The Voyage of Dr. Dolittle(Dolittle), directed by Stephen Gaghan, arrives on Netflix on July 29, 2025. This family comedy, starring Robert Downey Jr., is a retelling of Hugh Lofting's famous novels published between 1920 and 1952, following several adaptations, including The Extravagant Dr. Dolittle (1967) and the Eddie Murphy saga of the 1990s. This new version combines adventure, humor and chatty animals, in a richly fantastic visual universe.
The trailer announces a maritime epic full of humor, surprising creatures and lively dialogue between humans and animals.
The Voyage of Dr Dolittle will be available on Netflix from July 29, 2025.
Synopsis: After the loss of his wife seven years earlier, the eccentric Dr. John Dolittle, famous doctor and veterinarian in Queen Victoria's England, isolates himself in his manor house with his faithful animals. When the young Queen falls gravely ill, Dolittle sets sail again in search of a legendary cure. Along the way, he encounters ancient enemies, mysterious islands and a host of extraordinary creatures, accompanied by a young apprentice and a band of chatty animals.
The Voyage of Dr. Dolittle follows in the tradition of Hugh Lofting's story adaptations, but here opts for an epic, visually spectacular tone. The film takes viewers on a mainstream adventure that's both accessible to children (aged 6 and up) and entertaining for adults, with polished aesthetics and a steady pace.
Following on from his roles in Iron Man and Avengers, Robert Downey Jr. takes on a completely new role as a reclusive, eccentric but endearing Dolittle. He is surrounded by well-known faces from international cinema: Antonio Banderas, Michael Sheen, Jessie Buckley and Jim Broadbent. Their presence adds density to the human roles, in a film dominated by animal characters with famous voices.
In the original version, the animals' voices are provided by an impressive cast: Tom Holland, Rami Malek, Emma Thompson, Octavia Spencer, John Cena, Marion Cotillard, Ralph Fiennes, Selena Gomez, Kumail Nanjiani and Frances De La Tour. Each creature has its own personality, adding to the humor and diversity of the group.
The film is aimed primarily at families, with a format suited to shared viewing. It would suit those who enjoyed Paddington, Jumanji or Narnia, for their blend of fantasy, humor and adventure. The visual style and themes are also reminiscent of Hollywood's great family adventure productions.
The Voyage of Dr. Dolittle (*Dolittle*), directed by Stephen Gaghan and released in cinemas in February 2020, is a loose adaptation of Hugh Lofting's novels. Starring Robert Downey Jr., this family film takes young and old on a quest around the world, punctuated by magic and zany creatures. With a prestigious voice cast and dynamic direction, the film can be (re)discovered on Netflix from July 29, 2025.
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