Parents' Guide to

Pete's Dragon (2016)

By Yvonne Condes, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 7+

Wonderful remake of Disney classic has peril, sad moments.

Movie PG 2016 102 minutes
Pete's Dragon (2016) Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

Community Reviews

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age 9+

Based on 45 parent reviews

SuperXShazam
SuperXShazam Adult
May 4, 2021
age 18+

Wonderful Movie...but SWEARING

We thought this film was great until we had to shut it off 30 minutes into the film due to a swear. It happens super quickly after (spoiler) Pete breaks out of the hospital and is running through town. A sheriff gets out of there car and tells Pete to stop and when he doesn’t, the sheriff swears. We were very disappointed!!!

This title has:

Too much swearing
3 people found this helpful.
Thodoris G.
Thodoris G. Adult
May 20, 2018
age 6+

Sweet adventure

I've read other parents say it's a movie for 13y old kids. Really ??? 13 year olds watch movies like the Lord of the rings or transformers. The only reason a 5 year old might not like it is because some times they don't like movies with actors, as they prefer cartoons. As for the dead parents, Cinderella 's and half of Disney's character's parents were dead too. Lets get real.
2 people found this helpful.
See all 45 parent reviews

What's the Story?

In PETE'S DRAGON, Mr. Meacham (Robert Redford) has always entertained kids with his story of a dragon that lives in the nearby forest. His forest ranger daughter, Grace (Bryce Dallas Howard), thinks it's a tall tale -- until she meets Pete (Oakes Fegley), a 10-year-old orphan who claims to have been living in the woods for years with a green dragon named Elliot. And now, with loggers threatening the wilderness, Pete must get back to help Elliot, even if that means leaving the people who could be his new family.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (45):
Kids say (44):

Parents will love this sweet throwback Disney film, and their kids will be enchanted by Pete and his friendly dragon. Disney's original take on the story was mostly live action, with an animated dragon. The update is all live action, and it manages to make Elliot even more lovable and the story rich and engaging. It's set in the Pacific Northwest in the '70s, before cell phones and the Internet, when life was slower and kids had more freedom to go off and have adventures. Pete has been living with Elliot since he was orphaned at age 5, and their relationship is delightful to watch. Of course, it's a Disney movie, so it has to begin with parental loss -- and end with a fiery car chase -- but most everything in the middle is wholesome and entertaining.

Pete's Dragon is a little slower in parts than most films like it in 2016, but the characters are fully developed. Howard is appealing as the park ranger whose job it is to protect the woods and everything in it. Redford is charming as the grandfather who still believes in magic. And Fegley is wonderful as Pete; he makes the boy simultaneously wise, innocent, and very brave. Plus, there's a lovely underlying message that the wilderness and its inhabitants are to be protected and that we should take care of our family, however we find them.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about how Pete is left alone in the wilderness in Pete's Dragon. Did that make you nervous? Why? His mother tells him he's very brave. Do you think you could be brave in that situation?

  • How does Pete demonstrate courage? Why is that an important character strength? What role do empathy and perseverance play in the story as well?

  • What parts of the movie did you find scary? Why? How much scary stuff can young kids handle?

  • What are the movie's messages about friendship and family? Does your family have to be people you're related to? Who do you consider part of your family?

  • How does this version compare to the original? Do you usually like remakes? Why or why not?

Movie Details

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