Beethoven

31% of critics liked it

41% of users liked it

Charles Grodin, Bonnie Hunt
In theaters Apr 03, 1992
PG, 1 hr. 27 min.

Movie Info

Cast: Charles Grodin, Bonnie Hunt, Dean Jones, Nicholle Tom, Oliver Platt, Stanley Tucci, Christopher J. Castile, Sarah Rose Karr (II), David Duchovny, Patricia Heaton
Director: Brian Levant
Rated: PG
Running Time: 1 hr. 27 min.
Genre: Comedy, Kids & Family
Theater Release: Apr 03, 1992
DVD Release: Jul 04, 2000
Synopsis: Feeling that something is lacking in their lives, the family of suburbanite Charles Grodin adopts a stray St. Bernard puppy. The cute lite beast grows up to be the less-than-cute Beethoven, a sloppy, slobbery, oversized and extremely destructive animal. Beethoven also brings with him a lot of hidden baggage in the form of evil veterinarian Dean Jones, who'll stop at nothing to steal Beethoven for the purposes of his insidious lab experiment. Several sequels followed, beginning with 1993

Critic Reviews

  • Variety Staff, Variety
    Rallies at the end to prevent chaperoning adults from feeling their time was completely wasted. More...
  • , Time Out
    Elevated from the doldrums of Digby-esque sentimentality by a surprisingly bouncy script, the film is also redeemed by regular interludes of acerbic dialogue and a brace of fine supporting performances. More...
  • Janet Maslin, New York Times
    Beethoven is no classic, but it's a sunny, energetic children's film with a good notion of what young audiences like. More...
  • Rita Kempley, Washington Post
    A waggish tale of canine chicanery, an uproarious if impawsible symphony of drool, doggy fidelity and chewed shoes. More...
  • Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
    It's the kind of clever, innocuous family entertainment that's always in short supply. More...
  • Tim Brayton, Antagony & Ecstasy
    A family comedy about a wacky & destructive St. Bernard that is totally without any merit whatsoever. More...
  • M. Faust, Common Sense Media
    A sloppy but lovable pooch of a movie. More...
  • , TV Guide's Movie Guide
    A safely banal concoction in the tradition of the bland live-action Disney features cranked out during the Magic Kingdom's dispirited years after Walt's death. More...
  • , Film4
    Kids will 'ooh' and 'aah' over the shaggy, doe-eyed doggy as it demolishes the family home, but grown-ups should stay on the sofa and enjoy the acerbic asides which distinguish this offering from the glut of cute mongrel movies. More...
  • Alex Sandell, Juicy Cerebellum
    I love dogs, but still had trouble getting through this. More...