Pete's Dragon

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2:12

Pete's Dragon

PG

2016

1h 43m

Kids & Family

Fantasy

Adventure

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

88%

Tomatometer

244 Reviews

72%

Popcornmeter

25,000+ Ratings

Mr. Meacham (Robert Redford), a woodcarver, delights local children with stories of a mysterious dragon that lives deep in the woods of the Pacific Northwest. His daughter Grace (Bryce Dallas Howard) believes these are just tall tales, until she meets Pete (Oakes Fegley), a 10-year-old orphan who says he lives in the woods with a giant, friendly dragon. With help from a young girl named Natalie (Oona Laurence), Grace sets out to investigate if this fantastic claim can be true.

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Critics Consensus

Pete's Dragon continues Disney's current live-action winning streak with an update that gives the original a visual overhaul without overwhelming its sweet, soulful charm.

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Kristen Lopez

Spectrum Culture

11/20/2017

4.5/5

Pete's Dragon is family entertainment at its best.

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K. Austin Collins

The Ringer

08/10/2017

[Pete's Dragon] is a tentpole movie that feels personal.

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Ed Potton

The Times (UK)

10/10/2016

2/5

A remake of the equally unmemorable children's film of 1977,

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Don Shanahan

Every Movie Has a Lesson

Jul 23

5/5

The film enhances the magical charm audiences remember from the original with newly gained maturity to operate as a loving family drama and touching adventure of friendship.

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Brendan Cassidy

InSession Film

06/18/2024

A

In what can only be considered a truly mediocre summer movie season, Pete’s Dragon emerges with honesty and authentic beauty, and carries that beauty on its wings as it flies forward.

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Sean Axmaker

Stream on Demand

05/06/2023

There’s an authentic gentleness to the story and a joyous thrill to the bucolic adventure.

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Sarah B

@RT72414562 Apr 16

Poorly written/directed. There were so many details that left us really confused. Was hoping for a comfort/feel good movie and this just wasn't it.

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TheMovieSearch R

@TheMovieSearch Feb 1

The live-action Pete’s Dragon successfully modernizes the 1977 classic, blending heartfelt storytelling with realistic visuals while keeping the magic intact. Elliot the dragon is charmingly rendered in CGI, and his bond with Pete feels genuine and emotional. The young actor playing Pete delivers a strong performance, capturing innocence and wonder. The screenplay streamlines the story for clarity without losing whimsy or adventure, and themes of friendship, family, and acceptance resonate throughout. The direction, visuals, and music all complement one another, creating an immersive, touching experience. While some purists resist live-action remakes, this film preserves the original’s heart while offering a fresh, modern perspective that both new audiences and longtime fans can enjoy.

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F M

@Navis Jan 31

Beautifully made movie - Kids & grown-ups loved it. That's a fantastic movie!

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Alexander S

@RT61935749 Oct 20

Pete's Dragon is a scaled-down, yet, beautifully shot and still enchanting with a more adventurous family fantasy approach. By diverging from the original's musical numbers, it manages to stay true to its emotional core. I found it to be a passable film that will likely appeal to fans of adventure and fantasy. Grading: B

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Conan S

@RT40583174 Sep 19

Absolutely loved it! Was a great watch with a beautiful story and a great soundtrack. Still holds up to this day, and you should definitely watch it.

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Gareth v

@geewah Aug 10

A heartfelt and charming family adventure that successfully reimagines the classic 1977 film with a modern, grounded touch. One of the better family movies of it's time.

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David Lowery

Director

Bryce Dallas Howard

Grace

Oakes Fegley

Pete

Wes Bentley

Jack

Karl Urban

Gavin

Oona Laurence

Natalie

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Pete's Dragon: Trailer 1

2:12

Pete's Dragon: Teaser Trailer 1

1:28

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Synopsis

Mr. Meacham (Robert Redford), a woodcarver, delights local children with stories of a mysterious dragon that lives deep in the woods of the Pacific Northwest. His daughter Grace (Bryce Dallas Howard) believes these are just tall tales, until she meets Pete (Oakes Fegley), a 10-year-old orphan who says he lives in the woods with a giant, friendly dragon. With help from a young girl named Natalie (Oona Laurence), Grace sets out to investigate if this fantastic claim can be true.

Director: David Lowery
Producer: James Whitaker
Screenwriter: Toby Halbrooks, Malcolm Marmorstein
Distributor: Walt Disney
Production Co: Walt Disney Productions, Whitaker Entertainment, Vineyard Productions
Rating: PG (Brief Language|Action|Peril)
Genre: Kids & Family, Fantasy, Adventure
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Aug 12, 2016, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 29, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $555
Runtime: 1h 43m
Sound Mix: Datasat, Dolby Digital
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)