Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

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Screenwise Verdict

Look, I'm not going to sugarcoat this: Space Buddies is rough. It's the fifth entry in a franchise that was already running on fumes, and somehow they thought 'let's send them to space' was the creative shot in the arm it needed. It wasn't.

The ratings tell the story: 4.3 on IMDb, 52% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, 2.5 out of 5 on Letterboxd. These are 'we watched it with our toddler and even they got bored' numbers. The production quality is bargain-basement even by 2009 direct-to-video standards, and the 'space' setting is so poorly executed it makes you wonder if anyone involved had ever seen a picture of the moon.

Is it safe? Absolutely. Will it harm your child? Not unless you count 84 minutes of their childhood they'll never get back. If you have a very young child (4-6) who is absolutely obsessed with puppies and you need something playing while you fold laundry, fine. But don't expect them to ask to watch it again, and definitely don't expect to stay in the room yourself.

There are so many better options on Disney Plus. Like, hundreds of them.

Age Fit

Best suited for kids ages 4-7 who are in that sweet spot of loving talking animals and not yet having developed critical thinking skills. By age 8, most kids will recognize this for what it is: a cash grab with puppies.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

68

Features talking puppies working together with themes of teamwork and friendship. The tone is gentle and cooperative, though the execution is saccharine and the pacing can feel sluggish. Models basic cooperation and bravery, but the dialogue is predictable and the emotional beats are paint-by-numbers.

Imaginative

42

Puppies in space is a fun premise on paper, but the execution is derivative and uninspired. It's the fifth film in the Air Buddies franchise, recycling the same formula with a space coat of paint. Minimal creative spark or world-building; doesn't invite curiosity about actual space exploration or encourage creative thinking beyond 'what if dogs... but in space?'

Safe

82

Very safe content appropriate for young children. No violence, scary content, or inappropriate material. Common Sense Media rates it for age 5+. The main safety concern is that it's utterly predictable and conflict-free to the point of being bland. No surprise scares or emotional triggers.

Enriching

35

Minimal educational or growth value. While it touches on themes of bravery and teamwork, the lessons are surface-level and repetitive from previous Buddies films. Doesn't teach anything meaningful about space, science, or problem-solving. Entertainment value is also low given the poor ratings (4.3 IMDb, 52% RT audience, 2.5 Letterboxd) and dated production quality.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Completely harmless content perfect for when you need 84 minutes of guaranteed-safe background noise
Young kids (4-6) who are obsessed with puppies might enjoy it once, maybe
Available on Disney Plus so at least you're not paying extra for this particular regret
The dogs don't die or get hurt, which is genuinely the best thing about it

⚠

What to Watch For

Painfully dated CGI and production values that make 2009 look like 1999
Your own will to live as you realize there are THIRTEEN more Buddies movies after this one
Kids asking 'is it over yet?' around the 20-minute mark
The crushing realization that Air Bud was actually the high point of this franchise

Conversation Starters

"What do you think it would really be like for dogs to go to space? (Spoiler: not like this)"
"Which was your favorite Buddy? (They're all basically the same but let's pretend)"
"Do you want to learn about real space exploration? (Please say yes so we can turn this off)"

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