Air Buddies

Five pups, the children of Air Bud, live a carefree life until a glitzy scheme surfaces in their world. The curious pups, B-Dawg, Mudbud, Budderball, Buddha, and Rosebud, become entangled in a plot to kidnap a high profile athletic dog. The mastermind is a pampered young boy who believes owning the fastest dog in the world will crown him as the coolest kid in town. Rather than simply watch from the sidelines, the siblings pool their wit and teamwork to uncover the plan, sniffing out clues, following leads, and rallying their human allies to keep their family safe. The adventure blends humor, heart and canine hijinks. Their antics range from goofy mishaps to moments of bravery, giving a warm family feeling.

Directed by Robert Vince, Air Buddies extends the Air Bud saga with Abigail Breslin as Rosebud and Michael Clarke Duncan as Wolf. The film draws on the Air Bud idea created by Phil Hanley and Anna McRoberts, preserving family appeal.

Box office: This title was released direct-to-video rather than through a wide theatrical run, so it did not post a traditional worldwide gross and earned its revenue primarily from home video sales and rentals, targeting families and schools and communities.

Critics treated Air Buddies as light family fare appealing to younger viewers. The movie leans into friendship, teamwork and responsibility as the five puppies work together to outsmart trouble, showing that loyalty and cooperation can overcome danger without heavy stakes and offers simple talking points about helping others at home.

As part of the Air Bud franchise, Air Buddies helped keep the family animal series active on home video and spawned several sequels. The five pups each carry a distinct personality, letting young audiences identify with individual traits and cheer for their teamwork. The pups' capers also sparked lasting interest.