shows up. After it is discovered that there is no rule preventing a dog from playing basketball, he is added to the roster and leads the team to victory. Despite losing his papers from the car wreck, Snively attempts to sue the Framm family for custody of Buddy, and Chaney suggests that Buddy choose his owner. As a fan of Chaney himself, Judge Cranfield accepts his proposal and moves the court outside to the lawn. Buddy attacks Snively and chooses Josh. Cranfield grants custody to Josh as a ranting Snively is taken away by the police, while Josh and the rest of the citizens rejoice and gather around Buddy to welcome him home. Cast Production The film was produced by the newly formed banner of Keystone Entertainment, Keystone Family, with Miramax/Disney planned the franchise for an estimated $6 million domestic rights to the first film, as well as worldwide rights to sequels. The film was originally planned to release through Miramax. However, it was instead moved as a Walt Disney Pictures release. Home media Air Bud was released to VHS on December 23, 1997, and to DVD on February 3, 1998 (with an open matte aspect ratio). The film was released direct-to-video in October 1999 in the UK by Warner Home Video under the Warner Bros. Family Entertainment label. The film was released again on March 3, 2009, in a special edition DVD set presenting the film in its original theatrical aspect ratio. In addition, the special edition DVD includes commentary from Buddy and his puppies, as the series had introduced speaking animals by that time. Mill Creek Entertainment released the movie in a two-disc boxed set also containing the other Air Bud movies owned by Air Bud Entertainment on January 14, 2020. Reception Audiences polled by CinemaScore gave the film an average grade of "A" on an A+ to F scale. Sequels The film was followed by one theatrical sequel, three direct-to-video sequels and a spin-off film series. In each film, Buddy learns to play a different sport while the spin-offs focus on Buddy's children, the Buddies. References External links 1997 films 1990s sports films Films about dogs American basketball films American sports comedy films Films about animals playing sports Films set in Washington (state) Films shot in British Columbia Air Bud (series) Walt Disney Pictures films Films directed by Charles Martin Smith American children's comedy films Films about