Dr. Dolittle (franchise)
The Dr. Dolittle film series consists of American feature-length family films, based on the book series written by Hugh Lofting, Doctor Dolittle. Like their source material, the plot of each respective film follows the titular characters' adventures given their abilities to communicate with animals. The series consists of the original fantasy-period piece musical movie, a contemporary comedy remake (followed by its four sequels), and a period piece fantasy-adventure reboot.
| Dr. Dolittle | |
|---|---|
 Official film series logo | |
| Based on | Doctor Dolittle novels by Hugh Lofting |
| Starring | |
Release date | 1967–present |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | ~$353,500,000 (Cumulative of 7 films) |
| Box office | ~$308,096,697 (Cumulative of 6 films) |
Each film has been met with poor to mixed-at-best critical reception. With seven films, the gross box office return is approximately $308,096,697 total, with the financial information that is available.
Background
Doctor Dolittle
A series of children's books written by Hugh Lofting, which center around Doctor John Little, with the first installment released in 1920 titled, The Story of Doctor Dolittle, Being the History of His Peculiar Life at Home and Astonishing Adventures in Foreign Parts. A number of sequels and shorts stories followed from 1924–1952. Lofting originally created the character for letters he sent home to his children, from the trenches of WWI. The plot takes place in Victorian England, and center around the adventures of Dolittle, who can speak to animals, and takes place in a fictional village called Puddleby-on-the-Marsh in West Country of south-western England.
Films
| Film | U.S. release date | Director(s) | Screenwriter(s) | Story by | Producer(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Doctor Dolittle | December 19, 1967 | Richard Fleischer | Leslie Bricusse | Arthur P. Jacobs | |
| Dr. Dolittle | June 26, 1998 | Betty Thomas | Nat Mauldin and Larry Levin | John Davis, David T. Friendly and Joseph M. Singer | |
| Dr. Dolittle 2 | June 22, 2001 | Steve Carr | Larry Levin | John Davis | |
| Dr. Dolittle 3 | April 25, 2006 | Rich Thorne | Nina Colman | ||
| Dr. Dolittle: Tail to the Chief | March 4, 2008 | Craig Shapiro | Matt Lieberman and Kathleen Laccinole | Matt Lieberman | John Davis and Brian Manis |
| Dr. Dolittle: Million Dollar Mutts | May 19, 2009 | Alex Zamm | Daniel Altiere and Steven Altiere | ||
| Dolittle | January 17, 2020 | Stephen Gaghan | Stephen Gaghan and John Whittington | Thomas Shepherd | Susan Downey, Jeff Kirschenbaum and Joe Roth |
Doctor Dolittle (1967)
Dr. John Dolittle, an Englishman from a small village in the United Kingdom, specializes in providing medical care for and verbally conversing with various Fauna. Because of his care for animals, his practice with patients has fallen by the wayside. Dolittle helps a seal escape a circus by dressing her as a human. When it's observed that he pushes her into the ocean, Dolittle's newfound business in communicating with and helping animals, finds him placed in an insane asylum. Dolittle's closest friends, both animal and human, come to the rescue when he is placed on trial for suspected murder. After freeing him from captivity, together with Dolittle - Emma Fairfax, and the animal friends - escape and set sail on a boat to find a legendary creature, the Great Pink Sea Snail. The team discovers the snail on a reclusive island, after a run-in with the indigenous tribe that lives there. Dolittle is surprised to find that the people are fluent in English, due to their studies of various novels that wash ashore. After their discovery, the Great Pink Sea Snail carries Emma, and the animals back to England. Though Emma expresses her love for him, Dolittle insists she returns to her home. Dolittle resolves to studying the islanders, and in finding another mythical animal called the Giant Luna Moth. After time has passed, Emma returns to the island with the animals to relay good news: Doctor Dolittle has been proven innocent, and can return home. The group begins their voyage, with Dolittle riding the back of the giant moth.[1]
Dr. Dolittle (1998)
An American surgeon, Dr. John Dolittle begins to remember his childhood abilities of communicating with animals following a mild fender bender. He first questions his sanity after hitting his head in the accident, while eventually remembering the extent of his gifts. This re-found talent quickly becomes a mix of events, when Dolittle find himself overwhelmed with animals that seek out his help, including: an alcoholic monkey, injured fowl, and a severely depressed tiger on the verge of suicidal tendencies. When his peculiar behavior is observed by others including his wife Lisa, Dolittle finds himself admitted to a psychiatric hospital. Believing his abilities are a hindrance to his practice, and his family life, Dolittle decides to go back to work as a respected surgeon. In doing so, he realizes that his relationship with his youngest daughter has become strained. Dolittle decides to again help his animal friends, and tells his daughter that she can do and be anything that she wants to. Together, he and Lucky set out to help the unstable tiger. Stealing the feline from the circus for an emergency operation, Dolittle's actions again attract the attention and scrutiny of his peers. John's father Archer, reveals to Lisa that his son's professed ability to talk to animals is real and has been since the latter was a child. Lisa decides to support her husband and with her support, Dolittle successfully removes the cause of the tiger's pain and mental distress. Following the experience, John decides to be a surgeon and a veterinary physician so that he can continue to serve as the voice of, and care for the animals.[2]
Dr. Dolittle 2 (2001)
After several years of officially practicing as a veterinarian, Dolittle continues to provide help to the animals that seek him out. Since becoming a celebrity, Dolittle finds his work-load increasing, as he travels the world performing his skills. Returning home, he scolds his daughter Charisse for her school failures, while gifting his younger daughter Maya with a Chameleon. At Charisse's birthday party, a group of animals approach him providing a message from the Godbeaver. Agreeing to meet with the leader of the animal mafia, Dolittle agrees to helping the animals in preserving their forest habitat from a large logging company. The group decides that their best argument to defend the area will be to protect the endangered species of bear, known as the Pacific Western. However, there is only a female named Ava living in its area. Dedicated to helping the animals of the forest, he persuades the Pacific Western male named Archie to aid their cause. Raised in captivity, Archie agrees with the prospect of a girlfriend, but must first revert to his natural instincts under Dolittle's tutelage. Upon taking his family on a month-long vacation in the woods, Ava agrees to placing a relationship with a Grizzly Bear named Sonny that she is romantically involved with on hold, until a month's time when Dolittle will present her with a bear she can love of her own kind. Dolittle prepares Archie for his courting of Ava, as well as a confrontation with her less-than-affectionate Grizzly. After a failed attempt to emulate Dolittle's own love for his wife, Archie secludes himself into a newfound cave. When Dolittle tries to reinvigorate Archie, the latter finds his inner bear after an insult from the Doctor makes him angry. Ava and Archie spend the day together, though Sonny interferes and forces Ava to leave. As time is running out, Archie decides to retrieve a bee hive in a dangerous location for Ava, who in turn finds the motivation to dump Sonny. After destroying a restaurant, the apprentice of logging mogul Joe Potter tranquilizes Archie and takes him into confinement where he'll be sold to a Mexican circus. Discovering his daughter has his same abilities, Dolittle's determination to save his animal friends reinvigorated. An army of animals prevent the logging company from a demolition of the forest, as Dolittle begins renegotiations. All over the world animals go on strike, including Shamu at SeaWorld. After some time, Potter relinquishes and the forest is effectively saved. Dolittle begins to work with Charisse in talking to and helping animals, while Archie and Ava as a couple present their two cubs.[3]
Dr. Dolittle 3 (2006)
Maya Dolittle, the youngest daughter of Dr. John Dolittle, realizes that she has inherited her father's ability to talk to animals. As she develops this gift and tries to use it in her assistant-veterinary job, she continues to find trouble in her pursuits. In the meantime her friends start to wonder if she has gone crazy. While John, and the older daughter Charisse, are away on expeditions to help animals, her mother sends Maya to a summer camp so that she can get away for a while. Upon her arrival, Maya uses her ability to communicate with animals in order to save the camp ranch from being bought out by a neighboring farm company. Over time she realizes that her abilities to talk to animals, may prove helpful to a weak entry from the camp, in an upcoming rodeo competition.[4]
Dr. Dolittle: Tail to the Chief (2008)
Just as her father and older sister had before her, Maya Dolittle has gained a reputation as the girl who can talk to animals. While John is away on expeditions to help animals, and Charisse is off at college, the U.S. president seeks the help of the Dolittles. Maya takes John's place, aiding their dog Daisy, who's been causing some unruly circumstances at the White House. During her visit, she ends up becoming involved with a matter of international importance. The President also asks for Maya's help in saving an African forest that is being considered for land development. During a dinner with the royalty of the forest, Maya discovers that the chief security for the President, has been corrosively been sabotaging the prince to sell the land and make millions. With Maya's help, the forest is saved.[5][6]
Dr. Dolittle: Million Dollar Mutts (2009)
Maya Dolittle, who's about to begin veterinary schooling, decides that given her unique talents she doesn't need to. After being discovered helping animals by a celebrity named Tiffany Monaco, the star asks Maya to come to Hollywood to help her needful puppy. Once in Hollywood, Maya joins Tiffany in a television series called The Animal Talkers. While she is there, she finds her old friend Monkey has been pursuing an acting career. After some time, Maya realizes that the show is not dedicated to assisting the animals, and decides to return home. As she starts her schooling, she finds that her love-interest from Hollywood will also be going to school with her. Monkey quits Hollywood, to come and assist Maya in her pursuits.[7]
Dolittle (2020)
In 19th Century-England, Dr. John Dolittle lives in the solitude of his mansion, following the death of his beloved wife. His only companionship is a vast array of exotic animals, that come to him for help since he has the unique ability of being able to speak to them. When a young Queen Alexandria Victoria becomes gravely ill, and after being convinced by his animal friends that he needs to begin making human connections again, Dolittle agrees. Upon meeting the Queen, he discovers that she has accidentally eaten a deadly nightshade in her tea that was placed in her tea by someone to kill her. Leaving behind some of his animals to watch over her, Dolittle sets sail with the rest of his animal crew, on a grand adventure to a legendary island to find that has the cure. Along the way he evades his lifelong rival Dr. Blair Müdfly, and becomes imprisoned by his father-in-law, the pirate-king Rassouli. After some time the king decides to honor the memory of his daughter and sets Dolittle and his friends free, providing them with his personal ship for their journey. Arriving at the island, Dolittle and his animal friends find the mythical dragon known as Ginko-Who-Soars. Initially attacking, Ginko collapses in pain. Dolittle discovers blockage in her bowels from the previous invaders that she has eaten. With Dolittle's help, she is relieved of her pain. The dragon guides them to the tree that his deceased wife had once told him about, which provides Dolittle with the cure. He and his entourage of animals return to the Queen, just in time to save her life. One of his friends, a stick insect, he had left behind to watch after the Queen reveals that one of the royal chairmen named Lord Thomas Badgley, was the culprit that attempted to assassinate her with the poison in her drink. Queen Victoria has him arrested for treason. Having once again found purpose and learning to cope with the sadness he feels in coping with the passing of his wife, Dolittle reopens his animal sanctuary and officially hires his young apprentice, Tommy Stubbins.[8][9]
Principal cast
Additional crew and production details
| Film | Crew/Detail | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Composer | Cinematographer | Editor(s) | Production companies |
Distributing company |
Running time | MPAA rating | |
| Doctor Dolittle | Leslie Bricusse | Robert L. Surtees | Samuel E. Beetley Marjorie Fowler |
Twentieth Century Fox Arthur P. Jacobs Productions |
Twentieth Century Fox | 2hrs 32mins | G |
| Dr. Dolittle | Richard Gibbs | Russell Boyd | Peter Teschner | Friendly Films Davis Entertainment Twentieth Century Fox Joseph M. Singer Entertainment |
1hr 25mins | PG-13 | |
| Dr. Dolittle 2 | David Newman | Daryn Okada | Craig Herring | Friendly Films Twentieth Century Fox Davis Entertainment Company Joseph M. Singer Entertainment |
Twentieth Century Fox Twentieth Century Fox Film Company |
1hr 27mins | PG |
| Dr. Dolittle 3 | Christopher Lennertz | Eric J. Goldstein | Tony Lombardo | Davis Entertainment DC3 Productions Ltd. Twentieth Century Fox Major Studios Partners 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment |
20th Century Fox Home Entertainment | 1hr 30mins | |
| Dr. Dolittle: Tail of the Chief |
Don Macdonald | Ron Stannett | Michael Trent | DD4C Productions Davis Entertainment 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment |
1hr 25mins | ||
| Dr. Dolittle: Million Dollar Mutts |
Chris Hajian | Bert Dunk | Marshall Havey | Dolittle 5 Productions Dolittle 5 US Productions Davis Entertainment Company 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment |
1hr 23mins | ||
| Dolittle | Danny Elfman | Guillermo Navarro | Nick Moore Craig Alpert |
Team Downey Universal Pictures Perfect World Pictures Roth/Kirschenbaum Films |
Universal Pictures | 1hr 41mins | |
Reception
Box office performance
| Film | Box office gross | Box office ranking | Budget | Worldwide Net Income/Loss |
Ref. | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| North America | Other territories | Worldwide | All time North America |
All time worldwide | ||||
| Doctor Dolittle | $9,000,000 | N/A | $9,000,000 | #5,273 | #7,253 | $17,000,000 | -$8,000,000 | [10][11] |
| Dr. Dolittle | $144,156,605 | $150,300,000 | $294,456,605 | #401 | #615 | $71,500,000 | $222,956,605 | [12][13] |
| Dr. Dolittle 2 | $112,952,899 | $63,151,445 | $176,104,344 | #616 | #1,443 | $72,000,000 | $104,104,344 | [14][15] |
| Dr. Dolittle 3 | N/A | N/A | $9,033,484[lower-alpha 1] | N/A | N/A | $6,000,000 | $3,033,484 | [16] |
| Dr. Dolittle: Tail to the Chief |
N/A | N/A | $6,267,699[lower-alpha 1] | N/A | N/A | $6,000,000 | $267,699 | [17][18] |
| Dr. Dolittle: Million Dollar Mutts |
N/A | N/A | Information not available | N/A | N/A | $6,000,000 | Information not available | [19] |
| Dolittle | $63,834,565 | $96,900,000 | $160,734,565 | #1,317 | #1,004 | $175,000,000 | -$14,265,435 | [20][21] |
| Approximate Totals | ~$329,944,069 | ~$310,351,445 | ~$655,596,697 | ~$353,500,000 | ~$308,096,697 | |||
- Figures are based only on home-video sales, as this film was released straight-to-video.
Critical and public response
| Film | Rotten Tomatoes | Metacritic | CinemaScore |
|---|---|---|---|
| Doctor Dolittle | 29% (21 reviews)[22] | 34/100 (6 reviews)[23] | N/A |
| Dr. Dolittle | 42% (52 reviews)[24] | 46/100 (20 reviews)[25] | A-[26] |
| Dr. Dolittle 2 | 42% (107 reviews)[27] | 49/100 (28 reviews)[28] | B+[26] |
| Dr. Dolittle 3 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Dr. Dolittle: Tail to the Chief | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Dr. Dolittle: Million Dollar Mutts | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Dolittle | 14% (227 reviews[29] | 26/100 (46 reviews)[30] | B[31] |
References
- "Doctor Dolittle". January 1, 1967. Archived from the original on March 22, 2020. Retrieved April 14, 2020.
- Klady, Leonard (June 24, 1998). "Dr. Dolittle". Archived from the original on June 8, 2019. Retrieved April 14, 2020.
- Leydon, Joe (June 21, 2001). "Dr. Dolittle 2". Archived from the original on March 22, 2020. Retrieved April 14, 2020.
- "Dr Dolittle 3 – review | cast and crew, movie star rating and where to watch film on TV and online". Radio Times. Archived from the original on 2020-03-22. Retrieved 2020-04-14.
- "Dr Dolittle: Tail to the Chief – review | cast and crew, movie star rating and where to watch film on TV and online". Radio Times. Archived from the original on 2020-03-22. Retrieved 2020-04-14.
- Gustafson, Bethany (February 28, 2008). "Dr. Dolittle: Tail To The Chief". ParentPreviews.com website. Archived from the original on March 22, 2020. Retrieved April 14, 2020.
- "Dr Dolittle: Million Dollar Mutts – review | cast and crew, movie star rating and where to watch film on TV and online". Radio Times. Archived from the original on 2020-03-22. Retrieved 2020-04-14.
- McNary, Dave (March 20, 2017). "Robert Downey Jr. to Star as 'Doctor Dolittle' in New Film". Archived from the original on November 22, 2019. Retrieved April 14, 2020.
- Howard, Courtney (January 15, 2020). "'Dolittle': Film Review". Archived from the original on March 12, 2020. Retrieved April 14, 2020.
- Solomon, Aubrey (1989). Twentieth Century Fox: A Corporate and Financial History (The Scarecrow Filmmakers Series). Lanham, Maryland: Scarecrow Press. p. 254. ISBN 978-0-8108-4244-1.
- "Doctor Dolittle (1967) - Financial Information". The Numbers. Archived from the original on 2019-09-05. Retrieved 2020-02-11.
- "Doctor Dolittle". Box Office Mojo. Archived from the original on 2020-02-15. Retrieved 2020-02-11.
- "Doctor Dolittle (1998) - Financial Information". The Numbers. Archived from the original on 2017-11-09. Retrieved 2020-02-11.
- "Dr. Dolittle 2". Box Office Mojo.
- "Dr. Dolittle 2 (2001) - Financial Information". The Numbers. Archived from the original on 2017-11-09. Retrieved 2020-02-11.
- "Dr. Dolittle 3 (2006) - Financial Information". The Numbers.
- "Dr. Dolittle: Tail to the Chief". Archived from the original on 2019-09-07. Retrieved 2020-02-11 – via www.imdb.com.
- "Doctor Dolittle: Tail to the Chief (2008) - Financial Information". The Numbers.
- "Dr. Dolittle: Million Dollar Mutts". Archived from the original on 2019-09-07. Retrieved 2020-02-11 – via www.imdb.com.
- "Dolittle". Box Office Mojo. Archived from the original on 2020-02-15. Retrieved 2020-02-11.
- "Dolittle (2020) - Financial Information". The Numbers. Archived from the original on 2020-03-08. Retrieved 2020-02-11.
- "Doctor Dolittle (1967)". Archived from the original on 2019-05-23. Retrieved 2020-09-04 – via www.rottentomatoes.com.
- "Doctor Dolittle" – via www.metacritic.com.
- "Dr. Dolittle (1998)". Archived from the original on 2020-04-11. Retrieved 2020-02-11 – via www.rottentomatoes.com.
- "Dr. Dolittle". Archived from the original on 2018-02-04. Retrieved 2020-02-11 – via www.metacritic.com.
- "Cinemascore :: Movie Title Search". Cinemascore.com. Archived from the original on 20 December 2018. Retrieved 22 September 2018.
- "Dr. Dolittle 2 (2001)". Archived from the original on 2019-05-06. Retrieved 2020-02-11 – via www.rottentomatoes.com.
- "Dr. Dolittle 2". Archived from the original on 2018-02-25. Retrieved 2020-02-11 – via www.metacritic.com.
- "Dolittle (2020)". Archived from the original on 2020-02-10. Retrieved 2020-09-04 – via www.rottentomatoes.com.
- "Dolittle". Archived from the original on 2020-02-12. Retrieved 2020-09-04 – via www.metacritic.com.
- Anthony D'Alessandro (January 21, 2020). "How Sony Built 'Bad Boys For Life' Into A Success With $101M+ WW & $73M+ U.S.; 'Dolittle' Poised For $50M+ Loss – Monday Update". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved January 20, 2020.