ALL DOGS GO TO HEAVEN
A delightful, expertly made lesson in love and friendship.
Should You Watch It?
Yes. All Dogs Go to Heaven is an expertly animated, delightful story about greed, love and friendship. Its humor works for children and adults, and its acknowledgment of right and wrong is a welcome departure from much of Hollywood.
The movie’s heavenly premise needs a clear biblical explanation. Charlie’s good deeds appear connected to his status in Heaven, but Scripture says people are saved “not on the basis of deeds we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy” (Titus 3:5). Parents should make clear that not all people go to Heaven and that salvation does not come through good works.
You can enjoy this film with your family, using its moral questions as an opportunity for conversation.
The Story
NO SPOILERS — WE KEEP THE SURPRISESIn New Orleans, circa 1939, Charlie B. Barkin, a rascally German shepherd, escapes the city pound with help from Itchy, a hyperactive dachshund. Charlie returns to reunite with his partner, Carface Malone, a pitbull who became mysteriously wealthy while Charlie was incarcerated.
After Charlie encounters the Pearly Gates, he returns to set things right. He and Itchy soon discover Carface’s golden goose: Anne-Marie, an orphaned girl who can talk to animals.
Is It Any Good?
Four stars means this film is expertly made and thoroughly enjoyable. The animation is expertly handled, and the movie’s humor works on both children and adults.
It is also a musical comedy with a strong moral center. The story functions as a warning about greed while offering a delightful lesson in love and friendship. Child and parent alike can appreciate what the film does well.
The Worldview
The film openly acknowledges right and wrong and presents greed as something destructive. It also values love, friendship, forgiveness and self-sacrifice. Charlie’s relationship with Itchy and his response to Anne-Marie give the story its redemptive movement.
The central theological problem is the implication that good deeds affect a person’s status in Heaven. If Charlie were a human being, his good deeds would not save him. Scripture says people are saved “not on the basis of deeds we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy” (Titus 3:5). Parents should explain this distinction clearly: the film’s moral lessons are worthwhile, but salvation is not earned through works.
The movie’s longing for love, forgiveness and restored friendship points toward truths Scripture affirms. Yet the gospel grounds salvation in God’s mercy rather than human goodness.
The Content Guide
The specifics — spoilers included by nature — so you can judge for your own family.
Content Summary
Very strong moral worldview with some redemptive content, but the works theology implication in the title and plot requires caution; and, nothing else objectionable.
Talk About It
Questions for the drive home, the dinner table, or the youth group.
Charlie learns about greed, love and friendship. Which of these does the movie show most clearly, and how does Scripture describe loving others?
John 13:34–35 · 1 Corinthians 13:4–7Anne-Marie responds to Charlie with forgiveness after learning how he exploited her. What does genuine forgiveness look like?
Ephesians 4:32 · Colossians 3:13The film connects good deeds with a person’s standing in Heaven. What does Titus 3:5 teach about the source of salvation?
Titus 3:5 · Ephesians 2:8–9The Final Word
All Dogs Go to Heaven is expertly made, funny and full of valuable lessons about greed, love and friendship. Enjoy it with your family, but use its heavenly premise to explain that salvation comes through God’s mercy, not good works. WORTH THE TRIP for children and adults.
