directed by Charles Martin Smith. This was the first film in a very successful franchise. It was the highest grossing Canadian film and made a load of money for Disney.
Air Bud is the family film that sparked the franchise centered on the
real-life dog, Buddy, a Golden Retriever. The film was defeated by Air Force One for the
#1 spot on the film's opening weekend, grossing US$4 million and
totalling US$24 million for its final run, against an estimated $3 million budget..
On Cartoon Craze's Top 50 Movies of All-Time, Air Bud came in at number two behind
Toy Story.
Charlie Martin Smith (director) and I watched Never Cry Wolf before making Air Bud. The
relationship between the boy (Kevin Zeegers) and Buddy the dog was crucially important.
Charles & I shared a love of Laurel & Hardy so some of that percolates into the comedic sections of the film. It's a delightful movie with a moving performance from Kevin Zeegers.