Beethoven

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2:23

Beethoven

PG

1992

1h 28m

Kids & Family

Comedy

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

31%

Tomatometer

29 Reviews

36%

Popcornmeter

250,000+ Ratings

When the family of George Newton (Charles Grodin) decides to adopt a cute St. Bernard puppy, the patriarch soon feels displaced by the dog. Before long, the adorable canine, dubbed Beethoven, has grown considerably, leading to household mishaps. While George's wife and kids dote on Beethoven, it takes time for him to see the pooch's finer qualities. However, Beethoven's life with the Newton family is jeopardized when a scheming vet (Dean Jones) tries to nab the dog for a deadly experiment.

Critics Consensus

Fluffy and incorrigible, Beethoven is a good boy who deserves a better movie.

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Betsy Sherman

Boston Globe

11/21/2022

Underlying this formulaic plot is a strange tone of desperateness in the movie's smiley-faced depiction of a "perfect" suburban nuclear family... For a family that's not missing any meals, they do more whimpering than any of the animals in the movie.

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Variety Staff

Variety

03/26/2009

Rallies at the end to prevent chaperoning adults from feeling their time was completely wasted.

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Time Out

01/26/2006

Elevated from the doldrums of Digby-esque sentimentality by a surprisingly bouncy script, the film is also redeemed by regular interludes of acerbic dialogue and a brace of fine supporting performances.

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David Nusair

Reel Film Reviews

06/02/2023

2.5/4

...a mostly easygoing comedy that fares best in its fast-paced and entertaining first half...

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Hal Lipper

Tampa Bay Times

11/21/2022

1/5

If you have any desire to see Charles Grodin upstaged by a slobbering St. Bernard in the formulaic comedy Beethoven, then I suggest you rent Turner and Hooch and see Tom Hanks being slimed by his large canine partner instead.

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Malcolm Johnson

Hartford Courant

04/09/2018

Every moment fits neatly together in an almost machined way. But the time lopes by and a few of the sequences prove oddly delightful.

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angery O

@RT26141377 Apr 28

I loved watching this as a kid and like to rewatch it every once and while. this one of my childhood movies i love to see over and over again.

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Bingo J.

@Bingo_Jeff Mar 23

Amin would hate this

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Poppy M

@Poppy90 Mar 23

This was one of my absolute favourite films from my childhood. I simply adored it. I am beyond disappointed to see the negative reviews and low score. The acting is outstanding from both adults and children and of course the dogs. The music is completely charming and nostalgic. The 90s fashion and decor. The grumpy dad gradually becoming softened by the loveable Beethoven. It is funny and charming and I urge any parent to show this to their child. I still want a St Bernard simply because of this film. P.S a truly iconic Stanley Tucci performance

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Jack G

@Gump.jack Feb 2

It is my one and only favorite 90s American family comedy about a dog. I really like the suburban setting in the movie

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Nicholas T.

@RT31153330 Dec 13

Easily my favorite dog movie. Say what you will about Old Yeller and Marley and Me but at least this one spawned a franchise.

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Daniel A

@RT03220037 Nov 22

A classic 90s family movie. The sour grapes who rate this poorly had a boring childhood.

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Brian Levant

Director

Charles Grodin

George Newton

Bonnie Hunt

Alice Newton

Dean Jones

Herman Varnick, D.V.M.

Nicholle Tom

Ryce Newton

Christopher Castile

Ted Newton

Beethoven: Official Clip - Where's My Dog?

1:39

Beethoven: Official Clip - Naming Beethoven

1:31

Beethoven: Official Clip - Puppy Payback

2:19

Beethoven: Official Clip - Beethoven Saves the Day

3:28

Beethoven: Official Clip - Framing Beethoven

2:20

Beethoven: Official Clip - Big Puppy, Big Dog

3:10

Beethoven: Official Clip - The New Puppy

2:53

Beethoven: Official Clip - Leash Training

2:48

Beethoven: Official Clip - Drowning Rescue

3:07

Beethoven: Official Clip - Beethoven In Bed

2:23

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Beethoven: Trailer 1

2:23

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Synopsis

When the family of George Newton (Charles Grodin) decides to adopt a cute St. Bernard puppy, the patriarch soon feels displaced by the dog. Before long, the adorable canine, dubbed Beethoven, has grown considerably, leading to household mishaps. While George's wife and kids dote on Beethoven, it takes time for him to see the pooch's finer qualities. However, Beethoven's life with the Newton family is jeopardized when a scheming vet (Dean Jones) tries to nab the dog for a deadly experiment.

Director: Brian Levant
Producer: Michael C. Gross, Joe Medjuck
Screenwriter: John Hughes, Amy Holden Jones
Distributor: Universal Pictures
Production Co: Universal Pictures, Northern Lights Entertainment
Rating: PG
Genre: Kids & Family, Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Apr 3, 1992, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Jun 15, 2012
Box Office (Gross USA): $56.5M
Runtime: 1h 28m
Sound Mix: Surround