Dog Man is an upcoming American animated superhero comedy film produced by DreamWorks Animation and distributed by Universal Pictures. Based on Dav Pilkey’s beloved children’s graphic novel series of the same name, the movie continues the whimsical adventures introduced in Captain Underpants: The First Epic Movie (2017). Written and directed by Peter Hastings, the film promises a blend of humor and heart for both children and adults alike.
Plot Summary
The story begins when a heroic police officer named Knight and his loyal dog, Greg, are gravely injured during a mission. A groundbreaking surgery fuses them into a single hybrid entity — Dog Man — a courageous yet clumsy crimefighter. While Dog Man is determined to protect the city, his feline nemesis, Petey the Cat, plots his evil schemes. The arrival of Li’l Petey, a kind-hearted kitten clone, shifts their dynamic, adding unexpected warmth and humor to the battle between good and evil.
| Directed by | Peter Hastings |
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| Written by | Peter Hastings |
| Based on | Dog Man by Dav Pilkey |
| Produced by | Karen Foster |
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| Music by | Tom Howe |
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Production
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DreamWorks Animation
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| Distributed by | Universal Pictures |
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Release dates
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Running time
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89 minutes |
| Country | United States |
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Voice Cast
- Peter Hastings as Dog Man (vocal effects) and Greg
- Pete Davidson as Petey, the mischievous antagonist
- Lucas Hopkins as Li’l Petey, Dog Man’s supportive sidekick
- Lil Rel Howery as Chief, the temperamental police chief
- Isla Fisher as Sarah Hatoff, a determined news reporter
- Billy Boyd as Seamus, Sarah’s cameraman
- Ricky Gervais as Flippy the Fish, a telekinetic villain
- Stephen Root as Grampa, Petey’s grumpy father
- Poppy Liu as Butler, Petey’s assistant
Additional voice roles are filled by notable actors such as Laraine Newman, Melissa Villaseñor, Cheri Oteri, and Kate Micucci.
Production Details
DreamWorks Animation announced the project in December 2020, with Peter Hastings taking the director’s seat due to his previous work on The Epic Tales of Captain Underpants animated series. In 2024, Karen Foster joined the production team as a producer. Unlike Captain Underpants, which was animated by Mikros Image, Dog Man features animation handled by Jellyfish Pictures, renowned for their work on Spirit Untamed and The Bad Guys. The film’s score is composed by Tom Howe, enhancing the comedic and adventurous tone of the movie.
Marketing and Merchandise
In collaboration with Dav Pilkey, Jakks Pacific and Disguise have developed a line of merchandise based on the film. Additionally, Abrams Books released an official art book on December 10, 2024. The first trailer, featuring glimpses of the high-energy and humorous world of Dog Man, premiered in September 2024.
Release Information
The film will premiere at the Festival de l’Alpe d’Huez in France on January 15, 2025, followed by its wide theatrical release in the United States on January 31, 2025. Under Universal’s distribution deal, Dog Man will stream on Peacock during its initial release window, then transition to Netflix for an extended period before returning to Peacock.
