Want personalized picks that fit your family?
Set preferences to see our top age-appropriate picks for your kids.
101 Dalmatians
Common Sense says
Parents say
Kids say
Searching for streaming and purchasing options ...
Common Sense is a nonprofit organization. Your purchase helps us remain independent and ad-free.
Get it now on
Searching for streaming and purchasing options ...
Common Sense is a nonprofit organization. Your purchase helps us remain independent and ad-free.
A lot or a little?
The parents' guide to what's in this TV show.
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this animated series is based on the 1961 animated Disney classic 101 Dalmatians. The series focuses primarily on the puppies and their adventures at their new farm home, where they learn life lessons about friendship, what it means to be a good sibling, and cooperating with others.
Stay up to date on new reviews.
User Reviews
- Parents say
- Kids say
There aren't any reviews yet. Be the first to review this title.
Kids of all ages should watch this before its cancelled!
What's the story?
101 DALMATIANS is a continuation of Disney's well-loved 1961 animated classic (itself based on the book by Dodie Smith). Roger and Anita Dearly (voiced by Jeff Bennett and Kath Soucie) leave London behind to move to the country so that their puppies will have enough room to grow and play. Most episodes are centered on the escapades of just three of the puppies: leader Lucky (Pamela Adlon), big eater Rolly (Soucie again), and tough cookie Cadpig (also Soucie). Together with their worry-wart chicken friend Spot (Tara Strong), the pups seek out adventures and try to foil the plans of the wicked Cruella de Vil (April Winchell), who wants to take over the farm and destroy the puppies.
Is it any good?
While 101 Dalmatians retains some of the charm of the original film, and the storylines are entertaining enough, the animation style has been updated, most likely to appeal to younger, hipper viewers. That's a shame, really, because the original film appealed to many different ages, and the style change is not only unnecessary, but distracting as well. Plus, the new character of Spot seems annoyingly out of place.
Overall, 101 Dalmatians is better than other Disney spin-off series -- it's cute and entertaining enough for younger kids. But fans of the film would be much better re-watching the original (and perhaps the live-action version, too) to get their speckled-puppy fill.
Talk to your kids about ...
Families can talk about the responsibilities of raising a pet (the popularity of the movie created a high demand for Dalmatian puppies among kids). Do kids think they would be able to maintain enthusiasm for their pet? Would they be responsible for feeding, brushing, playing and walking it? What kind of commitment is it to raise a pet, particularly a dog?
TV details
- Premiere date: September 13, 1997
- Cast: April Winchell, Kath Soucie, Pamela Adlon, Tara Strong
- Network: Toon Disney
- Genre: Kids' Animation
- Topics: Friendship
- TV rating: TV-Y
- Available on: Streaming
Themes & Topics
Browse titles with similar subject matter.
Our editors recommend
Top advice and articles
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.