Very good movie... nice movie for pet lovers.... good family movie. definitely let your kids see it... somewhat scary for kids under 4-5
Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey
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Is it age appropriate?
About our ratings -
Is it any good?
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Common Sense says
Adventurous animal tale will have kids riveted.
Themes in this movie include: friendship
Why We Rated This 
for Ages 6 and Up
The good stuff
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Educational value:
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What to watch out for
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Violence & scariness:
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What Parents Need to Know
This review of Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey was written by Common Sense Media Editors
Parents need to know that this uplifting, heartwarming adventure has strong messages about family and perseverance, as well as a few tense/scary moments when the animals are in peril. While kids under 5 will enjoy the animals, they probably won't follow the story. And older tweens may find it too juvenile, despite the abundance of attitude and irreverent humor. But those in the 5-8 age bracket will fall in love with the characters and get the humor -- this film is aimed at them.
Families Can Talk About
Talk to your kids about the media in their life. We have more tools and tips that can help
- Families can talk about what kids should do if they get separated from their parents.
- How did Shadow, Chance, and Sassy cope with their fear of being alone?
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More on Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey
What’s the Story?
When their owners go on vacation, golden retriever Shadow (voiced by Don Ameche), bulldog Chance (Michael J. Fox), and Himalayan cat Sassy (Sally Field), are left with a friend. After a few days, Chance becomes convinced that something's wrong and runs away; Sassy and Shadow follow. Determined to go home, they traverse the Sierras, ford rivers, and tangle with unfriendly bears. Shadow becomes a hero by finding a lost little girl and alerting her parents. Afterward, when the three pets are taken to a shelter to await their family, they again break out and continue their difficult journey. Exchanging wisecracks all the way, Chance, Shadow, and Sassy finally arrive home, where they're welcomed with open arms.
Is It Any Good?
Witty dialogue and well-cast voices make HOMEWARD BOUND: THE INCREDIBLE JOURNEY a delight from start to finish. Fox and Ameche do a terrific job of giving voice to their canine characters; Ameche is particularly poignant as the older and much wiser Shadow. Field, hilarious as the snide and sharp-tongued Sassy, constantly berates Chance for his impetuous behavior and less-than-perfect manners. The animals themselves perform some riveting stunts.
As the threesome makes their way home, viewers are carried along through a landscape full of peril and beauty. Although there are some scary moments -- like when Shadow and Chance confront a bobcat, or when the elderly Shadow falls into a deep ditch on the last leg of their journey -- the banter keeps things light. The well-written script contains plenty of kid-friendly humor, but even adult viewers will enjoy Sassy's stinging putdowns and Shadow's deep-voiced wisdom.
Movie Details
Studio: Disney, Director: Duwayne Dunham
Run time: 84 minutes
Theatrical release: 8/10/1993, DVD release: 8/10/1993
MPAA Rating: G
Run time: 84 minutes
Theatrical release: 8/10/1993, DVD release: 8/10/1993
MPAA Rating: G
Our Members Say
See all 17 member reviews
Most Recent Reviews
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I rate this title on for age 5 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- My highlights are:
- Good role models
decent
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I rate this title on for age 6 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- My highlights are:
- Educational
- Good role models
great animal adventure
this movie is just an amazing story!!! Kids 6 and up will love it!! It gives them very positive messages and teaches them very important messages about sticking together through thick and thin. The only concern i would have is there are some scenes with mild peril.
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I rate this title on for age 6 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- My highlights are:
- Educational
- Good role models
GREAT MOVIE
The incredible journey is certaintly incredible!!!!!!! There is lots of adventure,peril,and mild vilonce in this movie but nothing a six year old can't handle. A good movie in my opinion i recomend it to ALL kids 6 and UP!
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I rate this title on for age 4 and give it
- My highlights are:
- Good role models
Nice family movie
I loved this movie since I was 3!
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Lives in Washington -
I rate this title on for age 2 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- My highlights are:
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I rate this title on for age 2 and give it
good movie
i just saw this so when i saw it i thought it was pretty good.
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I rate this title on for age 7 and give it
Good movie, and very sad.
I actually still watch this movie sometimes. It's sad, heartwarming, funny, and touching. Parents, there's nothing to worry about; no bad language, no smoking, not really anything that will concern you. But, you must know your child well, because this movie can make them cry and/or become frightened. You see, I even felt a little sad watching this movie. One dog, Shadow, becomes hurt and the cat, Sassy, and the other dog find Shadow in a ditch lying in the ground, hurt and dirty. He's weak and he's trying to make it back up to his friends, but keeps falling. Then, he says that he can't go on with the two. It's a sad scene. There are more scenes like this, and your kid(s) may become sad.
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I rate this title on for age 8 and give it
This used to be my favorite!
This movie was sad, funny and touching. It was filmed with very cute pets with loving personalities. 8+
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I rate this title on for age 6 and give it
Funny.
I love animals, and this movie made me smile. The animals are cute, and the voice characters are perfect at capturing their personalities. Reccomended.
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I rate this title on for age 4 and give it
REALLY GOOD MOVIE!!!
I love animals and I cried.
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I rate this title on for age 2 and give it
really good movie!!!
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I rate this title on for age 0 and give it
For young kids
I'm 11, so it's to young for me now. But it was a good kids movie. A must-see for 4-10 year olds. But be warned, there is a bit of bloodless violence.
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I rate this title on for age 0 and give it
The best movie for kids who like pets with adventure!!
I loved how Homeward Bound mixes funny, happy, and adventure with a little sadness and grief. But the best thing was deffenetly the comedy.
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I rate this title on for age 0 and give it
Fun for the WHOLE Family!
I am 24 years old and not even a parent. I was a child when this movie initially came out and I watched it again today. This movie is FANTASTIC! Laugh-out-loud funny, appropriate for all ages! This movie is not specifically geared for kids, it's not boring, dumbed-down or slow. Wonderful movie. Made me miss my long gone pets. :( :)
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I rate this title on for age 0 and give it
Amazing Movie
Hilarious mixed with drama...it mixes in perfectly. A movie for the entire family.
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I rate this title pause for age 0 and give it
HOW CAN YOU CALL THIS A HAPPY KIDS MOVIE!!!????
The movie is good , nice , the book is better. BUT THIS ISN"T a good kids movie if they are sensitive to animals like me , they'll be in tears. I speak of experience watching the show on disney channel when I was like , 5. Yeah , who cares if it has a happy ending if the cat almost got killed by getting run over!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I would say pause , 11 plus.
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