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Pete's Dragon

G Released Nov 3, 1977 2h 14m Kids & Family Fantasy List
56% Tomatometer 27 Reviews 60% Popcornmeter 50,000+ Ratings
A lighthouse keeper's (Mickey Rooney) daughter (Helen Reddy) befriends a runaway orphan (Sean Marshall) and his playmate, a great green dragon.
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Pete's Dragon

Pete's Dragon

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Critics Consensus

Boring and slow, this is a lesser Disney work, though the animation isn't without its charms.

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Critics Reviews

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Ian Nathan Empire Magazine Another not very charming but harmless fusion of animation and good old real-life. Rated: 2/5 Oct 1, 2009 Full Review Variety Staff Variety An enchanting and humane fable. Nov 14, 2007 Full Review Time Out The dragon itself grunts, grins and goofs around, but isn't half as appealing as its creators obviously hoped. More character and better animation would have helped. Jun 24, 2006 Full Review Joe Leydon The Times (Shreveport, LA) Pete's Dragon, this year's big holiday attraction from Walt Disney Productions, is a glossy and generally entertaining musical fantasy which parents can enjoy just as much as their children certainly will. Apr 22, 2021 Full Review Bernard Drew Gannett News Service What elevates the film above the mediocre is the talent of the assembled cast. Oct 17, 2019 Full Review Rachel Wagner rachelsreviews.net Pete's Dragon is perfectly harmless entertainment. Rated: B- Apr 12, 2019 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Crazy P So cute, even my cynical daughter liked it. Good old days with fun sing along lyrics. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 09/06/24 Full Review Audience Member I see a lot of 1 and 2 star reviews for this movie and to me that’s just ridiculous. Go watch “Santa with Muscles” if you truly want to watch a 1 star film. I watch a lot of films, especially bad ones, this isn’t one of them. As an adult this is a 3 star film, but based on how much my 2 year old absolutely adores it, it’s 4 stars. I personally like the musical numbers. “Bill of Sale” and “Candle on the Water” (which got a nomination for best original song) are standouts. The story isn’t anything special, but it doesn’t have to be. Remember, it’s a kids movie about an animated dragon that turns invisible. Not exactly “Inception” here folks. My biggest criticisms are the length, it’s too long. Elliot isn’t in it enough, but I know Disney wasn’t exactly going through record profits back in the late 70s so it’s likely the budget didn’t allow for it. The slower pace I guess is a problem(?), but mostly if you’re used to watching a lot of modern movies which love to push push push. Older films are slower paced. Listen folks, like I said I watch a lot of films that are very bad to keep up with my favorite bad movie podcast. This isn’t one of those films. Once you watch movies like “Santa with Muscles” or “Wagons East” or “Dragon Wars”, you’ll start to have an appreciation for films that are obviously better, but still not in the “great” category. I recommend this film. But remember it’s a musical. It’s slower paced and it’s lengthy. It’s also during a time when Disney was struggling. I know that seems wild in 2024, but back then, yes they weren’t doing so hot. And remember most of all, it’s for kids, like my 2 year old. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 07/20/24 Full Review Colleen M I saw this movie at the drive in theater when I was a kid and loved it then and it's still a favorite. My kids have grown up watching it too. Helen Reddy has such a beautiful voice. Great musical! Disney needs to go back to this kind of story telling. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 06/17/24 Full Review Артем Ð I had a hard time watching this movie. Because at first these long musical credits seem to have ended, but thieves appear who start singing, and it ends again, but then a guy appears who also starts singing. Due to the huge number of songs, your ears will just want to curl up in a tube. The only interesting character is Elliot the dragon. Who does not talk, does not sing, but only purrs sweetly and plays tic-tac-toe, cutie in one word. Rated 2 out of 5 stars 04/01/24 Full Review Texas M I enjoy this movie and its musical numbers. Nostalgia thy vision is rose colored. When younger, I couldn't stand the Gogan family and Dr. Terminus. Jim Dale was incredible in the role. I have grown to appreciate his performance as an adult. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 03/08/24 Full Review Jordan T This Movie Sucks and Feels like too low detailed tailed for a feature film this is when Disney has a terrible effort. 🖕🤬 Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars 02/10/24 Full Review Read all reviews
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Cast & Crew

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Movie Info

Synopsis A lighthouse keeper's (Mickey Rooney) daughter (Helen Reddy) befriends a runaway orphan (Sean Marshall) and his playmate, a great green dragon.
Director
Don Chaffey
Producer
Ron Miller, Jerome Courtland
Screenwriter
Malcolm Marmorstein
Distributor
Buena Vista Pictures, Walt Disney Home Video [gb]
Production Co
Walt Disney Pictures
Rating
G
Genre
Kids & Family, Fantasy
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Nov 3, 1977, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Jan 1, 2014
Runtime
2h 14m
Sound Mix
Surround
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