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Beethoven

Beethoven

The head of the family is the one with the tail.

199287 minPGMidcredits score: 33rd percentile of all films
Director
Brian Levant
Starring
Charles Grodin, Bonnie Hunt, Dean Jones, Nicholle Tom

The Newton family live in their comfortable home, but there seems to something missing. This "hole" is filled by a small puppy, who walks into their home and their lives. Beethoven, as he is named, grows into a giant of a dog... a St Bernard. Doctor Varnick, the local vet has a secret and horrible sideline, which requires lots of dogs for experiments. Beethoven is on the bad doctor's list.

Where to watch

Where can I watch Beethoven?

As of October 24, 2026, MovieCove lists Beethoven to rent or buy on Prime Video, and on no subscription service.

Your rating, lists and review

Highlights

What stands out about Beethoven?

Beethoven earns 6 badges, led by Word-of-mouth hit and Award Winner.

  • Reception
  • Craft and mood
  • Awards and box office
  • Cast

Reception

Is Beethoven worth watching?

Beethoven's Midcredits score is the 33rd percentile of all films, from 185K ratings across 4 sources. 32% liked it (rated it 7 or higher out of 10).

Midcredits score

How well it was received

33rd percentile

Better received than 33% of films

36th percentile among Comedy36th percentile among 1990s
Acclaim (how much people like it)41st
Approval (how many liked it)26th

59 /100

41st percentile of all films

47th percentile among Comedy44th percentile among 1990s

Rating distribution

A broad spread centered near 5.9 — solid but not unanimous.

32% liked it

26th percentile of all films

26th percentile among Comedy27th percentile among 1990s
32% rated it 7–1068% rated it 1–6

Critics 31% · Audience 36%

On Rotten Tomatoes, a bigger share of audiences approved than critics.

Awards

0 Oscars won · 0 Oscar noms · 1 wins / 4 noms overall

Reach

How many have seen it

95th percentile

185K ratings across platforms

95th percentile among Comedy93rd percentile among 1990s
TMDB popularity, last 37 days to Oct 26Down 19% in 30 days

Box office

Opening weekend$7.6M
Domestic gross$57M
Worldwide gross$147M

97th percentile earner in its genre.

What reviewers say

Common ground

A simple, harmless family comedy centered on a cute, destructive Saint Bernard dog.

Fans praised

  • Charming, fun, and wholesome family entertainment
  • Charles Grodin's relatable, understated performance as the reluctant dad
  • Lovable St. Bernard dog as the engaging star

Detractors panned

  • Formulaic, predictable plot with overly sentimental moments
  • Annoying kids and excessive groin-biting gross-out humor
  • Animal experimentation subplot is dark and disturbing for a family comedy

What stands out

ActingDivisive68

Charles Grodin's understated comedy; supporting cast including Dean Jones as gleeful villain

Atmosphere60

Suburban, small-town Disney-like tone

HumorDivisive55

Slapstick and dog antics; some groin-biting and gross-out humor

Emotional impactDivisive55

Heartwarming bond between family and dog; some find it overly saccharine

EndingDivisive55

Silly but satisfying rescue climax; dog wins

CharactersDivisive50

Broad, one-note family archetypes and comically evil vet

Plot and story40

Formulaic man-gets-dog-then-saves-it from villain

Originality25

Derivative of Home Alone and other John Hughes family comedies

Preferred by

Critics vs users

Preferred by Critics

Critics scored it 14 points higher than users.

No notable difference between the other groups: each pair ranks it within 10 percentile points.

  • Women vs men 7 points apart
  • Under-30s vs over-30s 1 point apart
  • US vs non-US 5 points apart

Watch experience

What is Beethoven like to watch?

Conclusions only — categories and positions, no plot detail.

Feel-good: browse every movie of this kind

Watch this when you want something warm that leaves you smiling.

It is gentle and funny, takes its time and leaves you feeling good. Skip it when you want things to move fast.

ToneFeelDemandwhat the answer rests onexact position · filled zone: the category

What it asks of you

Patience.

What it feels like

Feel-good.

Moods
JoyfulWarmHopeful
Heaviest: middle
Warm humor
Register
PlayfulWarm
Told as
Three-act: Setup, confrontation, resolution — the default Hollywood shape.
ToneThe film plays its family-friendly premise straight, with gentle comedy and affection toward its characters.
The rideThe mood is consistently light and upbeat, with the most tension during the middle portion when the dog is in peril.
StructureThe story follows a straightforward beginning (dog arrives), middle (bonding and conflict), and end (rescue).

How it leaves you

what you carry away

Feeling good.

The answer rests on this: Feel-goodFun
Why it leaves you this wayA lighthearted, heartwarming family film that leaves the viewer smiling.
How it ends · evidence
Happy ending

Story archetype

where it sits among all films
Monster — 21% of films. A threat menaces the hero's world and must be defeated.Rags — 3% of films. A rise from lowliness to fortune, status, or recognition.Quest — 10% of films. A journey toward a defined objective, with companions and obstacles.Voyage — 4% of films. Into a strange world and back again, changed.Comedy — 11% of films. Confusion and cross-purposes resolved into harmony.Tragedy — 9% of films. A flaw or fixation drives the protagonist to ruin.Rebirth — 13% of films. A stalled or darkened life reopened and renewed.Mystery — 7% of films. A question drives the story — who did it, what happened, what is real — until it is answered.No archetype — 22% of filmsPredator — 6% of films. A creature or killer hunts the protagonists (Jaws, Alien).Tyrant — 6% of films. A human villain holds power over the hero's world (Die Hard).Invasion — 2% of films. An external force attacks the home or world (Independence Day).Oppressive state — 2% of films. A government, its agencies or a secret faction inside them is the monster (V for Vendetta).Corporate villainy — 1% of films. A company or its bosses are the monster (Erin Brockovich).Institutional injustice — 1% of films. A court, prison, police force, school or church is itself the enemy (Spotlight).Class system — under 1% of films. The gap between rich and poor, or a rigid hierarchy, is the monster (Parasite).Technology turns — under 1% of films. Technology people rely on becomes the threat (The Terminator).Inner demon — 1% of films. The monster is within — addiction, illness, a dark double.Underdog triumph — 2% of films. Rise through competition or contest (Rocky).Social ascent — under 1% of films. A climb in class or status (Pretty Woman).Fame and fortune — under 1% of films. An artistic or showbiz rise (A Star Is Born).Rise and fall — under 1% of films. Wealth or power gained, self lost (Scarface).Hidden worth revealed — under 1% of films. The protagonist's true value finally recognized.Treasure hunt — 1% of films. Retrieve an object of value (Raiders of the Lost Ark).Rescue — 4% of films. Retrieve or save a person (Saving Private Ryan).Mission — 5% of films. Accomplish or destroy a defined objective (Mission: Impossible).Journey home — under 1% of films. The goal is getting back (Finding Nemo).Pilgrimage — 1% of films. The journey itself transforms; the destination is symbolic.Portal fantasy — under 1% of films. Transported into another world (The Wizard of Oz).Fish out of water — 2% of films. Displaced into an unfamiliar social world (Elf).Survival ordeal — 1% of films. Trapped in a hostile environment, fighting back (Cast Away).Time displacement — under 1% of films. Unstuck in time (Back to the Future).Descent — 1% of films. A night-journey into an underworld or subculture (After Hours).Romantic comedy — 4% of films. Lovers kept apart by confusion, united at last.Comedy of errors — 3% of films. Mistaken identity or misunderstanding drives the plot.Farce — 2% of films. Escalating absurd chaos and coincidence (The Hangover).Buddy comedy — 1% of films. A mismatched pair forced together (Rush Hour).Comedy of manners — 1% of films. Social codes and class satirized (Clueless).Hubris — 1% of films. Pride or ambition invites the fall (There Will Be Blood).Obsession — 2% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Corruption arc — 2% of films. Step-by-step moral decay (The Godfather).Doomed love — 2% of films. Love destroyed by circumstance (Brokeback Mountain).Crushed by fate — 3% of films. Destroyed by forces beyond the protagonist's control.Redemption — 3% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Healing — 5% of films. Recovery from grief or trauma (Good Will Hunting).Liberation — 2% of films. Breaking free of a confining life (Room).Second chance — 2% of films. A stagnant life re-opened to love or purpose (Groundhog Day).Puzzle — 1% of films. A clue-by-clue puzzle you can try to solve before the reveal (Knives Out, Clue).Investigation — 5% of films. A long pursuit of the truth that may never be fully solved (Zodiac, Memories of Murder).Enigma — 2% of films. The mystery is what is real, or what is actually happening (Mulholland Drive).MonsterTyrant
Every story archetype, clockwise from the top
  • Monster 21% (this title): Predator 6% · Tyrant 6% (this title) · Invasion 2% · Oppressive state 2% · Corporate villainy 1% · Institutional injustice 1% · Class system under 1% · Technology turns under 1% · Inner demon 1%
  • Rags 3%: Underdog triumph 2% · Social ascent under 1% · Fame and fortune under 1% · Rise and fall under 1% · Hidden worth revealed under 1%
  • Quest 10%: Treasure hunt 1% · Rescue 4% · Mission 5% · Journey home under 1% · Pilgrimage 1%
  • Voyage 4%: Portal fantasy under 1% · Fish out of water 2% · Survival ordeal 1% · Time displacement under 1% · Descent 1%
  • Comedy 11%: Romantic comedy 4% · Comedy of errors 3% · Farce 2% · Buddy comedy 1% · Comedy of manners 1%
  • Tragedy 9%: Hubris 1% · Obsession 2% · Corruption arc 2% · Doomed love 2% · Crushed by fate 3%
  • Rebirth 13%: Redemption 3% · Healing 5% · Liberation 2% · Second chance 2%
  • Mystery 7%: Puzzle 1% · Investigation 5% · Enigma 2%
  • No archetype 22%

Overcoming the monster: A threat menaces the hero's world and must be defeated. · Tyrant: A human villain holds power over the hero's world (Die Hard).

21% of films fit this archetype

A loose fit — the map only half-holds this one.

Why this archetypeA family must rescue their beloved St. Bernard from a corrupt veterinarian who plans to use him in deadly experiments.

What it's about

7 groups · 53 themes
Bonds — 27% of filmsSelf — 22% of filmsPower — 7% of filmsMorality — 16% of filmsSurvival — 15% of filmsSociety — 9% of filmsIdeas — 5% of filmsRomantic love — 15% of filmsMarriage — 2% of filmsFamily bonds — 21% of filmsParenthood — 2% of filmsFriendship — 9% of filmsLoyalty — 4% of filmsIdentity — 14% of filmsComing of age — 5% of filmsAging — under 1% of filmsSelf-worth — 7% of filmsAmbition — 7% of filmsPurpose — 9% of filmsMemory — 3% of filmsObsession — 3% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Power — 2% of filmsCorruption — 3% of filmsGreed — 3% of filmsClass — 3% of filmsOppression — 4% of filmsFreedom — 5% of filmsJustice — 13% of filmsDuty — 2% of filmsRevenge — 4% of filmsGuilt — 3% of filmsRedemption — 6% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Forgiveness — 1% of filmsSacrifice — 4% of filmsBetrayal — 5% of filmsDeception — 9% of filmsSurvival — 17% of filmsWar — 1% of filmsViolence — 4% of filmsMortality — 2% of filmsGrief — 6% of filmsTrauma — 7% of filmsMental illness — 1% of filmsAddiction — 1% of filmsIllness and disability — under 1% of filmsCommunity — 14% of films. Consequences reach a town, institution or group.Isolation — 5% of filmsPrejudice — 3% of filmsDisplacement — 1% of filmsFaith — 3% of filmsTradition vs change — 2% of filmsFame — 3% of filmsLegacy — 4% of filmsFate — 1% of filmsFree will — under 1% of filmsTruth — 4% of filmsHope — 5% of filmsNature — 2% of filmsArt — 4% of filmsTechnology — 1% of filmsSelfFamilybonds
Every theme, clockwise from the top
  • Bonds 27% (this title): Romantic love 15% · Marriage 2% · Family bonds 21% (this title) · Parenthood 2% · Friendship 9% · Loyalty 4% (this title)
  • Self 22%: Identity 14% · Coming of age 5% · Aging under 1% · Self-worth 7% · Ambition 7% · Purpose 9% · Memory 3% · Obsession 3%
  • Power 7%: Power 2% · Corruption 3% · Greed 3% · Class 3% · Oppression 4% · Freedom 5%
  • Morality 16%: Justice 13% · Duty 2% · Revenge 4% · Guilt 3% · Redemption 6% · Forgiveness 1% · Sacrifice 4% · Betrayal 5% · Deception 9%
  • Survival 15%: Survival 17% · War 1% · Violence 4% · Mortality 2% · Grief 6% · Trauma 7% · Mental illness 1% · Addiction 1% · Illness and disability under 1%
  • Society 9%: Community 14% (this title) · Isolation 5% · Prejudice 3% · Displacement 1% · Faith 3% · Tradition vs change 2% · Fame 3% · Legacy 4%
  • Ideas 5%: Fate 1% · Free will under 1% · Truth 4% · Hope 5% · Nature 2% · Art 4% · Technology 1%

Bonds

Family bondsLoyalty · 4% of filmsCommunity · 14% of films: Consequences reach a town, institution or group.
Celebrates its theme: Affirms its theme — this is good and worth having.Intimate stakes: Consequences reach a person or a household.Single lead
How it treats its themeThe film centers on a suburban family who rally together to protect their pet from a greedy antagonist, reinforcing their unity and love for one another.
StanceThe film celebrates family togetherness and the bond with a pet, with the Newton family as the clear protagonists.

The world

ContemporaryDomesticUrbanRealistic
Orchestral modernSupportive music · original score · Randy Edelman
SettingA picturesque American suburb in the early 1990s.
MusicRandy Edelman's score provides light, bouncy orchestral cues that underscore the family-friendly slapstick and sentimental moments.

Content guide

Is Beethoven okay for kids?

PG

Beethoven is rated PG. As of September 28, 2026, Midcredits content scores put its violence at moderate (38/100), sexual content at mild (18/100), language at mild (22/100), drug and alcohol content at mild (27/100) and frightening material at moderate (50/100). Overall it is heavier than 58% of PG-rated films.

Ratings in 11 other countries
  • UKU
  • AustraliaG
  • Germany6
  • FranceU
  • South KoreaAll
  • BrazilL
  • FinlandK-12
  • NetherlandsAL
  • PortugalM/6
  • SK7
  • Sweden15
Overall
Moderate · all five categories
Heavier than 18% of all filmsHeavier than 58% of PG-rated films
Violence & Gore
Moderate
typical for a PG-rated film
heavier than 56%
Sex & Nudity
Mild
typical for a PG-rated film
heavier than 37%
Profanity
Mild
typical for a PG-rated film
heavier than 39%
Alcohol & Drugs
Mild
typical for a PG-rated film
heavier than 52%
Frightening / Intense
Moderate
heavy for a PG-rated film
heavier than 75%

Point along a line to see a well-known title at that level.

Nothing here is extreme. The strongest element is frightening material, heavier than 75% of PG-rated films.

Source: Midcredits content scores, 0 (none) to 100 (severe) per category, with each standing ranked against other films that have them.

What content warnings does Beethoven have?

Not screened for content warnings yet.

Cast and crew

Who is in Beethoven?

Cast

Charles Grodin
as George Newton
Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Bonnie Hunt
as Alice Newton
Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
newcomer then · star now
Dean Jones
as Dr. Varnick
Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Nicholle Tom
as Ryce Newton
First film: No prior film role; they had worked in television.
Christopher Castile
as Ted Newton
First film: No prior film role; they had worked in television.
Sarah Rose Karr
as Emily Newton
Newcomer: A standing when this film came out that sits in the bottom quarter of working actors today.
Oliver Platt
as Harvey
Stanley Tucci
as Vernon
newcomer then · star now
Laurel Cronin
as Devonia Peet
Newcomer: A standing when this film came out that sits in the bottom quarter of working actors today.
David Duchovny
as Brad
newcomer then · star now

Crew

More like this

What are movies like Beethoven?

Movies like Beethoven include Beethoven's 2nd (1993), The Spy Next Door (2010) and Clifford the Big Red Dog (2021). Of the 12 closest matches, most are stories about animal companions, and all are family adventures.

Balanced: every group counts the same, and production only breaks ties.

10 of these 12 share its subject: family bonds. Those cards say what else they share.

Explore by

What else shares a premise, people or place with Beethoven?

467 other films share the rarest tag below, up against: scientist. Each tag opens Browse with the films that share it.