The new Superman movie is capturing hearts for many reasons, from reimagining the Man of Steel as a more human, kind, and emotionally grounded hero to showcasing a standout performance by David Corenswet. But without question, one of the film’s most talked about stars is Krypto, Superman’s not so well trained but fiercely loyal superdog who steals every scene he appears in.
While Krypto has appeared in several DC projects before, including “Krypto the Superdog,” “Smallville,” “Superman and Lois,” and “DC League of Super Pets,” his live action debut has made the biggest splash yet. In fact, the audience’s overwhelming love for the scrappy CGI pup has sparked a massive surge in real world dog adoption interest.
Krypto’s Popularity Sends Adoption Interest Through the Roof
According to The Wrap, the dog training app Woofz reported that Google searches for “adopt a dog near me” soared by an incredible 513% after the opening weekend of “Superman.” Even more specific searches like “rescue dog adoption near me” saw a 163% rise, showing just how deeply Krypto resonated with audiences.
Source: IMDb
This surge is no surprise considering Krypto had already been building buzz since October 2024, when James Gunn first revealed the dog’s inclusion in the picture to celebrate Adopt a Shelter Dog Month. When the official trailer dropped and gave fans a clear look at the unruly but lovable pup, the excitement and affection only grew.
Audiences were even more touched upon learning that Krypto was inspired by Gunn’s real-life rescue dog, Ozu. According to the director, Ozu was fully 3D scanned and served as the physical model for the CGI version of Krypto. While the comic book version of the superdog is usually drawn as a white Labrador or Shepherd, Krypto in the movie more closely resembles the scruffy, mixed-breed look of Gunn’s own pup.
Adding to the feel-good story, Warner Bros. partnered with Best Friends Animal Society to cover pet adoption fees from July 1 to July 10, just ahead of the production’s release. With all of this, it’s safe to say Krypto is a hero not just in the DC universe, but in the real world too.
