Underdog

If you are after a comedy that actually makes you laugh out loud, Underdog is available in Australia on Disney Plus, and in the US on Disney Plus right now. It knows exactly what kind of film it is from the opening scene, and never loses that thread. Its 6/10 TMDB score, built from 768 ratings, reflects a title that consistently delivers. Jason Lee sets the tone, and the rest of the cast matches it scene for scene. Available now on Disney Plus — press play and find out why people keep recommending it.

Underdog is not trying to be everything to everyone, and that focus is exactly what makes it work. The jokes in Underdog land because the characters underneath them are worth caring about. A lab accident gives a beagle named Shoeshine some serious superpowers -- a secret that the dog eventually shares with the young boy who becomes his owner and friend. Jason Lee and Peter Dinklage lead a cast that brings real weight to the material. It was released in 2007. The timing in Underdog is precise enough that even the throwaway lines land on a second watch. There is real craft here, even in the moments that do not fully land.

For viewers who want something light without wanting something stupid, Underdog respects your intelligence. It does not lean on comparisons to make its case. Best experienced as a single, sustained watch from start to finish. Jason Lee is funny in a way that holds up on rewatch. Put it on when you need something guaranteed to land.