Beethoven’s 3rd

Richard Newton prepares a cross-country road trip from Denver to California with his wife Beth and kids Sara and Brennan. He designs every detail to mimic a memorable 1967 family journey and rents a state-of-the-art RV for the occasion. The plan is set in motion before departure, in Denver, Colorado.

A cage arrives from George containing Beethoven, the St. Bernard who is supposed to accompany the family. Beth and Brennan strongly object to bringing the dog on the trip. Ultimately, Beth convinces Richard to leave Beethoven at a kennel until George can retrieve him.

Criminal hackers Tommy and William visit a video rental shop to obtain a DVD of The Shakiest Gun in the West that hides a stolen code. They learn Richard has already bought the film and begin tailing the Newtons from the house. Beethoven, kept in the kennel, attracts attention and later stows away on the RV's boat trailer when the vehicle stops.

The family reaches their first destination and Richard discovers Beethoven is along for the journey. Beth reluctantly agrees to bring the dog along for the rest of the trip. Beethoven's presence alters the dynamic of the early days of the journey.

A string of mishaps plagues the road trip, causing damage to the RV and other belongings. Richard pays for the repairs as the family blames Beethoven for the misfortune. Unbeknownst to them, Tommy and William’s DVD-stealing scheme is behind the trouble, with Beethoven acting to protect the Newtons.

Beethoven forms a bond with Brennan, who is allowed to socialize with a girl along the route. The dog becomes a protective companion and peaceful bridge during the tense journey. Their growing connection adds warmth to the family dynamic.

At a stop, William throws a brick at the RV, shattering the windshield. The damage is blamed on Beethoven, complicating the family's situation and straining tensions. The criminals continue to lurk nearby as the trip goes on.

The Newtons stay at a hotel that doesn't allow pets, forcing them to make a temporary separation from Beethoven. Sara decides to sleep with Beethoven in the RV, keeping the dog nearby through the night. The quiet moment heightens the sense of impending trouble.

The mentally unstable Tommy and William break into the RV and steal it, with Beethoven and Sara still inside. Brennan alerts Richard and Beth to the intruders, prompting them to call the cops. Richard hops into a police car to track the thieves.

A tense pursuit unfolds as the thieves race away in the stolen RV. Richard joins a pursuing police car to help track them down, while Beth and Brennan assist from the roadside. The family waits anxiously for the outcome of the chase.

During the chaotic pursuit, William accidentally knocks himself out with a homemade sedative intended for Beethoven. Tommy subdues Beethoven and tries to grab Sara, but Sara orders Beethoven to sit on the emergency brake button, stopping the RV and sending Tommy dangling out of the windshield.

Sara is reunited with the rest of the Newtons; Tommy and William are arrested, and the DVD containing the stolen code is confiscated. Beth admits she was wrong and recognizes that Beethoven protected the family all along.

The Newtons arrive at the family reunion and learn that George and his family will not attend due to unexpected business problems in Slovakia. Uncle Morrie explains they must watch Beethoven for a year, and George promises to pay for everything.

Morrie tells the Newtons to bring two more St. Bernards along on the drive back home, suggesting that Beethoven will have company on the road ahead. The family accepts the new arrangement and prepares for the long journey home.