Disney’s newly reimagined Pete’s Dragon is finally in theaters and I’m excited to not only tell all of my readers about the movie, but offer a ton of fun activities for kids! My kids and I were able to attend a press screening of the film earlier this week, but all thoughts about the movie are my own. Affiliate links used within this post.
About Pete’s Dragon
A reimagining of Disney’s cherished family film, “Pete’s Dragon” is the adventure of an orphaned boy named Pete and his best friend Elliot, who just so happens to be a dragon. “Pete’s Dragon” stars Bryce Dallas Howard (“Jurassic World”), Oakes Fegley (“This is Where I Leave You”), Wes Bentley (“The Hunger Games”), Karl Urban (“Star Trek”), Oona Laurence (“Southpaw”), Isiah Whitlock, Jr. (“Cedar Rapids”) and Oscar® winner Robert Redford (“Captain America: The Winter Soldier”).
Oakes Fegley is Pete in Disney’s PETE’S DRAGON, the story of a boy named Pete and his best friend Elliot, who just happens to be a dragon.
The film, which is directed by David Lowery (“Ain’t Them Bodies Saints”), is written by Lowery & Toby Halbrooks based on a screenplay by Malcolm Marmorstein and produced by Jim Whitaker (“The Finest Hours,” “Friday Night Lights”), with Barrie M. Osborne (“The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring,” “The Great Gatsby”) serving as executive producer.
For years, old wood carver Mr. Meacham (Robert Redford) has delighted local children with his tales of the fierce dragon that resides deep in the woods of the Pacific Northwest. To his daughter, Grace (Bryce Dallas Howard), who works as a forest ranger, these stories are little more than tall tales…until she meets Pete (Oakes Fegley). Pete is a mysterious 10-year-old with no family and no home who claims to live in the woods with a giant, green dragon named Elliot. And from Pete’s descriptions, Elliot seems remarkably similar to the dragon from Mr. Meacham’s stories.
With the help of Natalie (Oona Laurence), an 11-year-old girl whose father Jack (Wes Bentley) owns the local lumber mill, Grace sets out to determine where Pete came from, where he belongs, and the truth about this dragon.
Robert Redford is Mr. Meacham, an old wood carver who delights local children with tales of the fierce dragon that resides deep in the woods nearby in Disney’s PETE’S DRAGON.
Check out the trailer here:
Pete’s Dragon Review – Good for Families?
Pete’s Dragon (the original Disney version) was one of my favorite childhood movies. I can still sing along word for word with the songs from the film. I was initially worried that this new movie looked like it had a completely different story line, and while it DID have a very different story, one thing stood out to me. Every time Elliot the Dragon made a vocal sound, he sounded like the same old Elliot that I loved as a little girl. I loved that!
Oakes Fegley is Pete in Disney’s PETE’S DRAGON, the story of a boy named Pete and his best friend Elliot, who just happens to be a dragon.
What I loved about Pete’s Dragon: I loved the story. Yes, it was different than the old story, but it was strong. It was emotionally compelling. It was full of believable, relatable, likable characters. The scenery was incredible. And, as odd as it may sound, I really appreciated the costuming. Instead of being “awkward 70s,” it just seemed natural – like a peek into real life (not trendy, not obnoxious or over done. Just real).
Our theater had a problem with the 3D viewing, so that was a frustrating way to start the movie. Honestly, I would skip the 3D and watch Pete’s Dragon in 2D instead. With popcorn, of course.
Pete’s Dragon is definitely a great family film, and I would recommend it for kids 6 or 7 and up. My teens and one tween that attended with me loved it, and I loved that there were no questionable things about it – language, violence, sex, etc. Nice, clean family fun! Little ones might find some parts scary – I remember being terribly scared of the Gogans in the original Pete’s Dragon of my childhood. While this version has a few characters that are up to no good, there’s nobody that I would consider scary for kids. Angry, fire-breathing Elliot does get a little intimidating, though, but only when he’s protecting the little boy that he loves so much.
It’s hard to pick a favorite character, but I’d have to say that young Pete, played by Oakes Fegley, and Mr. Meacham (Robert Redford) made the biggest impression on me. What a delightful role for Robert Redford!
Pete’s Dragon Family Fun
Are you ready for some Pete’s Dragon fun at home? Enjoy these free Pete’s Dragon printables!
How cute are these DIY Dragon cupcakes with Bryce Dallas Howard?
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Pete’s Dragon is such a good movie for the whole family. We really liked getting to see it and the coloring pages look great!