
Want more recommendations for your family?
Sign up for our weekly newsletter for entertainment inspiration
Beethoven
By M. Faust,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Sloppy but lovable dog tale has violence, innuendo.

A Lot or a Little?
What you will—and won't—find in this movie.
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Beethoven
Community Reviews
Based on 12 parent reviews
Holds up well and still entertaining 30 years later but not as family friendly as you might remember. For older kids and pre-teens only.
Report this review
Only scored this high because of Grodin, Tucci and Platt.
Report this review
What's the Story?
A St. Bernard pup escapes the clutches of dog-nappers who have taken him from a pet store. The little dog wanders into the suburban home of the Newton family. Although father George (Charles Grodin) is dead set against having a dog, his three children immediately bond with their new canine. George agrees to let the pup, which his kids name BEETHOVEN, stay until the real owner is found. Of course that never happens, and the dog grows to full size. Beethoven is as lovable as he is messy, and helps the Newton kids cope with various growing pains. But more trouble arises when an evil veterinarian decides that Beethoven is just the dog he needs for a weapons testing project. The kids must convince Dad that Beethoven is innocent of a faked assault charge.
Is It Any Good?
The slapstick gags in this movie may be old as the hills, but that hardly matters for kids. For them, this comedy hit offers the irresistible combination of a dog whose destructiveness is excused by his innocence with the spectacle of a prissy, fastidious father who is proven wrong at nearly every turn.
Written by John Hughes (using the pseudonym "Edmond Dantes"), Beethoven takes a lot of unnecessary cheap shots. With the exception of Mrs. Newton, all of the adult characters are depicted as either ninnies or villains. No father would want to be treated the way that George Newton is treated by his kids when they disagree with him. One 7-year-old viewer considered George to be a "jerk," even after he saves Beethoven in the end. Beethoven is only occasionally lively, but young kids will watch it over and over to see the dog drool, shake, and slobber all over the place. Sensitive kids may be bothered by the animal abuse and peril.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about dog movies. How is Beethoven similar to and different from other canine capers?
This movie was ghost written by John Hughes, the writer and director of '80s hits like The Breakfast Club, Pretty in Pink, and Home Alone. In many of Hughes' movies, adults are shown to be bumbling, self-obsessed, and authoritarian, whereas kids and teens are often shown to be sophisticated, smart, and certainly capable of using profanity and engaging in other bad behaviors. How does Beethoven typify the style and attitude of John Hughes' movies?
How is bullying shown in this movie? How would such bullying be handled now, in real life and in movies? Would it be any different?
Movie Details
- In theaters: April 3, 1992
- On DVD or streaming: September 24, 2002
- Cast: Bonnie Hunt , Charles Grodin , Dean Jones
- Director: Brian Levant
- Studio: Universal Pictures
- Genre: Family and Kids
- Topics: Brothers and Sisters , Cats, Dogs, and Mice , Middle School
- Run time: 77 minutes
- MPAA rating: PG
- Last updated: August 2, 2023
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.
Suggest an Update
Where to Watch
Our Editors Recommend
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate