Old Yeller

Play trailer

Old Yeller

G

Released Dec 25, 1957

1h 23m

Kids & Family

Drama

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

100%

Tomatometer

22 Reviews

79%

Popcornmeter

50,000+ Ratings

While Jim Coates (Fess Parker) is off on a cattle drive, his wife, Katie (Dorothy McGuire), and sons, Travis (Tommy Kirk) and Arliss (Kevin Corcoran), are left behind on their Texas ranch. When a runaway dog named Old Yeller causes damage in one of their fields, Travis tries to drive him away. However, Travis and Katie both warm to Old Yeller when he saves Arliss from a bear attack. As Travis and the brave and faithful dog grow closer, concern grows about an outbreak of rabies.

Watch on Fandango at Home

Buy Now

Critics Consensus

Old Yeller is an exemplary coming of age tale, packing an emotional wallop through smart pacing and a keen understanding of the elemental bonding between humanity and their furry best friends.

Read Critics Reviews

Nell Minow

Common Sense Media

Tearjerker is one of the best early Disney dramas.

Rated: 5/5

Dec 26, 2010

Full Review

Variety Staff

Variety

Disney organization's flair for taking a homely subject and building a heartwarming film is again aptly demonstrated in this moving story.

Mar 26, 2009

Full Review

TIME Magazine

It comes from Disney's thoroughly proved mother lode: movies for the kids that adults will stay to enjoy themselves.

Mar 9, 2009

Full Review

Janet Graves

Photoplay

With each new adventure, Walt Disney's live-action craftsmen show increasing skill at capturing the excitement and rich flavor of America's heritage.

Nov 17, 2021

Full Review

Rachel Wagner

Rachel's Reviews (YouTube)

Not just a boy and his dog story but a coming of age tale about a boy becoming a man. Very well done

Rated: 9/10

May 7, 2020

Full Review

Sky Cinema

Both an exciting adventure and an effective tear-jerker.

Rated: 4/5

Nov 18, 2017

Full Review

Read all reviews

Student: Jake M

This was awesome and kinda sad when Old Yeller left his former owner to join Travis. I’m surprised that Old Yeller wasn’t adopted by a child until his former owner traded Yeller to Travis. Travis felt really bad for Old Yeller fighting with most predators. This was a good story to watch and teaches me how to treat a dog fairly.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/28/24

Full Review

Nick S

Expected it to be a bit more touching than it was but regardless, still a great coming of age story with some valuable lessons. Classic Disney story.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

10/06/24

Full Review

Dale R

If you haven’t seen this movie you should. A classic tale of a boy and his dog, and the boy’s brother. This is the first of many Disney movies that feature the child actors of Tommy Kirk and Kevin Corcoran. The acting chops on both of them are not shown off well during this movie. I find that Kevin plays the same character in every movie and it does eventually get old. I do enjoy the period story telling of an old western farm and how life works on one. Dorothy McGuire does a good job as the mother and Jeff York returns as the annoying freeloading neighbor. This movie is worth checking out.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

07/07/24

Full Review

Garrett W

A timeless classic and one of my favorite movies!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/29/24

Full Review

Sam G

This film has traumatized generations of American children.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

10/02/23

Full Review

Jack W

My dad saw this movie as a kid. He was upset when yeller was shot. Terrible. Don't recommend

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

09/22/23

Full Review

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

POST RATING

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

Robert Stevenson

Director

Dorothy McGuire

Katie Coates

Fess Parker

Jim Coates

Tommy Kirk

Travis Coates

Kevin Corcoran

Arliss Coates

Jeff York

Bud Searcy

Show Less Cast & Crew

Show More Cast & Crew

The Yearling

100%

76%

The Yearling

Watchlist

Lassie Come Home

94%

77%

Lassie Come Home

Watchlist

Pollyanna

86%

79%

Pollyanna

Watchlist

Heidi

100%

75%

Heidi

Watchlist

Son of Flubber

88%

46%

Son of Flubber

Watchlist

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

Cats vs Dogs: Who Have The Best Movies?

Best-Reviewed Live-Action Disney Movies

Total Recall: Best Live-Action Disney Movies

View more photos

Synopsis

While Jim Coates (Fess Parker) is off on a cattle drive, his wife, Katie (Dorothy McGuire), and sons, Travis (Tommy Kirk) and Arliss (Kevin Corcoran), are left behind on their Texas ranch. When a runaway dog named Old Yeller causes damage in one of their fields, Travis tries to drive him away. However, Travis and Katie both warm to Old Yeller when he saves Arliss from a bear attack. As Travis and the brave and faithful dog grow closer, concern grows about an outbreak of rabies.

Director: Robert Stevenson
Producer: Walt Disney
Screenwriter: Fred Gipson, William Tunberg
Production Co: Walt Disney Productions
Rating: G
Genre: Kids & Family, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 25, 1957, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 1, 2014
Runtime: 1h 23m

Most Popular at Home Now