Beethoven (franchise) Beethoven (franchise) The Beethoven film series is a series of eight American films, created by John Hughes (credited as Edmond Dantès) and Amy Holden Jones, in which the plot revolves around a family attempting to control the antics of their pet Saint Bernard. The first two films were theatrical releases and all after have been direct to video. The original "Beethoven" hit theaters in April 1992. Its opening grossed $7,587,565. It was the year's 26th largest grossing film in the U.S. at $57,114,049. In "Beethoven", the Newton family finds and adopts a Saint Bernard. The family, with the exception of
Beethoven (franchise) the father, George (Charles Grodin), becomes attached to the dog. Meanwhile, a sadistic veterinarian, Dr. Herman Varnick (Dean Jones) involved with animal experimentation is planning to kill Beethoven for his latest experiment, and George, after discovering his fondness for the dog, springs into action to rescue his pet. "Beethoven" was released on April 3, 1992. In "Beethoven's 2nd", Beethoven sires a litter of puppies, and the Newton family tries to save them from the greedy owner, who alternatively wishes to kill or sell the puppies. "Beethoven's 2nd" was released on December 17, 1993. In "Beethoven's 3rd", the dog is sent