The Love Bug1968The Love Bug
1968
Washed-up race driver Jim Douglas buys a little white Volkswagen from a snooty dealer, and suddenly starts winning. Jim is sure it's his own skill, but his friends suspect the car has a mind, and a heart, of its own.
For children old enough to talk it through: sustained intensity, or language or sexual content that Common Sense Media rates 7–9.
Why it’s here
A driver too proud to credit his little car learns humility and loyalty. A light, warm Disney comedy with real heart.
Context notes
For parents, before you press play.
Herbie seems ready to jump from the Golden Gate Bridge (a gag), and there's comic drunkenness with Irish coffee and some hippie jokes, all played for laughs. The villain cheats and sabotages and loses in the end.
The Love Bug (1968)
Discussion questions
When the credits end, go around the room. Each person gives the film a score out of ten and says why.
- Why didn't Jim believe Herbie was special?
- What did Jim have to do to win Herbie back?
- Was Thorndyke a villain, or just a sore loser?
- What was the funniest moment?
Content advisory
Common Sense Media 7+: crashes and a bridge scene played as a suicide gag; comic drunkenness; smoking.
Trailer
Best edition
The disc comes first.
The Love Bug Blu-ray (Disney Movie Club Exclusive)
Blu-ray · December 16, 2014
Coming later
Where to stream
Streaming services are not listed yet. When they are, this note stays secondary to the disc.