The Air Bud film series is an American film franchise based on a sports-playing Golden Retriever named Buddy, portrayed by Buddy. The franchise began in 1997 with the theatrical release of Air Bud, followed by the theatrical release of Air Bud: Golden Receiver in 1998. Following the box office failure of Golden Receiver, the rest of the films in the series were released in direct-to-video form. The Air Buddies or Disney Buddies spin-off series began in 2006 with the release of Air Buddies and it focuses on the adventures of Buddy's talking Golden Retriever puppies. The franchise features fourteen films (five of which were in the Air Bud series and seven in the Air Buddies series), in addition to two Christmas spin-offs of the Air Buddies series.
Disney Buddies is one of the top direct-to-DVD franchises, behind Disney Fairies at $300 million, with the first 12 films grossing $220 million by March 2014.
History Kevin DiCicco's Golden Retriever Buddy was featured on America's Funniest Home Videos and David Letterman's "Stupid Pet Tricks". In 1991, DiCicco approached production company Keystone Entertainment to produce Air Bud, a film based on Buddy. He also formed his production company, Air Bud Productions, that year. Disney's Miramax Films was brought on as the distribution company. Keystone indicated that no sequel was planned. The film did well in the home video market.
By April 1998, DiCicco and Robert Vince, the film's producer at Keystone, had a falling out, as Keystone and Vince had gone forward with a sequel, Air Bud: Golden Receiver, without DiCicco, who also claimed he wasn't paid anything for the first film and that he owns the Air Bud rights (based on the name of this production company name).
DiCicco bred three offspring of Buddy and trained them for sports like Buddy. The puppies were signed to an endorsement deal by DiCicco for Milk-Bone dog biscuits for puppies. He intended to make his own sequel, Air Bud: The Next Generation, which was scheduled to start production in the fall of 1999, with its concept being a "cross between Ferris Bueller and Home Alone".
Disney and William Morris Agency were sued in December 2011 over the Santa Paws films being unauthorized copies of a 1991 script for Santa Paws: The Story of Santa's Dog.
Film series Film U.S. release date Directed by Screenplay by Story by Produced by Air Bud Air Bud August 1, 1997 Charles Martin Smith Paul Tamasy & Aaron Mendelssohn Robert Vince and William Vince Air Bud: Golden Receiver August 14, 1998 Richard Martin Robert Vince Air Bud: World Pup December 12, 2000 Bill Bannerman Mike Whiting and Robert Vince & Anne Vince Ian Fodie Air Bud: Seventh Inning Fetch June 18, 2002 Robert Vince Sara Sutton & Stephanie Isherwood and Anne Vince & Anna McRoberts Robert Vince Robert Vince and Anna McRoberts Air Bud: Spikes Back June 24, 2003 Mike Southon Anne Vince & Anna McRoberts Anna McRoberts, Robert Vince and Benjamin Kutz Air Bud Returns January 22, 2027Robert Vince Robert Vince and Anna McRoberts Air Buddies Air Buddies December 12, 2006 Robert Vince Anna McRoberts, Robert Vince and Phil Hanley Snow Buddies February 5, 2008 Robert Vince and Anna McRoberts Space Buddies February 3, 2009 Santa Buddies November 24, 2009 Spooky Buddies September 20, 2011 Treasure Buddies January 31, 2012 Super Buddies August 27, 2013 Santa Paws The Search for Santa Paws November 23, 2010 Robert Vince Robert Vince and Anna McRoberts Santa Paws 2: The Santa Pups November 20, 2012
Recurring cast and characters
Characters Air Bud film series Buddies film series Santa Paws film series Air Bud Air Bud: Air Bud: Air Bud: Air Bud Spikes Back Air Bud Returns Air Buddies Snow Buddies Space Buddies Santa Buddies Spooky Buddies Treasure Buddies Super Buddies The Search for Santa Paws Santa Paws 2: BuddyBuddyRushChaseZakChanceDakotaShooterTangoWalkerPoacherDakotaShooterTangoShaqSniperBaileyBrandyCharlieWalkerCharlieSummer Tom Everett Scott Jackie Framm-SullivanWendy MakkenaCynthia StevensonChilton CraneCynthia Stevenson Cynthia Stevenson Josh FrammKevin Zegers Tom Stewart Shayn Solberg Andrea FrammJessibelle and Katy MatherAlyson MacLarenCaitlin WachsKatija Pevec Dr. Patrick Sullivan Gregory HarrisonDale MidkiffRichard KarnAlf Humphreys Richard Karn Molly Emma Molly Shannon Noah Sullivan Hannah Marof and Emma MarofJake D. Smith Slade PearceDylan Minnette Sheriff Bob Patrick Cranshaw Patrick Cranshaw Budderball Josh FlitterNico GhisiTucker AlbrizziJeremy Shinder B-Dawg Skyler GisondoCooper Roth Buddha Dominic Scott KayJimmy BennettField CateCharles Henry WysonTenzing Trainor Mudbud Spencer FoxHenry HodgesTy Panitz Rosebud Abigail BreslinLiliana MumyG Hannelius Deputy Sniffer Don Knotts Tim Conway Eli Danny Woodburn Danny WoodburnSanta Claus George Wendt Richard RiehlePat FinnMrs. Claus Patrika DarboCheryl LaddJacob Aydin Artis
Note: A dark gray cell indicates the character does not appear in the film.
Crew Credited as Air Bud film series Spin-offs Air Buddies film series Santa Paws film seriesAir Bud(1997)Air Bud:(1998)Air Bud:(2000)Air Bud:(2002)Air Bud:(2003)Air Bud Returns (2027)Air Buddies(2006)Snow Buddies(2008)Space Buddies(2009)Santa Buddies:(2009)Spooky Buddies(2011)Treasure Buddies(2012)Super Buddies(2013)Santa Paws(2010)Santa Paws 2:(2012) DirectorCharles Martin SmithRichard MartinBill BannermanRobert VinceMike SouthonRobert VinceRobert Vince Producer(s) Screenwriter(s) Robert Vince Story by Composer(s) Cinematographer Editor(s)
See also Gus (1976 film) MVP: Most Valuable Primate (2000 film)
References
External links Disney Buddies