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All Dogs Go to Heaven

Play trailer Poster for All Dogs Go to Heaven G 1989 1h 26m Kids & Family Fantasy Animation Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
48% Tomatometer 29 Reviews 63% Popcornmeter 250,000+ Ratings
In this animated feature, canine casino owner Charlie (Burt Reynolds) is killed by gambler Carface (Vic Tayback), but returns to Earth from heaven thanks to the powers of a magical, rewindable watch. Charlie sets out to take his revenge on Carface by means of an elaborate plan that involves an orphan girl, Anne-Marie. But as the plan progresses, Charlie discovers that Anne-Marie is being exploited by Carface. Charlie must decide whether to change his mission from one of revenge to one of rescue.
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All Dogs Go to Heaven

Critics Reviews

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Martin F. Kohn Detroit Free Press Dec 13, 2024
4/10
Having Burt Reynolds sing wasn't the only unfortunate move director Don Bluth made in "All Dogs." The worst, by far, was coming up with a story that 5-year-olds will find scary and impenetrable. Go to Full Review
Harper Barnes St. Louis Post-Dispatch Dec 13, 2024
This darkness seem to work against the lightweight nature of the story. I don't think Bluth intended this to be as gloomy a movie as his earlier The Secret of NIMH. Go to Full Review
Michael H. Price Fort Worth Star-Telegram/DFW.com Dec 13, 2024
8/10
Emotional punch, memorable character design and animation, a richly detailed narrative, a delightfully shadowy visual sense and sharp cultural perceptions -- all distinguish All Dogs Go to Heaven, the Don Bluth team's best all-around achievement. Go to Full Review
Chris Sawin Video Librarian Magazine Oct 6, 2026
3/5
Judith Barsi is tragically exceptional, as she outshines everyone in the film with her charm and innocence. The ending basically rips your heart out, and All Dogs Go to Heaven is more memorable because of it. Go to Full Review
Robin Dougherty Boston Phoenix Dec 13, 2024
What kills the movie is its poorly imagined plot. Ann Marie's hapless situation has been made up entirely so Charlie can become a hero -- and there's no chemistry between them. Go to Full Review
Joanna Connors Cleveland Plain Dealer Dec 13, 2024
It's hard to tell just who Don Bluth and company had in mind with this wayward animated feature. It manages to violate just about every rule of family films, beginning with its essential cynicism. Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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Teddy B @RT90521672 4 days ago The tragedy surrounding this film does paint it in an uncomfortable light, but I feel that even removed from that it is already uncomfortably inconsistent in its tone and style. Bluth's steady devolution into cheap cartooniness really starts to show here, adding in a lot more filler and noise and rubbery animation than his previous works. This isn't at all a bad thing---it's only that this film wants so dearly to be somber and reflective, while simultaneously bouncy and bursting with colour. The mix simply doesn't work, and is justified poorly from scene-to-scene. It doesn't add much more to the already saturated troupe in the '80s and '90s of 'tough-guy-becomes-tender-after-rough-life-decisions-and-a-wide-eyed-innocent-kid-that-melts-his-bitter-heart'; it simply just exists as a neutral example. The darker elements are a bit of a downgrade from Bluth's previous offerings, and the plot moves at such a sluggish pace that it all just becomes so boring after a little while. See more Danny L @TheMovieBee Oct 2, 2026 I wanted to like this movie more growing up. But it was just too darn sad. :( See more Animatic D @DrCoomer Aug 26, 2026 Best movie ever!! Loved guest star Gordon freeman! I hope nothing bad happens to him!! -BENREYBENREYBENREYBENREYBENREY See more Nicholas t @nicktalbert2025 Jan 2, 2026 Bad movie animated scene not good just songs See more Sillyicyfemale Dec 27, 2025 This wants me to bring him home See more BadNews R @TheMovieSearch Aug 25, 2025 All Dogs Go to Heaven is one of those animated films that sticks with you long after childhood. I still remember vividly watching it as a kid, and to this day, whenever I’ve lost a dog, the phrase “all dogs go to heaven” has always echoed in my mind. That’s the power of this movie—it became more than just a film, it became a comforting idea for anyone who’s ever loved a pet. The film, released in 1989, is beautifully animated and carries a surprisingly deep story for a family cartoon. It balances themes of life, death, heaven, and even glimpses of hell, all while weaving in humor, music, and heart. For younger audiences, some of these lessons might feel a little mature, but that’s part of what makes the movie so special—it doesn’t talk down to kids. Instead, it uses fantasy and lovable characters to approach big topics in a way that feels emotional and sincere. The characters are unforgettable. Charlie, Itchy, and the little girl Anne-Marie create such a heartfelt bond that you can’t help but root for them. Anne-Marie’s innocence and compassion shine especially bright when she takes in these scrappy, street-smart dogs and turns them into part of her circle, her family. Their dynamic makes the story so touching and timeless. The animation style is rich, creative, and uniquely Don Bluth. It stands apart from Disney, DreamWorks, or Sony Pictures productions because it isn’t afraid to get a little darker, a little more raw, while still keeping that childlike magic alive. That’s part of why All Dogs Go to Heaven has endured for decades—it isn’t just another “cute animal movie,” it’s a layered, emotional story that resonates with both kids and adults. For me, this film will always be one of my favorites. It carries a sense of nostalgia, heart, and comfort that few animated movies can match. I may not rewatch it as often as I should, but every time I do, it reminds me why it’s timeless. The rewatchability is built in from the very first moment, and it never loses its charm. See more Read all reviews
All Dogs Go to Heaven

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Movie Info

Synopsis In this animated feature, canine casino owner Charlie (Burt Reynolds) is killed by gambler Carface (Vic Tayback), but returns to Earth from heaven thanks to the powers of a magical, rewindable watch. Charlie sets out to take his revenge on Carface by means of an elaborate plan that involves an orphan girl, Anne-Marie. But as the plan progresses, Charlie discovers that Anne-Marie is being exploited by Carface. Charlie must decide whether to change his mission from one of revenge to one of rescue.
Director
Don Bluth
Producer
Don Bluth, Gary Goldman, John Pomeroy
Screenwriter
Don Bluth, Ken Cromar, Gary Goldman, Larry Leker, Linda Miller, Monica Parker, John Pomeroy, Guy Shulman, David J. Steinberg, David N. Weiss
Distributor
United Artists, MGM/UA Home Entertainment Inc.
Production Co
Goldcrest Films International
Rating
G
Genre
Kids & Family, Fantasy, Animation
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Nov 17, 1989, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Mar 23, 2017
Box Office (Gross USA)
$26.2M
Runtime
1h 26m
Sound Mix
Dolby, Surround
Aspect Ratio
35mm
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