There’s a new superhero soaring onto the big screen! This time, he’s got four paws, a wagging tail, and the unmistakable voice of comedy icon Owen Wilson. Collider has officially unveiled the first trailer for Charlie the Wonderdog, the latest animated feature from ICON Creative Studio, delivering a fresh, family-friendly spin on the superhero genre.
Set to hit theaters on January 16th, Charlie the Wonderdog tells the story of Charlie, a loyal family pet who’s suddenly abducted by aliens and gifted powers that rival Superman himself. From flying at supersonic speeds to saving buses from sinkholes, Charlie quickly becomes Earth’s newest and furriest protector. But when his rise to fame begins to strain his bond with his young owner Danny, voiced by Dawson Littman, Charlie must learn that true heroism starts with heart, not headlines.
The trailer opens with a cinematic bang: a school bus teeters over the edge of disaster until a flying golden retriever swoops in to save the day. As the world cheers for its new champion, Charlie and Danny’s relationship faces a test of loyalty and love. Just when it seems their friendship might unravel, a new foe enters the picture — a telekinetic cat villain with a plan to turn the world’s felines into super-intelligent overlords. To save humanity (and each other), Charlie and Danny must rediscover the power of teamwork, trust, and tacos.
Known for his warm, relatable humor and charm, Owen Wilson brings his signature heart to the role, adding to his impressive lineup of family favorites—from Pixar’s Cars series to Marley & Me and Marmaduke. Wilson is joined by an impressive cast that includes Tabitha St. Germain, Sebastian Billingsley-Rodriguez, Lindsay Gibbon, Anthony Bolognese, and Mela Pietropaolo.
Behind the scenes, Charlie the Wonderdog is directed by Shea Wageman, co-director of Rocket Club: Across the Cosmos, and co-written with Steve Ball and Raul Inglis. The film comes from Canada’s animation powerhouse ICON Creative Studio, whose resume includes collaborations with Disney, Apple TV+, Skydance, and Paramount+ on acclaimed titles like Monsters at Work, WondLa, and Transformers: Earthspark.
With a perfect blend of humor, heart, and heroics, Charlie the Wonderdog is shaping up to be one of 2025’s must-see family adventures. Expect laughs, lessons, and plenty of tail-wagging excitement when Charlie and Danny take flight in theaters this January. Proving that even the smallest heroes can make the biggest difference.