Bryce Dallas Howard Explores the 'Magic, Mischief and Love' of Pet Ownership in New Doc (Exclusive)

Mar. 15, 2025

Bryce Dallas Howard.Photo:Sara Krick

Sara Krick

Bryce Dallas Howardis swappingJurassic Worldfor modern-day pets.The star, 44, is the director of the upcoming Disney+ documentary,Pets, which explores the “magical beings” that are our furry friends.The new film arrives on the streamer on April 11, but PEOPLE has an exclusive first look at the documentary’s trailer now.Pets' trailer opens with several eager children happily spending time with their beloved animals before the clip offers a peek at what stories the documentary will share.Petswanted to represent a vast array of companion animals and rescues, so the film contains dogs, cats, pigs, goats, birds of prey, and more.Aside from asking kids why pets are important,Petswill also explore unique stories about how humans are helping animals and the priceless gifts our four-legged friends provide in return. A dedicated cat rescuer looking for a “furever” home for every feline, a rescue that helps farm animals with special needs achieve their dreams, and a boy who adopted a dog with a cleft palate, just like him, are a few of the moving stories featured inPets.Animal lovers can expect to experience a wide range of emotions during the documentary, which promises “a new breed of love story” that delves into the “heartbreak,” hard work, immense joy, “special moments,” and unmatched support pet ownership provides."[Pets] are like magical beings sent down here to help us live our life. I’m sure they love me, but they can’t love me more than I love them," one of the child interviewees shares at the close of the trailer, summarizing what viewers can expect fromPets.Howard,a pet owner herself, is bringing her directing and animal expertise to this documentary with help fromRon Howardand Brian Grazer’s Imagine Documentaries. TheArgylleactress has worked with pets before, voicing Bella the pup in the 2019 filmA Dog’s Way Home.Petsis Howard’s second documentary feature, she also directed 2019’sDads.“Directing a documentary about the relationship between pets and their people has been a dream for years. There’s something about these wordless intuitive bonds, full of mischief and love, that feel like magic. And pet videos? They tap into such pure innocence and happiness, the kind of laughter that catches you off guard and reminds you why we love them so much,” Howard said in a statement about directing the upcoming film.Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.Pet parents and their animal friends interested in the documentary should mark their calendars for April 11, National Pets Day, when the film will premiere on Disney+.

Bryce Dallas Howardis swappingJurassic Worldfor modern-day pets.

The star, 44, is the director of the upcoming Disney+ documentary,Pets, which explores the “magical beings” that are our furry friends.

The new film arrives on the streamer on April 11, but PEOPLE has an exclusive first look at the documentary’s trailer now.

Pets' trailer opens with several eager children happily spending time with their beloved animals before the clip offers a peek at what stories the documentary will share.Petswanted to represent a vast array of companion animals and rescues, so the film contains dogs, cats, pigs, goats, birds of prey, and more.

Aside from asking kids why pets are important,Petswill also explore unique stories about how humans are helping animals and the priceless gifts our four-legged friends provide in return. A dedicated cat rescuer looking for a “furever” home for every feline, a rescue that helps farm animals with special needs achieve their dreams, and a boy who adopted a dog with a cleft palate, just like him, are a few of the moving stories featured inPets.

Animal lovers can expect to experience a wide range of emotions during the documentary, which promises “a new breed of love story” that delves into the “heartbreak,” hard work, immense joy, “special moments,” and unmatched support pet ownership provides.

“[Pets] are like magical beings sent down here to help us live our life. I’m sure they love me, but they can’t love me more than I love them,” one of the child interviewees shares at the close of the trailer, summarizing what viewers can expect fromPets.

Howard,a pet owner herself, is bringing her directing and animal expertise to this documentary with help fromRon Howardand Brian Grazer’s Imagine Documentaries. TheArgylleactress has worked with pets before, voicing Bella the pup in the 2019 filmA Dog’s Way Home.Petsis Howard’s second documentary feature, she also directed 2019’sDads.

“Directing a documentary about the relationship between pets and their people has been a dream for years. There’s something about these wordless intuitive bonds, full of mischief and love, that feel like magic. And pet videos? They tap into such pure innocence and happiness, the kind of laughter that catches you off guard and reminds you why we love them so much,” Howard said in a statement about directing the upcoming film.

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Pet parents and their animal friends interested in the documentary should mark their calendars for April 11, National Pets Day, when the film will premiere on Disney+.

source: people.com