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Parents' Guide to

All Dogs Go to Heaven

By M. Faust, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 8+

Intense animated adventure has peril, drinking, smoking.

Movie G 1989 84 minutes
All Dogs Go to Heaven Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

Community Reviews

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age 8+

Based on 25 parent reviews

tigerdeerfox
tigerdeerfox Parent of 2, 5 and 9-year-old
November 24, 2022
age 18+

Please review the movie before letting kids watch

Like many of the parents here, I distinctly remember having watched this movie as a child. When a beloved pet died, I thought rewatching the movie with my kids would make a fitting tribute. Let’s just say, I was mildly surprised to be confronted, nay, affronted, by crude animation and language that sputtered things like: hell, torture, kill, blood, etc. Quite disturbing and so painful to watch. When Charlie supposedly reaches heaven, there was strong sexual imagery between the dog and the angel but nothing can compare to the scene where Charlie reads a bedtime story to 4 or 5 year old Anna Marie. Set to sexy saxophone music, there was a very strong suggestion of Anna Marie as a Lolita and every chance for Charlie as an old dog to pounce at her. Her panties were showing, her eyes suggested naive (even lustful) submission and it was just all too much. I had to stop the video and apologize to my kids for such horrible imagery and language. It’s chilling how I thought I liked the movie as a kid. Now I guess I know why it stuck to my subconscious. It’s a deeply disturbing film. Please, review for yourself first if you plan to let any child watch.
Dogzlover
Dogzlover Adult
August 13, 2022
age 7+

Fabulous film

Loved this beautiful film as a little girl, still do. It's the perfect balance between real world happenings and the magic of seeing the world through your heart. The very few violent scenes aren't graphic, only suggestive and to keep the story moving. Charlie had to arrive in heaven somehow, and with a young audience in mind, it's been tastefully done. Honestly as a kid, my focus was only on the beautiful messages in this film, your heart really takes something away from it. It would be such a shame to miss out on the magic of this wonderful little movie, give it a go. You won't regret it x
See all 25 parent reviews

What's the Story?

Charlie B. Barkin (voiced by Burt Reynolds) and his pal Itchy (Dom DeLuise) break out of prison after being framed by Charlie's partner, Carface. When Charlie tries to reclaim his share of the casino they ran, Carface has him killed. Charlie goes to Heaven, which he finds way too dull. He returns to Earth by stealing his life span watch. Charlie rebuilds his empire with the help of Itchy and Anne-Marie, an orphan girl who can talk to animals. Charlie uses her to get horse-racing information while emptily promising to help her find new parents.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (25 ):
Kids say (31 ):

There are many odd segments in ALL DOGS GO TO HEAVEN that seem to complicate, not extend, the plot. But this doesn't seem to bother younger viewers, who enjoy having their shorter attention spans tweaked. The key of the film is its uplifting message that people (and dogs) can always follow through on their word and be redeemed. Despite his selfish deeds, Charlie eventually does the right thing, and earns back his place in heaven, while Carface is carted off, presumably to be eaten by a crocodile.

Many don't seem to mind the film's darkness, which is set in an urban world of poverty that couldn't contrast more with the squeaky-clean suburban normality of most kids' movies. It helps that the characters and backgrounds are drawn with entrancing style, and that the story isn't as grim as the setting might suggest. But more sensitive children may be disturbed by the depiction of death and violence.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about how drinking and smoking is shown in this movie. Should entertainment for kids show characters drinking and smoking, even if it's meant to represent or parody characters from a certain time and place (e.g., Prohibition-era gangsters)?

  • If this movie came out today, what do you think would be different?

  • How does Charlie change for the better during the movie? How does the movie express the theme of forgiveness?

Movie Details

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