The film stars Piper Perabo, Jamie Lee Curtis and Manolo Cardona as the human leads, and Drew Barrymore, George Lopez and Andy García in voice-over roles.

In Beverly Hills, California, wealthy businesswoman Vivian "Viv" Ashe leaves her richly pampered pet chihuahua, Chloe, with her irresponsible niece, Rachel, while she embarks on a business trip for ten days.

When Delgado returns and finds out what happened, he explains that it was all a con to steal Chloe's expensive collar, and that in reality, iguanas are vegetarians.

They're forced to jump out, eventually arriving in the barren deserts of Chihuahua, where Delgado explains that he was a former police dog; he was retired after he lost his sense of smell during a raid and a sneak attack from El Diablo.

Chloe returns safely to Beverly Hills without Vivian finding out what happened and accepts a romantic relationship with Papi, as well as Rachel with Sam.

The characters' fates are later revealed: Delgado returns to being a police dog in Mexico; El Diablo is recaptured by Delgado and is adopted by a rich lady who "had a passion for fashion"; Chico and Manuel move to Beverly Hills and become rich; and Papi and Chloe have their first date.

[3] The Cinesite studio used their specially developed pipeline for creating digital muzzle replacements, animated the many talking dogs.

The site's critical consensus reads: "Despite hitting some sweet notes, Beverly Hills Chihuahua is little more than disposable family entertainment".

[7] Mark Olsen of the Los Angeles Times wrote in his review: "One could try to overlook the film's view of Mexico as an either-or land of resort poshness and street-level poverty, chiefly populated by criminals and hustlers of all stripes, except that view forms the entire film, driving the narrative impulse by which the spoiled puppy makes her journey".

[8] Walter Addiego of the San Francisco Chronicle gave a positive review, writing that "the film combines the themes of dignity and empowerment – 'We are tiny, but we are mighty', says the leader of a vast Chihuahua pack – with a story of a spoiled rich canine who learns not to be so high and mighty, the film hits all the typical Disney notes.

[13] A direct-to-video sequel was released for DVD and Blu-ray on February 1, 2011 by Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment.

Jamie Lee Curtis, Piper Perabo, Manolo Cardona, and Andy García didn't reprise their roles.