Oliver & Company
Performance & Direction: Oliver & Company Review
Last updated: January 27, 2026
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is Oliver & Company (1988) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a HIT with a verified audience rating of 6.7/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Animation.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Animation is often anchored by its ensemble, and Oliver & Company features a noteworthy lineup led by Joey Lawrence . Supported by the likes of Billy Joel and Cheech Marin , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.
Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.
Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?
In summary, our editorial assessment of Oliver & Company (1988) is generally positive. With an audience rating of 6.7/10, it stands as a highly recommended experience for genre enthusiasts.
Story & Plot Summary: Oliver & Company
Quick Plot Summary: Oliver & Company is a Animation, Comedy, Family film that combines stunning visual artistry with storytelling that appeals to all ages. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict and narrative structure.
Story Breakdown
The film presents its narrative with careful attention to pacing and character development. A young cat named Oliver is left alone in a kitten box, while all the other young cats have new owners. A big dog named Dodger shows him how to get food and later Oliver lives with him, his owner Fagin and Fagin's other dogs Tito, Rita, Einstein, and Francis. Fagin has one problem besides being broke he owes a nasty man named Sykes a lot of money. If he can't pay it back he's in big trouble. While Oliver runs into a little girl named Jenny who becomes his new owner which he is happy with and later Sykes sees Jenny as the key for him to get his money. The story unfolds naturally, allowing viewers to become invested in the outcome while maintaining engagement throughout.
Narrative Structure
- Opening Hook: The film establishes its world and central conflict efficiently in the opening act.
- Character Arc: The main character shows growth throughout the story, though some supporting characters could have been more fully realized. The arc is present but occasionally predictable.
- Climax & Resolution: The climax brings together the narrative threads, providing resolution while staying true to the established tone.
Ending Explained: Oliver & Company
Ending Breakdown: Oliver & Company concludes its story with a mix of closure and open interpretation. The finale presents its approach to animation resolution.
The conclusion addresses the core thematic questions, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.
Ending Analysis:
- Narrative Resolution: The story concludes by addressing its primary narrative threads, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
- Character Arcs: Character journeys reach their narrative endpoints, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
- Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the animation themes established throughout the runtime.
The final moments of Oliver & Company reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
Who Should Watch Oliver & Company?
Worth Watching If You:
- Enjoy Animation films and don't mind familiar tropes
- Are a fan of the cast or director
- Want solid genre entertainment
Box Office Collection: Oliver & Company
| Metric / Region | Collection (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Production Budget | $31.0M |
| Worldwide Gross | $121.0M |
| Trade Verdict | CLEAN HIT |
Oliver & Company Budget
The estimated production budget for Oliver & Company is $31.0M. This figure covers principal photography, talent acquisitions, and visual effects. When accounting for global marketing and distribution, the break-even point is typically 2x the base production cost.
Top Cast: Oliver & Company
All Cast & Crew →
Where to Watch Oliver & Company Online?
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Amazon VideoApple TV StoreGoogle Play MoviesYouTubeFandango At HomeOliver & Company Parents Guide & Age Rating
1988 AdvisoryWondering about Oliver & Company age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of Oliver & Company is 74 minutes (1h 14m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 6.7/10, and global performance metrics, Oliver & Company is classified as a HIT. It remains an essential part of the 1988 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Oliver & Company worth watching?
Oliver & Company is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Animation movies. It has a verified rating of 6.7/10 and stands as a HIT in our box office analysis.
Where can I find Oliver & Company parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for Oliver & Company identifies it as G. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the total runtime of Oliver & Company?
The total duration of Oliver & Company is 74 minutes, which is approximately 1h 14m long.
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Critic Reviews for Oliver & Company
I suppose it was only a matter of time before this classic Charles Dickens story got the Disney treatment - but given that it's completely devoid of any darkness or eeriness, this rather too cheerful and vibrant pet-fest doesn't really work for me. The eponymous kitten is adopted by a gang of dogs that, much like "Fagin's Boys" in the book, engage in a bit of petty crime for their boss "Fagin" who, himself, lives in terror of the malevolent "Sykes". When the latter cottons on that "Oliver" has been adopted into a wealthy home, he insists that "Fagin" enact a trap to lure "Jenny" from her luxury mansion so he can ransom her back to her dad. It falls to "Oliver" and his canine companions to thwart this dastardly plan. You can't really fault the quality of the animation and an array of musicians including Barry Manilow and Dan Hartman are behind the songs that won't exactly stick in your mind afterwards, but that do help to keep this amiable production rolling along. Sadly, though, it's all just way too predictably light and fluffy and takes just a little too much of a factory approach to one of the more substantial stories of English literature. Younger kids may like it though - it's pretty joyous and extols the virtues of loyalty, team playing and friendship and it's not without the odd laugh to two.
movieMx Verified
This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
