DINOSAUR
Laurels for lizards in a superb, moral family adventure.
Should You Watch It?
DINOSAUR is a great-looking, well-produced adventure with a mostly moral heart. It teaches children to care for the weak, stand up to bullies, and sacrifice for the welfare of others. Its hero rejects the idea that only the strongest deserve to survive.
The movie also includes story elements favoring evolution and pluralism, along with action that may scare small children. Some parts feel predictable and familiar, including similarities to Disney’s TARZAN.
If your family includes older children, DINOSAUR offers an enjoyable adventure with meaningful lessons and manageable concerns. Younger children may need more protection from its frightening scenes, so use your judgment before watching.
The Story
NO SPOILERS — WE KEEP THE SURPRISESAfter a large meteor destroys part of the earth, Aladar, an adopted vegetarian dinosaur, travels with his lemur monkey family and a herd of dinosaurs searching for a green nesting valley.
The herd faces thirst, hunger, and meat-eating dinosaurs along the way. Aladar’s wisdom and courage challenge the herd’s harsh leadership and help the travelers survive.
Is It Any Good?
Four stars means this is a highly entertaining, polished film despite some predictable storytelling. The animation and special effects are superb, making DINOSAUR a great-looking family adventure.
The movie is very enjoyable, though parts of the story are too reminiscent of the previous year’s animated TARZAN. Even so, its strong production and engaging moral themes make it a worthwhile choice for the intended audience.
The Worldview
DINOSAUR mostly presents a moral worldview. It honors monogamous heterosexuality, caring for those who are weaker, standing up to bullies, and sacrificing oneself for the welfare of others, even to the point of death. Aladar’s belief that the strong should help the weak directly challenges the bully dinosaur’s “survival of the fittest” philosophy.
The movie also contains elements favoring evolution, as well as pluralism and kindness toward outsiders and misfits. Its large meteor and dinosaur setting may trouble Christians who hold a young-earth reading of the Bible, though the movie avoids directly settling debates about the age of the earth or the Great Flood.
The film’s central lesson—that strength should protect the weak rather than discard them—aligns with Scripture’s call to “bear one another’s burdens” (Galatians 6:2). Its sacrificial theme also echoes Jesus’ words: “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13).
The Content Guide
The specifics — spoilers included by nature — so you can judge for your own family.
Content Summary
Mostly romantic worldview with some moral & pagan elements including strong family that works things out together & New Age burial ceremonies, plus some environmentalism; several obscenities; realistic violent car crash of car rolling down embankment, glass breaking, bodies thrown out of vehicle, female corpse shown, depicted facial & leg wounds, depictions of dead animals shown with wounds from poachers, lion swats dog resulting in implied shooting of putting dog out of its misery, depiction of man in severe pain with wounded leg being stitched up, severe windstorm destroys ranch, man beaten & robbed at gunpoint, many snakes, & boy bitten by snake with depicted discharge coming out of his mouth; kissing & stripping by married couple; rear & upper male nudity & partial female nudity; alcohol use; smoking; and, poaching & thievery are rebuked.
Talk About It
Questions for the drive home, the dinner table, or the youth group.
Aladar believes the strong should help the weak. What are practical ways your family can protect and serve people who need help?
Galatians 6:2 · Philippians 2:3–4The movie challenges the idea that only the fittest deserve to survive. How does the Bible describe the value and dignity of human beings?
Genesis 1:27 · Psalm 139:13–14DINOSAUR includes sacrifice for the welfare of others. What makes sacrifice loving rather than merely heroic?
John 15:13 · Philippians 2:5–8The film includes ideas about evolution and creation. How can Christians discuss disagreements about origins with both conviction and humility?
Genesis 1:1 · 1 Peter 3:15The Final Word
DINOSAUR combines superb animation with a moral story about courage, compassion, and sacrifice. Its evolutionary elements and frightening action call for parental judgment, especially with small children. For older children and adults, the answer is clear: WORTH THE TRIP.
