Clifford the Big Red Dog (film)
A live-action animated film based on the beloved children's book series.
Clifford the Big Red Dog is a 2021 film that blends live-action and animation, falling into the urban fantasy and comedy genres. Walt Becker directed it, with a screenplay by Blaise Hemingway, Jay Scherick, and David Ronn, based on a story by Justin Malen and Ellen Rapoport. The movie adapts Norman Bridwell’s children’s book series. Its cast includes Jack Whitehall, Darby Camp, Tony Hale, Sienna Guillory, David Alan Grier, Russell Wong, Kenan Thompson, and John Cleese.
The film first screened without prior announcement at the 2021 CinemaCon event in Los Angeles on August 26. It had been scheduled to premiere at the 2021 Toronto International Film Festival in September, followed by a U.S. theatrical release on September 17 through Paramount Pictures. However, the COVID-19 pandemic caused delays, and the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant led to its removal from the festival and Paramount’s release calendar. Ultimately, it came out in the United States on November 10, 2021, simultaneously in theaters and on Paramount+. Critics gave it mixed reviews, and it earned $107 million globally.
The story takes place in New York City. Twelve-year-old Emily Elizabeth Howard lives with her mother Maggie and has only one friend, schoolmate Owen Yu. When Maggie leaves for a business trip to Chicago, Emily stays with her uncle Casey. At a park, a man named Mr. Bridwell, who runs an animal rescue tent, gives Emily a small red puppy whose family was taken by dogcatchers. He explains the puppy will grow according to how much love it receives. Casey refuses to adopt it because the apartment building bans dogs, but Emily finds the puppy in her backpack later and names him Clifford. Casey agrees to keep him for just one night.
The next morning, Clifford has become enormous. He chases and plays with a man in an inflatable bubble at a park, and news of his existence spreads online. After a vet’s secretary tells them about Bridwell’s past miracles with animals, the Howards try to find him. Clifford escapes from Casey’s truck and humiliates Emily’s bully, Florence, by licking her, which soaks her and helps Emily gain friends. Zac Tieran, owner of the biotechnology company Lyfegro, learns about Clifford from his assistant Colette. Wanting the secret of the dog’s size, Tieran falsely claims to police that he genetically engineered Clifford and leads a citywide search. Emily and C
- director
- Walt Becker
- screenplay_by
- Blaise Hemingway, Jay Scherick, David Ronn
- story_by
- Justin Malen, Ellen Rapoport
- based_on
- Children's book series by Norman Bridwell
- release_date
- November 10, 2021 (United States)
- box_office
- $107 million worldwide
- production_companies
- Paramount Pictures, Entertainment One
Lore & Background
The film follows 12-year-old Emily Elizabeth Howard, who lives in New York City with her mother Maggie and has only one friend, Owen Yu. After her mother leaves for a business trip, Emily is cared for by her uncle Casey. At a park, a man named Mr. Bridwell gives Emily a small red puppy, saying it will grow based on how much love it receives. Despite Casey's initial refusal, Emily keeps the puppy, names him Clifford, and wakes to find him giant-sized. Clifford's existence goes viral, attracting the attention of Zac Tieran, owner of biotechnology company Lyfegro, who falsely claims to have genetically engineered the dog and leads a citywide manhunt. Emily and Casey, with help from friends, try to protect Clifford and find Mr. Bridwell, who reveals that Clifford's size is due to Emily's love and cannot be reversed. The film ends with Clifford chasing people in inflatable bubbles while Casey rides atop him.
Reader's Guide
Clifford the Big Red Dog (2021) represents a modern adaptation of Norman Bridwell's classic children's book series, blending live-action and computer-generated animation. The film's production history spans nearly a decade, originally conceived at Universal Pictures and Illumination Entertainment in 2012 before being cancelled and later revived by Paramount Pictures in 2016. Its release was significantly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, with multiple delays and the cancellation of its planned premiere at the 2021 Toronto International Film Festival due to the Delta variant. The film ultimately debuted simultaneously in theaters and on Paramount+, reflecting the industry's shift toward hybrid distribution models during the pandemic. While receiving mixed critical reception, the film grossed $107 million worldwide, demonstrating the enduring appeal of the character. The cast includes notable actors such as Jack Whitehall, Darby Camp, Tony Hale, and John Cleese, with visual effects by Moving Picture Company.
Did You Know?
- The film was initially scheduled for release on November 13, 2020, before being delayed multiple times due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Principal photography took place in New York City from June 10, 2019, to August 23, 2019, lasting 55 days.
- The song 'Room for You' performed by Madison Beer was released on November 5, 2021.
- The film was screened unannounced on August 26, 2021, during the 2021 CinemaCon event in Los Angeles.
More in Films about giants 1-24
Spotted an error? Know more?
This is a living reference — every entry is fact-audited, and reader corrections feed straight into our audit queue. Suggest an edit · See this site's audit record