Cast: Terry Crews, Paris Hilton, Jennifer Hudson, Snoop Dogg, Jameela Jamil, Fortune Feimster, Ron Pardo, Nylan Parthipan, McKenna Grace, Carter Young, Meredith MacNeill, Hayden Chemberlen, Rain Janjua, Bill Nye, Lucien Duncan-Reid, William Desrosiers, Henry Bolan
Genre: Action, Adventure, Animation, Comedy, Crime, Family, Fantasy, Sci-Fi
Director:Â Cal Brunker
In Irish Cinemas: 7th August 2026
For more than a decade, the heroic pups of PAW Patrol have been keeping Adventure Bay safe. Guided by their resourceful young leader, Ryder, the team has tackled everything from everyday emergencies to larger-than-life disasters, proving time and again that teamwork and courage can solve almost any problem.
In their latest cinematic adventure, the pups leave their hometown behind and set sail aboard an enormous high-tech rescue ship, ready to respond wherever help is needed. Their famous motto still rings true, but this time the scale of the mission is bigger than ever.
The story gets underway with an unexpected celebrity cameo as Snoop Dogg lends his voice to an ultra-wealthy yacht owner, complete with extravagant fashion, flashy jewellery, and an equally over-the-top family. When disaster strikes and their luxury vessel catches fire, the rescue squad springs into action. Marshall, the enthusiastic but accident-prone firefighter, takes centre stage during the rescue, determined to prove he’s capable of more than comic relief.
After safely escorting the eccentric family back to shore, the pups continue their voyage only to find themselves stranded on a mysterious island inhabited by dinosaurs. It’s a dramatic change of scenery that transforms the film from a traditional rescue story into a prehistoric adventure packed with towering creatures and hidden dangers.
Their first encounters with the island’s inhabitants don’t go particularly well, but things improve when they meet Rex, a clever pup who has adapted remarkably to life on the island despite having limited use of his back legs. Resourceful and fearless, Rex has created an impressive home high above the jungle floor and becomes an invaluable ally as the team navigates the challenges ahead.
As expected, the film delivers colourful action sequences, exciting rescues and plenty of dinosaur encounters, but it also finds time to explore themes of confidence and self-belief. Marshall’s personal journey is the emotional heart of the story. Constantly frustrated by his own mistakes, he struggles with self-doubt, making his eventual growth feel surprisingly meaningful for a film aimed at younger audiences. His friendship with a young Tyrannosaurus adds another layer of heart to the adventure and gives his character genuine development.
Parents who have spent years listening to PAW Patrol episodes on repeat will already know what to expect from Ryder and his canine crew. While the television series can become repetitive after countless viewings, this feature-length outing feels like a noticeable step up. The animation is richer, the environments are more detailed, and the vibrant prehistoric setting makes excellent use of the big-screen format.
One of the franchise’s strengths has been giving individual pups their own spotlight rather than trying to develop every member of the team equally, and that approach works again here. Focusing on Marshall allows the film to tell a more personal story without sacrificing the action and humour that younger viewers expect.
This isn’t a film that reinvents family animation or reaches the emotional heights of Pixar’s best work, but it doesn’t need to. Instead, it delivers a straightforward adventure with engaging characters, entertaining set pieces and enough heart to keep both children and adults invested from beginning to end.
For young PAW Patrol fans, this is an easy recommendation. The combination of rescue missions, lovable characters and dinosaurs is almost guaranteed to be a hit, while parents may be pleasantly surprised to find there’s more substance beneath the colourful surface than they expected. It’s an entertaining family film that understands exactly who it’s made for while offering just enough emotional depth to appeal to the grown-ups watching alongside their kids.
Overall: 6.5/10
Movie Reviewer
