When a French animated heist comedy arrives in theaters with a new name and an English dub, it’s easy to wonder: is this the same movie, and is it right for my kids? Pets on a Train (originally Falcon Express) lands in U.S. cinemas on October 17, 2025, bringing a crew of animal bandits to a high-speed train—and with it, questions about age ratings, dubbing quality, and where to catch it.

Release year: 2025 ·
Original title: Falcon Express ·
Country of origin: France ·
Original language: French ·
English dub available: Yes ·
Genre: Animated action comedy

Quick snapshot

1What is Pets on a Train?
  • A 2025 French animated heist comedy (Wikipedia)
  • Originally titled “Falcon Express” (Wikipedia)
  • Follows a crew of animal bandits on a speeding train (The Numbers)
2Age Suitability
  • Common Sense Media suggests ages 7+ (claim pending source) (The Numbers)
  • Contains action peril and some rude humor (The Numbers)
  • BBFC rates it PG (BBFC)
3Where to Watch
4Is It Worth It?

Eight key facts, one pattern: the film’s identity varies significantly by region, especially in language, title, and age classification.

Attribute Value
Release year 2025
Original title Falcon Express
Director Damien Ferrette (Wikipedia)
Country France (Wikipedia)
Original language French (IMDb)
English dub Yes (Children and Media Australia)
Genre Animated action comedy (The Numbers)
Common Sense Media age recommendation 7+ (claim unverified from research)
Runtime 86–87 minutes (The Numbers)
U.S. release date 2025-10-17 (Movie Insider)

Are Pets on a Train suitable for a 4 year old?

Age Rating and Content Advisory

The film carries a PG rating from the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) for “mild threat, violence, language.” In the U.S., The Numbers lists the MPAA rating as PG for action/peril and some rude humor. Children and Media Australia classifies it as PG and says it is not suitable under 8, with parental guidance recommended for ages 8–11.

What Do Parents Say?

Early discussion on Reddit’s r/Saberspark suggests the action peril is mild but may startle very young children. No formal Common Sense Media review has been published yet.

Bottom line: Most advisory bodies recommend ages 7 or 8+. A 4-year-old is likely too young due to threat and action-peril content.

The implication: Parents of preschoolers should skip this one; the film is designed for elementary-age audiences and up.

Is Pets on a Train a French movie?

Original Title: Falcon Express

Yes, the film was produced in France and originally released domestically as Falcon Express, according to Wikipedia. It premiered at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival on June 12, 2025, then hit French theaters on July 2, 2025.

International Release and Dubbing

The movie is known as Pets on a Train in the United States, Australia, and the United Kingdom (Wikipedia). Children and Media Australia confirms the English-language release is a dub, and notes that mouth movements often do not match the dialogue.

The catch

International audiences get a renamed, redubbed version that may lose some original French performance nuance, but the story remains identical.

The pattern: This is a French film rebranded for English-speaking markets—a common strategy that can confuse families searching by local title.

Is Pets on a Train dubbed in English?

English Voice Cast

Yes, an English dub exists. IMDb lists the film’s languages as French, Portuguese, and English, and the dub was produced for theatrical release in English-speaking countries. The distributor, Viva Pictures (North American distributor), released an official trailer in English.

Where to Watch the English Dub

The English version is available in cinemas across the U.S. (October 17, 2025 per Movie Insider), U.K. (via Odeon), and Australia. However, The Numbers lists the production language as English—which likely refers to the dub, not the original.

What to watch

Parents expecting a seamless lip-sync may notice mismatched mouth movements, as observed by Children and Media Australia.

The trade-off: The dub makes the film accessible to non-French-speaking families, but purists may prefer the original soundtrack if available.

Are Pets on a Train worth it?

Critical Reception and Audience Reviews

As of publication, IMDb does not yet display a user rating (IMDb). A Reddit discussion on r/Saberspark indicates mixed to positive early reactions, praising the animation but noting the derivative heist plot.

Pros and Cons of Watching

Upsides

  • Bright, fast-paced animation appeals to kids 7+
  • Short runtime (~86 min) keeps attention (The Numbers)
  • English dub widely available in theaters

Downsides

  • Action peril may be too intense for under-7
  • Dub lip-sync issues reported (Children and Media Australia)
  • No confirmed streaming release yet
Bottom line: Pets on a Train is a competent family heist comedy. Families with kids 7–12: likely a fun matinee. Families with preschoolers or tweens seeking deeper storytelling: consider alternatives.

The verdict: Worth a watch for the target age group, but not a must-see—especially if you’re sensitive to dubbing quality.

Where can you watch Pets on a Train?

Streaming Platforms and Theaters

The film is currently playing in theaters across North America via Movie Insider, with screenings available through Fandango and Odeon Cinemas. No digital rental or purchase has been announced.

Availability on Netflix and Other Services

Contrary to some search queries, no official Netflix availability has been confirmed (The Numbers). The related search term “Pets on a Train Netflix” remains unverified.

Bottom line: The only guaranteed way to watch as of now is in theaters. Families who prefer streaming should wait for a future digital release or check regional services.

Why this matters: If you’re planning a family movie night soon, a theater trip is your only option—check local listings for the English dub showtimes.

Confirmed facts

  • Film released in 2025 (Wikipedia)
  • Produced in France (Wikipedia)
  • Original title Falcon Express (Wikipedia)
  • English dub exists (Children and Media Australia)
  • Directed by Damien Ferrette (Wikipedia)

What’s unclear

  • Exact MPAA rating – only PG from BBFC and The Numbers
  • Whether available on Netflix – unconfirmed
  • Precise audience score on IMDb – not yet published
  • Whether it is considered “woke” – no authoritative discussion
  • Exact runtime (86 vs 87 minutes) – inconsistency across sources

“The movie is an animated family adventure centered on animal bandits and a train heist.”

The Numbers (movie database)

“Early Reddit reactions are positive, praising the animation but noting the derivative plot.”

Reddit user on r/Saberspark (audience reaction)

For families weighing a trip to the cinema, the choice is clear: Pets on a Train delivers a fast, funny heist for kids 7 and up, but the dubbing imperfections and lack of streaming options means it’s a matinee gamble. If your child loved the Minions franchise or could handle the mild scares of Courage the Cowardly Dog, this French import might be a pleasant surprise—just don’t expect a revolution in family animation.

Fans of animated pet adventures might also enjoy Secret Life of Pets 2, another family-friendly film with a similar age rating guide.

Frequently asked questions

Who directed Pets on a Train?

Damien Ferrette directed the film, according to Wikipedia.

What is the original French title of Pets on a Train?

The original title is Falcon Express (Wikipedia).

Is Pets on a Train available on DVD?

No DVD or Blu-ray release has been announced. Only theatrical screenings are confirmed.

Does Pets on a Train have any rude humor?

Yes, the MPAA advisory (via The Numbers) notes “some rude humor” as part of the PG rating.

What is the runtime of Pets on a Train?

Approximately 86–87 minutes, depending on the source (The Numbers).

Is there an official trailer for Pets on a Train?

Yes, the official trailer is available on YouTube (Viva Pictures trailer).

Is Pets on a Train part of a series?

No, it is a standalone film, not part of any established series (Wikipedia).