The Fox and the Hound (1981)

69% of critics liked it
(26 reviews)
77% of users liked it
(291,267 ratings)

The Disney animated feature The Fox and the Hound tells the story of a friendship between traditional enemies. Tod is a fox whose parents have died. His best friend is a hunting dog named Copper. As Copper grows up, he learns that it is his job to hunt foxes. Tod's caretaker Widow Tweed takes Tod to… More The Disney animated feature The Fox and the Hound tells the story of a friendship between traditional enemies. Tod is a fox whose parents have died. His best friend is a hunting dog named Copper. As Copper grows up, he learns that it is his job to hunt foxes. Tod's caretaker Widow Tweed takes Tod to live in a game preserve where he falls madly in love with Vixey. Copper and his owner eventually enter the preserve to hunt Tod, and eventually Copper must decide between duty and friendship. ~ Perry Seibert, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: G, 1 hr. 23 min.
Directed By: Art Stevens, Ted Berman
Genres: Animation, Kids & Family

In Theaters: Jul 10, 1981 Wide
On DVD: May 2, 2000

Critic Reviews

Dave Kehr, Chicago Reader
Against all odds, a tear or two is effectively jerked, and there was enough skill on display to encourage some hope for the new generation of Disney animators, who made their debut here.
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
The bottom line, I suppose, is: Will kids like this movie? And the answer is, sure, I think so.
Vincent Canby, New York Times
This is a pretty, relentlessly cheery, old-fashioned sort of Disney cartoon feature, chock-full of bouncy songs of an upbeatness that is stickier than Krazy-Glue and played by animals more anthropomorphic than the humans that occasionally appear.
R. L. Shaffer, IGN DVD
The Fox and the Hound is a flawed, but effective kids' flick.
James Kendrick, Q Network Film Desk
not one of the studio's best efforts, but nonetheless it remains a fascinating product of an era of upheaval as well as a meaningful statement about the nature of prejudice
Rob Humanick, Slant Magazine
A top-heavy double feature that provides an excellent representation of one of Disney's most underrated works.
Rob Humanick, Slant Magazine
A work of both learned, assured poise and triumphant freshman determination, not far away from other benchmark-status works like Snow White or Pixar's Toy Story.
Peter Canavese, Groucho Reviews
Sweet but a bit dull...Overall, the picture is good-hearted and colorful, with an ending that carries a nice touch of ambiguity about the tussle of nature and nurture. [Blu-ray]
Michael Scheinfeld, Common Sense Media
A heartwarming tale of friendship, but expect some peril.
Tim Brayton, Antagony & Ecstasy
Cloying and cutesy, a helpless callback to a number of truly classic movies that it couldn't hope to equal, let alone better.
, Empire Magazine
All charmingness aside, this cute but rather thinly plotted yarn exposes the cracks that were present in the pre-renaissance Disney empire.
, TV Guide's Movie Guide
Wonderful entertainment for both kids and their parents.
Amber Wilkinson, Eye for Film
Importantly, the story relies on plot to carry it along and serves as a welcome reminder that audiences don't require a popular reference or in-joke every five minutes to sustain their interest.
Kevin Carr, 7M Pictures
It was a self-contained story that didn't try to change the world, and that was part of its charm.
Bill Chambers, Film Freak Central
A southern gothic--and a damn good one at that
David Nusair, Reel Film Reviews
...boasts an old-fashioned vibe that proves impossible to resist...
Scott Weinberg, DVD Clinic
Disney may have gone off the rails for a few years after The Fox and the Hound, but this one still feels like a classic. Or at very least, a mini-classic.
Dan Callahan, Slant Magazine
An acceptable disc for one of Disney's best and most unheralded animated features.
Dan Callahan, Slant Magazine
A wounded and unresolved movie free of the expected Disney cutesiness and complacency.
John J. Puccio, Movie Metropolis
...its routine characters and story line, its oversimplifications, and its syrupy sentiment...bog it down for this adult. (25th Anniversary Edition)

Read all 20 critic reviews

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

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Featured Audience Ratings

Josh L

An endearing and delightful 83 minute movie with lovable characters that will stick with you longer after the credits roll. It's a completely predictable storyline, but one made with the love and craft that only old school Disney can produce. Kids will absolutely love it, while… More
An endearing and delightful 83 minute movie with lovable characters that will stick with you longer after the credits roll. It's a completely predictable storyline, but one made with the love and craft that only old school Disney can produce. Kids will absolutely love it, while adults will revel in the nostalgia and feel all warm inside.
Directors C

what you've gt to do to come to a verdict is really to think about whether you think the fox and the hound will entertain kids, was it well drawn and was it heartmwarming? My verdict to all 3, yes.
Brad W

When I was a kid, me and my grampa would watch this all the time, and its still great. The story is great and is a wonderfil tale of love and friendship. A classic Disney film.
Alexander D

OK
Drake T

Arguably not for kids, the theme of "growing up" and "time changes" might not be very relatable; but at the same time they're simplified to a point of purity that you wouldn't see in anything but a children's movie. However, it's presented with… More
Arguably not for kids, the theme of "growing up" and "time changes" might not be very relatable; but at the same time they're simplified to a point of purity that you wouldn't see in anything but a children's movie. However, it's presented with enough sincerity and heart to wear the "Disney Classic" badge. Worth a watch.
Michael E

Not one of the best Disney films but its fairly decent
AJ V

An adorable Disney movie about a fox and a hound who are friends. It's very emotional and I loved it as a kid. If you like Disney, don't miss it.
Dead A

This was a bit enjoyable. But didn't satisfy my expectation. The friendship between a fox and a hound is unthinkable. The story was okay. Good to watch with whole family.
erika b

This is the best Disney film i ever watch. It was so funny and it kept me on the edge of my seat sometimes. good plot. overall it was i really good film, it is total under rated,
Chris W

I don't remember too much about this movie, other than that I liked it.The animation is good, the songs are good, and the stroy is just really loveable and cute. It's another tearjerker for kids, but it's good a got message and is still pretty fun.
Conner R

A great movie and truly in the spirit of the older classics. All the characters and visuals are well done and the story is extremely powerful to just about anyone who's ever had a friend. The subtle racism theme is really intelligent and multi-layered. Voice talents don't… More
A great movie and truly in the spirit of the older classics. All the characters and visuals are well done and the story is extremely powerful to just about anyone who's ever had a friend. The subtle racism theme is really intelligent and multi-layered. Voice talents don't get better than Kurt Russell and Corey Feldman.
Film C

i love fox and the hound and i dont really want to watch the second one just in case it completely ruins the awesomeness of this movie!! i absolutely love all the walt disney classics and this one is no exceptions!!
KJ P

I really liked this movie! Even though it is sort of sad! It's more for adults with a child-like mind!
Thomas B

beautiful story.
Cassie H

Sweetest movie!!!!!!
Dean M

Gorgeous animation in the classic Disney style elevates this not-so-classic children's film in which a little fox and a puppy becom friends. I liked it when I was six year old where I watched it at the cinema.
danny d

disney classic but the ending should have gone different
Tim B

Cuteness up the wazoo, but still a touching story. Extra points scored for being released before Disney started cranking out the "instant classics".
Rachel F

Classic Disney movie.
Jennifer X

so cute!