Family Dog 2-Disc Box Set DVD

Family Dog was a quirky, boundary-pushing animated sitcom that first appeared in the early 1990s, born from a memorable segment in Steven Spielberg’s anthology series Amazing Stories. The show brought suburban family life into sharp, satirical focus, but through the eyes of the family’s pet dog. Its humor was edgy for the time, with certain episodes stirring controversy for their depiction of selfish parenting, domestic squabbles, and biting commentary on American consumerism. One standout episode, “Show Dog,” drew particular debate for its exaggerated portrayal of competitive dog shows, skewering vanity and status obsession in ways some viewers felt hit uncomfortably close to home.

Arriving in an era when prime-time animation was just beginning to break free from purely kid-oriented fare, Family Dog was important for its ambition. It embraced cinematic visuals, detailed backgrounds, and a pacing that owed more to live-action sitcoms than traditional cartoons. It also carried the creative fingerprints of big Hollywood names like Brad Bird and Tim Burton, blending dark humor with moments of unexpected sincerity. In many ways, it was a bridge between the family-friendly animated shows of the 80s and the edgier, adult-leaning animation boom that would define the mid-90s.

Beneath the satire, Family Dog had its warm, heartfelt moments. Episodes like “Doggone Girl is Mine” captured the sweet innocence of puppy love, while “Doggone Cold” highlighted the touching bond between the family dog and the youngest child during a bitter winter storm. Even “Family Vacation,” despite its mishaps, showcased loyalty and devotion shining through chaos. These moments balanced the show’s sharp humor with emotional beats that resonated long after the credits rolled.

The complete DVD box set delivers every sharp jab, every tender moment, and every beautifully animated frame, all restored for the best possible viewing experience. For fans of offbeat, visually rich animation, it is a rare chance to revisit a show that was ahead of its time, unafraid to bite yet still capable of wagging its tail at the heart. This collection is not just nostalgia, it is a piece of animation history ready to be rediscovered.

Family Dog is a short-lived animated television series that aired from June 23 to July 28, 1993, on CBS. Created by Brad Bird, the series was about an average suburban family, the Binsfords, as told through the eyes of their dog named Jonah. It first appeared as a 1987 episode of the TV series Amazing Stories, then was expanded into a series of its own. The series was the first collaboration between executive producers Steven Spielberg and Tim Burton.

Delayed for years and panned by critics, the show has been called "one of the biggest fiascos in television animation history, on both a creative and commercial level, in spite (but, in many ways, because of) the high-powered talent behind the project." One critic observed that the main problem with the show was that "the Binford family was so repulsively selfish that audience interest in their adventures was nil."
Director: Brad Bird
Writers: Brad Bird, Tim Burton
Stars: Stan Freberg, Annie Potts, Mercedes McCambridge.
More Information: IMDB, Wikipedia

11 Total Episodes on 2 DVDs:
Family Dog Episode 0 - Amazing Stories
Family Dog Episode 1 - Show Dog
Family Dog Episode 2 - Hot Dog At The Zoo
Family Dog Episode 3 - Doggone Girl Is Mine
Family Dog Episode 4 - Enemy Dog
Family Dog Episode 5 - Eye On The Sparrow
Family Dog Episode 6 - Call Of The Mild
Family Dog Episode 7 - Dog Days Of Summer
Family Dog Episode 8 - Party Animal
Family Dog Episode 9 - Family Dog Of Summer
Family Dog Episode 10 - Family Dog Gets Good And Sick