The Love Bug

Play trailer

The Love Bug

G,

1968,

1h 47m,

Kids & Family/

Comedy

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

78%

18 Reviews

Tomatometer

66%

25,000+ Ratings

Popcornmeter

78%

Tomatometer

18 Reviews

66%

Popcornmeter

25,000+ Ratings

Race car driver Jim Douglas and his philosophical mechanic, Tennessee Steinmetz, find themselves in possession of a white Volkswagen Beetle that seems to have a mind and spirit of its own. Calling the car Herbie, Jim and Tennessee become the talk of the California racing circuit -- much to the displeasure of sports-car dealer Peter Thorndyke, who tries to use his assistant to come between the friends and their car.

Ben Kern

Minneapolis Star Tribune

Mar 2, 2022

After straining to appreciate films of loftier ambitions, I found it relaxing and enjoyable to watch one that is eager to entertain, is better than a green hand at its business, and demands nothing more of the viewer than a modicum of goodwill.

Go to Full Review

TIME Magazine

Mar 9, 2009

The Love Bug is surely the first film in which the actors...are so meticulously insipid that a car can handily steal the show.

Go to Full Review

Ian Nathan

Empire Magazine

May 5, 2008

2/5

The first of the silly VW Beetle with a cute personality comedies, is as childish dated and occasionally sweet as the others.

Go to Full Review

David Parkinson

Radio Times

Nov 12, 2019

4/5

Having shown a flair for fantasy with the evergreen Mary Poppins, director Robert Stevenson here demonstrates a sure slapstick touch.

Go to Full Review

Polly M. Robertus

Common Sense Media

Jan 2, 2011

4/5

Kids will fall in love with this spunky Bug.

Go to Full Review

TV Guide

May 5, 2008

3/4

The entire cast give standout performances, but Herbie steals the show in this well-directed, funny picture.

Go to Full Review

Read all reviews

Feb 1, 2019

The best comedy movie ever made!

Anakin S

Jun 27, 2018

A cute and funny movie in the first entry in Disney's most well-known live-action film series of the 20th century before fading into slight obscurity. Although I found it a bit boring and the blue screens are really damn annoying. Though, for the 1960's, this movie was brave enough for a kid's movie to focus on contemplating suicide, however brief it may have been. The Love Bug is okay, if forgettable, I don't care for this movie all that much.

See more

Poe S

Nov 20, 2017

Finally got around to watching this. Loved it to bits. Its a different time, but is something specials. Wish I had watched it sooner. I am now off to locate the sequals and watch them.

See more

Abraham M

Nov 15, 2017

The Love Bug is cute, but it should have been about 20 minutes shorter. There is a lot of unnecessary filler in this movie, and it makes the whole thing drag. And while it does have a fun concept and cool special effects (for the time), how did this film spawn a franchise?

See more

Kylo G

Jun 27, 2017

I've watched this movie before a thousand times and I love it

Anakin L

Jan 29, 2017

I love this Film. I really don't get why a sequel(s) was made. It is an AMAZING movie. Tho it should be noted I am 'a bit' biased.

See more

Read all reviews

Robert Stevenson

Director

Dean Jones

Jim Douglas

Michele Lee

Carole Bennett

David Tomlinson

Peter Thorndyke

Buddy Hackett

Tennessee Steinmetz

Joe Flynn

Havershaw

Fairy Tale: A True Story

56%

66%

Fairy Tale: A True Story

Watchlist

The Incredible Journey

89%

75%

The Incredible Journey

Watchlist

Madeline

67%

43%

Madeline

Watchlist

I.Q.

43%

47%

I.Q.

Watchlist

Cats Don't Dance

73%

80%

Cats Don't Dance

Watchlist

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

Lightning McQueen’s Five Favorite Films

SUNDANCE: Warner Independent Buys Gondry’s "Science"

Critical Consensus: Zombies and Witches and Cars, Oh My!

View more photos

Synopsis

Race car driver Jim Douglas and his philosophical mechanic, Tennessee Steinmetz, find themselves in possession of a white Volkswagen Beetle that seems to have a mind and spirit of its own. Calling the car Herbie, Jim and Tennessee become the talk of the California racing circuit -- much to the displeasure of sports-car dealer Peter Thorndyke, who tries to use his assistant to come between the friends and their car.

Director: Robert Stevenson
Producer: Bill Walsh
Screenwriter: Bill Walsh, Don DaGradi
Production Co: Walt Disney Productions
Rating: G
Genre: Kids & Family, Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 24, 1968, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 1, 2014
Runtime: 1h 47m

Join The Newsletter

Join The Newsletter

Cookie Settings