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Action comedy

Dolittle (2020): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Ending

Dolittle (2020) movie poster

Dolittle is a 2020 action comedy directed by Stephen Gaghan, starring Robert Downey Jr. as Dr. John Dolittle, Kasia Smutniak and Jessie Buckley. It brings to the screen characters from The Voyages of Doctor Dolittle by Hugh Lofting. It runs 1 hour 41 minutes and earned $251.4 million worldwide on a $175 million budget. Critics gave it 15% on Rotten Tomatoes and 26 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.6/10.

IMDb rating
5.6/10
Rotten Tomatoes
15%
worldwide gross
$251.4M
Echo Score
45
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Dolittle (2020) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 41m (101 min)
Director
Stephen Gaghan
Original language
English
Budget
$175M
After the credits
Yes Extra scene during or after the credits
The story

What Is Dolittle About?

The premise of Dolittle without spoilers. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.

Having withdrawn from the world after a personal tragedy, the eccentric Dr. John Dolittle is compelled to leave his isolated existence. He joins forces with a young apprentice and a spirited group of animals to embark on a remarkable quest. Their mission: to find a remedy for Queen Victoria's mysterious ailment. Along the journey, they face mythical beasts and rediscover the magic of connection and adventure.

Dolittle Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • gorilla
  • duck
  • live action cgi hybrid
  • veterinarian
  • menagerie
  • live action and animation
  • cgi animal in live action title
  • human animal friendship
  • close up of eyes
  • close up of eye
  • close up of mouth
  • talking animal
+38 more
  • dr. dolittle character
  • one word title
  • surname in title
  • begins with animation
  • squirrel
  • injured animal
  • polar bear
  • ostrich
  • buckingham palace
  • parrot
  • mouse
  • giraffe
  • fox
  • dragonfly
  • lion
  • tiger
  • dungeon
  • dynamite
  • kicked in the groin
  • sleeper hold
  • flatulence
  • bagpipes
  • bat
  • scene during end credits
  • royalty
  • no opening credits
  • no title at beginning
  • animal human communication
  • slimehouse
  • quest adventure
  • 19th century
  • island adventure
  • 3 dimensional
  • 3d
  • fire breathing dragon
  • duck hunting
  • fruit tree
  • grieving widower
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Cast & crew

Dolittle Cast & Characters

Robert Downey Jr. leads the cast as Dr. John Dolittle, with Kasia Smutniak as Lily Dolittle and Jessie Buckley as Queen Victoria. Directed by Stephen Gaghan; 18 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Dolittle

· 14 more
Ratings

Dolittle Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Dolittle 15% on Rotten Tomatoes and 26 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.6/10. Our Echo Score gives it 45/100, strongest in sensory experience (65) and weakest in story & flow (25).

45 /100

Dolittle Echo Score Breakdown

Overall, Dolittle struggles to find cohesive direction and narrative focus, resulting in a mixed reception across audiences. Reviews highlight uneven craftsmanship, with critics describing aesthetic chaos and narrative incoherence, while select viewers praise its visual whimsy and lighthearted tone. The performances and creature designs receive occasional nods for charm, yet the disjointed story and inconsistent humor undermine the experience. In sum, Dolittle presents an uneven package that fails to consistently engage.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 50

    In terms of Art & Craft, Dolittle exhibits moments of visual ambition but suffers from uneven execution. The production design offers colorful, storybook-inspired environments, yet these are undermined by chaotic editing and sporadic aesthetic choices noted by critics. Occasionally, the film’s visual effects draw praise for their imaginative detail, contributing to a whimsical atmosphere. Overall, the artistic elements feel inconsistently realized, blending charm with disorder.

  • Character & Emotion 50

    When it comes to Character & Emotion, Dolittle’s performances generate mixed reactions amid uneven depth. Critics point to Robert Downey Jr.’s inconsistent accent and superficial dialogue that diminish emotional resonance. Conversely, some viewers appreciate Downey’s playful charisma and find the supporting cast, including younger actors, capable of moments of genuine feeling. Despite these highlights, the characters often lack coherent development, resulting in an emotionally uneven experience overall.

  • Story & Flow 25

    Regarding Story & Flow, Dolittle is hampered by a disjointed narrative and erratic pacing. Critics frequently reference a muddled plot, lacking clear impetus and coherence, with major beats feeling perfunctory or underdeveloped. While a few viewers tolerate the whimsical set pieces, the storyline struggles to build meaningful stakes or logical progression. As a result, the film’s engagement dwindles, and its overall narrative impact feels compromised.

  • Sensory Experience 65

    In terms of Sensory Experience, Dolittle delivers varied audio-visual impressions. The visual effects receive commendation for their vibrant detail and cohesive style on high-definition setups, and occasional orchestral cues support the film’s playful tone. However, some critics note the sound design feels generic, and the soundtrack lacks memorable motifs. Overall, while the sensory elements can be engaging in isolation, they do not consistently cohere to elevate the viewing experience.

  • Rewatch Factor 35

    Regarding Rewatch Factor, Dolittle shows limited repeat appeal due to its uneven narrative and humor. While some viewers enjoy revisiting the film’s colorful moments and lighthearted interactions, the overarching incoherence and inconsistent emotional beats diminish lasting interest. The lack of a compelling structure and memorable character arcs reduces incentive for subsequent viewings. Thus, Dolittle’s rewatch value remains modest, appealing primarily to audiences seeking casual visual amusement rather than deeper engagement.

Plot

Dolittle Plot Summary & Ending Explained

What happens in Dolittle from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 4-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

The film opens with a whimsical portrayal of Dr. John Dolittle (Robert Downey Jr.) set in 19th century Britain, narrated by Poly the parrot (Emma Thompson). Renowned for his unique gift of communicating with animals, Dolittle once traveled the globe with his beloved wife Lily ([Kasia Smutniak]) to rescue and care for injured creatures. Tragedy strikes when a sailing expedition with Poly ends in disaster, leading to Lily’s untimely demise in a fierce storm. A heartbroken Dolittle isolates himself from the outside world, shutting down his sanctuary and mourning his loss.

Full summary

The whole story of Dolittle, scene by scene, with the ending explained

Read the full summary
Box office

Dolittle Box Office & Budget

Dolittle grossed $251.4 million worldwide on a $175 million budget, 1.4 times what it cost. $77 million came from the US and Canada and $174.4 million (69%) from the rest of the world.

2020 box office

Worldwide gross

$251.4M

1.4× its budget

US & Canada
$77M
International
$174.4M
Budget
$175M
US & Canada 31% Rest of the world 69%
Videos

Dolittle Trailers & Videos

4 videos: 2 trailers, 1 clip and 1 featurette.

Dolittle - Official Trailer
  • Trailer Dolittle - "Official Trailer"
  • Clip Dolittle | Robert Downey Jr. Heals a Broken-Hearted Dragon
  • Featurette Dolittle - Auditions
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Dolittle?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

What is Dr. Dolittle's extraordinary gift?

Details

Dolittle Also Known As

30 alternative titles, including “Doctor Dolittle's Voyage” and “ドリトル”.

Also known as
  • Doctor Dolittle's Voyage
  • ドリトル
  • The Voyage of Doctor Dolittle
  • Doktor Dolittle'in Yolculugu
  • As Aventuras do Dr. Dolittle
  • 多力特的奇幻冒險
  • 怪醫D老篤
  • Doktor Dolittle
  • Bác Sĩ Dolittle: Chuyến Phiêu Lưu Thần Thoại
  • डूलिटिल
  • Le voyage du Dr Dolittle
  • Доктор Дулитъл
+18 more
  • Удивительное Путешествие Доктора Дулиттла
  • Дулітл
  • 닥터 두리틀
  • Las aventuras del doctor Dolittle
  • Eläintohtori Dolittle
  • Ντούλιτλ
  • Die fantastische Reise des Dr. Dolittle
  • 杜立德
  • דוליטל
  • Дулитл
  • ドクター・ドリトル
  • 多力特的奇幻冒险
  • ด็อกเตอร์ ดูลิตเติ้ล
  • Dolitl
  • Dūlitls
  • Daktaras Dolitlis, დულიტლი
  • دلیتل
  • رحلات الدكتور دوليتل

Seen Dolittle?

FAQ

Dolittle FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings and post-credit scenes of Dolittle, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Dolittle?

Dolittle runs 1 hour 41 minutes (101 minutes).

When was Dolittle released?

Dolittle was released on January 17, 2020.

Who directed Dolittle?

Dolittle was directed by Stephen Gaghan.

More films by Stephen Gaghan

Who is in the cast of Dolittle?

Dolittle stars Robert Downey Jr. as Dr. John Dolittle, Kasia Smutniak as Lily Dolittle and Jessie Buckley as Queen Victoria, among 18 credited actors.

How much did Dolittle make at the box office?

Dolittle grossed $251.4 million worldwide ($77 million domestic, $174.4 million international) on a budget of $175 million.

How is Dolittle rated?

Dolittle has 5.6/10 on IMDb, 15% on Rotten Tomatoes, 26 on Metacritic and 66% on TMDB.

Does Dolittle have a post-credit scene?

Yes. Dolittle has an extra scene during or after the credits, so it is worth staying seated.

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