Pete's Dragon

Name: Pete's Dragon
Genre: Adventure, Fantasy, Family
Released: August 12, 2016
Duration: 103 min
Rating: 71
Cast: Aaron Jackson, Bryce Dallas Howard, Isiah Whitlock Jr, Karl Urban, Marcus Henderson

2016

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 42 Critics

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 164 Ratings

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6.7

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6.7	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 164 Ratings

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Pete's Dragon

Movie Details & Credits

Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures | Release Date: August 12, 2016

Starring: Aaron Jackson, Bryce Dallas Howard, Isiah Whitlock Jr, Karl Urban, Marcus Henderson, Oakes Fegley, Oona Laurence, Robert Redford, Wes Bentley

Summary: For years, old wood carver Mr. Meacham (Robert Redford) has delighted local children with his tales of the fierce dragon that resides deep in the woods of the Pacific Northwest. To his daughter, Grace (Bryce Dallas Howard), who works as a forest ranger, these stories are little more than tall tales until she meets Pete (Oakes Fegley). PeteFor years, old wood carver Mr. Meacham (Robert Redford) has delighted local children with his tales of the fierce dragon that resides deep in the woods of the Pacific Northwest. To his daughter, Grace (Bryce Dallas Howard), who works as a forest ranger, these stories are little more than tall tales until she meets Pete (Oakes Fegley). Pete is a mysterious 10-year-old with no family and no home who claims to live in the woods with a giant, green dragon named Elliott. And from Pete’s descriptions, Elliott seems remarkably similar to the dragon from Mr. Meacham’s stories. With the help of Natalie (Oona Laurence), an 11-year-old girl whose father Jack (Wes Bentley) owns the local lumber mill, Grace sets out to determine where Pete came from, where he belongs, and the truth about this dragon.… Expand

Director: David Lowery

Genre(s): Adventure, Fantasy, Family

Rating: PG

Runtime: 103 min

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Awards & Rankings

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Critic Reviews

100

Hitfix - Drew McWeeny

Aug 16, 2016

Our best fables and fairy tales are the ones that speak truth, and this version of Pete’s Dragon easily takes its place on any short list of the great films for young audiences as a result. Read full review

Chicago Tribune - Michael Phillips

Aug 10, 2016

[Lowery] has made a larger, very different movie without losing his instincts, his directorial stealth or his ability to finesse his actors' performances, in this case in the vicinity of an achingly expressive and unexpectedly furry dragon with a little bit of bulldog in him. Read full review

The Playlist - Kevin Jagernauth

Jul 27, 2016

It’s a lovely film that resonates all the more so in a summer of louder, more cluttered movies, and knowing that Disney had the confidence to allow Lowery’s vision to flourish is the icing on the cake. Read full review

Charlotte Observer - Lawrence Toppman

Aug 10, 2016

If the cast were less likeable, the predictability of the story might become wearisome. (Of course, it’s not likely to be predictable if you’re 9.) But all the actors, especially young Fegley and Laurence, engage us. Read full review

Wall Street Journal - Joe Morgenstern

Aug 11, 2016

Mr. Lowery is very good with actors, and he lets much of his film unfold at a pace that may, in these frenzied times, seem rather leisurely. I thought the pace was fine, and admired him for giving his characters time to breathe. Elliott breathes fire, and the film around him breathes humanity. Read full review

New Orleans Times-Picayune - Mike Scott

Aug 10, 2016

Where the original was a goofy, campy bit of stylized storytelling, Lowery's becomes a nicely realized, feel-good love song to fantasy and magic, buoyed by solid, updated visual effects, a strong cast (including two wonderful child actors) and a throwback sense of wide-eyed wonder. Read full review

The Hollywood Reporter - Michael Rechtshaffen

Jul 27, 2016

Haphazard plotting and seriously undernourished character development aside, none of the emotional stakes have been planted deeply enough to elicit audience involvement in young Pete’s plight. Read full review

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User Reviews

Moviereviewer15

Aug 12, 2016

It's Disney's best remake alongside Jungle Book. Go see it. It's worth all your money to see the story of an orphan boy and his pet dragon best friend.

2 of 9 users found this helpful27

milehighcrew

Aug 17, 2016

Was this ever a great movie. My kids loved it and so did I. It was full of emotion and it had a dragon lol perfect ingredients for a movie. It was a wonderful time with my 10 and 8 year olds.

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

JunelKean

Jan 12, 2018

While Disney continues to make family-oriented movies by remaking classics such as "The Jungle Book" and "The BFG", the studio has come out to the idea in reimagining the 1977 musical, "Pete's Dragon". It tells the story of Pete (Fegley) and his quest to conquer the odds against him and hisWhile Disney continues to make family-oriented movies by remaking classics such as "The Jungle Book" and "The BFG", the studio has come out to the idea in reimagining the 1977 musical, "Pete's Dragon". It tells the story of Pete (Fegley) and his quest to conquer the odds against him and his best friend Elliot. And thankfully, it is a genuine surprise.

From the concept, it looks reminiscent to films like "E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial" and "The Iron Giant", but who doesn’t love that idea? And just like those movies, Pete's Dragon also features breakout child actors, Fegley and Laurence to shine in their own characters.

The movie is further elevated by the ethereal cinematography of Bojan Bazelli and its heavenly yet breathtaking visuals. But the enchantment does not stop there, it is also supported with an intoxicating musical score from Daniel Hart, which perfectly captures the folktale vibe of the film.

The narrative is also not afraid touching on bleaker and more meaningful emotions, thus maintaining the atmosphere of melancholy all throughout.

VERDICT: Pete's Dragon superbly controls the balance of its tone both as heartwarming and heart-wrenching, captivating its audiences, whether young or old.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

movieconsultant

Oct 18, 2016

The best films are those that captures the audiences heart and allows audiences to live in the film and experience the film.This movie successfully delivers all of the above.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

eagleeyeviking

Feb 6, 2018

Although it's predictable, "Pete's Dragon" is a cute, emotional, and fun addition to Disney's live action canon.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

TVJerry

Sep 4, 2016

This film has almost nothing in common with the 1977 original. This time, a young boy is raised in the woods by a friendly, fuzzy green dragon. Their idyllic life is threatened when a lumber company nears their habitat. Disney's qualities are in abundance: a simple plot, sweet children,This film has almost nothing in common with the 1977 original. This time, a young boy is raised in the woods by a friendly, fuzzy green dragon. Their idyllic life is threatened when a lumber company nears their habitat. Disney's qualities are in abundance: a simple plot, sweet children, kindly grownups (one mildly bad one to provide conflict) and an earnest, wholesome approach that's sure to please family audiences. While the effects are fine, it's hard to take this unusual version of a dragon seriously or realistically. Still, the performances and the story (a bit darker than I expected) are sufficiently involving for younger sensibilities.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

Jcondic

Dec 4, 2016

Pete’s Dragon is sweet and from the heart. This is an adventure film for the whole family. Oakes Fegley controls the screen. Lowery shows his range as a director and it’s exciting to see.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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