Is Dolittle Kid Friendly? What Parents Need to Know

DOLITTLE, starring Robert Downey Jr., may not be a parent’s first pick for themselves, but there’s something to be said for talking animals that appeal to the younger crowd. Is Dolittle kid friendly? Overall, Dolittle is safe for kids, but potty humor and innuendos may not sit well with some parents. 

Is Dolittle Kid Friendly?

Dolittle is rated PG for action, rude humor, and brief language, and Dolittle is true to that rating. Kids may want to see it if they’re fans of Iron Man, but Robert Downey Jr.’s accent can be distracting, and kids may not recognize that familiar voice.

After losing his wife seven years earlier, the eccentric Dr. John Dolittle, hermits himself away behind the high walls of Dolittle Manor with only his exotic animals for company. But when the young queen falls ill, a reluctant Dolittle is forced to set sail on an adventure to a mythical island in search of a cure, regaining his wit and courage as he crosses old foes and discovers new creatures.

Language

There was one use of the word damn.

Violence

The violence is mild in Dolittle. It’s like a toned down Pirates of the Caribbean, but there are cannons, guns, and knives.

Mature Content

There is definitely rude humor in Dolittle. You’ll find potty jokes and one bit where Doctor Dolittle pulls out garbage from a dragon’s behind. 

Is Dolittle Appropriate for Kids Under 8?

I think the sweet spot for Dolittle is around 8 years old. Since it’s now on DVD and Blu-ray, watching from home may keep little ones’ attentions for longer.

From a kid perspective, my younger ones (ages 7 and 9) enjoyed Dolittle, but my teenagers found it boring. The cheap laughs couldn’t fool them. However, my little adored the animals.

Based on The Voyages of Doctor Dolittle, the script leaves more to be desired. It has potential, but the film vacillates between boring and chaotic. Even the animals couldn’t save this one, and those are some Oscar-winning voices! 

However, Dolittle is not all bad, and I didn’t hate it. Why? Because it still brings joy to people in a non-horrible way. A tale of adventure, lessons of teamwork, imagination and quirk, those are ideals I can get behind. 

It hurts that this wasn’t better, because we need more family friendly films, and I don’t want them to stop making them. This isn’t a bad family watch when you’re sitting around in quarantine, looking for something new. Some kids will be thoroughly entertained, and in a world of Tiger King, I’ll still take Dolittle any day.