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Hotel for Dogs

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 5, age appropriate for kids over 7; suggested age 7.
  • Is it any good?

    3.0
  • Common Sense says

    Young pet lovers will get a kick out of dog comedy.

Why We Rated This on for Ages 7 and Up

The good stuff

  • Educational value:

    May help teach kids the importance of community involvement.
  • Messages:

    Overall, despite a bit of iffy behavior on the part of the main characters, the film sends the message that young people can make a difference in their communities.
  • Role models:

    The siblings are very close, but they also do some iffy things to make money -- like pawning fake cell phones.
 

What to watch out for

  • Violence & scariness:

    Slapsticky violence like characters falling, stepping on poop and pee, etc. Also references to dead parents and "awful" foster care.
  • Sexy stuff:

    Teenagers flirt, and one couple kisses, while another girl gives a boy a quick smooch. A teenage boy calls two characters "fine" and "hot."
  • Language:

    Very mild -- "stupid."
  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Not an issue.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Hotel for Dogs

Parents need to know that this Nickelodeon-produced comedy about an orphaned brother and sister (played by tween faves Emma Roberts and Jake T. Austin) who set up a secret refuge for stray dogs is targeted squarely at the family market. Because the main characters are orphans living in foster care, there are some references to dead parents, but it doesn't get too emotional. And with no swearing or consumerism and only mild flirting (though there are a couple of kisses), the movie is age-appropriate for grade-schoolers while still appealing to tweens.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about why so many movie kids are orphans. Do you feel more sympathy for kids who don't have parents? Do they seem like bigger heroes than other kids?
  • Do movies like this ever make you anxious about your own family? Parents: Talk to your kids about any fears or worries they might have about being without you.
  • Kids: Can you think of ways that your actions can make a positive change in your community?

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Our Members Say

Have you seen it? Review It!

  • What did you think about Hotel for Dogs?
  •  I think this movie is

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  •  Any concerns?

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  • or to post a review
See all 47 member reviews

Most Recent Reviews

  1. Kid Reviewer Age 10
    Lives in New Hampshire
    I rate this title on for age 8 and give it 5.0
    • My highlights are:
    • Educational
    • Positive messages

    Awesome movie

    I've only seen it once but I think it's good and bad.

  2. Kid Reviewer Age 11
    Lives in Tennessee
    I rate this title on for age 6 and give it 4.0
    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages
    • Good role models

    cute movie

    I loved hotel for dogs it was a great family movie and it was also a great animal movie it was humorous and fun it was a cute movie

  3. I rate this title on for age 6 and give it 5.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive consumerism

    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages
    • Good role models

    Good for Everyone

    The movie is good because it really gives a good message of how sibblings take care of each other. Though quite slow but maintains its flow throught.

  4. Kid Reviewer Age 12
    Lives in Washington
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 1.0

    BAD

    dont see it

  5. Kid Reviewer Age 10
    I rate this title on for age 10 and give it 3.0

    i just want to whach it okay

  6. I rate this title on for age 8 and give it 3.0

    Pretty Predictable Kids/Animals Flick

    While there isn't anything particularly troubling about this film I didn't find it very engaging and it seemed to drag on a bit. (How many dog-related inventions can really be entertaining?) The children are living in/running from an unsavory foster home after losing their parents. There is also a scene right at the beginning in which the kids are running a scam/stealing and running from the authorities. Entertaining for the kids but just tolerable for even the most animal-loving adults.

  7. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    Lives in Georgia
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 3.0

    Pretty good movie. [:

  8. I rate this title on for age 5 and give it 4.0

    Me and the kids were very excited to see Hotel for Dogs and we loved seeing all the different breeds of dogs but the kids got bored out a little towards the end.

  9. Teen Reviewer Age 15
    Lives in Illinois
    I rate this title on for age 7 and give it 4.0
    My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate language

    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages
    • Good role models

    funny kids movie

    good for the little ones

  10. Kid Reviewer Age 11
    Lives in California
    I rate this title on for age 4 and give it 3.0
    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages

    It's cute. It's not my ideal movie considering I'm 11 yrs old but it's entertaining and leaves you smiling. Parents should know that there really isn't anything inappropriate except for some crude humor, like dogs pooping and stepping in poo and pee.

  11. Teen Reviewer Age 15
    Lives in New York
    I rate this title on for age 6 and give it 3.0

    Better than the book, but there are better dog films.

    This dog film is okay and funny at times, but it just kinda falls flat.

  12. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    Lives in Illinois
    I rate this title on for age 6 and give it 5.0

  13. Parent Reviewer
    Lives in Oklahoma
    I rate this title on for age 7 and give it 3.0

  14. Parent Reviewer
    Lives in California
    I rate this title on for age 6 and give it 4.0

    Read these reviews and make your call

    I will defer to the opinions of those who feel children from troubled backgrounds would find this disturbing. But my daughter and I found it charming (my word) and funny (hers). She was not bothered by the kids' ambiguous life situation and loved their creativity and commitment. I enjoyed being reminded of the Disney movies of my childhood. I did have to answer questions about why the police "don't understand" that they are trying to help. All in all, we enjoyed it!

  15. Kid Reviewer Age 11
    Lives in California
    I rate this title on for age 10 and give it 5.0

  16. Teen Reviewer Age 16
    Lives in California
    I rate this title on for age 8 and give it 5.0

    great!

    i loved it except that there were two parts that were sad. one was when they got seperated by foster care. and when the dog appears to be put asleep. that killed me

  17. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    Lives in Georgia
    I rate this title on for age 13 and give it 5.0
    My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate sexual content

  18. Kid Reviewer Age 12
    Lives in California
    I rate this title on for age 4 and give it 5.0
    My concerns are:
    • Negative message

    good movie!

    It's a very good movie but sad a cried in the middle of it but on the other hand very very funny

  19. Kid Reviewer Age 11
    Lives in New York
    I rate this title on for age 7 and give it 5.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence

    Very sad.

  20. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    Lives in New York
    I rate this title on for age 10 and give it 5.0

    THAT WAS A GREAT MOVIE!!!!!!!!

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