Parents' Guide to

Lady and the Tramp (2019)

By Jennifer Green, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 6+

Remake has humor and heart; some peril, emotional intensity.

Movie PG 2019 102 minutes
Lady and the Tramp (2019) Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

  • Lady and the Tramp Movie: Scene #1
  • Lady and the Tramp Movie: Scene #2
  • Lady and the Tramp Movie: Scene #3

Community Reviews

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age 6+

Based on 14 parent reviews

Nan Len
Nan Len Adult
March 27, 2020
age 9+

When are we going to have characters that are nice to each other again?

Disney ruins a classic with characters that are snippy, sarcastic and adults who act like moody teens. For example, the OB who delivers the new baby, someone who has devoted a lifetime of learning to bringing babies safely into the world, is cynical and condescending about the event and the couple's new life. Lady and Jock make fun of Trusty for being old. When Lady causes the dog catcher's cart to crash the Darlings make no mention of seeing if the driver - a human - is ok. This movie teaches our youth that some people don't matter and deserve to be physically harmed if they don't act as we want them to or do jobs we disagree with. Disney's early movies are cherished for the civility, kindness and self-sacrifice they demonstrate. I keep hoping that Disney is going to stop with mean, self-righteous, sarcastic characters disguised as role-models for our youth - this movie isn't that.
JonDan22
JonDan22 Parent of 8 and 12-year-old
January 8, 2023
age 8+

A lot of action and peril

(Written by 8yo boy) This is a good movie, but there is a lot of action and peril, especially at the end. Some scenes remind me of the Aladdin with real actors in that there is stealing food and chasing with street dogs. But there isn't really blood. I liked the original animated movie a little better.
See all 14 parent reviews

What's the Story?

In LADY AND THE TRAMP, Lady (voiced by Tessa Thompson) is a pampered pet who lives a comfortable, predictable life. When her owners, Jim Dear (Thomas Mann) and Darling (Kiersey Clemons), have a baby, Lady feels forgotten. She runs away and meets stray dog Tramp (Justin Theroux), who teaches her about some of the pleasures of a life with no attachments. The pair slowly fall in love as Tramp shows Lady how to beg for scraps at the classiest restaurants, find the best starry lookout over their city, and howl at the moon. But Tramp is hounded by a persistent dog catcher, and Lady feels homesick. When her people find her again, Lady decides to stay home. Will she and Tramp find each other again?

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (14 ):
Kids say (10 ):

There's always risk involved in remaking a beloved classic, and this remake is no different; it both pleases and falls short. Some will love this version of Lady and the Tramp, especially for the technical advances that have brought the CGI characters to life or for the diverse cast that will allow kids from more backgrounds to feel represented on-screen. And others will find things to complain about, like the phoniness of the unnamed time and place the movie is set in or the generally slow pacing. The remake -- which is an hour and 42 minutes long -- might have benefited from a length closer to the original's 76 minutes.

Curiously, the animals come across as more genuine than the live people in this remake. Even the secondary characters, like Lady's neighbor friends (hilariously voiced by Sam Elliott and Scottish actress Ashley Jensen) or Tramp's street friends (especially the commanding Janelle Monáe) are given much fuller personalities than Jim Dear, Darling, or the dog catcher. In this sense, and perhaps rightfully so, the film will appeal more to younger audiences than to adults. Let them have their version; the adults can hang on to the original of their own childhoods.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about how this version of Lady and the Tramp compares with the original. Which do you prefer? Why?

  • Did the movie's computer animation make the dogs seem more or less realistic? Why?

  • The film has a central message about family. What do you think it is?

  • What character strengths do Lady and Tramp share?

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