“Dog Man (2025)” is an animated feature film produced by DreamWorks Animation. The movie is directed and co-written by Primetime Emmy winner Peter Hastings, whose past work includes “Kung Fu Panda: Legends of Awesomeness (2011-2016),” and “The Epic Tales of Captain Underpants (2018).” Karen Foster, co-producer of “How to Train Your Dragon (2010),” and executive producer of “Neighbors from Hell (2025),” serves as the film’s producer. The movie is rated PG for “some action and rude humor” and is distributed by Universal Pictures.
The film is released as a spinoff to “Captain Underpants: The First Epic Movie (2017),” and follows the story of Dog Man; a heroic police officer and his loyal dog, who are fused into a single being after a life-saving surgery. The resultant half-human half-dog supercop must take on the antics of the mischievous feline villain, Petey the Cat. Filled with action, comedy, and emotional beats, the film is an animated adventure inspired by and adapted from Dav Pilkey’s best-selling children’s graphic novel series.
What is the Dog Man about?
When Officer Knight and his canine partner Greg get injured in the line of duty while chasing “The World’s Most Evilest Cat” Petey, Dog Man is born. In an effort to save the two, the surgeon fuses Knight’s body with Greg’s head, forming the hybrid “supa cop.” As the newest recruit on the force, Dog Man, with his dog instincts and human strength, quickly becomes the star employee.
Petey, however, continues on his path toward “world domination.” He creates a clone named Li’l Petey to double his villainous efforts, only for the young kitten to bond unexpectedly with Dog Man. Li’l Petey later gets captured by a “highly intelligent fish,” Flippy, the new villain, and Dog Man and Petey form an unlikely collaboration to rescue the kitten. Amidst all the chaos that Petey and Dog Man leave in their wake, the plot also touches upon the themes of friendship, family, identity, and redemption.
Cast of Dog Man
Dog Man’s voice cast includes Pete Davidson of “Saturday Night Live” fame, who lends his voice to the feline antagonist Petey. Lil Rel Howrey voices the grumpy but well-meaning Police Chief, and Lucas Hopkins Calderon plays Li’l Petey, the villainous clone turned “do-gooder” kitten. Isla Fisher voices Sarah Hatoff, a television reporter, and Billy Boyd depicts Seamus, her cameraman.
Other notable members in the cast include Poppy Liu as Butler, Petey’s assistant, and Stephen Root as Grampa, Petey’s grumpy father. Luenell plays fellow officer Milly, and Ricky Gervais portrays the intelligent fish, Flippy. Director Peter Hastings voices Officer Knight, Greg, as well as Dog Man. The film was released across theaters in the U.S. on January 31, 2025.
Watch the film’s official trailer here:
FAQs about Dog Man
A. As of April 2025, there are 13 “Dog Man” books.
A. Yes, “Dog Man” and “Captain Underpants” share the same universe via a metanarrative. They are both created by the fictional fourth graders, George and Harold.
A. All details regarding the “Dog Man” book series can be found at the website, pilkey.com.
