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Parents' Guide to

The Queen's Corgi

By Tracey Petherick, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 9+

"Family" comedy has crass jokes and sexual innuendo.

Movie PG 2020 85 minutes
The Queen's Corgi Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

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

Community Reviews

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age 12+

Based on 27 parent reviews

randiw89
randiw89 Adult
December 3, 2021
age 10+

Not what you’d expect.

My 8 year old was so excited to see this movie because she has a corgi. We were both shocked so many times at the insanely inappropriate jokes. Of course she didn’t get them all but she got enough. What really made me uncomfortable was Trump’s dog forcing herself of the main character, Rex. Throughout the whole movie was a lot of inappropriate touching and more innuendos. Aside from that, the movie was kind of cute. Some funny moments, but I definitely wouldn’t recommend this for young children. 10+

This title has:

Too much sex
4 people found this helpful.
Nicholino
Nicholino Adult
April 25, 2021
age 14+

Disturbing & Depraved

Disturbing: Alluring to young children who love cute dogs or are infatuated with royalty and extravagance; reminiscent of how seemingly innocuous people use candy, dogs, and displays of wealth to deceive and prey upon child victims. Traumatizing: At one point "suicide" is casually dropped as an option for Rex (the lead protagonist) to get away from his problems. Charlie, Rex's best friend, pushes Rex off a bridge into icy water with the clear intent to kill him and take on Rex's role of "Top Dog" Messages: Exposes children to vulgar obscenity of various types. Promotes horrific values such as arrogance, entitlement and doing whatever it takes to get ahead, even if it is by engaging in immoral/unethical behavior. Promotes sex and violence. Overt allusions to perverse sexuality. Bizarrely portrays a female as a sex fiend that attempts to mate with Rex despite his clear refusal. The female dog uses tape to bind him. She lays on top of Rex as if forcing him to engage in sexualized behavior against his will. Elsewhere, Rex unapologetically seduces the girlfriend of a large bulldog right in front of him. Rex exhibits no shame, fear, or concern despite the threatening presence and aggressive behavior of the angry and jealous bulldog. Rex then partakes in what resembles an illegal dog fight in a makeshift arena late at night. Authority figures are portrayed as oblivious bumbling idiots. A perfect allegory of present day politics: two dogs battle to be recognized as "top dog". Deception, betrayal, attempted murder, fabrication of evidence, and feigned grief are used to eliminate the rightful 'top dog'. Final scenes and themes coincidently are reminiscent of the U.S. Capitol Riots. Friends of Rex (Latin for 'King') unite to fight the illegitimate 'top dog' Charlie ('fool' in Britain; 'Communist' in military slang), interfer with the ceremony where he is to be formally named 'top dog', and rescue Rex from a giant Hill of memorabilia that had been set ablaze by Charlie in an attempt to get rid of Rex and everything bearing his resemblance. This movie is sickening. It targets children and exposes them to depravity and disturbing messages.

This title has:

Too much violence
Too much sex
Too much swearing
4 people found this helpful.
See all 27 parent reviews

What's the Story?

THE QUEEN'S CORGI follows the adventures of Rex (voiced by Jack Whitehall) -- the queen's (Julie Walters) favorite corgi and "Top Dog" at Buckingham Palace. Following a visit from Donald and Melania Trump, the queen suggests that Rex might make a good match for the couple's dog, Mitzi (Sarah Hadland). Rex is horrified and escapes, ending up at an animal shelter where he discovers a dog fighting club and befriends a group of strays who try to help him find his way back home.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (27 ):
Kids say (19 ):

Despite a cast stuffed full of some of Britain's best-loved TV actors, this animated movie misses the mark on many levels. The basic storyline is solid enough, but there are several subplots -- in particular, the promiscuous Mitzi and the doggie fight club -- that are iffy at best. Jokes are often weak and, in some cases, downright crass. Meanwhile, it's hard to warm to any of the characters. Rex is presented as charming and irresistible, though this frequently verges on arrogance and smugness. He does at least acknowledge that he's "a spoiled brat." His frenemy Charlie (Dino Andrade) is sinister and devious -- but he gets his comeuppance at the end. And the rather patronizing portrayal of the queen as overly sentimental is almost embarrassing.

All of that said, the animation in The Queen's Corgi is colorful and charming, with a lovely, detailed depiction of Buckingham Palace. The voice acting is solid -- selfie-taking Donald Trump is brilliantly voiced by impressionist Jon Culshaw, and Whitehall is perfect as posh pooch Rex. As with many kids' movies, there are plenty of moments that will make parents cringe while the kids are giggling with delight. But, more worryingly, there are bits of dialogue that could be deemed offensive by adults -- Trump telling his dog to "go grab some puppy" is eerily reminiscent of his real-life "grab them by the p---y" comment -- but will probably be missed by younger children. But with the peculiar sexualization of characters, the implications of violence, and the shameless social climbing, The Queen's Corgi is a royal appointment best avoided.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about some of the jokes in The Queen's Corgi. Did they feel out of place in the movie? Why might some of them be considered problematic for kids?

  • How are the female dogs portrayed? Might they be described as stereotypes? What's the danger of gender stereotypes?

  • Rex meets lots of stray dogs at the animal shelter. Talk to your kids about the responsibilities of owning a dog and the concept of re-homing an unwanted dog.

  • Think about what day-to-day life is like for the queen -- living in a palace and having servants. How is it different from your life? Do you think you'd like it?

  • Discuss the value of being "popular" or being someone's "favorite." Is social status important in life? What characteristics do you think would be more important?

Movie Details

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