Air Bud (1997)

45% of critics liked it
(20 reviews)
42% of users liked it
(330,890 ratings)

The heartwarming story of a boy, his dog and a basketball forms the basis of this family comedy from Disney. Snively (Michael Jeter) is an unfunny clown whose appearances at children's parties are usually upstaged by his dog Buddy, who has learned how to shoot a basketball. Snively is tired of being… More The heartwarming story of a boy, his dog and a basketball forms the basis of this family comedy from Disney. Snively (Michael Jeter) is an unfunny clown whose appearances at children's parties are usually upstaged by his dog Buddy, who has learned how to shoot a basketball. Snively is tired of being upstaged by the pooch, and he eventually abandons him. Buddy is taken in by Josh (Kevin Zegers), a shy boy whose father recently died. Josh's mother Jackie (Wendy Makkena) moves them to a small town in Washington, where the naturally withdrawn Josh doesn't quite fit in. Too shy to try out for the basketball team, he instead becomes team manager, and he practices on his own after the team goes home. One night, Josh discovers Buddy that can not only shoot hoops, but he's a better shot than anyone on the team. Coach Barker (Stephen E. Miller), hungry for victory, adds Buddy to the team and soon the dog with game is famous -- just famous enough, in fact, for Snively to return, demanding the return of his pet. Buddy the Dog was spotted by the film's producers shooting baskets on the "Stupid Pet Tricks" segment of The Late Show with David Letterman. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: PG, 1 hr. 37 min.
Directed By: Charles Martin Smith
Written By: Kevin DiCicco, Paul Tamasy, Aaron Mendelson
Genres: Comedy, Kids & Family

In Theaters: Aug 1, 1997 Wide
On DVD: Feb 3, 1998

Critic Reviews

Mike Clark, USA Today
Dull but harmless.
Heather Boerner, Common Sense Media
A high-flying dog tale for kids.
Kevin Carr, 7M Pictures
There's an air of acceptance throughout the film, but the movie never stops to stand at a pulpit and preach this message.
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice
A basketball playing Golden Retriever shows his stuff on several high-school basketball courts.
James Plath, Movie Metropolis
No basketballs were harmed during the making of this film.
Philip Martin, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
I guess it was a pretty good movie, though I got a little bored halfway through and took a little snooze. I like air conditioning. There was lots of popcorn on the floor.

Read all 6 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

Alexander D

Great
AJ V

I don't understand why people think a basketball playing dog is entertaining. It's impossible for a dog to play in the first place, although the movie tries to make it seem feasible. Overall, I hated this movie.
KJ P

This was fun and original but you get thinking that it is kind of ridiculous that a dog plays basketball! However,I love the concept and these films can keep on coming!
Lafe F

A dog that can play sports - that's crazy! Like all the Air Bud movies, totally radical!
Coxxie M

please....
Arash X

I hate this kind of movies, Good for kids I guess
Dean M

This family film gives me lots of laughs and tears and unbelievable transition the dog makes from mascot to basketball team player.
Rachel F

Every kid has to see this movie. It's adorable.
Curtis L

saw it on a plane. Wished I had a parachute
Sarah G

think i saw this when I was about 7
Chris W

Typical family/Hollywood fluff.
Kalel J

Stupid film mainly. Gets points for appealing to kids, which is all it does.
Lanning :

Love the dog. No sequels, please.
Dillon L

It's a movie about a dog that plays basketball. What else do I have to say?
Steven V

I like the original air bud with the basketball. This movie is cute, but the sequels are just too much. Very inspirational movie!
Jackson W

Classic childrens movie. Micheal Jeter is a very humorous villain as well.
Yinalí R

Love the dog!!1 *_*
Andrew F

How can you not like it? I wish they wouldn't have ruined it with the 20 sequels though.
Sunil J

12 years later, I still get a bit emotional when Josh rescues Buddy from his abusive previous owner and takes him to that field and yells at him to go. It gets me way more than Old Yeller. Judge me all you want. Maybe the fact that I don't like clowns, doesn't hurt… More
12 years later, I still get a bit emotional when Josh rescues Buddy from his abusive previous owner and takes him to that field and yells at him to go. It gets me way more than Old Yeller. Judge me all you want. Maybe the fact that I don't like clowns, doesn't hurt this review at all.
Brett W

Air Bud was later banned from the league after testing positive for performance enhancing drugs.