What’s canon in ‘Paw Patrol’? Canadian mega-franchise tackles creative questions as its world expands

Paw Patrol fans have learned that dinosaurs did not go extinct in the world of Adventure Bay. This is thanks to a scientific miracle that allowed a group of dinosaurs to survive the asteroid impact that wiped out the majority of dinosaurs. The franchise, owned by Canadian toy company Spin Master, has expanded to the big screen with the release of "Paw Patrol: The Dino Movie," the third film in the series.

Director Cal Brunker acknowledged that some fans, particularly adult ones, pay close attention to the franchise's continuity and origin stories. Brunker explained that the movies are set in an alternate timeline branching off from Season 1, allowing for creative liberties to be taken without breaking the established canon. In the second film, the Paw Patrol were turned into superheroes, a change Brunker felt was necessary to maintain the excitement of a superhero movie.