Loved this as a kid, plus so sad but happy ending!
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The Land Before Time
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Is it age appropriate?
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Not age appropriate for kids under 0, age appropriate for kids over 4; suggested age 4. -
Is it any good?
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Common Sense says
Baby dinosaur buddy flick that started the series.
Themes in this movie include: friendship
updated 10.23.09
Why We Rated This 
for Ages 4 and Up
The good stuff
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Role models:
What to watch out for
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Violence & scariness:
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Sexy stuff:
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Language:
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Consumerism:
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Drinking, drugs, & smoking:
What Parents Need to Know
About The Land Before Time
Parents need to know that the youngest viewers may be disturbed seeing the childlike dinosaurs torn from their parents by an earthquake and pursued by a Tyrannosaurus rex. Littlefoot's mother fights the T-rex, is badly injured, and dies. Littlefoot finds his grandparents in the end, though, and his friends are reunited with their families, too.
Read our full review by Common Sense Media Editors
Families Can Talk About
- Families can talk about dinosaurs. When did they live? What happened to tthem?
- Follow up these amazing facts with a trip to the natural history museum.
- Which dinosaur is your favorite? Why?
Our Members Say
Most Recent Reviews
- I rate this title on for age 3 and give it
- My highlights are:
- Educational
- Good role models
Good Memories
- I rate this title off for age 4 and give itMy concerns are:
- Excessive violence
why do g movies have voilince
they should rate this movie pg
- I rate this title iffy for age 2 and give itMy concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- My highlights are:
Good lessons in helping each other. Scary separation and death of a mother...
- I rate this title on for age 2 and give it
sad movie
if you have kids that get scared easy or senceitive kids this probley is not for them but this is a cute movie
- I rate this title iffy for age 2 and give it
Great Adventure for Kids!
This movie is an underated film due to excessive sequels, but provides great entertainment for kids, particularly the ones that like dinosaurs. The opening sequence introduces dinosaurs very well. The movie follows littlefoot and his friends on their quest to the great valley. The film's villian, known as sharptooth, is a great adversary and is a threatning predator. He hunts the kids on their way to the valley. He won't scare kids that are five years or older, but his dramatic presence might creep out little ones. This movie is great, but don't let kids get hooked on the sequels... or else you'll have to watch them over...and over...and over.
- I rate this title off for age 17 and give it
this movie is so sad i cried my eyes out
im not even kidding!!! this movie is the sadest movie i have ever!!! please take me seriously this movie is really sad!!
- I rate this title on for age 5 and give it
Okay for my 3 year old
There are a few scary parts to this movie (as mentioned in other reviews). There is a T-Rex who chases Littlefoot's mother, and an earthquake ("earthshake"). The two combine to cause the demise of his mother, and also lead to several of the young dinosaurs becoming separated from their families. I allowed my 3 year old to watch this movie because she is a HUGE dinosaur fan. We paused the movie and discussed the scary parts as they happened. She had no problem understanding the relationship of carnivores eating "meat" and that they have few choices other than other dinosaurs. I was more concerned that the death of the mother longneck would bother her, but the fact that he still has his grandparents seemed to help glide past the issue - and frankly, just about every Disney movie begins with the death of a parent or the explanation that one has already died. I think that her disappearance would have gone unnoticed if I hadn't stopped the movie to talk about it. The main themes of the movie are positive - work together, celebrate diversity, and take risk (in the positive sense) to overcome obstacles. We enjoy this movie (and it's many sequels) as a family, and use the movies as an opportunity to discuss the positive message.
- I rate this title on for age 5 and give it
This was a fine movie that my 5.5 yr old son enjoyed. It has a good social message about getting along with those who are different from you and working together to achieve a common goal. Some young children might be scared by the T.Rex, but my son was okay with it, and we talked about predator-prey relationships in nature. ("The T.Rex isn't a mean bad guy, just hungry, the same way you are when you want to eat dinner.") I felt comfortable with him watching it, and it kept his interest.
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Ratings at a Glance
| 100% | of parents say it gives kids positive messages |
| 100% | of parents say it's too violent |
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