Beethoven is a series of eight American films, created by John Hughes (credited as Edmond Dantès) and Amy Holden Jones, in which the plot revolves around a family attempting to control the antics of their pet Saint Bernard (named Beethoven). The first two films were theatrical releases and all subsequent releases have been direct to video. The original Beethoven was released in theaters in April 1992. Its opening grossed $7,587,565 and was the year's 26th largest grossing film in the U.S. at $57,114,049.
Films Film U.S. release date Director(s) Screenwriter(s) Story by Producer(s) Beethoven April 3, 1992 Brian Levant Beethoven's 2nd December 17, 1993 Rod Daniel Beethoven's 3rd July 25, 2000 David Mickey Evans Beethoven's 4th December 4, 2001 David Mickey Evans Beethoven's 5th December 2, 2003 Mark Griffiths Beethoven's Big Break December 30, 2008 Mike Elliott Beethoven's Christmas Adventure November 8, 2011 John Putch Beethoven's Treasure Tail October 28, 2014 Ron Oliver
Beethoven (1992)
In Beethoven, the Newton family finds and adopts a Saint Bernard. The family, with the exception of the father, George (Charles Grodin), becomes attached to the dog. Meanwhile, a sadistic veterinarian, Dr. Herman Varnick (Dean Jones) involved with animal experimentation is planning to kill Beethoven for his latest experiment, and George, after discovering his fondness for the dog, springs into action to rescue his pet. Beethoven was released on April 3, 1992.
Beethoven's 2nd (1993)
In Beethoven's 2nd, Beethoven sires a litter of puppies, and the Newton family tries to save them from the greedy owner Regina (Debi Mazar), who alternately wishes to kill or sell the puppies. Beethoven's 2nd was released on December 17, 1993.
Beethoven's 3rd (2000)
In Beethoven's 3rd, the dog is sent across the country in an RV to attend a family reunion. While George and his family are in Europe, Beethoven is riding with the relatives of the Newtons led by George's brother Richard (Judge Reinhold) as the family avoids criminals that are after a DVD copy of The Shakiest Gun in the West that has a computer code hidden in it. Beethoven's 3rd was released on July 25, 2000.
Beethoven's 4th (2001)
In Beethoven's 4th, Beethoven accidentally switches with another St. Bernard named Michelangelo who comes from the Sedgewick family, and is pampered and well-behaved. Beethoven tries to find a way to get home, while a butler who works for the Sedgewick family wants to kidnap Michelangelo for ransom. Beethoven's 4th was released on December 4, 2001.
Beethoven's 5th (2003)
Sara takes Beethoven to visit her oddball uncle in the old mining town Quicksilver, where they discover the hidden treasure while also facing two bank robbers who want it too. The last installment of the original storyline, Beethoven's 5th was released on December 2, 2003.
Beethoven's Big Break (2008)
A reboot of the series where Beethoven becomes a movie star. Beethoven's Big Break was released on December 30, 2008.
Beethoven's Christmas Adventure (2011) In Beethoven's Christmas Adventure, Beethoven teams up with the elf from the North Pole named Henry (Kyle Massey) and a young boy Mason Cooper (Munro Chambers) and a young 13-year-old Tori McBride (Haley Pullos) to find a missing Santa's toy bag that fell in the small town Wood Haven, Minnesota, while also facing two men from a toy store, Sylvester Smirch (Robert Picardo) and his assistant Kenny (Curtis Armstrong), who grab Santa's bag and use it for financial gains.
Unlike other films in the franchise, Beethoven has a speaking voice, which was provided by Tom Arnold. The film features narration by John Cleese and was released on November 8, 2011.
Beethoven's Treasure Tail (2014) After getting fired from a film, Beethoven begins the long journey home with his trainer, Eddie. They become stranded in a small coastal town, where the beloved canine befriends a young boy who is searching for buried treasure. Beethoven's Treasure Tail was released on October 28, 2014.
Television SeriesSeasonEpisodesFirst released Last releasedShowrunner(s)Network(s) Beethoven 1 13 September 10, 1994 December 3, 1994
Beethoven (1994)
Cast and crew Principal cast Characters Original series Reboot series Animated series Beethoven Beethoven's 2nd Beethoven's 3rd Beethoven's 4th Beethoven's 5th Beethoven's Big Break Beethoven's Christmas Adventure Beethoven's Treasure Tail Beethoven Beethoven Chris Cujo J.S. Barque Cujo Tom Arnold (voice) Cujo Joel Murray (voice) Dee Bradley Baker (voice) George Newton Charles Grodin Grant Elliott Dean Jones Alice Newton Bonnie Hunt Kath Soucie Ryce Newton Nicholle Tom Nicholle Tom Ted Newton Christopher Castile J.D. Daniels Emily Newton Sarah Rose Karr Francesca Marie Smith Sara Newton Michaela Gallo Daveigh Chase Richard Newton Judge Reinhold Beth Newton Julia Sweeney Brennan Newton Joe Pichler Eddie Thornton "Lizard Guy" Jonathan Silverman Jonathan Silverman Dr. Herman Varnick Dean Jones Harvey Oliver Platt Vernon Stanley Tucci Brad Wilson David Duchovny Brie Wilson Patricia Heaton Devonia Peet Laurel Cronin Miss Grundel Nancy Fish Student #1 Joseph Gordon-Levitt Ammo Gun Salesman Richard Portnow Regina Debi Mazar Floyd Chris Penn Taylor Devereaux Ashley Hamilton Seth Danny Masterson Janie Catherine Reitman Cliff Klamath Maury Chaykin Michelle Heather McComb Banker Scott Waara Gus Jeff Corey Linda Anderson Virginia Capers Jordan Bond Himself Arthur Lewis Pat Jankiewicz Brillo Kevin Dunn Tommy Mike Ciccolini "Bill" William Jamie Marsh Penny Danielle Weiner Morrie Newton Frank Gorshin Kennel Employee Holly Mitchell Madison Sedgewick Kaleigh Krish Reginald Sedgewick Matt McCoy Martha Sedgewick Veanne Cox Bill Jeff Coopwood Marlowe Dorien Wilson Jonathan "Johnnie" Simmons Mark Lindsay Chapman Nigel Bigalow Nick Meaney Hayley Natalie Elizabeth Marston Sergeant Rutledge Art LaFleur Mrs. Florence Rutledge June Lu Freddy Kablinski Dave Thomas Sheriff Julie Dempsey Faith Ford John Giles (né Selig) Tom Poston Cora Wilkens Katherine Helmond Garret Sammy Kahn Vaughn Carter Richard Riehle Owen Tuttle Clint Howard Evie Kling Kathy Griffin Mayor Harold Herman John Larroquette Moe Selig Rodman Flender Rita Selig Tina Illman Jim Tom Musgrave Phil Dobsonn Joel Hurt Jones Mrs. Dobsonn Elizabeth Warner Lisa Waters Jennifer Finnigan Billy Thornton Moises Arias Stanley Mitchell Eddie Griffin Patricia Benji Rhea Perlman Sal DeMarcoNed Ryerson Stephen Tobolowsky Tick Oscar Nunez Bones Joey Fatone Katie Stefanie Scott Cesar Millan Himself Studio Executive John Augello Lewis Zach Kosnitzky Craft Service Person Ali Eagle Marco Adam Vernier Mason Munro Chambers Christine Kim Rhodes Smirch Robert Picardo Kenny Curtis Armstrong Henry Kyle Massey Mr. Rexford John O'Hurley Catty Elf Ryan Miller Catty Elf's Friend Shannon Jacques Mom Tamra Ugto Dad Alan Castanaga Little Kid Solmund MacPherson Field Producer Kristen Sawatzky Keilbasa Vendor Rick Skene Stray Dog (voice) John Kassir (voice) Anne Parker Kristy Swanson Sam Parker Bretton Manley Howard Belch Jeffrey Combs Simon Alec Mapa Grace O'Malley Jayne Eastwood Phil David DeLuise Trentino Brian George The Real Fritz Bruchschnauser Udo Kier Dr. Kelp Colin Mochrie Duncan Richard Dumont Charlene Morgan Fairchild Justin Patrick Kwok-Choon Film Crew Member Ian Tench Assistant Director Nikki Barnett Norman the Magician Brian Downey Captain Patrick O'Malley Tom Scott Burly Crew Man Jacob Sampson Sandra Onika Drabble Callie Katherine Shore Caesar the Great Dane Bill Fagerbakke Mr. Huggs Brian George Ginger the Collie Tress MacNeille Sparky the Jack Russel Terrier Joe Pantoliano Killer the Poodle Hank Azaria Mailman Gregg Berger Blind Shep Dan CastellanetaDavid Doyle Rosebud Christine Cavanaugh Peanut E.G. Daily Singing Donut Jess Harnell Timmy Dana Hill Watson Tony Jay Roger Justin Shenkarow
Note: A dark gray cell indicates the character does not appear in the film.
Additional crew Film Director(s) Producer(s) Screenwriter(s) Composer(s) Cinematographer Editor(s) Beethoven Brian Levant Joe MedjuckMichael C. Gross Edmond DantésAmy Holden Jones Randy Edelman Victor J. Kemper William D. GordeanSheldon Kahn Beethoven's 2nd Rod Daniel Len Blum Bill Butler Beethoven's 3rd David Mickey Evans David BixlerKelli Konop Jeff Schechter Philip Giffin John Aronson Harry Keramidas Beethoven's 4th Kelli Konop John Loy C. Timothy O'Meara Beethoven's 5th Mark Griffiths Mike Elliott Cliff Ruby & Elana Lesser Adam Berry Christopher Baffa John Gilbert Beethoven's Big Break Mike Elliott Mike Elliott Robert FolkPaul DiFranco Stephen F. Campbell Roderick Davis Beethoven's Christmas Adventure John Putch Jeff Freilich Daniel Altiere & Steven Altiere Chris Bacon Ross Berryman John Gilbert Beethoven's Treasure Tail Ron Oliver Albert T. Dickerson III Ron Oliver Chris Hajian C. Kim Miles Heath Ryan
Reception
Film Rotten Tomatoes CinemaScore Beethoven 31% (26 reviews) A Beethoven's 2nd 25% (12 reviews) A Beethoven's 3rd 0% (7 reviews) Beethoven's 4th 0% (8 reviews) Beethoven's 5th Beethoven's Big Break Beethoven's Christmas Adventure Beethoven's Treasure Tail
Home media All films are available on DVD, both individually and as part of packs and collections of two or more films.
Video games In 1993, a side-scrolling video game was released called Beethoven: The Ultimate Canine Caper based on Beethoven's 2nd for Super NES, Game Boy, and MS-DOS. Versions of the game for the Genesis and Game Gear were developed, but they were cancelled before release.
See also Air Bud (series)
References