Bring your dog to the movies this August and be among the first to see a preview of Air Bud Returns.
Moviegoers won't have to leave their best friend at home this August. Cineverse, Air Bud Entertainment, and the PEDIGREE® brand are bringing Air Bud back to theaters for a series of dog-friendly screenings where fans can watch the 1997 family favorite alongside their own four-legged companions.
Attendees will also get an exclusive behind-the-scenes preview of Air Bud Returns, which opens in theaters on January 22, 2027.
The special screenings begin August 3 in Los Angeles before heading to Chicago on August 5 and Kansas City on August 10. Fans can RSVP online while space remains available.
A Celebration for Fans and Their Dogs
Robert Vince, creator of the Air Bud franchise, will welcome audiences with an exclusive video introduction before Buddy returns to the basketball court.
The events also include themed photo opportunities, exclusive giveaways, limited-edition merchandise, PEDIGREE pet product samples, and a custom basketball hoop inspired by the franchise. Hydration stations and other pet-friendly amenities will be available throughout each venue to keep canine guests comfortable.
The screenings launch the PEDIGREE brand's "Good Then, Better Now" campaign, celebrating more than four decades of helping families care for their dogs while highlighting updates to the brand's classic recipe.
"For the millions who grew up with Air Bud, we wanted to give our fans a chance to experience the original underdog story on the big screen with their family and dogs, giving a new generation an opportunity to discover him for the first time," Vince said. "With this Summer Series, we're celebrating everything that made Air Bud and PEDIGREE special then, and making those moments even better now."
Cineverse Chief Motion Pictures Officer Yolanda Macias said the partnership celebrates the bond families share with their pets while giving longtime fans a new way to experience one of family entertainment's most recognizable franchises.
Building Excitement for Air Bud Returns
The August events also mark the beginning of a broader promotional campaign leading into the theatrical release of Air Bud Returns early next year.
The new film follows 14-year-old Jacob, who discovers his late father's connection to the original Air Bud before forming an unexpected bond with a stray golden retriever he names Buddy. Together, they bring a group of underdogs together, chase a championship, and prove once again that "there still... ain't no rule that says a dog can't play basketball."
The original Air Bud became a family favorite after its 1997 release, launching a franchise that has entertained audiences for nearly three decades through theatrical releases, home entertainment, and streaming.
For longtime fans, the screenings offer a chance to revisit the film where it all began. For younger audiences, they'll provide a first opportunity to experience Buddy's original story on the big screen before the next chapter arrives in theaters.
Air Bud Returns opens exclusively in theaters on January 22, 2027.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
