Parents' Guide to

All Dogs Go to Heaven

By M. Faust, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 8+

Intense animated adventure has peril, drinking, smoking.

Movie G 1989 84 minutes
All Dogs Go to Heaven Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

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

Community Reviews

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age 8+

Based on 26 parent reviews

Carlie Ansel
Carlie Ansel Adult
July 4, 2020
age 10+

All Dogs Go To Heaven

Not a vey good move. The plot was everywhere. Too much violence for a kids movie. The whole plot revolves around a dog who has been murdered.
ayxmu
ayxmu Adult
January 11, 2019
age 6+

Can Y'all Chill?

A lot of people are trashing this movie because its darker... Uh hello? You have to be aware it was released in 1989 where people were a lot less sensitive about everything. Overall it has a warm message and charm, so i really dont see the problem. I think its better to be realistic in cartoons rather than sugar coating everything. "All Dogs Go To Heaven" is harmless and a good movie if you just want to cry.
See all 26 parent reviews

What's the Story?

Charlie B. Barkin (voiced by Burt Reynolds) and his pal Itchy (Dom DeLuise) break out of prison after being framed by Charlie's partner, Carface. When Charlie tries to reclaim his share of the casino they ran, Carface has him killed. Charlie goes to Heaven, which he finds way too dull. He returns to Earth by stealing his life span watch. Charlie rebuilds his empire with the help of Itchy and Anne-Marie, an orphan girl who can talk to animals. Charlie uses her to get horse-racing information while emptily promising to help her find new parents.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (26 ):
Kids say (30 ):

There are many odd segments in ALL DOGS GO TO HEAVEN that seem to complicate, not extend, the plot. But this doesn't seem to bother younger viewers, who enjoy having their shorter attention spans tweaked. The key of the film is its uplifting message that people (and dogs) can always follow through on their word and be redeemed. Despite his selfish deeds, Charlie eventually does the right thing, and earns back his place in heaven, while Carface is carted off, presumably to be eaten by a crocodile.

Many don't seem to mind the film's darkness, which is set in an urban world of poverty that couldn't contrast more with the squeaky-clean suburban normality of most kids' movies. It helps that the characters and backgrounds are drawn with entrancing style, and that the story isn't as grim as the setting might suggest. But more sensitive children may be disturbed by the depiction of death and violence.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about how drinking and smoking is shown in this movie. Should entertainment for kids show characters drinking and smoking, even if it's meant to represent or parody characters from a certain time and place (e.g., Prohibition-era gangsters)?

  • If this movie came out today, what do you think would be different?

  • How does Charlie change for the better during the movie? How does the movie express the theme of forgiveness?

Movie Details

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