101 Dalmatians (1996)

39% of critics liked it
(33 reviews)
47% of users liked it
(565,244 ratings)

There are more puppies than you can shake a rolled up newspaper at in this live-action remake of the Disney animated favorite 101 Dalmatians. Roger (Jeff Daniels) is a designer of computer games who shares his home with his pet dalmatian, Pongo. One day, Roger takes Pongo for a walk in the park and… More There are more puppies than you can shake a rolled up newspaper at in this live-action remake of the Disney animated favorite 101 Dalmatians. Roger (Jeff Daniels) is a designer of computer games who shares his home with his pet dalmatian, Pongo. One day, Roger takes Pongo for a walk in the park and the dog sets his eyes on a beautiful female dalmatian named Perdy. Perdy likes Pongo as much as he likes her, and thankfully Perdy's mistress, a fashion designer named Anita (Joely Richardson), is quite taken with Roger. Romance blooms between the human and canine couples, and Roger and Anita tie the knot (Pongo and Perdy are apparently still living in sin). Anita works for Cruella De Vil (Glenn Close), an intense fashion maven whose lust for fur doubtless places her high on PETA's hit list. Inspired by her dogs, Anita finds herself working up a design for a fur coat made with spotted fur, and Cruella leaps on the idea of making garments out of real dalmatians. But where to get the animals? Cruella has two nasty but not especially intelligent henchmen, Jasper (Hugh Laurie) and Horace (Mark Williams), who've been known to kill the odd endangered species at madame's request. Now they're sent on a mission to round up dalmatians, and when they fall a bit short of their goal, it comes to Cruella's attention that Perdy has just given birth to a litter of 15 pups. For this version, a number of real dalmatian puppies were combined with computer-generated animation and animatronic creatures from Jim Henson's Workshop, who respond better to direction (and are doubtless easier to clean up after) than the real thing. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: G, 1 hr. 43 min.
Directed By: Stephen Herek
Written By: Dodie Smith, John Hughes
Genres: Action & Adventure, Kids & Family, Comedy

In Theaters: Nov 29, 1996 Wide
On DVD: Apr 21, 1998
Studio: Buena Vista Pictures

Critic Reviews

Maria Llull, Common Sense Media
All-ages spotted canine caper updates classic.
David Nusair, Reel Film Reviews
...an entertaining, surprisingly charming update of the Disney's 1961 animated classic.
Kevin Carr, 7M Pictures
as good of a live-action Cruella as we could expect
James Plath, Movie Metropolis
Doggone it. This movie has gotten a bad rap. There, I've said it.
Douglas Pratt, DVDLaser
the film is reasonably efficient and combines enough fantasy and humor to hold one's interest.

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

Michael M

This is one of the most boring, dull, annoying and most unnecessary live action remakes of all time. Honestly, who wants to watch some trashy remake when they can watch the original heartwarming animated classic. There's a good Cruella performance but apart from that all I can… More
This is one of the most boring, dull, annoying and most unnecessary live action remakes of all time. Honestly, who wants to watch some trashy remake when they can watch the original heartwarming animated classic. There's a good Cruella performance but apart from that all I can say is. Why?
Jeff "

The live adaptation of the classic 101 Dalmatians is simply terrible. The film fails to succeed in capturing the essence of the classic Disney animated version. I felt that the idea was good, but the film lacked so much in terms of quality and elaborate script. The film can be seen as… More
The live adaptation of the classic 101 Dalmatians is simply terrible. The film fails to succeed in capturing the essence of the classic Disney animated version. I felt that the idea was good, but the film lacked so much in terms of quality and elaborate script. The film can be seen as a remake of sorts because it's almost a shot for short film, aside from a few added scenes and updated elements. The cast do their best with the lacking script, but unfortunately their acting can't save the film. Even Glenn Close can't save this film, and she was the best in the film. The film is a disappointment and will most likely disappoint fans of the animated classic. The film is a good attempt, but ultimately it fails, and is one of the worst live action Disney films that I've seen. I really enjoyed the animated film as a kid, but this, this was horrible. 101 Dalmatians is a film that hasn't stood the test of time, unlike the original. This version is too silly, too stupid, and too poorly executed to enjoy., Maybe kids will enjoy, but really as a family film, there are far better family films out than this one, and that includes the superior animated classic. This is a missed opportunity, and it just shows that some films aren't meant to be remade. This film fails to entertain, and when it tries to do something amusing, you just don't care because it's been done better before. A stupid, pointless film that just misses the mark. Awful film.
Brad W

Terrible, simple as tha, it was boring and just a chessy live action remake.
Alexander D

Good+
AJ V

If you loved the original movie so much that you wished the people were real, see this movie. If you think, like me, that the original was great and works best as a cartoon, don't see this movie. The actors are well known, and try their best in this, but the story is too… More
If you loved the original movie so much that you wished the people were real, see this movie. If you think, like me, that the original was great and works best as a cartoon, don't see this movie. The actors are well known, and try their best in this, but the story is too ridiculous to be live action. This movie is okay, but the animated film is much better.
Bethany M

A childhood favourite and a classic!
Jennifer X

Glenn Close, I love you, but this is beneath you.
Conner R

It was a pretty decent remake of the animated classic with a really nutty performance from a very devoted Glenn Close. My main complaint is that none of the animals talk. It essentially eliminates half of the story. All you're left with is a love story and a crazy lady, which is… More
It was a pretty decent remake of the animated classic with a really nutty performance from a very devoted Glenn Close. My main complaint is that none of the animals talk. It essentially eliminates half of the story. All you're left with is a love story and a crazy lady, which is okay, but not great.
KJ P

It's not the greatest disney film, but for what it is all cracked up to be, it succeeds wonderfully. It's raw, and seems like there is a lot missing, but I found it very enjoyable.
Richard C

F
erika b

this story really came to life when they put real dogs and people in this film.
Dean M

Excellent loving, funny and live-action version of 1961 Disney animated. It has a fun feeling and atmosphere and some great characters. I couldn't stop laughing the slapstick on stereotypical villains Jasper (Hugh Laurie) and Horace (Mark Williams) - these are alike <i>Home… More
Excellent loving, funny and live-action version of 1961 Disney animated. It has a fun feeling and atmosphere and some great characters. I couldn't stop laughing the slapstick on stereotypical villains Jasper (Hugh Laurie) and Horace (Mark Williams) - these are alike <i>Home Alone</i>'s . Glenn Close is perfectly cast as über-villain Cruella De Vil and portrays a highly memorable character. The cute dalmations are most excellently employed. Virtually seamless integration of live action and computer animation. And also, the hosts of animals (live and animated) in the film do NOT talk in the following ultimate Disney animated classic.
Anthony L

I have 101 reasons to why I don't like this film!
Cassandra M

I thought that 101 Dalmations was brilliant to watch, the humour to the movie was laughable and great. I thought Glenn Close played a great part of playing that evil woman Cruella De Vil. I think Glenn Close is a brilliant actress and i thought she was good in both 101 and 102… More
I thought that 101 Dalmations was brilliant to watch, the humour to the movie was laughable and great. I thought Glenn Close played a great part of playing that evil woman Cruella De Vil. I think Glenn Close is a brilliant actress and i thought she was good in both 101 and 102 Dalmations movies.
Chris W

Just ok. Not quite terrible, but not great either.
Jennifer D

Glenn Close MAKES this.
Leigh R

Good. Glenn plays a wonderful meanie...
Sophie B

An ok childrens film. Not much to say really.
Dean !

This live action version of the Disney classic is very enjoyable. Staying very true to the cartoon and with a great, mainly British cast. Glenn Close is perfect as the wicked Cruella DeVil. There are plenty of laughs along the way as well.
Candy R

Glenn Close is very scarey as Cruella. Dogs are soo cute!