Oliver & Company
Oliver & Company
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Watch-outs
What this film brings
Content barometer
Violence
2/5
Moderate
Fear
2/5
A few scenes
Sexuality
0/5
None
Language
1/5
Mild
Narrative complexity
0/5
Simple
Adult themes
0/5
None
Expert review
Oliver & Company is a lively and affectionate family animated film set in a colorful version of New York, with an upbeat urban adventure tone and plenty of music. The main sensitive elements come from Oliver being abandoned at the beginning, the roughness of street life, a plot involving debt and ransom, and several chase scenes with threatening dogs and a villain who can feel scary to younger viewers. The presentation stays stylized and child accessible, yet a few danger sequences are stronger than what some very young children usually handle easily, especially when animals are threatened, when a child is placed at risk, or when the action suddenly becomes tense. These moments are not constant, because the film regularly returns to comedy, friendship, and comforting scenes. For children around 4 to 6, watching together can help parents explain the scary parts, name the emotions on screen, and reassure children after the more intense action.
Synopsis
Putting its own 'twist' on the story of Oliver Twist, the orange runt of a litter of kittens must fight for survival on the rough streets on New York City, finding unlikely friends in the dogs owned by a down-on-his luck man named Fagin. Soon, Oliver and his new band of comrades must fight for survival when Fagin is unable to pay his debts.
Difficult scenes
The opening may feel sad for sensitive children because several kittens are adopted while Oliver is left alone. The film emphasizes his loneliness, hunger, and fear on the street, which can strongly affect children who are very attached to animals or worried by separation themes. Several scenes feature Sykes and his Dobermans as a genuine threat. The dogs corner, chase, and intimidate the heroes, and their aggressive behavior can feel intense for young viewers even though the animation remains stylized rather than realistic. The ransom and kidnapping storyline creates more tension than in many gentler animated films. A young girl is placed in criminal danger, which may raise concerns for children about safety, being separated from caregivers, or being taken away by a frightening adult. The later action includes fast and noisy chases in a hazardous city setting, with vehicles, speed, and the threat of collisions. Even without graphic detail, the visual and sound intensity can be stressful for children who are easily overwhelmed by peril scenes.
Where to watch
No verified platform for the US market yet. We keep this section updated as availability changes.
Availability checked on Apr 01, 2026
About this title
- Format
- Feature film
- Year
- 1988
- Runtime
- 1h 14m
- Countries
- United States of America
- Original language
- EN
- Directed by
- George Scribner
- Main cast
- Joey Lawrence, Billy Joel, Cheech Marin, Richard Mulligan, Roscoe Lee Browne, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Bette Midler, Dom DeLuise, Taurean Blacque, Carl Weintraub
- Studios
- Walt Disney Pictures, Silver Screen Partners III, Walt Disney Feature Animation
Content barometer
Violence
2/5
Moderate
Fear
2/5
A few scenes
Sexuality
0/5
None
Language
1/5
Mild
Narrative complexity
0/5
Simple
Adult themes
0/5
None
Expert review
Oliver & Company is a lively and affectionate family animated film set in a colorful version of New York, with an upbeat urban adventure tone and plenty of music. The main sensitive elements come from Oliver being abandoned at the beginning, the roughness of street life, a plot involving debt and ransom, and several chase scenes with threatening dogs and a villain who can feel scary to younger viewers. The presentation stays stylized and child accessible, yet a few danger sequences are stronger than what some very young children usually handle easily, especially when animals are threatened, when a child is placed at risk, or when the action suddenly becomes tense. These moments are not constant, because the film regularly returns to comedy, friendship, and comforting scenes. For children around 4 to 6, watching together can help parents explain the scary parts, name the emotions on screen, and reassure children after the more intense action.
Synopsis
Putting its own 'twist' on the story of Oliver Twist, the orange runt of a litter of kittens must fight for survival on the rough streets on New York City, finding unlikely friends in the dogs owned by a down-on-his luck man named Fagin. Soon, Oliver and his new band of comrades must fight for survival when Fagin is unable to pay his debts.
Difficult scenes
The opening may feel sad for sensitive children because several kittens are adopted while Oliver is left alone. The film emphasizes his loneliness, hunger, and fear on the street, which can strongly affect children who are very attached to animals or worried by separation themes. Several scenes feature Sykes and his Dobermans as a genuine threat. The dogs corner, chase, and intimidate the heroes, and their aggressive behavior can feel intense for young viewers even though the animation remains stylized rather than realistic. The ransom and kidnapping storyline creates more tension than in many gentler animated films. A young girl is placed in criminal danger, which may raise concerns for children about safety, being separated from caregivers, or being taken away by a frightening adult. The later action includes fast and noisy chases in a hazardous city setting, with vehicles, speed, and the threat of collisions. Even without graphic detail, the visual and sound intensity can be stressful for children who are easily overwhelmed by peril scenes.