PETE’S DRAGON
Open your eyes to faith in this lovable fantasy adventure.
Should You Watch It?
This is a very satisfying, enjoyable, lovable fantasy. It builds courage, compassion, love for others, faith, and the conviction that reality may be larger than what we can clearly see.
The story also understands loss. Pete’s friendship with Elliott gives the film a tender emotional center, while the danger and jeopardy keep the adventure moving. Some action moments may frighten younger children, and the dragon and spiritual references call for parents’ discernment.
For a thoughtful family adventure with a strong moral heart, take your family to see it.
The Story
NO SPOILERS — WE KEEP THE SURPRISESAfter a devastating car crash leaves five-year-old Pete alone in the woods, a dragon rescues him from wolves. Pete names him Elliott, and the two become inseparable.
Years later, loggers discover Pete, now a wild child, and bring him into town. Pete wants to return to Elliott, while Elliott searches for Pete. Soon, the town must face the possibility that the old dragon myth may be real.
Is It Any Good?
Four stars means this is a highly satisfying family film. The reboot is better structured than the original, with strong jeopardy, heartrending incidents, and humor. The story’s incredible or unbelievable elements are woven into the adventure effectively.
There are also very minor plot holes and one or two plot devices that strain belief. Those flaws do little to diminish a warm, courageous, compassionate fantasy that gives its young hero an emotionally meaningful adventure.
The Worldview
The film strongly affirms courage in the face of obstacles, caring, love, friendship, sacrifice, and never abandoning friends or family. Its central idea is that you should open your eyes to faith and recognize that something can be real even when you cannot see it.
The dragon functions as Pete’s guardian angel—or as a large, flying puppy dog who loves him. The movie includes magic, but the review describes it not as manipulative occult practice. Instead, it presents a spiritual world within a Judeo-Christian understanding that spiritual things are real. The dragon is more like a furry guardian angel than a fallen adversary.
The film also raises questions about whether the dragon is real or imaginary, includes references to dragons, and makes slight environmentalist suggestions. In the Bible, dragons can refer to Satan, but they can also refer to God’s great creation, Leviathan. This movie chooses the latter kind of image.
The film’s longing for faith echoes Scripture’s reminder that faith concerns realities we cannot yet see: “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1).
The Content Guide
The specifics — spoilers included by nature — so you can judge for your own family.
Content Summary
Very strong moral worldview about courage in the face of obstacles, caring, love, friendship, sacrifice for others, and never abandoning your friends or family, with references to magic but the magic is not nominalistic, but more of a Judeo-Christian perspective that we live in a real world, but that spiritual things are real too, and direct references to just because you don’t see something doesn’t mean it’s not real, but some question about whether the dragon is real or imaginary, though he comes across as real, with of course references to dragons, which in the Bible also refers to the Adversary, Satan, but also refer to God’s biggest creations, often called Leviathan, flying reptile, though this dragon is more like a furry guardian angel, not a fallen adversary, plus slight environmentalist suggestions; very light exclamatory words that can be taken either as prayers or fear; action violence including some scary scenes with wolves, with a dragon, with a car crash, with the dragon attacking and destroying a bridge and with shooting tranquilizer darts and perhaps bullets to capture the dragon; there’s a suggestion a couple is living together before marriage and a wedding photo at the end of the movie, but it’s very vague; no nudity; no alcohol; no smoking; and, the villain is greedy and disobeys the rules, villain wants to build his fortune on capturing Pete’s Dragon.
Talk About It
Questions for the drive home, the dinner table, or the youth group.
Pete finds friendship and protection after suffering great loss. How can we show faithful care to someone who is hurting?
Galatians 6:2 · 1 Thessalonians 5:11The film asks whether something can be real even when we cannot see it. What does biblical faith mean, and how is it different from simply believing anything?
Hebrews 11:1 · 2 Corinthians 5:7Pete and Elliott refuse to abandon each other. Who has God placed in your life to love and protect, and what might that commitment require?
John 15:13 · Philippians 2:4The villain wants to build his fortune by capturing the dragon. What does Scripture say about greed, and what should guide our use of God’s creation?
Luke 12:15 · Genesis 2:15The Final Word
Pete’s Dragon is a heart-rending adventure filled with courage, compassion, faith, and love. Some action scenes may scare younger children, but its moral vision makes it a strong choice for families. WORTH THE TRIP for an enjoyable fantasy with a tender heart.
