DC League of Super-Pets
| Company type | Animated film |
|---|---|
| Industry | Film |
| Founded | 2022 |
| Founder | Warner Animation Group, DC Entertainment, Seven Bucks Productions |
| Headquarters | Los Angeles , United States |
Key people | Jared Stern (director and co-writer), John Whittington (co-writer), Dwayne Johnson (voice of Krypto, producer) |
| Products | Animated superhero film |
| Parent | Warner Bros. Pictures (distributor) |
DC League of Super-Pets is a 2022 American animated superhero film created by Warner Animation Group, DC Entertainment, and Seven Bucks Productions, with distribution handled by Warner Bros. Pictures. The movie was directed and co-written by Jared Stern alongside John Whittington. It stars Dwayne Johnson as the voice of Krypto, supported by a cast including Kevin Hart, Kate McKinnon, John Krasinski, Vanessa Bayer, Natasha Lyonne, Diego Luna, Marc Maron, Thomas Middleditch, Ben Schwartz, and Keanu Reeves. The narrative centers on Superman’s canine companion Krypto and shelter dog Ace, who join forces with other animals to save superheroes captured by villains Lex Luthor and Lulu.
The concept originated with Stern in 2012 after his experience volunteering at an animal shelter, inspired by the idea of senior pets acquiring superpowers. He was brought on board in July 2018 to write and direct a film centered on DC’s Legion of Super-Pets. Early in 2019, co-director Levine and producer Patricia Hicks became involved. By May 2021, Johnson was cast as Krypto’s voice, with the remainder of the principal cast finalized by June. The animation style takes cues from Art Deco design and the work of illustrator J.C. Leyendecker, with animation executed by Animal Logic.
The film premiered at AMC The Grove in Los Angeles on July 13, 2022, before its U.S. release on July 29. It garnered mostly favorable reviews and earned over $207 million globally against a $90 million budget. This production represents Warner Animation Group’s final feature before its transition to Warner Bros. Pictures Animation on June 9, 2023.
Plot
Superman grows up alongside his Kryptonian canine companion, a Labrador Retriever named Krypto, also known as Bark Kent. When Krypto becomes envious of Superman’s closeness with Lois Lane, Superman visits an animal shelter to find a new friend for him. There, a Boxer named Ace attempts to flee but is intercepted by Krypto. Soon after, Superman and Krypto face off against their nemesis, LexCorp CEO Lex Luthor, who seeks to obtain superpowers through orange kryptonite. With assistance from the Justice League—formed by Superman and including members such as Batman, Wonder Woman, The Flash, Green Lantern, Cyborg, and Aquaman—they manage to thwart Luthor’s plan.
Meanwhile, Lulu, a guinea pig subjected to tests at LexCorp before being sent to the shelter, develops telekinetic abilities due to exposure to orange kryptonite. Unbeknownst to her, other animals in the shelter also gain powers: Ace acquires super strength and near invulnerability; PB, a potbellied pig, gains size-changing abilities; Merton, a nearsighted turtle, attains super speed; and Chip, a squirrel, develops electrokinesis. Following a dispute over Clark’s impending marriage to Lois, Clark is captured by Lulu. Krypto loses his powers after consuming green kryptonite concealed in cheese but finds allies among the shelter animals.
Lulu assembles guinea pigs as her minions, captures the Justice League members, and heads toward Stryker's Island intending to free Luthor. The shelter animals attempt to intervene but are unsuccessful. Lulu taunts Krypto with Clark’s engagement plans and ring. At the Hall of Justice, Ace recounts his wrongful placement in the shelter yet remains steadfast in his principles. Motivated by this, Krypto leads the group to LexCorp where they trap Whiskers, a kitten who manufactures weapons. On Stryker's Island, the pets confront Lulu but surrender when she threatens Krypto. Lulu releases Luthor who immediately betrays her by imprisoning her while freeing Mercy Graves. Lulu escapes captivity with intentions to annihilate both the Justice League and Luthor.
After kryptonite passes through his system, Krypto regains his powers. He liberates the super pets and attempts to rescue the Justice League; however, Lulu propels them all into space along with Luthor. To delay Krypto, Lulu tries to harm Lois but the pets intervene to save the League while Krypto rescues Lois and defeats Lulu. She then absorbs additional orange kryptonite causing her transformation into a colossal kaiju. The League and pets unite against her but Lulu gains dominance. To halt her rampage, Krypto employs the "Solar Paw Punch," an immensely powerful move that could be fatal to him. This strike removes kryptonite from Lulu’s brain restoring her sanity as she falls back to earth alongside Krypto. Ace uses his invulnerability to save Krypto. Subsequently, Lulu’s henchmen Mark and Keith apprehend her for her offenses.
In the aftermath, Krypto supports Clark’s marriage to Lois. The shelter animals—Ace adopted by Batman; PB by Wonder Woman; Merton by The Flash; Chip by Green Lantern—and Mark and Keith taken in by Cyborg and Aquaman respectively—form their own superhero group named the "League of Super-Pets."
During a mid-credits scene, Luthor remains imprisoned asking passing super-animals for assistance without success while Mercy frees Lulu and takes her under her care. In a post-credits scene, Krypto and Superman encounter Black Adam along with his dog Anubis; using trickery, Krypto leads them on a flight toward Pluto.
Development
In July 2018, Jared Stern was appointed to write and direct an animated feature centered on DC's Legion of Super-Pets. By January 2019, Sam J. Levine joined the project as co-director, with Patricia Hicks taking on the producer role. Stern had initially proposed this concept back in 2012 during the early phase of the Warner Animation Group.
By May 2021, it was announced that Dwayne Johnson would lend his voice to Krypto the Superdog, also serving as a producer alongside Dany Garcia, Hiram Garcia, Stern, and Hicks. The executive production team included John Requa, Glenn Ficarra, and Nicholas Stoller.
Further casting news emerged in June 2021: Kevin Hart was cast as Ace the Bat-Hound; Kate McKinnon, John Krasinski, Vanessa Bayer, Natasha Lyonne, Diego Luna, and Keanu Reeves were brought on board for undisclosed characters; shortly thereafter, Jameela Jamil joined the ensemble. By September, Marc Maron was announced as the voice of Lex Luthor. November revealed specific roles: Luna as Chip, Lyonne as Merton, Bayer as PB, Krasinski as Superman, along with newcomers Thomas Middleditch and Ben Schwartz. In March 2022, Reeves was confirmed to voice Batman, followed by the April announcement of Dascha Polanco voicing Jessica Cruz / Green Lantern. Promotional materials released three weeks before the premiere unveiled the full Justice League cast and the character of Lois Lane.
Writing
Stern conceived the film’s premise after volunteering at an animal shelter where he observed that older pets were less likely to find homes, sparking the idea: "what if these animals possessed superpowers?" Initially uncertain about which DC characters could be incorporated, he added Lex Luthor following DC’s recommendation. This led to the creation of Lulu, a guinea pig antagonist who serves as a test subject mirroring the dynamic between Krypto and Superman.
Executives at DC encouraged incorporating satirical humor about their franchises while maintaining a respectful tone focused on the pets themselves—such as depicting Superman as a dog owner and Batman as someone who "could really use a pet." Early scripts gave Ace a more prominent role; however, his part was scaled back to co-lead status to better highlight Krypto’s connection with Superman.
Animation
The animation work was carried out by Animal Logic studios in both Sydney and Vancouver, recognized for their contributions to Warner Animation Group’s The Lego Movie franchise. Approximately 70 animators contributed over a two-year period, with an additional three to four months added due to a postponed release date.
The visual style drew heavily from Art Deco architecture and illustrator J.C. Leyendecker, alongside influences from original Superman comics’ Art Deco aesthetics. Stern aimed for characters and settings that showcased visible brushstrokes paired with robust heroic forms. Designers Mayumi Nose and Matt Williamês merged inspirations from the Super Friends series and Silver Age Superman comics while infusing comedic elements.
The imagery was designed to evoke the hopeful spirit characteristic of Superman comics while maintaining accessibility through a cartoonish approach that emphasized verticality and a "painted texture," drawing from Golden Age comic painting traditions.
Music
The film’s original soundtrack was composed by Steve Jablonsky and released on July 29, 2022, under WaterTower Music. It features Taylor Swift’s re-recorded tracks "Message in a Bottle (Taylor's Version)" and "Bad Blood (Taylor's Version)". Additional songs come from artists such as Queen (band), Sturgill Simpson, R.E.M., A Tribe Called Quest, The Pharcyde, and Europe (band), enhancing its commercial appeal.
An original ballad titled "Count On Me," written and produced by Jeremy Silver and performed by Jac Ross, highlights a pivotal emotional moment in the film. The soundtrack also incorporates iconic superhero themes by composers like John Williams, Danny Elfman, and music from the 1970s Wonder Woman (TV series), adding nostalgic resonance. This combination of classic scores and modern songs supports both market positioning and audience connection.
Marketing
On May 24, 2022, a collaboration was announced between Warner Bros. Consumer Products, DC Comics, and Fisher-Price to launch merchandise inspired by the film. This collection features a variety of items including clothing, pet products, toys, collectibles, costumes, and furniture. Additionally, McDonald's incorporated themed Happy Meal toys tied to the movie.
Release
Originally set for release on May 21, 2021, the film's debut was postponed to May 20, 2022, to make room for The Matrix Resurrections. A further delay moved the premiere to July 29, 2022, aligning with adjustments in Warner Bros.' schedule caused by production setbacks affecting projects such as Black Adam. The Los Angeles premiere took place on July 13, 2022. This title represents the last production from Warner Animation Group before its rebranding in June 2023.
The digital release occurred on August 23, 2022, followed by physical formats—4K, Blu-ray, and DVD—available from October 4, 2022. The film became accessible on HBO Max starting September 26, 2022, as part of WarnerMedia's initial streaming plan; however, later policies under Warner Bros. Discovery now assess streaming release windows on a case-by-case basis.
In 2023, a shortened 10-minute version was introduced for viewing in 4D theaters.
Box office
DC League of Super-Pets earned $93.7 million domestically (United States and Canada) and $113.9 million internationally, resulting in a global total of $207.6 million.
Competing against Vengeance in North America, the film was forecasted to generate between $25 million and $30 million across approximately 4,300 theaters during its opening weekend. Its first-day earnings reached $9.3 million, which included $2.2 million from Thursday night previews. The opening weekend grossed $23 million, securing the top box office spot but falling short of projections. In the second weekend, it brought in $11.2 million and ranked second behind Bullet Train. The third weekend saw a revenue of $7.1 million while maintaining the runner-up position.
Critical response
On the review aggregator site Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds a 72% approval rating based on 150 critic reviews with an average score of 6.3/10. The consensus summarizes: "While it may not fully soar, DC League of Super-Pets offers a satisfying family-friendly experience filled with four-legged fun." Metacritic assigned a score of 56 out of 100 from 28 critics, reflecting "mixed or average" feedback. Audience polling by CinemaScore resulted in an average grade of "A−," and PostTrak rated it at 3.5 out of 5 stars.
Nell Minow of RogerEbert.com highlighted the "energetic" voice cast and described the screenplay as "clever, thrilling, and genuinely humorous." Reviewer Dwight Brown characterized it as "witty, sharp, and highly entertaining," pointing out that children will delight in the playful antics while adults can enjoy the clever wordplay and humor. Peter Travers from ABC News commented that although the film "does not revolutionize animation," it provides enjoyable entertainment for family audiences. Clarisse Loughrey from The Independent criticized its "restricted creativity," noting it falls short in originality compared to the Secret Life of Pets franchise.
Accolades
| Award | Ceremony Date | Category | Nominee(s) | Outcome | Template:Refh |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AACTA Awards | December 7, 2022 | Best Visual Effects or Animation | Sharna Hackett, Feargal Stewart, Christian So, Miles Green, Etienne Marc | Template:Nom | |
| Critics' Choice Super Awards | March 16, 2023 | Best Superhero Movie | DC League of Super-Pets | Template:Nom | |
| Golden Trailer Awards | October 6, 2022 | Best Animation/Family | "Krypto Hero" (Seismic Productions) | Template:Nom | |
| June 29, 2023 | Best Animation/Family Movie Poster | DC League of Super-Pets (Cold Open) | Template:Nom | ||
| Hollywood Music in Media Awards | November 16, 2022 | Best Original Score in an Animated Film | Steve Jablonsky | Template:Nom | |
| NAACP Image Awards | February 25, 2023 | Outstanding Animated Motion Picture | DC League of Super-Pets | Template:Nom | |
| Outstanding Motion Picture Voice Performance | Kevin Hart | Template:Nom | |||
| Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards | March 4, 2023 | Favorite Animated Movie | DC League of Super-Pets | Template:Nom | |
| Favorite Voice from an Animated Movie (Male) | Kevin Hart | Template:Nom | |||
| Dwayne Johnson | Template:Won |
Future
Following the film's strong box office performance and positive audience reception, Dwayne Johnson revealed in August 2022 that this movie is intended to launch a new Shared universe franchise.
Adaptations
Announced during DC FanDome, the video game DC League of Super-Pets: The Adventures of Krypto and Ace was released on July 15, 2022.
The comic book DC League of Super-Pets: The Great Mxy-Up, which serves as a sequel to the film’s storyline, features the character Mr. Mxyzptlk.
External links
- Official DC site: film, graphic novel (TGM-U)
- Available at warnerbros.com
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