The Secret Life of Pets franchise has captured the hearts of audiences worldwide with its endearing portrayal of animal antics when humans are away. If you’re wondering how many Secret Life of Pets movies are there, you’ve come to the right place. Let’s delve into this animated world and explore the films that make up this beloved series.
The journey began with the original movie, The Secret Life of Pets, released in 2016. This film introduced us to Max, a pampered terrier living in a Manhattan apartment building, whose life is turned upside down when his owner brings home Duke, a large, boisterous mutt from the pound. The initial rivalry between Max and Duke quickly evolves into an adventure as they find themselves lost in the city and must navigate the unfamiliar streets and underground tunnels to return home. The film is a vibrant and humorous exploration of pet camaraderie and the lengths they will go to for their owners and each other. Audiences and critics generally embraced the film’s charm and comedic timing, making it a box office success and setting the stage for more stories within this universe.
Building on the success of the first movie, The Secret Life of Pets 2 followed in 2019. This sequel expands the narrative by dividing the characters into multiple interconnected storylines. Max, still voiced by Patton Oswalt, and Duke, voiced by Eric Stonestreet, embark on a trip to a farm, where they encounter Rooster, a tough Welsh Sheepdog voiced by Harrison Ford. This segment of the film sees Max grappling with new anxieties and learning to find inner courage. Simultaneously, Gidget, the fluffy Pomeranian voiced by Jenny Slate, takes on a mission to rescue Max’s favorite toy from a house full of cats, requiring her to learn the ways of felines with the help of Chloe, the famously indifferent cat voiced by Lake Bell. Lastly, Snowball, the energetic rabbit voiced by Kevin Hart, embraces his superhero persona and teams up with Daisy, a Shih Tzu voiced by Tiffany Haddish, to liberate a tiger cub from a circus.
While The Secret Life of Pets 2 brings back the familiar, well-loved characters and introduces new, engaging personalities, it diverges from the original film by presenting segmented narratives rather than a unified adventure. While some found the humor and individual storylines enjoyable, particularly Gidget’s escapades in the cat-filled house, the film, in some reviews, was considered to lack the cohesive warmth and impactful depth of its predecessor. The pacing in Max’s storyline, which is central to the film, was noted as being slower, and some thematic choices, like Rooster’s approach to anxiety, were seen as somewhat misjudged in their messaging. Despite these points of critique, The Secret Life of Pets 2 still offers entertainment for younger audiences and expands the world of these animated pets.
So, to directly answer the question, there are currently two main movies in the Secret Life of Pets franchise: The Secret Life of Pets and The Secret Life of Pets 2. While there haven’t been any further full-length theatrical releases announced under this title, the popularity of the characters and the world they inhabit leaves room for potential future installments, whether in movie form or perhaps spin-offs in different media. For fans of animated pet adventures, the existing two films offer a fun and imaginative look into the secret lives our furry companions might lead when we’re not around.
