Do you want to see ‘Pete's Dragon’?

Pete's Dragon (1977)

tomatometer

All Critics
Top Critics

Average Rating: 4.8/10
Reviews Counted: 22
Fresh: 11 | Rotten: 11

Boring and slow, this is a lesser Disney work, though the animation isn't without its charms.

No Score Yet...

Average Rating: N/A
Critic Reviews: 2
Fresh: 2 | Rotten: 0

Boring and slow, this is a lesser Disney work, though the animation isn't without its charms.

audience

liked it
Average Rating: 3.1/5
User Ratings: 57,284

My Rating

Added to your Facebook Timeline. — undo

Movie Info

Based on a story by Hollywood old-timers Seton I. Miller and S. S. Field, Pete's Dragon divides its time between its flesh-and-blood characters and an animated green dragon. Pete (Sean Marshall), a lonely orphan boy in turn-of-the-century Maine, runs away from his abusive foster family. He stumbles upon a lovable dragon named Elliot, and the two become inseparable companions. Elliot is visible only to Pete, leading the townsfolk to assume that the boy is a trifle tetched. Pete finally finds

G, 2 hr. 14 min.

Science Fiction & Fantasy, Kids & Family

Directed By: Don Chaffey

In Theaters: Nov 3, 1977 Wide

On DVD: Jan 16, 2001

Buena Vista Pictures

Cast

Helen Reddy
Nora
Jim Dale
Dr. Terminus
Mickey Rooney
Lampie
Red Buttons
Hoagy
Shelley Winters
Lena Gogan
Sean Marshall
Pete
Jim Backus
The Mayor
Charles Tyner
Merle
Gary Morgan
Grover
Walter Barnes
Captain
Calvin Bartlett
Paul
Charlie Callas
Elliott
Al Checco
Fisherman #1
Jack Collins
Fisherman
Robert Easton
Store Proprietor
Robert Foulk
Old Sea Captain
Jane Kean
Miss Taylor
Roger Price
Man with Visor
Joe E. Ross
Cement Man
Henry Slate
Fisherman #2
Ben Wrigley
Egg Man
Jeff Conaway
Willie

Critic Reviews for Pete's Dragon

All Critics (22) | Top Critics (2) | Fresh (12) | Rotten (13) | DVD (13)

An enchanting and humane fable.

November 14, 2007 Full Review Source: Variety

| Comment

Variety Staff

Variety

Top Critic

You don't often see children's musicals as ambitious as this one any more.

May 9, 2005 Full Review Source: New York Times

| Comment (1)

Janet Maslin

New York Times

Top Critic

Offbeat live-action/animation mix with lots of drinking.

January 2, 2011 Full Review Source: Common Sense Media

| Comment

Sarah Wenk

Common Sense Media

The animation is much the best part of Pete's Dragon, a film not surfeited with great & timeless elements.

December 15, 2010 Full Review Source: Antagony & Ecstasy

| Comment

Tim Brayton

Antagony & Ecstasy

Offbeat live-action/animation mix with lots of drinking.

December 15, 2009 Full Review Source: Common Sense Media

| Comment

Charles Cassady

Common Sense Media

A horrid assault on the senses.

December 13, 2009 Full Review Source: EDGE Boston

| Comment

Phil Hall

EDGE Boston

Another not very charming but harmless fusion of animation and good old real-life.

October 1, 2009 Full Review Source: Empire Magazine

| Comment

Ian Nathan

Empire Magazine

Boring, annoying and not funny, Pete's Dragon is one of the dullest films from Disney that I've ever seen.

August 19, 2009 Full Review Source: Movie Views

| Comment

Ryan Cracknell

Movie Views Source: Movie Views

The animated figures and green screen work seem clumsy compared to Mary Poppins, and the characters, plot, and scenic construction seem a little lackluster.

August 19, 2009 Full Review Source: Movie Metropolis

| Comment

James Plath

Movie Metropolis

In the overall realm of Disney magic, Pete's Dragon is a card trick rather than a grand illusion.

August 19, 2009 Full Review Source: Movie Metropolis

| Comment

James Plath

Movie Metropolis

As a testament to its founder's legacy, this is still somewhat lesser Disney. But when viewed in combination for what passes as House of Mouse merriment today ...it's utterly brilliant.

August 16, 2009 Full Review Source: PopMatters

| Comment

Bill Gibron

PopMatters

The film lacks the emotional complexity and classic status of previous Disney films.

November 14, 2007 Full Review Source: TV Guide's Movie Guide

| Comment

TV Guide's Movie Guide

The dragon itself grunts, grins and goofs around, but isn't half as appealing as its creators obviously hoped. More character and better animation would have helped.

June 24, 2006 Full Review Source: Time Out

| Comment

Time Out

Average Disney, a disappointment if you expect another 'Mary Poppins.'

August 29, 2005 Comment

Steve Crum

Video-Reviewmaster.com

This movie sucked so bad, I even hated it as a kid.

December 22, 2002 Comment (1)

Alex Sandell

Juicy Cerebellum

More Critic Reviews

Audience Reviews for Pete's Dragon

View All

As a Disney animation enthusiast, not having seen this live-action/animation mix until now was my biggest sin (this and actually having seen a few of their direct-to-video sequelized offenders). Elliot the dragon is quite an endearing creation, but when he's not on the screen (and that happens too often), the whole

October 27, 2011

Matheus Carvalho

Super Reviewer

Good heartwarming musical adventure filled with thrilling plot twists, this film is a wonderful blend of live-action and Disney animation. This is a sort of a children's version of Harvey and another attempt for repeat the Mary Poppins magic. There are a LOT of songs, even for a Disney musical. Settings look wonderful.

April 3, 2007