The ''Air Bud'' film series (also known as ''Disney Buddies'') is an

American film The cinema of the United States, consisting mainly of major film studios (also known as Hollywood) along with some independent film, has had a large effect on the global film industry since the early 20th century. The dominant style of Ame ...

franchise based on a sports-playing

Golden Retriever The Golden Retriever is a Scottish breed of retriever dog of medium size. It is characterised by a gentle and affectionate nature and a striking golden coat. It is commonly kept as a pet and is among the most frequently registered breeds ...

named Buddy, portrayed by

Air Buddy Buddy (March 23, 1988 – February 10, 1998) was a Golden Retriever dog actor. He was best known for playing the title role in the film '' Air Bud''. Early life Buddy was found by Kevin di Cicco as a stray dog in the Sierra Nevada in the summe ...

. The franchise began in 1997 with the theatrical release of ''

Air Bud ''Air Bud'' is a 1997 sports comedy film directed by Charles Martin Smith. The film was financially successful, grossing $4 million in its opening weekend and totaling $27.8 million in its run against an estimated $3 million budget. Plot After ...

'', 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 Direct-to-video or straight-to-video refers to the release of a film, TV series, short or special to the public immediately on home video formats rather than an initial theatrical release or television premiere. This distribution strategy was p ...

form. The ''Air Buddies'' or ''Disney Buddies'' spin-off series began in 2006 with the release of ''

Air Buddies ''Air Buddies'' is a 2006 American sports comedy film directed by Robert Vince. It is the sixth film in the ''Air Bud'' series and the first in the direct-to-video spin-off series ''Air Buddies'', which follows the life of a lonely teenager and ...

'' 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 Direct-to-video or straight-to-video refers to the release of a film, TV series, short or special to the public immediately on home video formats rather than an initial theatrical release or television premiere. This distribution strategy was p ...

franchises, just behind

Disney Fairies ''Disney Fairies'' is a The Walt Disney Company, Disney Media franchise, franchise created in 2005. The franchise is built around the character of Tinker Bell from Walt Disney Pictures, Disney's 1953 animated film ''Peter Pan (1953 film), Peter Pa ...

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 ''America's Funniest Home Videos'', also called ''America's Funniest Videos'' (abbreviated as ''AFV''), is an American video clip television series on American Broadcasting Company, ABC, based on the Japanese variety show ''Kato-chan Ken-chan Gok ...

" and David Letterman's " Stupid Pet Tricks". He then (in 1991), approached the independent production company Keystone Entertainment to produce ''

'', a film based on Buddy. He also formed his production company, Air Bud Productions, that year. Disney's

Miramax Miramax, LLC, also known as Miramax Films, is an American film and television production and distribution company founded on December 19, 1979, by brothers Harvey and Bob Weinstein, and based in Los Angeles, California. It was initially a leadi ...

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 ''Ferris Bueller's Day Off'' is a 1986 American teen comedy film written, co-produced, and directed by John Hughes and co-produced by Tom Jacobson. The film stars Matthew Broderick, Mia Sara, and Alan Ruck with supporting roles by Jennifer Gre ...

'' and ''

Home Alone ''Home Alone'' is a 1990 American Christmas comedy film directed by Chris Columbus and written and produced by John Hughes. The first film in the ''Home Alone'' franchise, the film stars Macaulay Culkin, Joe Pesci, Daniel Stern, John Hear ...

''". 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

'' (1997) – Josh meets an abused

and finds out that he can play basketball. #

'' Air Bud: Golden Receiver'' (1998) – Josh's Golden Retriever learns to play

American football American football (referred to simply as football in the United States and Canada), also known as gridiron, is a team sport played by two teams of eleven players on a rectangular field with goalposts at each end. The offense, the team with ...

. #

'' Air Bud: World Pup'' (2000) – Josh discovers that Buddy's ballplaying skills apply to soccer. #

'' Air Bud: Seventh Inning Fetch'' (2002) – Buddy makes the baseball team and becomes a star player. #

'' Air Bud: Spikes Back'' (2003) – Buddy tackles volleyball.

Spin-offs

''Air Buddies'' series

The ''Air Buddies'' films were all direct-to-video releases and are considered spin-offs of the original series, focusing on Buddy's puppies. #

'' (2006) – Buddy and Molly's offspring work together to help each other while attempting to rescue their parents.

Snow Buddies ''Snow Buddies'' is a 2008 American adventure comedy film and the second installment in the ''Air Buddies'' series. It was released on DVD on February 5, 2008. The film takes place in the fictional town of Ferntiuktuk, Alaska. It is the final i ...

'' (2008) – The offspring of Buddy and Molly go on an Alaskan adventure. #

Space Buddies ''Space Buddies'' is a 2009 American science fiction comedy film. It is the third film in the ''Air Buddies'' franchise. It was released on February 3, 2009. Like ''Air Buddies'' and ''Snow Buddies'', it was released directly on DVD and became th ...

'' (2009) – The Buddies tag along for a school field trip to the space museum and accidentally walk aboard a rocket ship. #

Santa Buddies ''Santa Buddies'', also known as ''Santa Buddies: The Legend of Santa Paws'', is a 2009 American Christmas comedy film. It is the fourth installment of the '' Air Buddies'' spin-off series as well as the ninth film in the ''Air Bud'' franchise. It ...

'' (2009) – The Buddies team up with Puppy Paws, the son of Santa Paws, to end the melting of a magical icicle threatening Christmas Eve. #

Spooky Buddies ''Spooky Buddies'' is a 2011 Canadian-American supernatural comedy film that is part of the ''Disney Buddies'' franchise, a series often referred to as the ''Air Bud'' and ''Air Buddies'' franchise. For the fifth installment in the ''Air Buddies ...

'' (2011) – The Buddies are in a new adventure when Halloween hits Fernfield.

Treasure Buddies ''Treasure Buddies'' is a 2012 American comedy film directed by Robert Vince and produced by Anna McRoberts. It is the 6th installment in the ''Air Buddies'' franchise. The Buddies head to the ruins of Ancient Egypt, where, with the help of a m ...

'' (2012) – The Buddies find themselves on an Indiana Jones style adventure. #

'' Super Buddies'' (2013) – After acquiring rings that grant them superpowers, the Buddies must use them to stop a villainous alien dictator.

''Santa Paws'' films

The ''Santa Paws'' films were produced as prequels to ''

''. #

The Search for Santa Paws ''The Search for Santa Paws'' is a 2010 Christmas Adventure film, adventure fantasy film released on November 23, 2010. The film is the tenth film in the ''Air Bud (series), Air Bud'' franchise and is also a prequel to ''Santa Buddies'', as well a ...

'' (2010) – When

Santa Santa Claus, also known as Father Christmas, Saint Nicholas, Saint Nick, Kris Kringle, or simply Santa, is a legendary figure originating in Western Christian culture who is said to bring children gifts during the late evening and overnigh ...

is in trouble, Paws has to save Christmas with the help of some friends.

'' Santa Paws 2: The Santa Pups'' (2012) – When the Christmas spirit begins to disappear, Mrs. Claus and the Santa Pups must race to save Christmas around the world.

Recurring cast and characters

*Note: A dark gray cell indicates the character does not appear in the film.

Crew

References

External links

*Disney Buddies {{DEFAULTSORT:Air Bud (Series) Air Bud (series) Film series introduced in 1997 Walt Disney Studios (division) franchises Disney direct-to-video films Films about dogs Films about animals playing sports