All 8 Beethoven Movies in Order
Beethoven is a series of family movies, created by John Hughes and Amy Holden Jones. The first movie, Beethoven, hit the theaters in 1992, and in 1993 the sequel Beethoven’s 2nd also came out in theaters. All subsequent sequels were direct-to-video releases. Beethoven’s 3rd came out in 2000, Beethoven’s 4th in 2001, and Beethoven’s 5th (2003). The fifth movie was the end of the original storyline, and in 2008 Beethoven’s Big Break was released as the first installment of a new storyline.
This family franchise wouldn’t be complete without a Christmas movie, so Beethoven’s Christmas Adventure came out in 2011. The last movie in the Beethoven franchise came out in 2014, and it is called Beethoven’s Treasure Tail. In this article, you will find everything you need to enjoy this dog-lead franchise. Let’s see how to watch Beethoven movies in order.
How many Beethoven movies are there?
There are eight Beethoven movies in total. The first five movies follow the original storyline, there is one Christmas movie and two movies that follow a new, rebooted storyline for Beethoven. The movie series ran from 1992 to 2014.
Beethoven movies in order (at a glance)
The premise of the franchise follows a family attempting to control the antics of their pet Saint Bernard aka Beethoven. The first movie was a big box office hit, so no wonder it spawned an 8-part movie series.
- Beethoven (1992)
- Beethoven’s 2nd (1993)
- Beethoven’s 3rd (2000)
- Beethoven’s 4th (2001)
- Beethoven’s 5th (2003)
- Beethoven’s Big Break (2008)
- Beethoven’s Christmas Adventure (2011)
- Beethoven’s Treasure Tail (2014)
Many actors appeared in the Beethoven movie, some of the most notable actors include Charles Grodin, Bonnie Hunt, Dean Jones, Nicholle Tom, Oliver Platt, Stanley Tucci, David Duchovny, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Judge Reinhold, Frank Gorshin, Clint Howard, Kathy Griffin, John Larroquette, Rhea Perlman, Stephen Tobolowsky, Joey Fatone, John Cleese, and Kristy Swanson.
What is the best way to watch Beethoven movies?
The best way to watch the Beethoven movies is in release order. The first five movies are part of the same series and follow the adventure of Beethoven and the Newton family. Beethoven’s Big Break and Beethoven’s Treasure Tail are part of a new storyline, and these movies were a reboot of the series, that followed Beethoven in his standalone adventures. So, it doesn’t matter if you watch the original movies, or the rebooted movies first, as long as you follow their release order. Beethoven’s Christmas Adventure should be enjoyed seasonally, around Christmas, and it is a standalone movie.
Beethoven movies in order (by release date)
1. Beethoven (1992)
Director: Brian Levant
Writers: Edmond Dantes (John Hughes), Amy Holden Jones
Runtime: 87 min
Synopsis: The Newton family finds and adopts a dog, a big Saint Bernard. The family loves the dog and they become attached to him, except for the father, George (Charles Grodin). Everything gets complicated, when an evil veterinarian, Dr. Herman Varnick (Dean Jones), plans to kill Beethoven for his latest experiment. Will the family be able to save him, and will Beethoven win George’s heart?
2. Beethoven’s 2nd (1993)
Director: Rod Daniel
Writers: Len Blum
Runtime: 89 min
Synopsis: In the sequel, Beethoven has a litter of puppies. Now, the Newton family has to rescue the puppies from the greedy owner Regina (Debi Mazar), who alternately wishes to kill or sell the puppies.
3. Beethoven’s 3rd (2000)
Director: David Mickey Evans
Writer: Jeff Schechter
Runtime: 99 min
Synopsis: Beethoven’s 3rd is a direct-to-video movie. Beethoven goes on a cross-country road trip in an RV to attend a family reunion. The Newtons are in Europe, so Beethoven is looked after by George’s brother Richard (Judge Reinhold). Beethoven and his new family have to avoid criminals that are after a DVD copy of The Shakiest Gun in the West that has a computer code hidden in it.
4. Beethoven’s 4th (2001)
Director: David Mickey Evans
Writer: John Loy
Runtime: 93 min
Synopsis: In Beethoven’s 4th, Beethoven gets sent to doggy school. He accidentally switches places with Michelangelo, a well-mannered St. Bernard. The Sedgewick family is very rich, so Simmons and Nigel kidnap Beethoven and lock him in a warehouse, for a ransom of $250,000. Will Beethoven break free? In the end, the Sedgewicks and Newtons then meet up at a fork in the road, though, they never find out about the switching between Beethoven and Michelangelo.
5. Beethoven’s 5th (2003)
Director: Mark Griffiths
Writer: Cliff Ruby, Elana Lesser
Runtime: 90 min
Synopsis: Beethoven visits Sara’s oddball uncle, a clumsy mechanic Freddy Kablinski. Beethoven digs up a clue to the hidden fortune of two bank robbers named Moe and Rita Selig. With a little help from a few friends, Sara and Beethoven try to help uncover a secret that has been in the little town for years.
6. Beethoven’s Big Break (2008)
Director: Mike Elliot
Writer: Derek Rydall
Runtime: 97 min
Synopsis: Beethoven’s Big Break is a reboot of the character and the introduction of a new storyline. Beethoven becomes a movie star. The loveable St. Bernard does one great audition, and it launches him into stardom. But, with fame come enemies. A trio of no-good doers decides to kidnap him and hold him for a million-dollar ransom.
7. Beethoven’s Christmas Adventure (2011)
Director: John Putch
Writer: Daniel Altiere, Steven Altiere
Runtime: 90 min
Synopsis: When a Christmas Elf accidentally takes off in Santa’s sleigh, he ends up crashing into a small town. To make things worse, he loses the magic toy bag. Beethoven helps the Elf, recover the toy bag, and return the sleigh in time for Christmas. This movie is narrated by John Cleese, and this is the only movie in which Beethoven talks.
8. Beethoven’s Treasure Tail (2014)
Director: Ron Oliver
Writer: Ron Oliver
Runtime: 98 min
Synopsis: In Beethoven’s Treasure Tail, Beethoven goes on a long journey home with Eddie, after he gets fired from his job. He gets stuck in a small coastal town, where Beethoven becomes friends with a boy who is looking for buried treasure.
Where to watch Beethoven movies?
Beethoven and Beethoven’s 2nd can be found on Hulu. You can watch Beethoven’s 3rd, Beethoven’s 4th, Beethoven’s 5th, and Beethoven’s Christmas Adventure by renting or purchasing on Google Play, iTunes, Amazon Instant Video, and Vudu. You can stream Beethoven’s Big Break and Beethoven’s Treasure Tail by renting or purchasing them on Amazon Instant Video, iTunes, Google Play, and Vudu.
Do you need to watch Beethoven movies in order?
No, you don’t have to watch the movies in order. All the movies are easy to follow and have plots that aren’t connected from movie to movie. The only thing that the movies have in common is Beethoven and some recurring characters.
Are Beethoven movies connected?
Yes, Beethoven movies are connected. The first five movies revolve around Beethoven and his hectic relationship with the newton family. The Christmas special is Beethoven’s stand-alone adventure. Beethoven’s Big Break and Beethoven’s Treasure Tail movies are a reboot of the franchise in which Beethoven becomes a movie, and wreaks havoc away from the Newton family.
Will there be more Beethoven movies?
Unfortunately, 30 years after the first movie came out, there are no plans to reboot or continue the Beethoven franchise. Fans are eager to see this classic family movie, they grew up with, with new actors and new adventures. But, as of now, there are no new Beethoven movies coming out.
