The Secret Life of Pets is a 2016 American animated comedy film directed by Chris Renaud and written by Brian Lynch, Cinco Paul, and Ken Daurio. Produced by Universal Pictures and Illumination Entertainment, and distributed by Universal, the film stars the voices of Louis C.K., Eric Stonestreet, Jenny Slate, Kevin Hart, Lake Bell, Hannibal Buress, Bobby Moynihan, Dana Carvey, Ellie Kemper, Albert Brooks, and Steve Coogan. Taking place in New York City, the film's plot follows the relationship between a Jack Russell Terrier dog named Max (C.K.) and a giant, unruly dog named Duke (Stonestreet). It also follows what other pets do when their owners are gone away.