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Underdog

Underdog

NO NEED TO FEAR.. UNDERDOG IS HERE!

200784 minPGMidcredits score: 14th percentile of all films
Director
Frederik Du Chau
Starring
Jason Lee, Peter Dinklage, Jim Belushi, Patrick Warburton

A lab accident gives a beagle named Shoeshine some serious superpowers -- a secret that the dog eventually shares with the young boy who becomes his owner and friend.

Where to watch

Where can I watch Underdog?

As of October 24, 2026, MovieCove lists Underdog streaming on Disney+ and to rent or buy on Prime Video.

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Your rating, lists and review

Highlights

What stands out about Underdog?

Underdog earns 5 badges, led by Overhyped and Box Office Hit.

  • Reception
  • Craft and mood
  • Awards and box office

Reception

Is Underdog worth watching?

Underdog's Midcredits score is the 14th percentile of all films, from 74K ratings across 6 sources. 25% liked it (rated it 7 or higher out of 10).

Midcredits score

How well it was received

14th percentile

Better received than 14% of films

25th percentile among Action14th percentile among 2000s
Acclaim (how much people like it)17th
Approval (how many liked it)15th

50 /100

17th percentile of all films

29th percentile among Action18th percentile among 2000s

Critics 37 · Audience 51

Audiences liked it more than critics did.

Rating distribution

The crowd leans negative, with most ratings sitting in the bottom half of the scale.

25% liked it

15th percentile of all films

26th percentile among Action14th percentile among 2000s
25% rated it 7–1075% rated it 1–6

Critics 15% · Audience 42%

On Rotten Tomatoes, a bigger share of audiences approved than critics.

Awards

0 Oscars won · 0 Oscar noms · 0 wins / 3 noms overall

94th percentile

74K ratings across platforms

88th percentile among Action89th percentile among 2000s
TMDB popularity, last 37 days to Oct 26Down 20% in 30 days

Box office

Opening weekend$12M
Domestic gross$44M
Worldwide gross$65M

81st percentile earner in its genre.

What reviewers say

Common ground

Both camps agree it's a simple, harmless kids' movie about a talking superhero dog.

Fans praised

  • Jason Lee's voice performance adds warmth and humor
  • Peter Dinklage and Patrick Warburton as entertaining villains
  • Family-friendly fun with no profanity or crude humor

Detractors panned

  • Unfaithful adaptation of the original cartoon
  • Weak script with clichéd, predictable plot
  • Poor CGI and talking dog animation looks fake

What stands out

ActingDivisive62

Jason Lee voice praised; human cast called mediocre by detractors

PacingDivisive55

Short runtime; some fans say snappy, detractors say boring

Effects and spectacleDivisive50

Decent flight effects for the time; talking dog CGI widely criticized

HumorDivisive45

Physical comedy and puns; detractors call jokes terrible

DialogueDivisive40

Rhyming lines appreciated by fans; detractors call it atrocious

CharactersDivisive35

Stock characters, weak development; villains entertaining to some

Plot and storyDivisive30

Predictable superhero origin, clichéd structure

Originality20

Formulaic superhero comedy, derivative of cartoon

Preferred by

No notable difference between any of the groups: each pair ranks it within 10 percentile points.

  • Women vs men 6 points apart
  • Under-30s vs over-30s 1 point apart
  • Critics vs users even
  • US vs non-US 3 points apart

Watch experience

What is Underdog like to watch?

Conclusions only — categories and positions, no plot detail.

Feel-good: browse every movie of this kind

Watch this when you want something warm that leaves you smiling.

It has a few laughs and leaves you feeling good. Skip it when you want something with weight.

ToneFeelDemandwhat the answer rests onexact position · filled zone: the category

What it asks of you

Very little.

What it feels like

Feel-good.

Moods
JoyfulThrillingHopeful
Heaviest: late
Warm humor
Register
PlayfulWarm
Told as
Three-act: Setup, confrontation, resolution — the default Hollywood shape.
ToneThe film plays its superhero-dog premise with earnest humor and affection, aiming squarely at family entertainment without irony.
The rideThe film maintains a light, upbeat energy with action set pieces, and the most emotional beat (Underdog's apparent death and return) falls near the end.
StructureThe story follows a conventional beginning, middle, and end: origin, training, final confrontation.

How it leaves you

what you carry away

Feeling good.

The answer rests on this: Feel-goodFun
Why it leaves you this wayThe film leaves a light, happy feeling with its triumphant ending and playful tone.
How it ends · evidence
Happy ending

Story archetype

where it sits among all films
Monster — 21% of films. A threat menaces the hero's world and must be defeated.Rags — 3% of films. A rise from lowliness to fortune, status, or recognition.Quest — 10% of films. A journey toward a defined objective, with companions and obstacles.Voyage — 4% of films. Into a strange world and back again, changed.Comedy — 11% of films. Confusion and cross-purposes resolved into harmony.Tragedy — 9% of films. A flaw or fixation drives the protagonist to ruin.Rebirth — 13% of films. A stalled or darkened life reopened and renewed.Mystery — 7% of films. A question drives the story — who did it, what happened, what is real — until it is answered.No archetype — 22% of filmsPredator — 6% of films. A creature or killer hunts the protagonists (Jaws, Alien).Tyrant — 6% of films. A human villain holds power over the hero's world (Die Hard).Invasion — 2% of films. An external force attacks the home or world (Independence Day).Oppressive state — 2% of films. A government, its agencies or a secret faction inside them is the monster (V for Vendetta).Corporate villainy — 1% of films. A company or its bosses are the monster (Erin Brockovich).Institutional injustice — 1% of films. A court, prison, police force, school or church is itself the enemy (Spotlight).Class system — under 1% of films. The gap between rich and poor, or a rigid hierarchy, is the monster (Parasite).Technology turns — under 1% of films. Technology people rely on becomes the threat (The Terminator).Inner demon — 1% of films. The monster is within — addiction, illness, a dark double.Underdog triumph — 2% of films. Rise through competition or contest (Rocky).Social ascent — under 1% of films. A climb in class or status (Pretty Woman).Fame and fortune — under 1% of films. An artistic or showbiz rise (A Star Is Born).Rise and fall — under 1% of films. Wealth or power gained, self lost (Scarface).Hidden worth revealed — under 1% of films. The protagonist's true value finally recognized.Treasure hunt — 1% of films. Retrieve an object of value (Raiders of the Lost Ark).Rescue — 4% of films. Retrieve or save a person (Saving Private Ryan).Mission — 5% of films. Accomplish or destroy a defined objective (Mission: Impossible).Journey home — under 1% of films. The goal is getting back (Finding Nemo).Pilgrimage — 1% of films. The journey itself transforms; the destination is symbolic.Portal fantasy — under 1% of films. Transported into another world (The Wizard of Oz).Fish out of water — 2% of films. Displaced into an unfamiliar social world (Elf).Survival ordeal — 1% of films. Trapped in a hostile environment, fighting back (Cast Away).Time displacement — under 1% of films. Unstuck in time (Back to the Future).Descent — 1% of films. A night-journey into an underworld or subculture (After Hours).Romantic comedy — 4% of films. Lovers kept apart by confusion, united at last.Comedy of errors — 3% of films. Mistaken identity or misunderstanding drives the plot.Farce — 2% of films. Escalating absurd chaos and coincidence (The Hangover).Buddy comedy — 1% of films. A mismatched pair forced together (Rush Hour).Comedy of manners — 1% of films. Social codes and class satirized (Clueless).Hubris — 1% of films. Pride or ambition invites the fall (There Will Be Blood).Obsession — 2% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Corruption arc — 2% of films. Step-by-step moral decay (The Godfather).Doomed love — 2% of films. Love destroyed by circumstance (Brokeback Mountain).Crushed by fate — 3% of films. Destroyed by forces beyond the protagonist's control.Redemption — 3% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Healing — 5% of films. Recovery from grief or trauma (Good Will Hunting).Liberation — 2% of films. Breaking free of a confining life (Room).Second chance — 2% of films. A stagnant life re-opened to love or purpose (Groundhog Day).Puzzle — 1% of films. A clue-by-clue puzzle you can try to solve before the reveal (Knives Out, Clue).Investigation — 5% of films. A long pursuit of the truth that may never be fully solved (Zodiac, Memories of Murder).Enigma — 2% of films. The mystery is what is real, or what is actually happening (Mulholland Drive).MonsterTyrant
Every story archetype, clockwise from the top
  • Monster 21% (this title): Predator 6% · Tyrant 6% (this title) · Invasion 2% · Oppressive state 2% · Corporate villainy 1% · Institutional injustice 1% · Class system under 1% · Technology turns under 1% · Inner demon 1%
  • Rags 3%: Underdog triumph 2% · Social ascent under 1% · Fame and fortune under 1% · Rise and fall under 1% · Hidden worth revealed under 1%
  • Quest 10%: Treasure hunt 1% · Rescue 4% · Mission 5% · Journey home under 1% · Pilgrimage 1%
  • Voyage 4%: Portal fantasy under 1% · Fish out of water 2% · Survival ordeal 1% · Time displacement under 1% · Descent 1%
  • Comedy 11%: Romantic comedy 4% · Comedy of errors 3% · Farce 2% · Buddy comedy 1% · Comedy of manners 1%
  • Tragedy 9%: Hubris 1% · Obsession 2% · Corruption arc 2% · Doomed love 2% · Crushed by fate 3%
  • Rebirth 13%: Redemption 3% · Healing 5% · Liberation 2% · Second chance 2%
  • Mystery 7%: Puzzle 1% · Investigation 5% · Enigma 2%
  • No archetype 22%

Overcoming the monster: A threat menaces the hero's world and must be defeated. · Tyrant: A human villain holds power over the hero's world (Die Hard).

21% of films fit this archetype

Why this archetypeA beagle accidentally gains superpowers and becomes a superhero to stop a mad scientist's plot to take over the city.

What it's about

7 groups · 53 themes
Bonds — 27% of filmsSelf — 22% of filmsPower — 7% of filmsMorality — 16% of filmsSurvival — 15% of filmsSociety — 9% of filmsIdeas — 5% of filmsRomantic love — 15% of filmsMarriage — 2% of filmsFamily bonds — 21% of filmsParenthood — 2% of filmsFriendship — 9% of filmsLoyalty — 4% of filmsIdentity — 14% of filmsComing of age — 5% of filmsAging — under 1% of filmsSelf-worth — 7% of filmsAmbition — 7% of filmsPurpose — 9% of filmsMemory — 3% of filmsObsession — 3% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Power — 2% of filmsCorruption — 3% of filmsGreed — 3% of filmsClass — 3% of filmsOppression — 4% of filmsFreedom — 5% of filmsJustice — 13% of filmsDuty — 2% of filmsRevenge — 4% of filmsGuilt — 3% of filmsRedemption — 6% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Forgiveness — 1% of filmsSacrifice — 4% of filmsBetrayal — 5% of filmsDeception — 9% of filmsSurvival — 17% of filmsWar — 1% of filmsViolence — 4% of filmsMortality — 2% of filmsGrief — 6% of filmsTrauma — 7% of filmsMental illness — 1% of filmsAddiction — 1% of filmsIllness and disability — under 1% of filmsCommunity — 14% of films. Consequences reach a town, institution or group.Isolation — 5% of filmsPrejudice — 3% of filmsDisplacement — 1% of filmsFaith — 3% of filmsTradition vs change — 2% of filmsFame — 3% of filmsLegacy — 4% of filmsFate — 1% of filmsFree will — under 1% of filmsTruth — 4% of filmsHope — 5% of filmsNature — 2% of filmsArt — 4% of filmsTechnology — 1% of filmsSelfFamilybonds
Every theme, clockwise from the top
  • Bonds 27% (this title): Romantic love 15% · Marriage 2% · Family bonds 21% (this title) · Parenthood 2% · Friendship 9% · Loyalty 4%
  • Self 22%: Identity 14% (this title) · Coming of age 5% · Aging under 1% · Self-worth 7% · Ambition 7% · Purpose 9% · Memory 3% · Obsession 3%
  • Power 7%: Power 2% · Corruption 3% · Greed 3% · Class 3% · Oppression 4% · Freedom 5%
  • Morality 16%: Justice 13% · Duty 2% · Revenge 4% · Guilt 3% · Redemption 6% · Forgiveness 1% · Sacrifice 4% · Betrayal 5% · Deception 9%
  • Survival 15%: Survival 17% · War 1% · Violence 4% · Mortality 2% · Grief 6% · Trauma 7% · Mental illness 1% · Addiction 1% · Illness and disability under 1%
  • Society 9%: Community 14% · Isolation 5% · Prejudice 3% · Displacement 1% · Faith 3% · Tradition vs change 2% · Fame 3% · Legacy 4%
  • Ideas 5%: Fate 1% · Free will under 1% · Truth 4% · Hope 5% · Nature 2% · Art 4% · Technology 1%

Bonds

Family bondsIdentity · 14% of films
Celebrates its theme: Affirms its theme — this is good and worth having.Community stakes: Consequences reach a town, institution or group.Single lead
How it treats its themeThe film focuses on the father-son bond between Dan and Jack, which is strengthened through their shared care for Shoeshine, while the dog's journey from discarded lab subject to confident superhero touches on identity.
StanceThe film celebrates family bonds and heroism, presenting the reunited family and the selfless dog as unambiguous positives for the whole city.

The world

ContemporaryUrbanSuburbanInstitutionalStylized realism
Orchestral classicalPopSupportive music · original score
SettingCapital City, a fictional metropolis with a suburban home and a mad scientist's underground lair
MusicThe score likely underscores action scenes with heroic orchestral cues and lighthearted pop moments.

Content guide

Is Underdog okay for kids?

PG

Underdog is rated PG: “Rated PG for rude humor, mild language and action” (MPAA). As of August 31, 2026, Midcredits content scores put its violence at moderate (38/100), sexual content at mild (25/100), language at mild (29/100), drug and alcohol content at minimal (14/100) and frightening material at moderate (36/100). Its sexual content, language and drug and alcohol content have too few votes to rank.

Ratings in 28 other countries
  • CanadaPG
  • AustraliaPG
  • Germany6
  • FranceTP
  • IrelandPG
  • New ZealandPG
  • JapanPG12
  • BrazilL
  • ArgentinaATP
  • Austria6
  • Belgium12
  • CLTE
  • CNPG
  • Denmark7
  • Hong KongI
  • Hungary12
  • Italy6+
  • LU6
  • MexicoA
  • Netherlands6
  • Norway6
  • PortugalM/6
  • PRPG
  • ROAP
  • SingaporePG
  • Sweden15
  • Switzerland6
  • VIPG
Overall
Mild · all five categories
not ranked
Violence & Gore
Moderate
typical for a PG-rated film
heavier than 56%
Sex & Nudity
Mild
too few votes to rank (8 votes)
Profanity
Mild
too few votes to rank (8 votes)
Alcohol & Drugs
None / Minimal
too few votes to rank (7 votes)
Frightening / Intense
Moderate
typical for a PG-rated film
heavier than 47%

Point along a line to see a well-known title at that level.

Too few votes to rank this title overall (48 votes across 5 categories; ranking needs 10 in at least three).

Source: Midcredits content scores, 0 (none) to 100 (severe) per category, with each standing ranked against other films that have them.

What content warnings does Underdog have?

Not screened for content warnings yet.

Cast and crew

Who is in Underdog?

Cast

2 of the cast already had the standing of a top-10% working actor.

Jason Lee
as Underdog
Established: A standing when this film came out that a top-10% working actor has today.Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Peter Dinklage
as Dr. Simon Barsinister
Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Jim Belushi
as Dan Unger
Established: A standing when this film came out that a top-10% working actor has today.Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Patrick Warburton
as Cad
Veteran: 15 or more years in, with as much work as the typical long-career actor.
Alex Neuberger
as Jack
Newcomer: A standing when this film came out that sits in the bottom quarter of working actors today.
Taylor Momsen
as Molly
John Slattery
as Mayor
Amy Adams
as Polly
Rising: A short career with a standing when this film came out above the median working actor today.
Brad Garrett
as Riff Raff
Veteran: 15 or more years in, with as much work as the typical long-career actor.
Samantha Bee
as Principal
Screen debut: No prior film or television role.

Crew

More like this

What are movies like Underdog?

Movies like Underdog include Zoom (2006), Garfield: A Tail of Two Kitties (2006) and See Spot Run (2001). Of the 12 closest matches, several are superhero films, and half are stories about animal companions.

Balanced: every group counts the same, and production only breaks ties.

11 of these 12 share its subject: family bonds. Those cards say what else they share.

Explore by

What else shares a premise, people or place with Underdog?

552 other films share the rarest tag below, up against: supervillain. Each tag opens Browse with the films that share it.