Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Mild
- Complexity
- Simple
- Violence
- Mild
- witty
- broad
- warm
- family movie night
- nostalgic 1990s viewing
What critics said
Critics found amusement in the wisecracking animals and Eddie Murphy's engaging straight-man performance, but broadly faulted the thin story, scatological humor, and treacly tone.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
John Dolittle's childhood ability returns after he nearly hits a dog, bringing a stream of talking animals to his home and workplace.
Dolittle's renewed attention to animal patients coincides with a family close to breaking apart, making his household relationships central to the story.
Rats, horses, dogs, monkeys, and a seriously ill circus tiger drive the film's humor and medical situations.
The talking-animal premise depends on a menagerie interacting with Eddie Murphy's human performance in a contemporary setting.
Films like Doctor Dolittle, and why
The Nutty Professor
shares broad family comedy, fantasy premise, and an adult protagonist surrounded by wisecracking animals
George of the Jungle
combines family fantasy, animal-centered humor, and a warm father family reconciliation arc
Babe
features a human animal caretaker, comic talking creatures, and accessible live action family entertainment
Movie Details
- Director
- Betty Thomas
- Release Date
- 1998-06-26
- Runtime
- 85 min
- Rating
- 5.7 / 10 (3391)
Cast
- Eddie Murphy
- Ossie Davis
- Oliver Platt
- Peter Boyle
- Richard Schiff
- Kristen Wilson
- Jeffrey Tambor
- Kyla Pratt
- Raven-Symoné
- Steven Gilborn
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Disney Plus
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Doctor Dolittle about?
- A successful San Francisco doctor rediscovers his ability to talk with animals and must save both a sick tiger and his unraveling family.
- What is Doctor Dolittle like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Doctor Dolittle as brisk, its intensity as mild and its storytelling as simple.
- Is Doctor Dolittle violent?
- Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in Doctor Dolittle as mild.
- What did critics think of Doctor Dolittle?
- Critics found amusement in the wisecracking animals and Eddie Murphy's engaging straight-man performance, but broadly faulted the thin story, scatological humor, and treacly tone.
- Which films are like Doctor Dolittle?
- Films with a similar feel include The Nutty Professor, George of the Jungle, and Babe.
- How long is Doctor Dolittle?
- Doctor Dolittle runs 85 minutes.
- Where can I watch Doctor Dolittle?
- In United States, Doctor Dolittle streams on Disney Plus.
