Sesame Street Presents: Follow That Bird

Play trailer

Sesame Street Presents: Follow That Bird

G

1985

1h 28m

Kids & Family

Comedy

Adventure

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

92%

Tomatometer

12 Reviews

72%

Popcornmeter

5,000+ Ratings

Big Bird (Caroll Spinney) loves spending his days on Sesame Street with all of his different friends. However, social worker Miss Finch (Sally Kellerman) feels that Big Bird should live in an environment with only birds like himself. When she sends him to live with a family of dodos in Illinois, Big Bird cannot help but think of his friends back home. Deciding Sesame Street is the place for him, Big Bird begins an adventurous journey back to where he truly belongs.

Watch on Fandango

Stream Now

Walter Goodman

New York Times

May 21, 2003

3/5

By and large, the script by Tony Geiss and Judy Freudberg and the direction by Ken Kwapis don't strain for yuks; what they seek, and more often than not attain, is a tone of kindly kidding.

Go to Full Review

Rachel Wagner

rachelsreviews.net

May 4, 2019

A

A real gem.

Go to Full Review

Kevin Carr

7M Pictures

Apr 18, 2009

3.5/5

If you have kids, check this one out for nostalgia's sake and a chance for them to see the Children's Television Workshop in its younger years.

Go to Full Review

Mike McGranaghan

Aisle Seat

Apr 10, 2009

3/4

The series' core values are faithfully reflected in the film.

Go to Full Review

TV Guide

May 15, 2008

2.5/4

Good work from Sandra Bernhard, director Paul Bartel, and Hollywood favorites John Candy and Chevy Chase, as well as some fine moments with Kermit, the Cookie Monster, Ernie, Bert, Grover, and many of the other Muppets.

Go to Full Review

Michael A. Smith

Nolan's Pop Culture Review

Oct 19, 2005

3/5

Can't go wrong with a film that features Snuffleupagus!

Go to Full Review

Read all reviews

Adam A

Apr 25, 2026

Very fun and sweet movie. Nothing harmful and many thoughtful scenes for children. Overall a pleasant experience

See more

thiago S

@Thiagostone Jun 13, 2026

Filme fraco, o roteiro é fraco, as cenas são fracas, a história é fraca, o elenco é fraco, e ninguém ajuda a melhorar o filme, os personagens são fracos, e o filme deveria ter cenas bem melhores e relevantes, para fazer o filme ser bom

See more

Ben P

@RT03959963 Jul 15, 2025

Good but I don't remember too much from it.

See more

Stephen C

@bob25009 Jul 4, 2025

The worldwide gross is $13,961,370.00.

See more

Keith N

@RT59532033 Oct 2, 2024

Man, this film was my childhood. It was my all time favorite movie as a little kid, just by looking at this brings back all those memories I had. This is the definition a childhood classic

See more

Nim T

@nimtse Jun 30, 2024

Sesame Street was a show that has been a major part of my childhood. Seeing a film that relates to it and Big Bird made me interested to give this movie a try. For an adult, it is hard to watch as there would be scenes that are considered cheesy and unbearable. I would have watched this with kids because there are important remnants of lessons that can be taught to the young generation. That lesson is about care and knowing friends is relevant in one's life. It was nostalgic for the film to bring back memories of the wonderful characters, whether puppet or human.

See more

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

POST RATING

Ken Kwapis

Director

Paul Bartel

Grouch Cook

Sandra Bernhard

Waitress in Grouch Restaurant

John Candy

State Trooper

Chevy Chase

Newscaster

Joe Flaherty

Sid Sleaze

101 Dalmatians

39%

40%

101 Dalmatians

Watchlist

TRAILER

for 101 Dalmatians

The Muppets Take Manhattan

85%

76%

The Muppets Take Manhattan

Watchlist

Ramona and Beezus

71%

71%

Ramona and Beezus

Watchlist

Benji the Hunted

55%

61%

Benji the Hunted

Watchlist

Black Beauty

74%

76%

Black Beauty

Watchlist

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

Jenny Slate’s Five Favorite Films

View more photos

Synopsis

Big Bird (Caroll Spinney) loves spending his days on Sesame Street with all of his different friends. However, social worker Miss Finch (Sally Kellerman) feels that Big Bird should live in an environment with only birds like himself. When she sends him to live with a family of dodos in Illinois, Big Bird cannot help but think of his friends back home. Deciding Sesame Street is the place for him, Big Bird begins an adventurous journey back to where he truly belongs.

Director: Ken Kwapis
Producer: Tony Garnett
Screenwriter: Judy Freudberg, Tony Geiss
Distributor: Warner Bros.
Production Co: Warner Brothers, Henson Associates, Children's Television Workshop (CTW)
Rating: G
Genre: Kids & Family, Comedy, Adventure
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Aug 2, 1985, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 25, 2008
Runtime: 1h 28m
Sound Mix: Surround

Join The Newsletter

Join The Newsletter

Cookie Settings