimental acts from the characters are the owners of the dog. Bailey will go throughThis is a beautiful movie about a dog being reincarnated. The way the characters act is so emotional because the dog named Bailey has a new purpose to protect a girl named CJ. It is very touching and show sentimental acts from the characters are the owners of the dog. Bailey will go through a long journey to find CJ. i have watched this movie 6 times this week from Monday to Saturday. I will 100% watch it tonight.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

MadiFarr

Jun 8, 2020

Definitely way more emotional compare to the first film. It'll make you cry 10× harder

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

FrozenFeverTina

May 27, 2019

saw this movie right on the 17th. Not gonna lie need good amount of tissues jerked those tears right out of me only 2 parts broke my heart bit( one more than the other) but most of the movie was beautiful and feel good and i think that most who love dogs and i really love them wouldsaw this movie right on the 17th. Not gonna lie need good amount of tissues jerked those tears right out of me only 2 parts broke my heart bit( one more than the other) but most of the movie was beautiful and feel good and i think that most who love dogs and i really love them would appreciate this film. A bunch of cute pups 2 little actresses also adorable playing young CJ, and other thing makes this film sweet is that Josh Gad's optimistic cheerful sounding voice is voiceover.i don't think i would have wanted to see this if he wasn't the voiceover. i loved a dog's purpose too.i cried tears of joy too. even though this work of fiction this movie had wonderful meaning to it and was full of love. All of the actors really looked to be having fun working with the canine actors.i may have walked out of the theater with eyes that felt puffy and stuffy sniffly nose that i had to keep blowing for an hour(something always happens when i cry) i had a big smile on my face and just felt light. A very underrated movie. i also love how it deviated a bit from the book although it was a good book.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

DawdlingPoet

Dec 30, 2021

This is a delightful family friendly film which will appeal to dog fans. It features a range of different lives lived by the same dog, with numerous amusing situations/moments and one or two suspenseful moments too. Its also, unsurprisingly, quite sentimental - tissues are needed for thisThis is a delightful family friendly film which will appeal to dog fans. It features a range of different lives lived by the same dog, with numerous amusing situations/moments and one or two suspenseful moments too. Its also, unsurprisingly, quite sentimental - tissues are needed for this one, given its about a dog living many lives, so each ending is, inevitably, depicted. There's something really quite touching about it but if you don't like dogs then obviously this won't appeal to you. I enjoyed it though, so I'd recommend it.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Cherr

Jul 23, 2019

I like how the story goes. It just that the characters need to put off more emotions.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

bitesizecenter

Jan 1, 2020

The screenwriters birthed this miscarriage of a script with the express intent of underhandedly insulting the collective intelligence of this film's target demographic. That is the only way I can rationalize what I just watched without succumbing to the overwhelming urge to blow my brainsThe screenwriters birthed this miscarriage of a script with the express intent of underhandedly insulting the collective intelligence of this film's target demographic. That is the only way I can rationalize what I just watched without succumbing to the overwhelming urge to blow my brains out. Based on the box office numbers, I have to begrudgingly applaud them on their accomplishment. I refuse to engage with any aspect of the film's plot, character development, or anything that could even remotely be construed as storytelling. To do so would be to tacitly imply that this has any value as a work of art. Good job you absolute hacks, you have perfected the art of terrible writing, and in doing so exposed the raw stupidity and lack of good taste possessed by a frighteningly large portion of our population.

This thing is audaciously offensive, a blatant middle-finger to the general movie-going populace. The overwhelmingly positive reviews by so-called "fans" have GOT to be shills. I refuse to believe otherwise. It's either that, or all hope for humanity has been lost, we are irredeemable, and must be eradicated for the good of all other lifeforms on this planet.

TLDR: Don't watch it just get a real dog instead.… Expand

3 of 3 users found this helpful30

SEE ALL 13 REVIEWS