Common Sense Media Review
By Jennifer Green
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Remake has humor and heart; some peril, emotional intensity.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 6+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Lady and the Tramp (2019)
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 15 parent reviews
Parents say the movie has received mixed reviews, with some appreciating its modern updates and production quality while others criticize its darker themes and differences from the beloved animated original, including too much peril and changes to character dynamics. Many found it not suitable for young children due to intense scenes and an overall shift in tone, which led to disappointment among fans of the classic version.
- action and peril
- darker themes
- different from original
- mixed reviews
- modern updates
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
Based on 9 kid reviews
What's the Story?
In LADY AND THE TRAMP, Lady (voiced by Tessa Thompson) is a pampered pet who lives a comfortable, predictable life. When her owners, Jim Dear (Thomas Mann) and Darling (Kiersey Clemons), have a baby, Lady feels forgotten. She runs away and meets stray dog Tramp (Justin Theroux), who teaches her about some of the pleasures of a life with no attachments. The pair slowly fall in love as Tramp shows Lady how to beg for scraps at the classiest restaurants, find the best starry lookout over their city, and howl at the moon. But Tramp is hounded by a persistent dog catcher, and Lady feels homesick. When her people find her again, Lady decides to stay home. Will she and Tramp find each other again?
Is It Any Good?
There's always risk involved in remaking a beloved classic, and this remake is no different; it both pleases and falls short. Some will love this version of Lady and the Tramp, especially for the technical advances that have brought the CGI characters to life or for the diverse cast that will allow kids from more backgrounds to feel represented on-screen. And others will find things to complain about, like the phoniness of the unnamed time and place the movie is set in or the generally slow pacing. The remake -- which is an hour and 42 minutes long -- might have benefited from a length closer to the original's 76 minutes.
Curiously, the animals come across as more genuine than the live people in this remake. Even the secondary characters, like Lady's neighbor friends (hilariously voiced by Sam Elliott and Scottish actress Ashley Jensen) or Tramp's street friends (especially the commanding Janelle Monáe) are given much fuller personalities than Jim Dear, Darling, or the dog catcher. In this sense, and perhaps rightfully so, the film will appeal more to younger audiences than to adults. Let them have their version; the adults can hang on to the original of their own childhoods.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how this version of Lady and the Tramp compares with the original. Which do you prefer? Why?
Did the movie's computer animation make the dogs seem more or less realistic? Why?
The film has a central message about family. What do you think it is?
What character strengths do Lady and Tramp share?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : November 12, 2019
- Cast : Tessa Thompson , Justin Theroux , Sam Elliott
- Director : Charlie Bean
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s) , Black Movie Actor(s) , Latino Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Walt Disney Pictures
- Genre : Family and Kids
- Topics : Animals , Friendship
- Character Strengths : Courage , Teamwork
- Run time : 102 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : some mild thematic elements and action/peril
- Last updated : October 15, 2025
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
Suggest an Update
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