Common Sense Media Review
By Jennifer Borget
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Dino-sized misfire lacks heart; violence, peril, and blood.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 10+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Lone Pup
What's the Story?
LONE PUP takes viewers back to the age of dinosaurs, where a young Tyrannosaurus rex gets lost, separated from his family during a migration. As he searches for his way home, he meets a friendly Triceratops and other dinosaurs who help him along the way. However, his journey is filled with dangers—from rival predators to natural disasters. Meanwhile, his T. rex clan is caught in a territorial conflict, and his experiences might hold the key to peace.
Is It Any Good?
Lone Pup seems like it wants to be a big, emotional dinosaur adventure like The Land Before Time, but it doesn't quite work. The movie has almost no talking, which could have made it unique, but instead makes it feel slow and boring. The only voice in the film comes from the Angry Mountain (voiced by Greg Rusin), a talking volcano that feels more distracting than helpful. Without characters talking to each other, it's hard to connect with the story.
The animation doesn't help either—it looks rough and unpolished. The simple plot and lack of depth make it hard for anyone to really get into, and the violence keeps it out of reach for the youngest dino fans. In the end, Lone Pup doesn't seem to have a clear audience. It's too violent for young kids, too dull for teens, and not strong enough for anyone looking for a great animated adventure.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the long-lasting fascination with dinosaurs. What do you think makes dinosaurs so appealing to adults and kids alike? Is it their size, or the fact that they're extinct?
Lone Pup doesn't use much dialogue. How does that affect how you understand the story?
How does the movie compare to other dinosaur films you've seen? What makes those other movies more or less engaging? If you were to change something about the movie to make it more exciting or emotional, what would it be?
The young T. rex is helped by dinosaurs from other species. How does that compare to friendships or teamwork in real life?
The volcano is the only character that speaks. Why do you think the filmmakers chose to do this? Did it help or hurt the story?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : February 18, 2025
- Cast : Greg Rusin
- Director : Tim Everitt
- Studio : Lionsgate
- Genre : Action/Adventure
- Topics : Animals ( Dinosaurs )
- Run time : 90 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : some creature violence.
- Last updated : September 18, 2025
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