Herbie Collection
Herbie is an anthropomorphic 1963 Volkswagen Beetle, a character that is featured in several Disney motion pictures starting with the 1968 feature film The Love Bug. He has a mind of his own and is capable of driving himself, and is a serious contender in auto racing competitions. Throughout most of the franchise, Herbie is distinguished by red, white and blue racing stripes from front to back bumper, a racing-style number "53" on the front trunk lid, doors, and engine lid, and a yellow-on-black '63 California license plate that says, "OFP 857". One exception to this is his introduction in The Love Bug, where he initially appears as a nondescript white vehicle with a gray colored fabric sunroof (a.k.a. "ragtop"), the style of sunroof offered on VW Beetles made through 1963.
Franchise Evolution & Timeline Analysis
The Herbie Collection has evolved significantly over a span of 23 years, growing from a singular narrative into a complex cinematic universe. With 6 interconnected entries, tracking the consistency of the franchise reveals fascinating trends in audience sentiment.
The "Series" Benchmark: 5.9/10
The franchise maintains a steady average rating of 5.9. While most series experience "Sequel Fatigue," Herbie Collection has managed to keep its narrative quality relatively stable, with The Love Bug standing out as the peak cinematic achievement.
Continuity vs. Commercial Appeal
Our data indicates that while the "Release Order" is preferred for first-time viewers, the "Chronological Order" provides a much deeper understanding of the world-building within the Herbie Collection. The timeline highlights a clear three-act structure across all chapters.
Timeline & Watch Order
We recommend watching the Herbie Collection franchise in the following order to fully experience the narrative expansion.
The Love Bug
Down-on-his-luck race car driver Jim Douglas teams up with a little VW Bug that has a mind of its own, not realizing Herbie's worth until a sneaky rival plots t...
Herbie Rides Again
The living Volkswagen Beetle helps an old lady protect her home from a corrupt developer....
Herbie Goes to Monte Carlo
Herbie, the Volkswagen Beetle with a mind of its own, is racing in the Monte Carlo Rally. But thieves have hidden a cache of stolen diamonds in Herbie's gas tan...
Herbie Goes Bananas
The adorable little VW helps its owners break up a counterfeiting ring in Mexico....
The Love Bug
The inimitable VW Beetle is losing all his races and destined for the scrap heap until mechanic Hank takes him over and gives him a new lease of life. Soon, Her...
Herbie Fully Loaded
Maggie Peyton, the new owner of Number 53 - the free-wheelin' Volkswagen bug with a mind of its own - puts the car through its paces on the road to becoming a N...
Common Questions about Herbie Collection
How many movies are in the Herbie Collection?
There are currently 6 movies in the Herbie Collection, starting from Herbie Rides Again to the latest release, The Love Bug.
What is the best order to watch the Herbie Collection?
The best way to watch the Herbie Collection is usually in release order: starting with Herbie Rides Again and ending with The Love Bug. Check our timeline for the full chronological breakdown.
Which is the highest-rated movie in the Herbie Collection?
According to movieMx ratings, the fans have a strong preference for The Love Bug in this franchise.