(Updated 08/01/2023)
Most of us probably share an idealized vision of the relationship between people and their dogs — a dog is a man’s best friend, after all. Or so the saying goes. But what if the man is not a dog’s best friend? What if he is, in fact, terrible? STRAYS turns the familiar “long journey home” story on its head to create a viciously funny story of a dog who just wants to have his day.
With a great voice cast and the filmmaker who made one of the best comedy movies of the last few years, STRAYS is at the head of the pack of movies we’re eager to see this summer. Check out the STRAYS trailer and learn all about the movie.
One more note before we get into it: STRAYS may be a movie about dogs, but it is not for kids.
When Does Strays Come Out?
Universal Pictures will release STRAYS exclusively in movie theatres on August 18.
Watch the New Strays Trailer
Unlike the first red-band trailer, this new trailer is reasonably safe for work. That's because it bleeps out all of the bad language — and there's a lot of bleeping language here! So this tells you exactly what to expect from STRAYS. This looks like a vulgar and funny movie with a huge heart.
The trailer certainly foregrounds the vulgar aspect but we expect that STRAYS has many more notes to play. The movie is produced by Phil Lord and Chris Miller (SPIDER-MAN: INTO THE SPIDER-VERSE), and we know their guidance has helped to elevate many other movies.
Who Made Strays?
A big part of our excitement about STRAYS is tied to the producer/director, Josh Greenbaum. That's because Greenbaum directed BARB AND STAR GO TO VISTA DEL MAR, released in 2021. That comedy starts with a simple premise and consistently expands into unpredictable and very funny territory, and Greenbaum nails every comedic gag.
The Plot of Strays
The story in STRAYS is probably pretty clear at this point, but here's some more detail. The optimistic Border Terrier Reggie (Will Ferrell) thinks his owner is a good guy who likes some weird games. But the man's continued attempts to abandon Reggie finally pay off, and the pup is forced to realize that his owner isn't his best friend — or any friend at all.
Out on the streets, a friendship with a fast-talking Boston Terrier named Bug makes Reggie realize how bad his owner/pet relationship really was. The upbeat Reggie switches gears fast, and decides to get revenge on his owner in a particularly visceral fashion.
The Cast of Strays
In addition to the lead voices — Will Ferrell as Reggie and Jamie Foxx as Bug — there's the main live-action character, Doug, played by Will Forte. He's the awful owner whose crotch Reggie is suddenly eager to, er, chomp.
Isla Fisher (NOW YOU SEE ME, WEDDING CRASHERS) voices Maggie, a smart Australian Shepherd who has been sidelined by her owner’s new puppy, and Randall Park (ALWAYS BE MY MAYBE, AQUAMAN) voices the anxious Great Dane Hunter, whose job as an emotional support animal has left him needing emotional support of his own.
Many other talents voice additional animals. Josh Gad (BEAUTY AND THE BEAST), Harvey Guillén (PUSS IN BOOTS: THE LAST WISH), Rob Riggle (THE HANGOVER), Brett Gelman ("Stranger Things"), Jamie Demetriou ("The Afterparty"), and Sofia Vergara ("Modern Family") are all heard in the movie as the voices of a wide array of animals.
STRAYS opens on August 18.
All images courtesy of Universal Pictures.