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Sports comedy

The Love Bug (1969): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot

The Love Bug (1969) movie poster

The Love Bug is a 1969 sports comedy directed by Robert Stevenson, starring Dean Jones, Barry Kelley and Joe Flynn. It runs 1 hour 48 minutes and earned $51.3 million worldwide. Critics gave it 48 on Metacritic.

worldwide gross
$51.3M
Metascore
48
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The Love Bug (1969) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 48m (108 min)
Director
Robert Stevenson
Genres
Sport , Comedy , Family
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is The Love Bug About?

The premise of The Love Bug without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

A spirited Volkswagen Beetle named Herbie becomes an unexpected racing champion. Driven by his owner's compassion and possessing a mind of his own, Herbie demonstrates a surprising talent for winning. Along the way, he captures the affection of those around him and proves that even the most unconventional competitor can achieve victory.

The Love Bug Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • vehicle driving by itself
  • volkswagen beetle
  • car
  • volkswagen
  • herbie the love bug character
  • hippie
  • automobile racing
  • attempted suicide
  • car accident
  • drive in restaurant
  • road rally
  • sabotage
+38 more
  • coffee
  • jealousy
  • car dealer
  • blockbuster
  • tree
  • forest
  • car jump
  • oil
  • flat tire
  • tire
  • police officer
  • screwball
  • rolls royce
  • lamborghini
  • car smashing
  • chinese american
  • gas station
  • deception
  • car crash
  • car racing
  • motor vehicle
  • mechanic
  • vehicle
  • slimehouse
  • demolition derby
  • race car number 53
  • junk art
  • ford edsel grill
  • cable car
  • decanter
  • 1963 apollo 3500 gt
  • kicking a tire
  • automobile showroom
  • facial cut
  • oil leak
  • car peeling out
  • drag race
  • reference to adam and eve
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Cast & crew

The Love Bug Cast

Dean Jones leads the cast, with Barry Kelley and Joe Flynn. Directed by Robert Stevenson; 10 actors are credited in all.

From the director

More from Robert Stevenson

More films directed by Robert Stevenson, best-rated first: Mary Poppins, Blackbeard's Ghost, Old Yeller and Darby O'Gill and the Little People.

Full filmography
Ratings

The Love Bug Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave The Love Bug 48 on Metacritic.

Plot

The Love Bug Plot Summary

What happens in The Love Bug from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 14 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Jim Douglas, a former racing legend now reduced to competing in demolition derbies, lives in an old firehouse that boasts a stunning view of San Francisco Bay alongside his friend, Tennessee Steinmetz. Tennessee is a talented mechanic and sculptor who also embraces Buddhist practices. During a visit to an upscale European car dealership, Jim meets the cheerful sales assistant, Carole Bennett, and the haughty owner, Peter Thorndyke, who mistreats a recently returned white Volkswagen Beetle. Facing financial difficulties, Jim exits the dealership, only to find the Beetle inexplicably tailing him back to his firehouse. Following a run-in with law enforcement for supposed grand theft, Jim reluctantly agrees to a lease-purchase for the quirky car.

Full summary

The whole story of The Love Bug, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

The Love Bug Box Office

The Love Bug grossed $51.3 million worldwide. $51.3 million came from the US and Canada and $22 (0%) from the rest of the world.

1969 box office

Worldwide gross

$51.3M

US & Canada
$51.3M
International
$22
US & Canada 100% Rest of the world 0%
Videos

The Love Bug Trailers & Videos

2 videos: 2 trailers.

The Love Bug (1968) Disney Home Video Australia Trailer
  • Trailer The Love Bug | Unofficial Official Trailer | Disney+
Quiz

How Well Do You Know The Love Bug?

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 type of vehicle is Herbie?

Cars

Cars in The Love Bug

169 cars on screen, including the 1960 Volkswagen Sun-Roof Sedan Typ 1 and the 1963 Apollo 3500 GT.

All 169 cars
  • 1960 Volkswagen Sun-Roof Sedan Typ 1 in The Love Bug 1960 Volkswagen Sun-Roof Sedan Typ 1 Featured role
  • 1963 Apollo 3500 GT in The Love Bug 1963 Apollo 3500 GT Main role
  • 1964 Jaguar XK-E in The Love Bug 1964 Jaguar XK-E Important role
  • 1955 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith in The Love Bug 1955 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith Important role
Details

The Love Bug Also Known As

29 alternative titles, including “Un Amour de Coccinelle” and “Cupido motorizado”.

Also known as
  • Un Amour de Coccinelle
  • Cupido motorizado
  • Herbie
  • Ahí va ese bólido
  • Herbie: The Love Bug
  • Το Τρελό Κατσαριδάκι
  • Herbie – Se Meu Fusca Falasse
  • Miláček Herbie
  • Κατσαριδάκι... Αγάπη μου
  • Ein toller Käfer
  • Un maggiolino tutto matto
  • Hurra for Herbie
+17 more
  • Můj miláček Brouk
  • Gasen i botten Herbie
  • Se o Meu Carro Falasse...
  • A kicsi kocsi kalandjai
  • Фольксваген-жук
  • Se Meu Fusca Falasse
  • Gândacul dragostei
  • Aşk Böceği
  • Хърби - Бръмбарът на любовта
  • 鬼马神仙车
  • 러브 버그
  • החיפושית המשתוללת
  • Kochany chrabąszcz
  • Riemukupla
  • ラブ・バッグ
  • El retorn del Herbie
  • 鬼馬神仙車

Seen The Love Bug?

FAQ

The Love Bug FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

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

How long is The Love Bug?

The Love Bug runs 1 hour 48 minutes (108 minutes).

When was The Love Bug released?

The Love Bug was released on March 13, 1969.

Who directed The Love Bug?

The Love Bug was directed by Robert Stevenson.

More films by Robert Stevenson

Who is in the cast of The Love Bug?

The Love Bug stars Dean Jones, Barry Kelley and Joe Flynn, among 10 credited actors.

How much did The Love Bug make at the box office?

The Love Bug grossed $51.3 million worldwide ($51.3 million domestic, $22 international).

How is The Love Bug rated?

The Love Bug has 48 on Metacritic and 65% on TMDB.

Does The Love Bug have a post-credit scene?

No. The Love Bug has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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