Bonnie Hunt, Charles Grodin, Christopher Castile

Story of a dog who persuades a family with five kids to take him in.

Flixster Users

41% liked it

413,426 ratings

Critics

32% liked it

22 critics

PG, 1 hr. 27 min.

Directed by: Brian Levant

Release Date: April 3, 1992

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DVD Release Date: July 4, 2000

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Stats: 12,002 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (12,002)


  • September 25, 2009
    A big dog slobbers, dad gets angry, people steal dogs, kid drives a car .......ugh! Enough already!
  • August 8, 2009
    "Beethoven" isn't a great family film, but it is surprisingly sweet and amusing. It's one of those films that is strangely attracting, though you can't really understand why.

    I think a lot has been built up on this film just because there were some sequel spin-offs that were mo...( read more)re than horrible. (The 3rd and 4th sequels with Judge Reinhold were some of the worst attempts at comedy. Ever.) But the original was a nice, family-friendly film that accomplishes what it promised.

    Charles Grodin plays George Newton: Family man, businessman, NOT a doggy-man. But things change rapidly when a runaway Saint Bernard named Beethoven comes to the Newton residence. Newton's children immediately get attached to the animal, but Grodin's character doesn't exactly like the fact of a big ol' slobbering dog being around his house. So there are some gags as Grodin gets mad at Beethoven for certain things he does throughout the film.

    But then, evil animal vet Dean Jones tries to take Beethoven, and Newton decides to fight back for his family and bring the doggy back home.

    "Beethoven" isn't anything very original, and it isn't anything very memorable, nor is it excellent quality gags. But it's a surprisingly pleasant and good-natured family film that doesn't resort to crude humor or language like other so-called "family films" out there.

    Ivan Reitman, who has brought us "Ghostbusters," "Kindergarten Cop," and "Stripes" co-produced this film. He's a talented director, even if he sometimes makes average films. The thing about his films are, that even when they're average they are still pretty funny and strangely watchable. And though I'm not sure what all a producer does on a film, I think he probably did a good job with something on this film. :)

    Charles Grodin is one of those actors that I've always liked because he seems very down-to-earth and regular. He is a subtle comedian that never goes OTT and doesn't come off like ANOTHER Jerry Lewis-Jim Carrey hybrid.

    "Beethoven" isn't anything great, but it's strangely likable and enjoyable. When compared to other so-called family films, it's pretty nice. It doesn't skimp on the gags (even if they're not very great) and it never turns stupid (like the 3rd and 4th film).

    All in all, "Beethoven" delivers what it promises, and it does it pretty nicely.
  • May 25, 2009
    Highly dislike movies with animals as the main character.
  • January 10, 2009
    Barely escaping from nefarious dognappers, an adorable puppy named Beethoven adopts the unsuspecting Newton family -- and promptly grows up into 185 pounds of romping, drooling, disaster-prone St. Bernard! Unfortunately, even after proving his canine credentials to mom and the ki...( read more)ds, the heroic hound gets nowhere with uptight dad, George. But when a beastly veterinarian makes Beethoven the target of an unspeakable animal experiment, George becomes the only hope for saving the Newton's furriest family member.


    Alice Newton: "I don't think words for parts of the body make very good names.
    Emily Newton: He's got one of those, I looked.
    Alice Newton: I'm sure he does but I don't think Daddy would want to stand on the porch at night yelling that out.
    Emily Newton: But that's what you call Uncle Richard."
  • June 14, 2008
    heart warming movie about St Bernard dogs.
  • November 22, 2009
    Affable, old-fashioned and surprisingly effective family comedy in which Charles Grodin plays an impatient, stressed-out dad whose loving suburban family persuades him to let them adopt a cute puppy. When it grows into an oversized, slobbering St Bernard the inevitable havoc ensu...( read more)es. A sharp script and a cast of oddball characters including an ingratiating yuppie played by David Duchovny keep the film fresh.
  • November 11, 2009
    Loved this film as a child.
  • November 8, 2009
    I saw it but, I don't remember it well enough to give it an honest rating. And it looks so stupid that I really have no interest in ever seeing it again...
  • October 22, 2009
    My whole family loves this movie.
  • October 15, 2009
    This is another cute animal movie!

Critic Reviews


January 1, 2000
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

It's the kind of clever, innocuous family entertainment that's always in short supply. full review

View more Beethoven reviews at RottenTomatoes.com

Comments


  • shortybrooklyn
    December 23, 2007
    i lovvvvvvvvveeeeeeeeeeee this movie
  • nicole22345
    August 28, 2006
    Beethoven the dog is so adoreble and he is so cute!He is the smartest dog ever!if you hate this movie I am going to be mad!I bet your dog isn't as smart as Beethoven!I love this movie!

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Beethoven Trivia


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