Dr. Dolittle – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Dr. Dolittle

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

movie1998

45%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

Eddie Murphy talks to animals in this 1998 comedy that's heavy on bathroom jokes and sexual innuendo, light on actual charm.

44%

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Dr. Dolittle

movie

PG-13, 1998

45%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

Eddie Murphy talks to animals in this 1998 comedy that's heavy on bathroom jokes and sexual innuendo, light on actual charm.

44%

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Screenwise Verdict

This is the movie equivalent of finding a forgotten VHS in your parents' basement—technically watchable, but why would you?

The 1998 Dr. Dolittle had potential: Eddie Murphy, talking animals, a premise kids love. But it squanders all of it with lazy writing that leans hard on sexual innuendo (seriously, multiple parents warn it's basically a crash course in bedroom humor) and bathroom jokes instead of actual wit or heart. The 44% critic score and dismal 35% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes tell the story: this didn't work then, and it's aged like milk.

For modern families, there are dozens of better animal-communication movies that don't require you to explain adult jokes to your 8-year-old. Skip it unless you're doing a deep dive on Eddie Murphy's filmography or you need background noise while folding laundry.

Age Fit

Common Sense Media suggests 9+, and parent reviews confirm that's about right due to sexual references that will go over younger kids' heads but teach older elementary kids more than you probably want. Teens will find it painfully dated and boring.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

Eddie Murphy brings charm and the animal-communication premise is inherently positive, but parent reviews consistently flag excessive sexual innuendo, near-sex scenarios, and bedroom jokes that undermine the family-friendly veneer. The emotional core of a dad reconnecting with childhood wonder is sweet, but it's buried under PG-13-style humor in a PG wrapper.

Imaginative

Talking animals and a doctor who can hear them is a fun hook that invites kids to wonder about animal perspectives. Late-90s CGI and animatronics feel dated now, and the execution leans more toward slapstick chaos than genuine curiosity or world-building. It's imaginative in concept but doesn't invite much creative thinking beyond the premise.

Safe

Common Sense Media rates it for age 9 and multiple parent reviews warn about sexual references that will teach younger kids 'what parents do in the bedroom.' There's also crude humor, mild language, and some bathroom jokes. No graphic violence or trauma, but the adult-leaning innuendo is the real safety concern for families expecting a wholesome animal comedy.

Enriching

There's a thin thread about embracing your authentic self and listening to the world around you, but it's not developed meaningfully. The movie prioritizes pratfalls and potty humor over any real lessons about animals, empathy, or personal growth. Critical scores (44% RT critics, 35% audience, 5.4 IMDb) reflect a movie that entertains weakly but teaches little.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Eddie Murphy's charisma and physical comedy can still land with kids who enjoy his energy
The core idea of understanding animals' perspectives is genuinely appealing to animal-loving kids
Some silly animal gags (guinea pig needing therapy, etc.) get laughs from the 8-10 crowd
Brief moments about accepting your weirdness and listening to your inner voice

⚠

What to Watch For

Lots of sexual innuendo, bedroom jokes, and near-sex scenarios that parents consistently flag as too mature for elementary-aged kids
Crude humor including butt jokes, bathroom gags, and animals behaving inappropriately
Dated 90s comedy style that feels slow and clunky compared to modern family films
Low entertainment value even for nostalgic adults—this isn't one that holds up

Conversation Starters

"If you could talk to animals, which one would you want to have a conversation with first?"
"Why do you think Dr. Dolittle stopped listening to animals when he was a kid?"
"What do you think your pet would say if they could talk to you?"

Deep Dive

The Murphy pivot

If you're here because your kid just saw a trailer for a certain ogre sequel and wants more of that specific energy, you’re looking at the start of Eddie Murphy's long run in family-adjacent comedies. It’s a fascinating time capsule. In 1998, the move was to take a massive R-rated stand-up star and drop him into a world of CGI animals, hoping the "fish out of water" vibe would carry the day. For a broader look at how his career shifted from adult-only sets to talking donkeys, our Eddie Murphy: A Parent’s Guide to the 2026 Comeback has the full context.

The 90s gross-out tax

There is a specific brand of comedy from this era that hasn't just aged poorly—it’s become cringe-inducing. While we expect some "butt humor" in a movie about a vet, Dr. Dolittle goes out of its way to make the animals act like characters from a late-night sitcom. The humor isn't just "crude," it's weirdly adult. When parents mention sexual innuendo, they aren't talking about one stray comment. They’re talking about an entire subplot where the doctor's "gift" is treated like a psychological breakdown or an excuse for animal-based "bedroom" jokes. It’s a mismatch for families looking for a sweet animal story.

Better animal conversations

The core fantasy of talking to your dog is a winner, but this movie treats it like a burden. Instead of the wonder you see in modern animal adventures, you get a doctor who is mostly annoyed or terrified by the creatures he encounters. If your kid is in an "animal obsessed" phase, there are much better ways to engage that interest without the 90s baggage. Our Dr. Dolittle: A Parent's Guide 2025 breaks down how the franchise has evolved and where you can find versions that actually prioritize empathy and nature over cheap gags.

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