6 Reasons PAW Patrol: The Dino Movie Is Worth Watching With Your Kids
Beyond the dinosaurs and rescue missions, the latest PAW Patrol adventure gives kids—and their parents—a few lessons worth talking about
Chances are, if you’re a parent of a Gen Alpha kid, you already know the drill — six dogs, one boy named Ryder, and a whole lot of “no job is too big, no pup is too small.” PAW Patrol has been a household staple for years now, and after two movies in 2021 and 2023, the pups are back for a third outing: PAW Patrol: The Dino Movie.
This time, the team finds themselves stranded on an island full of dinosaurs everyone assumed were extinct. With help from a pup named Rex and a baby T-Rex named Rhubarb, the PAW Patrol has to stop the ever-greedy Mayor Humdinger from tearing the island apart for his own gain.
Beyond the adventure, here’s why it’s worth carving out time to catch this one in theaters with your kids.
New gear, new upgrades
Ryder and the pups show up in fresh outfits built for the island’s heat and terrain — proof that even a franchise this established still finds small ways to keep things feeling new. Their vehicles get some upgrades too, which is really all it takes to get most kids buzzing in their seats.
Marshall finally gets his moment
The film puts real weight behind Marshall’s arc. Known as the accident-prone pup of the group, Marshall spends much of the movie questioning whether he’s really cut out for the team — especially after his vehicle gets damaged and he’s sidelined from a rescue. Ryder’s response is the kind of line worth repeating at home: Marshall wasn’t picked because he was the best. He was picked because he never gives up.
And he backs that up, again and again — rescuing Rhubarb from danger more than once, finding ways to help even without his vehicle. For kids, it’s a gentle, non-preachy reminder that trying again actually means something.
Rex and the power of representation
Rex, who’s been stranded on the island for two years, gets around on a wheelchair for his hind legs. He’s not treated as fragile or as an afterthought — his knowledge of the island and his relentless optimism make him just as capable as any other pup on the team. For kids watching, Rex is a simple, clear message: different doesn’t mean less.
Photo from Paramount Pictures
A chance to do better — or worse
The movie doesn’t shy away from showing both sides of change. On one hand, the team brings in scientists to study the dinosaurs responsibly and figure out how to protect them. On the other, Mayor Humdinger — fresh out of prison with his cats in tow — proves how quickly good intentions can crumble the moment temptation shows up, in this case as diamonds hidden in the island’s mountains. It’s an easy, age-appropriate way to talk to kids about what greed actually costs.
Friendship, tested and proven
Marshall and Rhubarb’s bond carries a lot of the movie’s heart. Marshall risks himself more than once to protect Rhubarb, and Rhubarb eventually returns the favor when Marshall needs saving too. It may look simple to some, but it’s clear reminder for many out there: real friendship shows up in the hard moments, not just the easy ones.
Photo from Paramount Pictures
A soundtrack for the parents, too
Here’s the part that might catch millennial parents off guard: the film’s theme song, “Bottle Up,” co-written by Ed Sheeran, is performed by the Backstreet Boys — a group most of today’s parents grew up on in the late ’90s and 2000s. Turns out the boys are genuine PAW Patrol fans themselves because they’re dads now too. So while the kids get a new song to love, parents might find themselves singing along.
Whether or not your kid is already a die-hard PAW Patrol fan, this one’s an easy watch — short enough to hold their attention, and layered enough to remind both of you that some of life’s biggest lessons show up in the smallest, most unexpected places.
Frequently Asked Questions
PAW Patrol: The Dino Movie follows Ryder and the pups as they find themselves on an island where dinosaurs once thought to be extinct are still living. With the help of Rex and a baby T-Rex named Rhubarb, the team works to protect the island from Mayor Humdinger.
The movie is designed as a family-friendly adventure and combines rescue missions, dinosaurs, humor, and age-appropriate lessons about courage, friendship, perseverance, and responsibility.
The movie touches on several themes parents can discuss with their children, including perseverance, friendship, inclusion, responsible treatment of animals, and the consequences of greed.
Yes. Marshall has an important storyline in the movie, particularly as he struggles with self-doubt after being sidelined from a rescue. His story reinforces the idea that being part of a team isn’t about being perfect—it’s about continuing to try.
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