Pete's Dragon (1977)

50% of critics liked it
(22 reviews)
59% of users liked it
(57,284 ratings)

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… More 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 happiness with his "new" family, lighthouse-keeper Lampie (Mickey Rooney) and his daughter Nora (Helen Reddy, who sings and sings). British comic actor Jim Dale co-stars as the wacky dentist Dr. Terminus. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: G, 2 hr. 14 min.
Directed By: Don Chaffey
Genres: Science Fiction & Fantasy, Kids & Family

In Theaters: Nov 3, 1977 Wide
On DVD: Jan 16, 2001
Studio: Buena Vista Pictures

Critic Reviews

Variety Staff, Variety
An enchanting and humane fable.
Janet Maslin, New York Times
You don't often see children's musicals as ambitious as this one any more.
Sarah Wenk, Common Sense Media
Offbeat live-action/animation mix with lots of drinking.
Tim Brayton, Antagony & Ecstasy
The animation is much the best part of Pete's Dragon, a film not surfeited with great & timeless elements.
Charles Cassady, Common Sense Media
Offbeat live-action/animation mix with lots of drinking.
Phil Hall, EDGE Boston
A horrid assault on the senses.
Ian Nathan, Empire Magazine
Another not very charming but harmless fusion of animation and good old real-life.
Ryan Cracknell, Movie Views
Boring, annoying and not funny, Pete's Dragon is one of the dullest films from Disney that I've ever seen.
James Plath, Movie Metropolis
The animated figures and green screen work seem clumsy compared to Mary Poppins, and the characters, plot, and scenic construction seem a little lackluster.
James Plath, Movie Metropolis
In the overall realm of Disney magic, Pete's Dragon is a card trick rather than a grand illusion.
Bill Gibron, PopMatters
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.
, TV Guide's Movie Guide
The film lacks the emotional complexity and classic status of previous Disney films.
, Time Out
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.
Steve Crum, Video-Reviewmaster.com
Average Disney, a disappointment if you expect another 'Mary Poppins.'
Alex Sandell, Juicy Cerebellum
This movie sucked so bad, I even hated it as a kid.

Read all 15 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

Matheus C

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… More
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 film falls flat with no "real" star big enough to carry the thing. Coreographer Onna White tries to infuse some of the energy that made "Oliver!" so memorable, but the mundane songs she has to work with (the sole exception being the poignant "Candle on the water") make matters hard. It is technically accomplished, but it is another reminder of the sad time when Disney stopped making films for families and started making films for children. At least it gave us one of the coolest floats at Disney's Electrical Parade as one of its sole legacies.
Dean M

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.… More
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. I wonder if Passamaquoddy exists for real. Nevertheless, Passamaquoddy is one heck of a name. Jim Dale as the unscrupulous Dr Terminus, and Red Buttons as his dim side-kick, are genuinely funny villains. The blending together of animated Elliot and the living, breathing actors is very good - especially for 1977 - though in a shipwreck sequence near the end the special effects are utterly dreadful.
Conner R

I will never fully understand what disney was thinking when they decided to make a live action movie with an animated dragon. If only all homeless slave orphaned kids had imaginary friends to distract them from their terrible lives. This seems like it should have been more bizarre… More
I will never fully understand what disney was thinking when they decided to make a live action movie with an animated dragon. If only all homeless slave orphaned kids had imaginary friends to distract them from their terrible lives. This seems like it should have been more bizarre than it really ends up being, but it's still worth seeing for the nutso logic.
Jason O

"Pete's Dragon" is one of the most underrated Disney movies ever made. It's one of the few Disney movies that I haven't ever heard a lot about. It's about an orphan named Pete (Sean Marshall) and his only friend Elliot, a dragon. Once Pete is adopted by… More
"Pete's Dragon" is one of the most underrated Disney movies ever made. It's one of the few Disney movies that I haven't ever heard a lot about. It's about an orphan named Pete (Sean Marshall) and his only friend Elliot, a dragon. Once Pete is adopted by some people who live in a lighthouse, the movie takes an interesting twist. I thought "Pete's Dragon" was a good movie. It's entertaining, parts of it are funny, and it even has a few good songs. If you would like to see an interesting and entertaining movie, I recommend getting "Pete's Dragon." NOTE: That was my Amazon review from the year 2000. Would've been cool to have my own dragon....
James A

I hated this when I was a kid and I hate it even more now.
Tim S

Doesn't hold up well at all. Strictly for children under 8.
Lafe F

A cheerful but dorky mix of live action with an animated dragon. It's fun seeing an older Mickey Rooney as a scruffy lighthouse keeper. I liked the bad dudes too. It was big in its time, but is now greatly forgotten.
danny d

decent little family flick
Leigh R

My favorite film as a kid...
Dannielle A

I LOVE the music, the message, and the joy of watching this movie over and over again.
ashley h

I loved this as a kid,the songs,the invisible friend-a great Disney
Jason R

Every once in awhile I like to watch movies I use to watch as a kid, and sometimes I'm dissapointed and sometimes I am not it's just how things go I guess. Pete's Dragon is a special movie to me because as a guy who has an overactive imagination I realized after… More
Every once in awhile I like to watch movies I use to watch as a kid, and sometimes I'm dissapointed and sometimes I am not it's just how things go I guess. Pete's Dragon is a special movie to me because as a guy who has an overactive imagination I realized after watching this some twenty years after first seeing it, that I still have the same kid-like imagination. As a film it is okay, but the film has such a great collection of actors that it is so hard not to like this movie.
Sunil J

I loved this movie as a kid. The music is very catchy and I remember all the words.
Sarah B

This makes me smile just thinking about it.
paganchild1979 p

Loved watching this while growing up!