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Strays (2023 film)

Strays is a 2023 American comedy film directed by Josh Greenbaum and written by Dan Perrault.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Strays is a 2023 American comedy film directed by Josh Greenbaum and written by Dan Perrault. The film follows an abandoned dog who joins other strays to get revenge on his abusive former owner. It was released theatrically by Universal Pictures in August 2023 and received mixed reviews.

Plot

The story follows Reggie, a dog who realizes his owner is cruel after being repeatedly abandoned. He teams up with other stray dogs and learns to survive on his own while planning revenge.

Cast and voice roles

The main voice cast includes Will Ferrell as Reggie, Jamie Foxx as Bug, Isla Fisher as Maggie, Randall Park as Hunter, and Will Forte as Doug. The film also features supporting performances from Harvey Guillén, Rob Riggle, Brett Gelman, Jamie Demetriou, Josh Gad, and Sofía Vergara.

Release and reception

Strays premiered in U.S. theatres on August 18, 2023, through Universal Pictures. Reviews were mixed, with some critics noting its crude humor and talking-animal premise.

Box office

Available source material reports a worldwide gross of about $36 million, while Rotten Tomatoes lists a U.S. gross of $23.9 million. The film is generally described as a modest box-office performer relative to its reported budget.

Key facts

  • The film centers on Reggie, an abandoned dog who seeks revenge on his former owner.
  • Will Ferrell voices Reggie, while Jamie Foxx, Isla Fisher, and Randall Park voice other dogs.
  • Will Forte plays Doug, Reggie’s abusive owner.
  • Universal Pictures released the film theatrically in the United States on August 18, 2023.
  • The film received mixed reviews from critics and grossed about $36 million worldwide.
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Canadian context

The film was released internationally, including in Canada as an English-language Hollywood comedy; Canadian readers may know it through its North American theatrical rollout and streaming availability after release.

Frequently asked questions

What is Strays about?
It is about an abandoned dog who joins other strays and seeks revenge on his abusive former owner.
Who directed Strays?
Josh Greenbaum directed the film.
Who wrote Strays?
Dan Perrault wrote the screenplay.
When was Strays released?
It was released theatrically in the United States on August 18, 2023.
Who voices Reggie in Strays?
Will Ferrell voices Reggie.
Was Strays well reviewed?
The film received mixed reviews from critics.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Strays_(2023_film)
    Supports: Basic film identification, director, writer, cast, release date, and mixed critical reception.
  2. Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/strays_2023
    Supports: Director, screenwriter, distributor, rating, runtime, release date, and U.S. box office.
  3. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt15153532/
    Supports: Title, year, runtime, rating, and plot summary.
  4. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt15153532/plotsummary/
    Supports: Plot summary involving an abandoned dog and revenge on a former owner.
  5. Variety — https://www.variety.com/2023/film/reviews/strays-review-will-ferrell-jamie-foxx-1235698472/
    Supports: Main premise, character names, voice cast, director, and general critical framing.