Do you ever wonder what happens to your pets once you step out the door? Sure, they walk around the house, maybe eat from your automatic food dispenser, but then what? Well, the new movie “The Secret Life of Pets” takes that idea and brings it to fruition.

The story revolves around the terrier Max (Louis C. K.), who has a perfect life until his owner (Ellie Kemper) brings a new dog named Duke (Eric Stonestreet) into his life. Soon enough, the two get into deeper trouble, and find themselves in a gang, one of whose members is a psychotic bunny (Kevin Hart), with other pets who abandoned their owners (who they believed did them wrong).

Much advertising has already been underway to garner excitement for the movie, from advertisements on TV to having short ads on Snapchat play in users’ feeds. And with roles played by actors and actresses highly acclaimed in their respective genres, the film has a high expectation to meet. Moreover, the premise and plot behind the story has a wide appeal to a large audience, from young children in love with animals, to older pet owners who hope to relate in some way to the stories told through the movie.

“Here’s something dog people and cat people can agree on: “The Secret Life of Pets” is hilarious, sweet and as fun for parents as the brats they take with them to the movies,” writer for the ‘New York Daily News’ Raakhee Mirchandani said.

However, the movie has received its fair share of criticism as well. Not only has its somewhat cliche plot been called out, but many have claimed the movie’s plot to be extremely similar to other movie plot lines, especially to that of the “Toy Story” series.

“The similarities to Toy Story, beyond even that initial premise, are pronounced — from the colourful characters in the group they leave behind, to the murderous villains they encounter, and even the idea their owners are unaware of their secret lives.” writer for the ‘Empire’ magazine Jonathan Pile said.

Nonetheless, critics agree that the movie can overcome this criticism with its fun-for-all feel that will draw large crowds of people to the movie theaters (and hopefully keep them more aware of their pets’ whereabouts).

The film comes out in the US on July 8, so make sure to be on the lookout!