If you’ve spent any time with a seven-year-old lately, you already know that Dog Man isn't just a book series. It's a lifestyle. So, when DreamWorks finally dropped the Dog Man movie in early 2025, the stakes were weirdly high. Fans weren't just looking for the titular canine cop; they were waiting for the arrival of the real MVP: Li'l Petey.
He’s tiny. He’s orange. He’s technically a clone of a world-class supervillain. And honestly? He is the only reason the movie actually works as a story instead of just being a collection of fart jokes and slapstick.
Who Is Li'l Petey in the Dog Man Movie?
Basically, Li'l Petey is the result of a "get rich quick" scheme gone wrong. Petey the Cat (voiced by Pete Davidson) is tired of doing his own dirty work. He decides to clone himself to create an evil, adult-sized henchman who will follow orders and help him take over Ohkay City.
Standard villain stuff, right?
But the cloning machine has other plans. Instead of a devious partner-in-crime, Petey gets a kitten. A small, wide-eyed, relentlessly optimistic kitten voiced by newcomer Lucas Hopkins Calderon.
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The movie pulls this plot straight from Dav Pilkey’s third book, A Tale of Two Kitties. While the film mixes elements from several books, the "origin" of Li'l Petey is the emotional spine of the whole thing. He isn't born with his "father’s" cynicism. Instead, he’s a blank slate who chooses kindness at every single turn.
The Voice Behind the Kitten
Finding the right voice for Li'l Petey was a make-or-break move for director Peter Hastings. If the voice was too "cute," he’d be annoying. If it was too mature, the joke would fail.
Lucas Hopkins Calderon plays it perfectly. He brings this scrappy, earnest energy that makes the "Why? Why? Why?" sequences actually funny rather than grating. There’s a specific scene where he’s trying to understand the concept of "evil," and the way Calderon delivers those lines makes you realize Li'l Petey isn't just being difficult—he’s genuinely trying to find the good in a world that Petey says is rotten.
Why He Matters More Than Dog Man (Sorta)
Look, Dog Man is great. He’s a hero with the head of a dog and the body of a cop. But because Dog Man doesn't speak—he only barks and whimpers (voiced by Peter Hastings himself)—the heavy lifting for the dialogue and the "feels" falls on the cats.
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Li'l Petey acts as the bridge between the hero and the villain. He gets adopted by Dog Man after Petey literally throws him out in a cardboard box. This leads to some of the best moments in the film:
- The Bonding Montage: Dog Man and Li'l Petey playing the piano together is a top-tier DreamWorks moment. It’s quiet, it’s sweet, and it shows that family is who you choose, not who you’re cloned from.
- The Redemption of Petey: Petey is a bitter guy. He had a rough childhood with his own father, Grampa (voiced by Stephen Root). Li'l Petey doesn't care about the past. He treats Petey with "unrelenting love," which is a pretty heavy concept for a kids' movie.
- The "Cat Kid" Persona: Watching him step into his own as a hero proves that you aren't defined by your DNA.
Real-World Impact: Why Kids Are Obsessed
Go to any theater or check any forum, and you'll see it. Kids aren't just wearing Dog Man ears; they’re carrying orange kitten plushes.
The movie handles "generational trauma" in a way that’s actually accessible. Petey is mean because he was treated poorly by his dad. Li'l Petey breaks that cycle by simply refusing to be mean back. It’s the "Love is a Verb" message that plays out during the credits. It’s not a feeling; it’s a choice you make every day.
What to Watch For
If you’re watching the movie for the first time—or the tenth, if you have toddlers—keep an eye on the 80-HD interactions. Li'l Petey is the one who "fixes" the giant robot, turning a weapon of destruction into a creative, comic-book-making best friend.
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It’s a subtle nod to the fact that Li'l Petey doesn't just change people; he changes the world around him. He sees a robot and thinks "friend," not "tank."
Practical Takeaways for Parents and Fans
If your kid is asking for more Li'l Petey after the movie, here is the best way to lean into it:
- Read the "Cat Kid Comic Club" Spin-offs: These books are literally "written" by Li'l Petey and his friend Molly the tadpole. They focus on creativity and making mistakes, which is the core of the character.
- Look for the "80-HD" Connection: In the books and the movie, Li'l Petey’s relationship with the robot is a great jumping-off point for talking about building things and engineering.
- The "Why" Game: If your kid starts doing the Li'l Petey "Why?" thing, try answering with his level of logic. It’s exhausting, sure, but it’s how the character learns.
Li'l Petey is the reason the Dog Man movie feels like it has a soul. He takes a chaotic, "zoomie-filled" action movie and turns it into a story about second chances. Whether he’s annoying Petey with knock-knock jokes or saving the city with a giant robot, he’s the heart of the franchise.
The Dog Man movie is currently available on digital platforms and streaming services like Peacock (and hitting Netflix later in 2025/2026), so there is no excuse to miss out on the tiniest hero in Ohkay City.