The Land Before Time
The Land Before Time
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Watch-outs
What this film brings
Content barometer
Violence
3/5
Notable
Fear
3/5
Notable tension
Sexuality
0/5
None
Language
1/5
Mild
Narrative complexity
0/5
Simple
Adult themes
0/5
None
Expert review
This animated prehistoric adventure is clearly made for families, but it is more emotionally intense than many films aimed at very young children. Sensitive content includes the on screen death of a parent, repeated separation scenes, a grieving child hero, a large predator that feels genuinely threatening, and natural disaster sequences that create a strong sense of danger. None of this is graphic, yet it is emotionally central to the story, and the sadness and fear return several times before the film settles back into a warmer tone. For children around 4 or 5, the experience may feel overwhelming even though the characters are animated and appealing. I would more comfortably suggest guided viewing from about age 7, or a bit earlier only for children who already cope well with stories about loss and frightening chases, with a parent ready to reassure them and talk through the feelings involved.
Synopsis
An orphaned brontosaurus named Littlefoot sets off in search of the legendary Great Valley. A land of lush vegetation where the dinosaurs can thrive and live in peace. Along the way he meets four other young dinosaurs, each one a different species, and they encounter several obstacles as they learn to work together in order to survive.
Difficult scenes
The most striking moment for many children is the attack by the large carnivore on the young dinosaurs. Littlefoot's mother steps in to protect him, she is badly injured, and her death is presented with clear emotional weight, which may trigger strong sadness or questions about losing a parent. An earthquake sequence suddenly separates the characters and turns the world into a dangerous and unstable place. Even without graphic imagery, the chaos, cries, loneliness, and sense of loss can be intense for younger viewers, especially children who are sensitive to disasters or separation. Sharptooth returns several times as a real threat, with chases, hiding, and sustained tension. His design, loud roars, and the fact that he is hunting the young characters make some scenes genuinely scary rather than merely exciting. An argument between the young heroes leads to hurtful words and a painful separation within the group. This scene can affect children who care deeply about friendship, because it mixes sadness, anger, and a sense of abandonment in an already fragile story.
Where to watch
No verified platform for the US market yet. We keep this section updated as availability changes.
About this title
- Format
- Feature film
- Year
- 1988
- Runtime
- 1h 9m
- Countries
- United States of America, Ireland
- Original language
- EN
- Directed by
- Don Bluth
- Main cast
- Gabriel Damon, Candace Hutson, Will Ryan, Judith Barsi, Helen Shaver, Pat Hingle, Bill Erwin, Burke Byrnes, Frank Welker
- Studios
- Universal Pictures, Amblin Entertainment, Don Bluth Entertainment, Don Bluth Ireland, Lucasfilm Ltd., U-Drive Productions
Content barometer
Violence
3/5
Notable
Fear
3/5
Notable tension
Sexuality
0/5
None
Language
1/5
Mild
Narrative complexity
0/5
Simple
Adult themes
0/5
None
Expert review
This animated prehistoric adventure is clearly made for families, but it is more emotionally intense than many films aimed at very young children. Sensitive content includes the on screen death of a parent, repeated separation scenes, a grieving child hero, a large predator that feels genuinely threatening, and natural disaster sequences that create a strong sense of danger. None of this is graphic, yet it is emotionally central to the story, and the sadness and fear return several times before the film settles back into a warmer tone. For children around 4 or 5, the experience may feel overwhelming even though the characters are animated and appealing. I would more comfortably suggest guided viewing from about age 7, or a bit earlier only for children who already cope well with stories about loss and frightening chases, with a parent ready to reassure them and talk through the feelings involved.
Synopsis
An orphaned brontosaurus named Littlefoot sets off in search of the legendary Great Valley. A land of lush vegetation where the dinosaurs can thrive and live in peace. Along the way he meets four other young dinosaurs, each one a different species, and they encounter several obstacles as they learn to work together in order to survive.
Difficult scenes
The most striking moment for many children is the attack by the large carnivore on the young dinosaurs. Littlefoot's mother steps in to protect him, she is badly injured, and her death is presented with clear emotional weight, which may trigger strong sadness or questions about losing a parent. An earthquake sequence suddenly separates the characters and turns the world into a dangerous and unstable place. Even without graphic imagery, the chaos, cries, loneliness, and sense of loss can be intense for younger viewers, especially children who are sensitive to disasters or separation. Sharptooth returns several times as a real threat, with chases, hiding, and sustained tension. His design, loud roars, and the fact that he is hunting the young characters make some scenes genuinely scary rather than merely exciting. An argument between the young heroes leads to hurtful words and a painful separation within the group. This scene can affect children who care deeply about friendship, because it mixes sadness, anger, and a sense of abandonment in an already fragile story.