Can a foul-mouthed dog comedy actually possess a surprisingly big heart?

Entertainment · Published 3 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Strays, a 2023 adult comedy, follows a naive Border Terrier seeking revenge on his abusive owner. While critics were divided by its crude humor and relentless profanity, the film blends existential absurdity with a classic journey narrative, ultimately exploring themes of loyalty and self-worth through a pack of unlikely canine friends.

Directed by Josh Greenbaum and written by Dan Perrault, Strays centers on Reggie, a Border Terrier abandoned by his owner, Doug. After meeting a street-wise Boston Terrier named Bug, Reggie learns the ropes of stray life alongside an Australian Shepherd named Maggie and a Great Dane named Hunter. The plot, which some reviewers compared to a violent, gutter-level take on Homeward Bound, sees the dogs navigate the city to enact a grisly revenge on Doug for his years of mistreatment.

The production process began in September 2021 in Atlanta, Georgia, and concluded by December of that year. Universal Pictures acquired the rights in May 2021, with Phil Lord and Christopher Miller producing. The film finally hit theaters on August 18, 2023, following a delay from its original June release date. Despite the high-profile talent involved, the film's reception was decidedly mixed, with Rotten Tomatoes reporting a 54% approval rating and Metacritic assigning a score of 54 out of 100.

Critics were polarized by the film's aggressive tone. Some, like Glenn Kenny, found the scatological humor and constant profanity lacking in wit. Others, such as John Nugent and Samantha Bergeson, appreciated its exuberant bad taste, likening it to a canine version of Dumb & Dumber or an existential romp. Despite the crude exterior, the film's consensus suggests a surprising emotional core, as the dogs bond through scuffles and shared trauma, ultimately finding their own paths—whether as therapy dogs, police trainees, or independent guides for other strays.

Commercially, the film faced stiff competition, debuting in fourth place with $8.3 million during its opening weekend. By October 19, 2023, it had grossed a worldwide total of $36 million. While the film's mid-credits scene offers a final, dark punchline regarding Doug's failed medical recovery, the narrative arc remains focused on the dogs' liberation from their past, cementing the film as a unique, if polarizing, entry in the adult comedy genre.

General information, not professional advice. Spotted an error? Flag the card or see corrections and complaints.

Intellect Plus is a visual educational discovery platform for exploring fascinating facts and ideas. Brain Food, Not Brain Rot. What is Intellect Plus?

Related

• The 2010 Marmaduke film turned a comic strip Great Dane into a cinematic underdog
• Can a horror film about genetically modified dogs survive its own poor critical reception?
• Can a dog find its true purpose through a series of multiple reincarnations?
• How a Miami dentist discovered his wild Alaskan roots through a pack of dogs
• A dog travels 400 miles to reunite with her owner in this heartwarming drama
• How a campy 1994 action film became a profitable, enduring cult classic
• Why choosing strawberry over chocolate ice cream was a radical political act in 1979 Havana
• Before becoming a 2008 hit, Street Kings spent over a decade in development hell
• A remake that critics accused of celebrating its own violence
• A rock and roll fable: the 1984 film that built a world under a tarp
• What happens when a psychopath suggests the perfect crime to a complete stranger?
• How a low-budget Australian dance film became a global cultural phenomenon

More in Films · More in Entertainment · Latest · A–Z · All topics