A DOG’S JOURNEY
A heartwarming dog story with a reincarnation premise to weigh.
Should You Watch It?
A DOG’S JOURNEY is a warm, funny animal movie about loving others more than yourself. It has a strong emotional center in the bond between dogs and people, and it promotes forgiveness, selflessness, and looking out for others. The balance of funny and touching moments gives the story genuine appeal.
The problem is central, not incidental. The movie’s entire premise depends on reincarnation, even though it presents that idea as a story device rather than a religious belief. That conflicts with what the Bible says about life and death, so younger viewers may need help separating the movie’s positive lessons from its false spiritual message.
If your family can discuss that distinction, A DOG’S JOURNEY is worth seeing with discernment.
The Story
NO SPOILERS — WE KEEP THE SURPRISESBailey is an aging dog living on a farm with Ethan and Hannah. When their young granddaughter CJ is placed in danger, Ethan tells Bailey that his purpose is to protect her.
Years later, Bailey returns in a new form and finds CJ again. As CJ grows up and faces painful circumstances, the dog remains at her side. Their bond becomes the heart of this story about loyalty, family, and love.
Is It Any Good?
Three stars means this is a good, enjoyable movie with meaningful strengths and noticeable limitations. A DOG’S JOURNEY is well-made, with heartfelt moments and plenty of laughs. Its strongest feature is the balance between emotional scenes and humor.
Some actors are better than others, but the uneven acting is not too distracting. The movie was filmed in conjunction with A DOG’S PURPOSE, though viewers do not need to see that film to understand this one because the storylines are unrelated.
The Worldview
A DOG’S JOURNEY has a strong moral and slightly redemptive worldview. It teaches that forgiving is better than holding on to anger and that being selfless is better than being selfish. It also shows dogs as caring animals and emphasizes the importance of the bond between animals and humans.
The movie contains positive references to Heaven and promotes the concept of all dogs going to Heaven. But that message is marred by a false New Age premise promoting reincarnation. The story treats reincarnation as a plot device rather than grounding it in a specific religious belief, but the idea still contradicts the biblical understanding of life and death.
The film’s central longing is for faithful love that protects and remains present through suffering. Scripture points beyond that earthly longing to the hope of resurrection: “For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive” (1 Corinthians 15:22).
The Content Guide
The specifics — spoilers included by nature — so you can judge for your own family.
Dominant Worldview and Other Worldview Content/Elements
Strong moral, slightly redemptive worldview about forgiving, better to be selfless than to be selfish, shows how dogs are caring animals, and promotes the concept of all dogs going to Heaven, with Heaven being shown, but marred by a false New Age premise promoting reincarnation
Foul Language
No profanities, no obscenities, some bathroom humor
Violence
Dog is put down by anesthesia, and a car accident where a car flips over, and dog dies
Sex
No sexual immorality or sex scenes, but some kissing
Nudity
No nudity
Alcohol Use
Drinking, and one character is an alcoholic
Smoking and/or Drug Use and Abuse
No smoking or drug use but it’s implied that a young villain buys drugs;
Miscellaneous Immorality
Young man lies to a teenage girl, but he’s the villain.
Talk About It
Questions for the drive home, the dinner table, or the youth group.
Bailey is given a purpose of protecting CJ. What does it look like to put another person’s good ahead of your own?
Philippians 2:3–4 · 1 Corinthians 13:4–7The movie presents forgiveness as better than selfishness and resentment. What makes forgiveness difficult, and how does God’s forgiveness change the way we forgive others?
Ephesians 4:32 · Colossians 3:13The story presents reincarnation as an explanation for a dog’s return. What does the Bible teach about death, resurrection, and eternal life?
Hebrews 9:27 · John 11:25–26CJ is neglected while her mother pursues her own desires. How can families notice when someone needs care and protection?
Galatians 6:2 · James 1:27The Final Word
A DOG’S JOURNEY is a funny, heartfelt family movie with positive lessons about forgiveness, selflessness, and faithful love. Its reincarnation premise is false and deserves a thoughtful family conversation. With that discernment, WORTH THE TRIP.
