Cats & Dogs (2001)Movie Reviews

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So-so
Avg. Critic Score: 47 out of 100 Mixed or average reviews Metascore® based on all critic reviews
Information for Parents:
5 OK for kids 5+
Read Common Sense Media review

Critic scores range from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating more favorable reviews.

  • 80
    Washington Post |

    Surprisingly witty and sophisticated spy movie spoof that will tickle adult pet lovers and still capture kids 6 and older with its boy-and-his-dog love story and pet slapstick. Read full review

  • 75
    Chicago Sun-Times | Roger Ebert

    One of the movie's most enjoyable in-jokes is the way some of the animals actually look a little like the humans doing their voices. Read full review

  • 70
    The New York Times | Dana Stevens

    Only a sourpuss could fail to be amused by this movie's sight gags and action sequences or to be charmed by its lighthearted good humor. Read full review

  • 67
    Entertainment Weekly | Lisa Schwarzbaum

    The plot and script sag like worn out chew toys just when Cats & Dogs should be in full squeak. Read full review

  • 50
    San Francisco Chronicle | Bob Graham

    It is never less than interesting. But who wants interesting from a movie called Cats & Dogs? It needs to grab the audience by the scruff of the neck and shake it. Read full review

  • 50
    Variety | Todd McCarthy

    This comically intended battle of the species is family entertainment for families that will buy anything. Read full review

  • 50
    USA Today | Mike Clark

    This family entertainment hard sell lags far behind even "Dr. Dolittle 2." Read full review

  • 30
    Washington Post | Rita Kempley

    The premise is tragically flawed and politically incorrect. In fact, it is blatantly cat-ist. Read full review

  • 30
    Los Angeles Times | Kenneth Turan

    Irritating, childish and more frantic than funny, Cats & Dogs does manage some few pleasant moments, but they are not worth waiting for. Read full review

  • 10
    Wall Street Journal | Joe Morgenstern

    Grindingly tedious. Read full review

View more reviews for Cats & Dogs (2001) on Metacritic

Information for Parents
Common Sense Media says OK for kids 5+ Plenty of heart and hijinks mixed with litter box humor.
What Parents Need to Know Parents need to know that this movie features several potty jokes and a great deal of comic/fantasy violence (no one hurt). Some children may be upset about an elderly character on life support, especially when his condition is used for comedy. A boy is sad when his dog disappears, and is reluctant to make friends with a replacement. The movie is mildly sexist -- although one of the spy dogs is female, she is not a part of the team, and the message that goes out to the spy dogs is prefaced with "gentlemen." A boy's feelings are hurt when he does so badly at soccer try-outs (off screen) that the coach suggests that he try out for the girls' team.
  • Families can talk about the different ways that the cats and dogs deal with failure and setbacks and their ability to work as a team.
  • Families can also talk about Ivy's comment, "Sometimes mad is just a way of hiding how sad you are." Have you ever felt this way?
The good stuff
  • message true2 Positive messages: While there's plenty of litter box humor, this movie comes down on the side of loyalty and the importance of family.
What to watch for
  • violence false2 Violence and scariness: Characters in peril, and plenty of comic slapstick violence between animals. Sad disappearance of a dog.
  • sex false1 Sexy stuff: Mild references to whether a male dog has been fixed.
  • language false1 Language: Some mild language.
  • consumerism false0 Consumerism: Not an issue
  • drugsalcoholtobacco false0 Drinking, drugs and smoking: Not an issue
An independent nonprofit dedicated to providing families the information they need to help kids thrive in a world of media and technology. © Common Sense Media Inc. 2010. All rights reserved.

Cats & Dogs (2001) Movie Ratings + Reviews

Fans say

So-so 705 fan reviews

Critics say

So-so See all critic reviews

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