The Land Before Time (1988)

73% of critics liked it
(15 reviews)
69% of users liked it
(317,892 ratings)

Animation producer Don Bluth's fondness for overly cutesy characters and muddy color compositions work to the benefit of his feature-length cartoon The Land Before Time. Littlefoot, a brontosaurus child, must fend for himself when his mother is killed (shades of Bambi). With several other orphaned… More Animation producer Don Bluth's fondness for overly cutesy characters and muddy color compositions work to the benefit of his feature-length cartoon The Land Before Time. Littlefoot, a brontosaurus child, must fend for himself when his mother is killed (shades of Bambi). With several other orphaned dinosaurs, Littlefoot seeks out the fabled Great Valley, where food and shelter is plentiful. Along the way, the kiddie dinos learn several vital (and politically correct) life lessons, all the while keeping themselves scarce whenever the fierce tyrannosauri gallumph into view. The cuteness of the characters (emphasized by the voice work) takes some of the harsh edges off the story, which makes the film eminently suitable for younger children; and the smeary color design is ideal for the time-frame of the film, which is set in the turbulent, nature-run-rampant period just before the dinosaurs died out. Apparently they didn't all die, inasmuch as a Land Before Time sequel was released on video in 1994. The earlier film inspired a 1988 Saturday morning cartoon series produced by Ruby-Spears, Dink: The Little Dinosaur. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: G, 1 hr. 10 min.
Directed By: Don Bluth
Genres: Action & Adventure, Animation, Kids & Family, Science Fiction & Fantasy

In Theaters: Nov 18, 1988 Wide
On DVD: Apr 30, 1997
Studio: MCA Universal Home Video

Critic Reviews

Common Sense Media Editors, Common Sense Media
Baby dinosaur buddy flick that started the series.
Tim Brayton, Antagony & Ecstasy
What charmed me when I first saw it as a six-year-old in theaters now strikes me as rather middling, indifferent storytelling and character development.
Phil Villarreal, Arizona Daily Star
A very good animated film, but nothe where near intriguing enough to inspire copious sequels.

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

Lucas M

A moving and unforgettable film, The Land Before Time is a great entertainment to all family and to remember the childhood. Fresh.
Brad W

I've always enjoye dthis movie, its a cool and fun movie for kids and is the start of a big franchise that was one of my favorites as a kid, a good movie.
Alexander D

Bad+
Drake T

A timeless child's tale that teaches intolerance, despite Sharptooth's constant loom of doom that can actually make a thriller for some kids. The desaturated color pallet and lack of exaggeration in it's animation is what makes this movie pale in comparison to the… More
A timeless child's tale that teaches intolerance, despite Sharptooth's constant loom of doom that can actually make a thriller for some kids. The desaturated color pallet and lack of exaggeration in it's animation is what makes this movie pale in comparison to the wondrous magic of Disney productions. It might not have "worked" for TLBT but Bluth rectifys this problem in other films that carry the amount of maturity/sophistication justifying these would-be problems.
AJ V

I loved this dinosaur movie when I was a kid, and apparently kids continued to love it up into the new millennium, with all these sequels that is spawned. If you only watch one of the Land Before Time movies, watch this one, the original. It's the best.
Michael E

this movie was very good when i was little but it also scared me quite a bit, and the movie was pretty depressing, Don Bluth you are the man
Jennifer D

Classic children's movie and beautiful. Don Bluth at some of his best moments.
Chris W

All I remember about this was how damn sad and upsetting it was. I mean, it is entertaining, but this is quite a tearjerker for an animated family film. The look and animation style aren't like groundbreaking or anything, but the movie looks oretty good regardless.
Richard C

D
Conner R

I think this is actually one of my favorite animated movies of all time. For some reason it seems to be one of those movies that never gets old. I love the story, it's really deep and a complete tear jerker. I love that it familiarizes kids with the idea of death much like in… More
I think this is actually one of my favorite animated movies of all time. For some reason it seems to be one of those movies that never gets old. I love the story, it's really deep and a complete tear jerker. I love that it familiarizes kids with the idea of death much like in Bambi. The animation is good and up to par with that of Disney.
KJ P

Very inventive!
Tim S

The only one of the series that mattered.
Anthony L

A very sweet film! Thinking about it though, Ice Age really ripped it off!
Luke B

The Land Before Time was a childhood favorite of mine, no surprise I watched it so many times with it's 69 minute running time. The Land Before Time (unlike it's sequels) is far removed from Disney films of the time and avoids musical numbers and OTT "comedic"… More
The Land Before Time was a childhood favorite of mine, no surprise I watched it so many times with it's 69 minute running time. The Land Before Time (unlike it's sequels) is far removed from Disney films of the time and avoids musical numbers and OTT "comedic" characters. The film feels like a genuinely real story of growing up and friendship. It depicts how terrifying the real world can be and the heartache of loss. Littlefoot's excitement at seeing his shadow, believing it is his deceased mother, will feel anybody of any age with a lot of emotion. The animation is also excellent, with one scene of the T-Rex trying to stand up showing some great detail. A classic, and at just 69 minutes you have no excuse not to check it out.
Bobby H

Land before time was a classic. As a kid I grew up watching this movie while getting my fix for my dinasour fascination. With big names backing it up and the great James Horner producing the theme this movie was destined to go down as a classic film. In a land where Diseny ruled… More
Land before time was a classic. As a kid I grew up watching this movie while getting my fix for my dinasour fascination. With big names backing it up and the great James Horner producing the theme this movie was destined to go down as a classic film. In a land where Diseny ruled the world of animations Land Before Time came out on top and showed even some of those films of the time up. It takes a risk by exploring scientific depths and taking children along a wild adventure with some of the world's most prehistoric creatures. The movie also has great morals behind it teaching children about "The Circle of Life" (beat you to it Lion King!), Friendship, and Sticking together. It's a true masterpiece for it's age and The Land Before Time as did the dinasours in which it got it's inpiration from has stood the test of time to be a classic five star film.
Tim S

Fuck you, assholes, I cried.
Curtis L

I used to have this entire script memorized.
Candy R

Heartwarming cartoon about different animals that have to leave their home to survive a plague.
Lewis C

This is the first movie I remember watching! Awwww, tree stars!
Lafe F

Great Don Bluth animation with cute talking Dinosaurs and a slight prehistoric lesson. I'm not big into dinosaurs, but it's well-drawn and voiced with a decent story. (I'm a huge Dragon's Lair gameplayer so love anything drawn by Don!) It's a good adventure… More
Great Don Bluth animation with cute talking Dinosaurs and a slight prehistoric lesson. I'm not big into dinosaurs, but it's well-drawn and voiced with a decent story. (I'm a huge Dragon's Lair gameplayer so love anything drawn by Don!) It's a good adventure and friendship story, which spawned over ten (10!!) sequels. Suited for the youngin's we have.