As of mid-2026, the next installment is officially titled Doctor Dolittle: King of the Wild , as announced by Variety . It is not a direct sequel to the 2020 film or the early 2000s comedies, but rather an animated, action-adventure reimagining.
Maya Dolittle (Kyla Pratt) believes she doesn’t need to spend seven years in college studying to be a veterinarian because she can already talk to animals naturally. While taking a walk with her loyal dog, Lucky, she rescues a cat from a tree by communicating with it verbally. Her unique skill is witnessed by a famous and self-absorbed Hollywood starlet named Tiffany Monaco (Tegan Moss), who quickly whisks Maya away to Los Angeles.
The Dr. Dolittle franchise, originally based on the classic children’s books by Hugh Lofting, has seen various iterations, from Rex Harrison’s 1967 musical to Eddie Murphy’s modern comedies and Robert Downey Jr.’s 2020 reimagining. While a formal “Dr. Dolittle 5” does not exist as a singular, universally recognized blockbuster, the title usually refers to the 2009 direct-to-video release Dr. Dolittle: Million Dollar Mutts , starring Maya Dolittle (Kyla Pratt). Exploring this installment reveals a franchise grappling with its legacy while attempting to modernize its core themes for a younger generation.
This article reflects the current status of the Dr. Dolittle film franchise as of 2026. Release schedules, studio decisions, and streaming availability change frequently. dr dolittle 5
One review noted that the film is “a bland, trivial example of family entertainment” but acknowledged that it is “harmless enough” for children. Another critic pointed out that while the film can become “quite tedious and borderline insulting” for adults, there is an “underlying sweetness to its simplicity” and the way it melds modern Hollywood culture into a good life lesson.
Released directly to DVD and Blu-ray by 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment, Dr. Dolittle 5 was tailored specifically for home-video markets and cable television rotations. While it did not garner the mainstream critical acclaim of the theatrical Eddie Murphy entries, it achieved its goal as an accessible, comforting piece of family media.
Interestingly, Kyla Pratt, Norm Macdonald, and voice actor Phil Proctor are the only cast members to have been involved in all five Dr. Dolittle films. Pratt is the anchor of the later sequels, and Macdonald serves as the consistent comedic presence throughout the entire franchise. As of mid-2026, the next installment is officially
The narrative follows Maya Dolittle, who possesses her father's ability to talk to animals. She is accepted into a prestigious veterinary school but struggles to fit in due to her unique talents, which she tries to hide.
Maya's unique talent quickly attracts media attention, leading to an offer for her own television show. The film explores Maya's struggle to balance her newfound fame with her original dream of becoming a vet, ultimately highlighting themes of staying true to oneself and prioritizing education over instant celebrity. Common Sense Media Key Cast and Crew Alex Zamm. Kyla Pratt
In a parallel subplot, Monkey (voiced by Norm Macdonald)—the family’s quick-witted primate who has appeared in every film—travels to L.A. looking for his own “big break” in show business. However, he soon gets a reality check and quits the pursuit of fame when he realizes that Maya needs his help more than he needs a spot on a movie set. While taking a walk with her loyal dog,
Moss delivers a pitch-perfect parody of late-2000s celebutantes, serving as the catalyst for Maya’s Hollywood detour.
For audiences who grew up in the late 1990s and 2000s, Dr. Dolittle: Million Dollar Mutts stands as a nostalgic artifact. It represents an era when mid-budget family franchises found extended, creative lives on home video store shelves.