Review published 2nd October 2026
Watch the official trailer.
A New Island Adventure
The PAW Patrol are back and this time it’s a whole new adventure! It all starts when Ryder and the pups are called in to assist with an emergency at sea, in which a family, along with their kitty cat, accidentally sets their luxury boat on fire. Although the rescue is filled with challenges, it is another successful mission for the team. However, when Ryder and the pups attempt to return home, they soon find themselves caught in a wild and unexpected storm at sea. Thankfully, their large boat lands safely on a mysterious island, one that doesn’t appear on any map.
As Ryder and the pups begin exploring, they discover something quite surprising roaming the island: dinosaurs. Living among these prehistoric creatures is Rex, a pup who has called the island home ever since becoming shipwrecked many years ago. Over time, Rex has learned how to survive and adapt to island life and has discovered that many of the dinosaurs are actually quite friendly. Excited by their discovery, Ryder and the pups begin making plans to explore the island further and learn more about its remarkable inhabitants. After all, how is it possible that dinosaurs have survived all this time?
Meanwhile, Mayor Humdinger has been released from prison. Promising himself that he would never return to his old ways and determined to live a better life alongside his beloved kittens, temptation soon gets the better of him when he sees news coverage of the pups’ incredible discovery. Filled with greed and dreams of riches, Humdinger becomes convinced the island may be hiding valuable treasures. Before long, he assembles a team and heads for the island himself. At the same time, Marshall finds himself struggling with a growing lack of confidence. His constant mistakes and mishaps are beginning to weigh heavily on him, leaving him questioning whether he is letting the team down. Can the pups protect the island from Mayor Humdinger’s latest scheme, and will Marshall overcome his self-doubt and rediscover his place within the team?
Marshall Takes the Lead
PAW Patrol: The Dino Pups serves as the third theatrical adventure for the franchise, following PAW Patrol: The Movie (2021) and PAW Patrol: The Mighty Movie (2023). Director Cal Brunker returns once again, having previously helmed both films, along with animated features such as Escape from Planet Earth (2013) and The Nut Job 2: Nutty by Nature (2017). One aspect of the PAW Patrol films that I continue to appreciate is how each instalment places a different pup at the centre of the story. The first film focused largely on Chase, while the second shifted its attention to Skye. This time, Marshall takes the spotlight. Known best for his firefighting skills and clumsy nature, Marshall’s journey becomes the emotional centre of the film. The story also introduces an entirely new setting, with Adventure Bay absent throughout and Liberty, who appeared in the previous film, not returning.
Of the three theatrical PAW Patrol films, Marshall’s story may be the franchise’s strongest emotional arc to date. While Chase and Skye both received compelling storylines in previous entries, Marshall’s struggle feels particularly relatable because it stems from the mistakes and clumsiness audiences have watched him deal with for years. As those failures begin affecting his confidence, his frustrations feel genuine rather than forced. Younger viewers who experience self-doubt or fear making mistakes may find his journey especially meaningful, and his eventual growth feels both satisfying and earned.
Dinosaurs Bring New Life to the Series
While Marshall’s journey provides the emotional core, the introduction of dinosaurs gives the series a welcome burst of energy and imagination. After exploring city environments in previous films, the move to a mysterious prehistoric island helps this instalment feel refreshingly different. Parents may notice an abundance of new vehicles, gadgets and characters that seem tailor-made for toy shelves, but the dinosaur concept never feels like a simple marketing exercise. Instead, it creates a genuinely fun and adventurous backdrop that keeps the film engaging throughout. The island itself becomes one of the film’s biggest strengths, offering plenty of opportunities for discovery, adventure and large-scale action. The action sequences are some of the biggest seen in the franchise so far, with the improved animation helping bring both the island and its prehistoric inhabitants to life. The dinosaur element not only makes the film feel fresh but also raises the excitement level considerably, especially during the film’s climactic moments.
New Friends and Familiar Villains
Newcomer Rex proves to be a welcome addition to the PAW Patrol universe. Instantly likeable, he stands apart thanks to the wheeled mobility device that assists his rear legs, while also sharing a similar journey of overcoming obstacles and self-doubt. His friendship with Marshall develops naturally throughout the film and strengthens many of the story’s themes surrounding perseverance and self-belief. Mayor Humdinger, meanwhile, continues to serve as the franchise’s primary source of trouble. There are very few surprises with the character, and he largely fulfils the same role audiences have come to expect. He is never particularly threatening, but younger viewers will still enjoy watching his latest scheme unfold for his own gain.
Animation, Humour and Audience Appeal
As an animated feature, The Dino Pups is a colourful and visually impressive experience. The lush island setting, impressive dinosaur designs and upgraded animation combine to create some of the franchise’s most ambitious visuals to date. The humour remains firmly targeted at younger children, with many of the jokes proving fairly forgettable for adults. However, the film remains safe, accessible family entertainment and the pacing rarely drags despite a handful of slower moments. During my screening, children remained engaged throughout and appeared genuinely excited whenever the dinosaurs appeared on screen, suggesting the film succeeds at delivering exactly what its target audience wants.
Final Thoughts
The pups are back for a third big-screen adventure, and while the plot is thinner than a dog bone, the introduction of a new dinosaur-filled world and a collection of playful and dangerous prehistoric creatures provides a refreshing change of scenery. Marshall finally takes centre stage in the franchise’s most relatable emotional storyline to date, while Rex proves to be a worthwhile addition to the growing cast. Although the humour remains firmly targeted at younger viewers and Mayor Humdinger follows a familiar formula, the colourful visuals, larger-scale action and engaging dinosaur setting ensure there is plenty of fun to be found. It’s playful, brainless family entertainment and, in many ways, feels like a kid-friendly version of The Lost World: Jurassic Park. For PAW Patrol fans, this is another successful mission.
PAW Patrol: The Dino Pups (2026) is Now Available in Australian Cinemas thanks to Paramount!
About the Reviewer
Peter Walkden
Film writer and curator with a deep passion for cinema, genre filmmaking, and physical media. Exploring new releases, cult favourites, and overlooked films, with a strong focus on atmosphere, storytelling, and the theatrical experience.
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