A Dog's Journey
Universal Pictures | Release Date: May 17, 2019 CRITIC SCORE DISTRIBUTION
43
METASCORE
Mixed or average reviews based on 16 Critic Reviews
Positive:
1
Mixed:
12
Negative:
3
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Critic Reviews

Critic scorePublicationBy date
63
Chicago TribuneKatie WalshMay 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
60
VarietyGuy LodgeMay 6, 2019
One wishes the film were a bit more inventive with its dog’s-eye view: the odd ground-level action shot aside, there isn’t much to cinematically suggest how animals see the world differently. Read full review
60
The Hollywood ReporterLeslie FelperinMay 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
50
RogerEbert.comTomris LafflyMay 17, 2019
As visually uninspired and ideologically conservative as it may be, there seems to be something beguiling about the series that keeps one (including myself, admittedly) on a short leash. Read full review
50
The Globe and Mail (Toronto)Brad WheelerMay 16, 2019
Heartstrings are pulled like a puppy’s leash; nothing much unpredictable happens. Read full review
50
Original-CinThom ErnstMay 16, 2019
A Dog's Journey is a film that romanticizes the needs of the master over the beast. And while it's not untrue that domesticated dogs live to please, the willingness of the film to take full advantage of such unconditional devotion can feel exploitative. Read full review
50
Wall Street JournalJoe MorgensternMay 16, 2019
I enjoyed the film, as many will, in a split-brain way that goes to the essence of fantasy — half-believing what I wanted to be true, embracing the emotional manipulation whenever possible. Read full review
50
San Francisco ChronicleWalter AddiegoMay 15, 2019
A big, juicy bone for canine-focused humans, but much less of a treat for others. Read full review
50
The A.V. ClubKatie RifeMay 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
50
Austin ChronicleRichard WhittakerMay 15, 2019
The end result is like watching a season finale of "This Is Us" with a commentary track by Elmo. The dogs sure are cute, though. Read full review
50
Screen DailyFionnuala HalliganMay 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
45
TheWrapNicholas BarberMay 1, 2019
While A Dog’s Journey never looks any better than a TV movie, it is more satisfying than “A Dog’s Purpose,” largely because it revolves around a single human-canine relationship. Read full review
40
The GuardianMike McCahillMay 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
38
Movie NationRoger MooreMay 22, 2019
I found the whole more than a tad insipid. Read full review
25
Washington PostKristen Page-KirbyMay 16, 2019
There’s nothing wrong with a good cry at the movies. But a bad cry is emotionally manipulative and, well, just mean. A Dog’s Journey is the latter. Read full review
10
The New York TimesGlenn KennyMay 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
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