Marmaduke

When Phil and Debbie Winslow move their family from Kansas to sunny Orange County, their oversized Great Dane Marmaduke finds a very different kind of life. Marmaduke is big-hearted and clumsy, and his size and enthusiasm lead to a string of chaotic, funny moments that disrupt neighborhood norms and family plans. The kids, Brian and Barbara, juggle school and new friends while their parents try to settle in, and Marmaduke explores dog-park rivalries, a possible canine romance and the quirks of Southern California living. The film keeps the tone light, relying on physical comedy and warm family beats, and avoids revealing any major surprises about how things turn out.

Tom Dey directed the 2010 adaptation, which draws on the long-running Marmaduke comic strip by Brad Anderson. The movie mixes live action with CGI animals and assembled a notable voice cast including Owen Wilson, Emma Stone and George Lopez.

At the box office the picture performed modestly, attracting family audiences during its theatrical window and later reaching more viewers through home video and cable airings, though it didn't become a breakout hit.

While Marmaduke didn't redefine the genre, it reintroduced a classic newspaper character to a younger generation and kept the dog in family entertainment conversations for a while. The marketing leaned on the star voices and slapstick canine humor, and the film's availability on streaming and home release made it an easy pick for casual family viewing.

Critical response leaned mixed to negative, and audience ratings were middling, reflected in a 5.21/10 user vote average on one popular database. Reviewers tended to praise the energy of the voice performances but faulted the screenplay for predictability and limited character depth. The movie focuses on themes that are straightforward and kid-friendly, like belonging, responsibility and loyalty, so it mostly appeals to families with younger children rather than viewers seeking sharper comedy.