Air Bud

Air Bud is a 1997 sports comedy-drama film directed by Charles Martin Smith and written by Paul Tamasy and Aaron Mendelsohn. Based on the character of the same name created by Kevin DiCicco, the film stars Michael Jeter, Wendy Makkena, Eric Christmas, Brendan Fletcher, Norman Browning, Bill Cobbs, and dog actor Buddy as the title character. The plot follows a young boy who befriends a runaway Golden Retriever with a unique ability to play basketball. Air Bud was released on August 1, 1997, by Buena Vista Pictures Distribution through the Walt Disney Pictures banner in the United States, and by Malofilm Distribution in Canada. The film received mixed reviews but was a commercial success, grossing $29 million against a $3 million budget. A sequel, Air Bud: Golden Receiver, was released in 1998, and spawned a film franchise that includes the spin-off series Air Buddies.