Robert Downey Jr. once seemed estranged from Hollywood after struggles with addiction, but over the last two decades, he made a remarkable comeback, culminating in his iconic role as Tony Stark in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. However, following his departure from Marvel, Downey Jr. experienced a major setback with the 2020 film Dolittle, which faced harsh criticism and poor box office results. Surprisingly, despite the initial failure, Dolittle is now gaining renewed popularity on Netflix, showcasing an unusual reversal for the film.
Dolittle premiered in January 2020 with a broad theatrical release, a timing that unfortunately preceded the COVID-19 pandemic shutdowns. The movie reportedly lost up to $100 million, earned a dismal 15% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, and was nominated for several Golden Raspberry Awards. Tara Brady from the Irish Times expressed severe disapproval, describing it as
“the low-point of every single career involved.”
Downey Jr., who earned $20 million for the role, starred alongside a star-studded cast including Tom Holland, Emma Thompson, Ralph Fiennes, Rami Malek, Antonio Banderas, Marion Cotillard, and Octavia Spencer, making the film’s failure particularly notable.
Downey Jr. Reflects on the Film’s Struggles and Lessons Learned
In a 2023 interview with New York Times Magazine, Robert Downey Jr. openly discussed his mindset after leaving the Marvel universe and stepping into Dolittle. He acknowledged that his confidence may have blinded him to the film’s shortcomings. Reflecting on the experience, he shared:
“I finished the Marvel contract and then hastily went into what had all the promise of being another big, fun, well-executed potential franchise in Dolittle. I had some reservations. Me and my team seemed a little too excited about the deal and not quite excited enough about the merits of the execution. But at that point I was bulletproof. I was the guru of all genre movies. The second most important film [I’ve done in the last 25 years] was Dolittle, because Dolittle was a two-and-a-half-year wound of squandered opportunity. After that point — what’s that phrase? Never let a good crisis go to waste. We had this reset of priorities and made some changes in who our closest business advisers were.”
The Unexpected Streaming Success of Dolittle on Netflix
Dolittle has joined a growing list of box office failures that have found a second life on streaming platforms, with Netflix facilitating this resurgence. Although the film is not available on Netflix in the U.S., it currently ranks number five on Netflix’s global movie chart. This new wave of interest highlights how streaming can change a movie’s reception over time.
Originally targeting a family audience, Dolittle’s lighter, more playful tone resonated better with viewers than critics, as evidenced by a 76% audience score despite the harsh reviews. Many agree the movie is best enjoyed without overanalyzing and appreciated simply as a gentle, entertaining film for children and families. Alternative adaptations of Hugh Lofting’s Doctor Dolittle story, such as Eddie Murphy’s 1998 version and the 1967 Rex Harrison film, have also struggled with critics, with the latter receiving just a 29% critics rating. The cinematic trials of Doctor Dolittle’s adventures suggest that the story may be difficult to adapt in a way that satisfies all audiences.
The Star-Studded Cast Behind Dolittle
Dolittle features an ensemble cast including Robert Downey Jr., Octavia Spencer, John Cena, and Selena Gomez. The presence of many acclaimed actors like Marion Cotillard, Ralph Fiennes, and Emma Thompson further underscores the expectations that the film initially carried. Despite these talents, the film’s production and execution faltered, contributing to its unfavorable reception.
The Wider Context and What Lies Ahead
Dolittle’s journey from critical disappointment to streaming success offers a reminder of how the entertainment industry can recover and transform perceptions over time. For Robert Downey Jr., this chapter represents both a cautionary tale and a step toward re-centering his career following the MCU era. As he prepares to reenter the Marvel universe, the lessons learned from Dolittle’s missteps and unexpected Netflix win could influence his future projects and choices.
For audiences, the film’s streaming resurgence reveals a growing trend where films once shunned in theaters can attract new fans and appreciation in home viewing settings, especially among families looking for accessible content. Moving forward, Dolittle’s evolving reception may encourage studios and stars to reconsider how a film’s lifecycle extends beyond its initial box office run.
