What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedDog Man
Peter Hastings · Film · 2025
If you loved Dog Man, start with Dog Man (Dav Pilkey, 2016) — a book from the same story. Below: 4 books, 4 series and 2 podcasts, each matched to Dog Man across media.
If you loved Dog Man, you are likely drawn to the way absurd transformations create hilarious, high-stakes bonds between unlikely heroes.
Start with the source
Books on the same thread
Big Jim Begins
Dav Pilkey · Book
Explores: origin stories, nostalgia, absurdism.
Fans of Dog Man will appreciate returning to Dav Pilkey's signature brand of slapstick humor and heartfelt friendship as Big Jim navigates a nostalgic journey through his own past.
Big Jim Believes
Dav Pilkey · Book
Explores: Urban transformation, Extraterrestrial encounters, Slapstick comedy.
Much like Dog Man, this installment relies on the chaotic collision of superheroes and urban absurdity to keep readers engaged with its fast-paced, imaginative world of transformation.
Big Dog and Little Dog Making a Mistake
Dav Pilkey · Book · 2025
Explores: Misadventure, Cause and effect, Playful mischief.
Readers who enjoyed the animal antics in Dog Man will find familiar joy in this tale of playful mischief, cause and effect, and the enduring power of animal friendship.
Twenty Thousand Fleas Under the Sea
Dav Pilkey · Book
Explores: superhero parody, friendship, absurdist humor.
This book captures the same spirit of superhero parody found in Dog Man, focusing on the comedic sabotage of the Supa Buddies by their long-standing nemesis, Piggy.
Series on the same thread
Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man
Series · 2025
Explores: Coming-of-Age, Secret Identity, Balancing Normal Life and Superheroism.
The struggle to balance a secret identity while growing into a hero mirrors the core character development of Dog Man, blending action with the challenges of mentorship.
Chainsaw Man
Series · 2022
Shares a thread with Dog Man: Transformation.
While darker in tone, the premise of a human-devil hybrid forced into a life of combat echoes the central transformation and identity crisis that defines Dog Man.
He-Man and the Masters of the Universe
Roger Sweet · Series · 1983
Shares 2 threads with Dog Man: Good vs Evil, Transformation.
The classic struggle between good and evil, coupled with the concept of a transformative hero protecting the weak, provides a foundational experience similar to the Dog Man series.
Man on Fire
Kyle Killen · Series · 2026
Explores: redemption, guilt, protective bond.
This story highlights the protective bond between a hero and those they serve, capturing the same sense of duty and sacrifice that motivates Dog Man every day.
Podcasts on the same thread
Killer Stories with Harvey Guillén
Spotify Studios · Podcast · 2026
Explores: dark human nature, criminal psychology, public fascination.
For those captivated by the police procedural elements of Dog Man, this podcast offers a deeper, investigative look into criminal psychology and the pursuit of justice.
Stugotz and Company
iHeartPodcasts · Podcast · 2026
Explores: absurdism, unfiltered opinion, camaraderie.
The blend of absurdity and camaraderie found here mirrors the irreverent humor that makes Dog Man a standout, providing a similar sense of unfiltered, unpredictable entertainment.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is the 2025 Dog Man movie based on the 2016 book series?
Yes, the 2025 Dog Man film is an adaptation of the Dog Man book series created by Dav Pilkey. The movie follows the story of a police officer and his dog who are surgically fused together to become the crime-fighting hero known as Dog Man.
Does Dog Man fight Petey the Cat in the 2025 movie?
Yes, the plot of the Dog Man movie focuses on the protagonist's efforts to protect the city. As he embraces his new identity and works to impress the Chief, Dog Man must actively stop the evil plots orchestrated by his feline nemesis, Petey the Cat.
How was Dog Man created in the 2025 film?
In the Dog Man movie, the character is born after a faithful police dog and his human officer owner are both injured on the job. A harebrained but life-saving surgery fuses them together, resulting in the creation of the hero who is sworn to protect and serve.
Is Dog Man a police officer in the movie?
Dog Man is a hybrid hero who serves the police department. After his surgery, he is sworn to protect and serve the city, though he still retains dog-like behaviors such as the instinct to fetch, sit, and roll over while he strives to impress his Chief.