The Land Before Time (1988)
Kernel Score: 79% · 2,696 ratings · Rated G
Genres: Family, Animation, Adventure
Released: 1988-11-18
Runtime: 69 minutes
Is The Land Before Time worth watching?
Worth watching. A short, sincere animated adventure about young dinosaurs crossing a harsh land together. It handles loss with real feeling and holds up well, though a few scenes are sad and scary for very small kids.
Watch it if you
- want a gentle animated adventure for kids
- grew up with it and want to share it
- like stories about friendship and perseverance
Skip it if you
- have very young children who are upset by a parent's death
- want fast-paced modern animation
Best for: Family movie night
Fresh Kernels verdict, AI-assisted from our scores, audience reviews and the official rating.
Where to watch The Land Before Time
- Rent: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
- Buy: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
US availability, updated 2026-10-22.
Overview
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.
The Land Before Time parents' guide: all ages
Parents need to know that The Land Before Time features the death of a parent dinosaur and natural disaster peril, which may be intense or sad for very young viewers, but ultimately teaches perseverance and friendship.
- Violence & scariness: Some — Includes an earthquake, a predatory tyrannosaurus rex threat, and the emotional death of a parent.
Fresh Kernels AI-assessed from the official G rating, publicly documented content. A guide for families, not an official rating.
Movies like The Land Before Time
If you liked The Land Before Time, these are the movies we'd watch next.
- The Secret of NIMH (1982) — 84%: Classic hand-drawn animated adventure with a similar darker, emotional edge.
- Anastasia (1997) — 87%: Fellow Don Bluth film with the same hand-drawn look and heart.
- Bambi (1942) — 78%: Young animal loses a parent and grows up; same emotional pull.
- The Lion King (1994) — 94%: Young animal journey with loss, growing up and a big heart.
- Jurassic Park (1993) — 94%: Dinosaurs done for a bigger audience, with real peril.
- How to Train Your Dragon 2 (2014) — 87%: Animated adventure with family bonds and emotional stakes.
Director
Cast
- Gabriel Damon as Littlefoot (voice)
- Candace Hutson as Cera (voice)
- Will Ryan as Petrie (voice)
- Judith Barsi as Ducky (voice)
- Helen Shaver as Littlefoot's Mother (voice)
- Pat Hingle as Narrator / Rooter (voice)
- Bill Erwin as Grandfather (voice)
- Burke Byrnes as Daddy Topps (voice)
- Frank Welker as Sharptooth (voice) (uncredited)
The Land Before Time FAQ
Is The Land Before Time worth watching?
Worth watching. A short, sincere animated adventure about young dinosaurs crossing a harsh land together. It handles loss with real feeling and holds up well, though a few scenes are sad and scary for very small kids.
Where can I watch The Land Before Time?
In the US you can rent it from Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play and YouTube.
Is The Land Before Time OK for kids?
The Land Before Time is rated G. Fresh Kernels suggests all ages. Parents need to know that The Land Before Time features the death of a parent dinosaur and natural disaster peril, which may be intense or sad for very young viewers, but ultimately teaches perseverance and friendship.
What movies are like The Land Before Time?
If you liked The Land Before Time, try The Secret of NIMH, Anastasia, Bambi and The Lion King.