Dog Man Movie: Plot, Characters, and Themes
Dog Man (2025) is an American animated superhero comedy film produced by DreamWorks Animation. It's based on Dav Pilkey's beloved children's graphic novel series and serves as a spin-off to Captain Underpants: The First Epic Movie. With its vibrant animation, playful humor, and heartfelt story, Dog Man quickly became a hit with families and critics alike.
The Story of Dog Man
The film opens in Ohkay City, where chaos often reigns thanks to the villainous orange cat, Petey. Petey's latest scheme involves planting a bomb in an abandoned warehouse. Officer Knight and his loyal dog Greg rush to defuse it, but things go awry—Knight cuts the wrong wire. The explosion proves fatal for Knight and leaves Greg paralyzed.
In a twist only animation can deliver, surgeons save Greg by transplanting his head onto Knight's body. Thus, Dog Man is born—a heroic figure with the body of a man and the head (and instincts) of a dog. He inherits Knight's job as city protector and quickly becomes famous for repeatedly capturing Petey (though Petey always finds a way to escape).
Despite his success, Dog Man struggles with loneliness after losing Knight and being abandoned by his girlfriend Alice. He keeps a tennis ball as a memento of happier times and moves into a doghouse at the edge of town.
Petey’s Schemes and Li'l Petey’s Arrival
Meanwhile, Petey fires his assistant Butler and tries to clone himself for help in his evil plans. Instead of another villainous cat, he creates Li'l Petey—a kind-hearted kitten who wants nothing to do with evil. Frustrated, Petey steals the body of Flippy, an evil telekinetic fish, intending to resurrect him using Living Spray.
Li'l Petey interferes with these plans, so Petey abandons him in a cardboard box. Dog Man finds Li'l Petey there and adopts him. The two form a close bond that becomes central to the story.
A Family Found—and Forged
Back at his lair, Petey discovers Li'l Petey's picture book depicting them as family. This stirs guilt in Petey for abandoning his clone-son. When he learns that Li'l Petey is now with Dog Man, he uses his mech robot 80-HD to try to retrieve him.
As events spiral—Flippy is accidentally resurrected at the Living Spray factory—Petey reveals to Li'l Petey that he was himself abandoned by his own father Grampa (who remains unchanged). Flippy is reprogrammed by Petey to destroy do-gooders but ends up targeting Li'l Petey instead.
- Petey reluctantly joins forces with Dog Man
- They swap places so Li'l Petey can be protected
- Flippy realizes that even villains can change
- A dramatic rescue atop a volcano cements their new bonds
Dog Man sacrifices his cherished tennis ball to save Petey from falling into the volcano. Flippy gives up his powers after seeing this act of kindness and is arrested; meanwhile, the mayor pardons Petey for helping save the day.
Main Characters & Voice Cast
- Dog Man: Voiced by Peter Hastings; part-dog, part-human hero who protects Ohkay City.
- Petey: Voiced by Pete Davidson; mischievous orange cat determined to cause trouble but capable of change.
- Li'l Petey: Voiced by Lucas Hopkins Calderon; innocent kitten clone who brings out the best in others.
- Flippy the Fish: Voiced by Ricky Gervais; telekinetic villain whose arc takes surprising turns.
- Supporting cast: Includes Lil Rel Howery (Chief), Isla Fisher (Sarah Hatoff), Billy Boyd (Seamus), Stephen Root (Grampa), Poppy Liu (Butler), Luenell (Milly), Cheri Oteri (Mayor), Kate Micucci (Dippy), Melissa Villaseñor (Realtor), Brian Hopkins (Big Jim), Yung Gravy (Mr. Whiskers).
Themes: Friendship, Redemption & Family
The heart of Dog Man's story lies in its exploration of found family and redemption. The relationships between Dog Man, Li'l Petey, and even Petey himself highlight how empathy can bring people together—even former enemies.
- Courage: Facing danger head-on despite fear or uncertainty.
- Empathy: Understanding others' pain leads characters toward growth.
- Teamwork: Success comes when unlikely allies work together.
- Coping with loss: Dog Man’s struggle after losing Knight shows resilience in tough times.
- The power of second chances: Even villains like Petey can change when given support.
Cinematic Style & Reception
The movie mimics the energetic pacing and visual gags found in Pilkey’s books—slapstick humor abounds alongside moments that tug at your heartstrings. Critics praised its blend of silliness for kids with clever references adults could enjoy too. Some found it frenetic but most agreed it was fun for all ages.
The film received positive reviews from critics—around 80% on Rotten Tomatoes—and audiences gave it an "A" grade on CinemaScore surveys. Its animation style captures the playful tone of the source material while delivering messages about friendship and forgiveness without ever feeling preachy or heavy-handed.
A Family Film for All Ages
Dog Man's PG rating comes from some cartoon action and rude humor but stays age-appropriate for children six years old and up. Parents appreciated its focus on courage, empathy, teamwork—and especially creative problem-solving—making it both entertaining and uplifting for young viewers without talking down to them.
- The importance of found family shines through every scene;
- The movie balances laughs with real emotional depth;
- Keeps things lighthearted even when tackling bigger themes;
If you’re looking for an animated adventure that delivers both laughs and lessons—with memorable characters you’ll root for—Dog Man fits the bill perfectly!
