A goofy, kid-friendly sequel that mostly delivers exactly what you’d expect: dog chaos, family sentiment, and broad slapstick. It’s uneven and a little thin, but if you’re in the mood for a nostalgic 90s animal comedy, it has enough charm to work.
Beethoven's 2nd
Where to watch: Buy
Movie · Family · Comedy
Tue · 1h 29m
Director: Rod Daniel
Starring: Charles Grodin, Bonnie Hunt, Nicholle Tom
Overview
Beethoven is back -- and this time, he has a whole brood with him now that he's met his canine match, Missy, and fathered a family. The only problem is that Missy's owner, Regina, wants to sell the puppies and tear the clan apart. It's up to Beethoven and the Newton kids to save the day and keep everyone together.
Director
Rod Daniel
Cast
Charles Grodin, Bonnie Hunt, Nicholle Tom
Curator Review
Verdict
A goofy, kid-friendly sequel that mostly delivers exactly what you’d expect: dog chaos, family sentiment, and broad slapstick. It’s uneven and a little thin, but if you’re in the mood for a nostalgic 90s animal comedy, it has enough charm to work.
Best for
families with younger kids
viewers who like nostalgic 90s studio comedies
dog-movie fans
people who enjoyed the first Beethoven and want more of the same
Skip if
you want sharp writing or strong plotting
you’re sensitive to dated 90s family-comedy material
you prefer animal films with more emotional depth
you dislike broad slapstick and sentimental endings
Overview
Beethoven’s 2nd is a sequel that understands its assignment: more dogs, more mess, more family-friendly chaos. It leans hard into the appeal of puppies and suburban mayhem, and for viewers already on its wavelength, that’s enough to make it pleasant rather than memorable.
Worth noting
The film’s biggest strength is its easygoing, old-school studio-comedy energy. The cast is comfortable, the tone is bright, and the movie knows how to turn canine misbehavior into a string of clean, simple gags. It’s the kind of sequel that feels designed for weekend TV reruns and childhood VHS nostalgia.
Bottom line
That said, it’s also pretty lightweight, and the story doesn’t have much surprise in it. The emotional stakes are straightforward, the humor is broad, and some of the darker plot elements feel awkward by modern standards. If you want a harmless family watch, it fits; if you want a standout animal comedy, there are stronger options.
Top Letterboxd reviews
Arnon🪐 (1.5★) · 310 likes
IT’S OFFICIAL. I HAVE COMPLETED CHRIS THE DOG’S FILMOGRAPHY
Lettuce (5★) · 119 likes
The greatest film ever made Casablanca eat your heart out.
Kylo (5★) · 114 likes
I’ve always had a soft spot for this one over the original. All the puppies, the stunning mountain setting, and that dreamy Dolly Parton song. Debi Mazar also really does deserve that villainous score every time she’s on screen.
Active Procrastinator (2.5★) · 95 likes
Why is there a scene where Beethoven saves the daughter from being raped ?
Cressa Maeve Áine (5★) · 70 likes
This has a red rating on unconsentingmedia.com for an on screen attempted rape that Beethoven stops by singlehandedly bringing down an entire fucking cabin. This was also nominated for an academy award because of the song about dogs fucking, and they performed it at the Oscars with the actual dogs on stage. Featuring THEE Dolly Parton. Cinema used to be a living breathing organism, and now we merely suckle from the shadow of the simulacrum.