A Dog's Journey (2019)
12-month trend
12-month trend
Monthly article views
2025-09 to 2026-08
A reincarnated dog seeks to fulfill a final wish by looking after the daughter of its former owner's family.
The story
Nine years after the events of the previous film, Bailey is reincarnated as a female beagle named Molly. She is secretly adopted by C.J., the daughter of Ethan and Hannah, who lives on a farm in Michigan with her neglectful mother, Gloria. As C.J. grows into a teenager, she dreams of becoming a musician in New York City. However, her life takes a turn when she faces personal hardships and a dangerous encounter with a man named Shane. Seeking a way out, C.J. decides to leave town with Molly, leading to a tragic accident that ends Molly's life.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
After being reincarnated as Molly, the dog is adopted by C.J. and grows close to her. When C.J. decides to move to New York City to pursue music, she is stalked by a man named Shane, resulting in a car accident that kills Molly. Molly is reincarnated as Big Dog, an English Mastiff in Pennsylvania, who spends his life missing C.J. He is then reincarnated as Max, a Biewer Terrier, who is adopted by C.J. Max helps C.J. reconnect with her friend Trent. Max detects cancer in Trent and helps C.J. become his primary caretaker. After Trent recovers, C.J. reconciles with her mother, Gloria, and begins her musical career. The family eventually reunites at a farm, where Ethan recognizes Max as Bailey. The film ends with Max passing away and reuniting with Ethan in heaven.
- First release year
- 2019
- Runtime (minutes)
- 109
- Production countries
- United States; India; China
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- Gail Mancuso
- Writers
- W. Bruce Cameron · screenplay; Cathryn Michon · screenplay; Maya Forbes · screenplay; Wally Wolodarsky · screenplay
- Cast and characters
- Josh Gad · voice of Bailey, Molly, Big Dog and Max; Dennis Quaid · Ethan Montgomery; Marg Helgenberger · Hannah Montgomery; Betty Gilpin · Gloria Mitchell; Kathryn Prescott · Clarity June "C.J." Mitchell-Montgomery; Henry Lau · Trent Mahoney; Abby Ryder Fortson · Young C.J.; Emma Volk · Toddler C.J.
- Genres
- adventure; comedy; drama
- Themes
- reincarnation; family bonds; loyalty; overcoming abuse
- Tone and mood
- sentimental
- Setting
- Michigan and Pennsylvania, United States, present day
- Premise and plot tags
- reincarnation; family; dog; sequel
- Source material / true-story basis
- 2012 novel by W. Bruce Cameron
- Franchise connections
- A Dog's Purpose
- Content notes
- child abuse
- Reception
- The film received mixed reviews from critics, though it received an average grade of A from audiences on CinemaScore.
- Reported review scores
- PostTrak · score: 3.5 · scale: 5
- Production trivia
- The film was released alongside John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum and The Sun Is Also a Star.; The film's opening weekend gross was the lowest of W. Bruce Cameron's Dog films.; The film was released by Entertainment One in foreign territories with a different voice actor for Trent.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
Your lists
Loading your lists…