Most “Emotionally Devastating” Movie of 2025 Increased Google Searches of a Dark Question by 2000% on Its Way to a Record Box Office

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Well, you wait ages for one, and then two films with the same title arrive within just three years of each other! This year’s Shudder/IFC offering, while sharing a name with a previous release, really stands out. The premise is genuinely unique – it’s a haunted house horror movie told entirely from the perspective of a dog! And let me tell you, it’s been getting a lot of buzz lately. Not only did it score a fantastic 92% on Rotten Tomatoes, but it’s also been a huge success at the box office. In fact, it’s sparked a 2000% increase in Google searches asking a rather grim question: Does the dog die in Good Boy?

When the trailer for Good Boy was released in August, a huge increase in Google searches showed that the film was becoming more than just a small, independent movie. The central idea of featuring a dog as the main character has captured people’s attention, turning what could have been another low-budget horror film – of which Shudder has many – into something special. This turned out to be a smart decision by Ben Leonberg, whose Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever, Indy, stars in the movie. It has quickly become a hit online and is already the third highest-grossing original film for Shudder/IFC Films.

Late Night with the Devil is currently the most popular film, earning $10 million in 2023. Right behind it is last year’s In a Violent Nature – a film that offers a different perspective, showing events from the killer’s point of view instead of the victims’ – which made $4.2 million. Good Boy earned $2.3 million from previews and its opening day, and it’s possible it could move into second place by the end of the weekend.

‘Good Boy’ Has Been Receiving Rave Reviews


IFC

As a movie buff, I’ve been keeping an eye on Good Boy, and it’s cool to see the critical response really boosting its popularity. Honestly, going up against something like Dwayne Johnson’s The Smashing Machine – which is getting Oscar buzz – it seemed like Good Boy needed every advantage it could get. But you know what? The buzz around this film has been incredible! People are *talking* about it, searches are up, and social media is blowing up. It’s proving that really innovative and creative filmmaking isn’t dead – and when a movie like that connects with audiences, it really connects. It’s a genuinely exciting thing to see!

In addition to receiving excellent reviews, the film has been a hit with audiences, currently earning an 86% approval rating. One critic praised it as a movie that “delivers on its unique premise” and highlighted “the Daniel Day-Lewis of dog actors.” However, another viewer admitted they regretted watching, stating they were “scared for the dog the entire way through.” Though some wished it were longer, the film’s brief 73-minute length likely helps, preventing its novelty from wearing off.

Creating the film took Leonberg 400 days over three years, carefully capturing each scene to his exact vision – a passionate effort that has clearly been worthwhile. As you can imagine, filming from the perspective of a real dog, rather than using computer-generated imagery, meant that Indy didn’t always cooperate. Leonberg explained it was “probably no different than a director feels when working with an actor who struggles with their lines.” Ultimately, everything fell into place, and the movie is poised to be another major hit for a Shudder original released in theaters.

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2025-10-05 16:25