From pups in sneakers to a Golden retriever donning an "Air Bud" jersey, several dogs attended the ultimate pup party: a sneak peek into the soon-to-be-released "Air Bud Returns," a reboot of the adored 1997 movie.
Its been nearly three decades since "Air Bud," the classic movie in which a pup helped a 14-year-old boy and his team win a basketball championship, premiered. Now, the remake is set to hit big screens around the country on Jan. 22, 2027, but a few select pups and their owners got an advanced screening of the new movie.
On Tuesday, the first of the screenings took place in Los Angeles, where owners and cinephile canines were able to watch the preview. The night was then followed by the screening of the old movie. This is just one of thespecial
screenings taking place in a few cities across the country this summer.
Cineverse, Air Bud Entertainment and PEDIGREE are hosting the multi-city screenings in which owners and pups can watch the film before it hits theaters. The screenings include exclusive giveaways, pet product samples and limited-edition movie merchandise.
And the cherry on top? There's a custom-built basketball hoop activation and a photo op with the new movie star, Buddy.
One attendee at the event brought her pup in costume.
"I'm 37 years old, so I was 7 when the original 'Air Bud' came out... and I've had golden retrievers my whole life. And so we thought it was really special. Coincidentally, last Halloween, this was our Halloween costume, so it was before everything was kind of announced," said Tara Razi. "And then luckily [my 2-year-old son] still fits in it. It's going to be his first movie tonight. He's watched clips of movies, but he's never watched a full movie through. So I just think it makes the most sense that his little Nala gets to be, like, on TV tonight."
The reboot is similar to the original, where a 14-year-old athlete is aspiring to become a basketball star. After moving into his late father's childhood home, he finds an old tape of his dad with the original Air Bud, which is when the teen then happens to encounter a golden retriever.
"I think I've loved 'Air Bud' since I was a kid, and now, having my own dog... I'm like, 'I could teach her how to play basketball,' but I can believe in her. I believe she can maybe one day live up to the legacy of 'Air Bud,'" said Rebecca Castaneda, another person who attended the reboot preview.
Another screening is taking place on Wednesday in Chicago and on Aug. 10 in Kansas City. Both screenings still have space for RSVPsif you're in the area.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Pups hit the theaters before premiere of 1997 reboot 'Air Bud Returns'
