The Land Before Time

1988, Kids & family/Adventure, 1h 6m

33 Reviews 250,000+ Ratings

What to know

critics consensus

Beautifully animated and genuinely endearing, The Land Before Time is sure to please dino-obsessed tykes, even if it's a little too cutesy for older viewers. Read critic reviews

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The Land Before Time Videos

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Movie Info

Littlefoot (Gabriel Damon), a young plant-eating dinosaur, is orphaned after his mother (Helen Shaver) perishes while protecting him from a vicious carnivore. With her last breath, she tells him how to get to the legendary Great Valley, where he will be reunited with others of his kind. With his friend Cera (Candace Hutson), Littlefoot sets out for the fabled land, meeting a variety of new friends along the way -- while also being tracked by the killer dinosaur that mortally wounded his mother.
  • Rating:
    G
  • Genre:
    Kids & family, Adventure, Animation
  • Original Language:
    English
  • Director:
    Don Bluth
  • Producer:
    Gary Goldman, Don Bluth, John Pomeroy
  • Writer:
    Stu Krieger
  • Release Date (Theaters):
     original
  • Release Date (Streaming):
  • Box Office (Gross USA):
    $45.8M
  • Runtime:
  • Distributor:
    Universal Pictures
  • Sound Mix:
    Surround

Cast & Crew

Gabriel Damon
Littlefoot
Voice
Candace Hutson
Cera
Voice
Judith Barsi
Ducky
Voice
Will Ryan
Petrie
Voice
Bill Erwin
Grandfather
Voice
Helen Shaver
Littlefoot's Mother
Voice
Pat Hingle
Narrator, Rooter
Voice
Burke Byrnes
Daddy Topps
Voice
Don Bluth
Director
Stu Krieger
Screenwriter
George Lucas
Executive Producer
Steven Spielberg
Executive Producer
Frank Marshall
Co-Executive Producer
Kathleen Kennedy
Co-Executive Producer
Gary Goldman
Producer
Don Bluth
Producer
John Pomeroy
Producer
James Horner
Original Music
John K. Carr
Film Editing
Dan Molina
Film Editing
Sue Shakespeare
Assistant Director
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Critic Reviews for The Land Before Time

All Critics (33) | Top Critics (10) | Fresh (23) | Rotten (10)
Full Review… Peter Travers People Magazine Full Review… David Hepworth Empire Magazine Full Review… Steven Rea Philadelphia Inquirer Full Review… Dave Kehr Chicago Tribune Full Review… Sheila Benson Los Angeles Times Full Review… Variety Staff Variety Full Review… Grant Watson Fiction Machine Full Review… Rachel Wagner Rachel's Reviews (YouTube) Full Review… Danielle Solzman Solzy at the Movies Full Review… David Parkinson Radio Times Full Review… David Sterritt Christian Science Monitor Full Review… Candice Russell South Florida Sun-Sentinel
View All Critic Reviews (33)

Audience Reviews for The Land Before Time

  • Jul 26, 2020
    Maybe it's just nostalgia that makes me love The Land Before Time, but I'm pretty sure the beautiful scenery at least does hold up. And that theme music, oh my God, right in the chest... That might be nostalgia again...
    Gimly M Super Reviewer
  • Oct 18, 2015
    It's been near enough thirty tears since I saw this movie in the cinema with my mum and grandma. It is still beautifully animated, full of charm but also, THAT moment, is still as sad as ever. Loved it.
    Ian W Super Reviewer
  • Jul 17, 2012
    From producers Steven Spielberg and George Lucas comes the beloved family film The Land Before Time. The story follows a group of young dinosaurs that are separated from their herds, and must band together in order find them again. The animation is pretty good, as are the character designs. Additionally, the voice work is excellent; fitting each character especially well. And, the score by James Horner is also exceptional, enhancing the moods and tones of the film. The Land Before Time is a wonderfully enjoyable animated film that's fun for all ages.
    Dann M Super Reviewer
  • May 08, 2012
    This film I remember so much when I was a kid, and not one scene has left my mind it resonates as one of the greatest animated films ever made. Its dark at times but endures courage, friendship, hope and survival just to reach the one place we can call home. Fitting for all kids and adults alike, it also happns to be linked to one of my favourite names in the buisness ;)
    Luke E Super Reviewer
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