Dennis Quaid returns in a family-friendly dog movie just in time for the holidays. A Dog’s Perfect Christmas, based on W. Bruce Cameron’s novel, arrives on Netflix today, November 4.
The movie follows a family dealing with grief and personal struggles as a medical emergency threatens to change their holidays. Quaid plays Sander Goss, a grandfather who is still struggling with the loss of his wife. His relationship with his teenage granddaughter, Ello, has also become strained.
When Ello’s mother falls seriously ill, the family faces another difficult period. A new Corgi puppy named Ruby may be just what they need to come together.
The story also features a familiar voice for dog lovers. Thomas Haden Church voices Winstead, the family’s loyal Basset Hound and narrator.
What to know about Dennis Quaid’s new movie A Dog’s Perfect Christmas
The movie is adapted from Cameron’s 2020 novel of the same name. Cameron is also known for writing A Dog’s Purpose, which was adapted into a film starring Quaid. However, the actor plays a different character in this new story.
In A Dog’s Perfect Christmas, Sander lives with his son Hunter, daughter-in-law Juliana, and granddaughter Ello. He has struggled to move forward since his wife’s death, while Ello is dealing with problems at school. Their situation worsens when Juliana is hospitalized, leaving the family to manage the household during Christmas.
Ruby’s arrival gives Sander and Ello a reason to spend more time together. The film explores how the puppy helps the family reconnect while they face uncertainty about Juliana’s recovery.
The cast also includes Brooke Lena Johnson as Ello, Milo Ventimiglia as Hunter, and Mary Steenburgen as Claire. Jennifer Tilly, Kathleen Rose Perkins, and Ethan Loomis round out the cast.
Cathryn Michon directs the movie, based on a script by Cameron. Quaid described it as a heartwarming film about love, family, and the importance of spending time with the people and pets who matter.
A Dog’s Perfect Christmas is the first movie in Netflix’s 2026 Christmas lineup. It is now streaming on the platform.
Originally reported on ComingSoon.
