Pete’s Dragon Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A feral child with impressive climbing skills befriends a giant, fluffy, green, fire-breathing dog and has to choose between a cool dragon and a boring family.

🍿 Pete’s Dragon: Detailed Plot Synopsis

A Tragic Beginning

The film opens with a young Pete traveling with his parents. A sudden car accident in the forest leaves Pete orphaned and alone. He’s quickly surrounded by wolves, but a large, green dragon appears and saves him. Pete names the dragon Elliot, after a character in his book.

Life in the Forest

Six years pass, and Pete and Elliot live harmoniously in the forest. They are best friends and protect each other. Pete has become skilled at surviving in the wild. Their peaceful existence is threatened when a logging company begins encroaching on their territory.

Discovery and Capture

Pete is discovered by Grace, a park ranger, and her friend Natalie. When Pete is brought back to civilization, he struggles to adjust. Meanwhile, Elliot is spotted by Gavin, a logger, who becomes obsessed with capturing the dragon. Elliot is eventually tranquilized and captured.

The Rescue

Pete and Natalie, with the help of Grace and her father, Mr. Meacham, work to free Elliot from captivity. A chaotic chase ensues, leading to a dramatic confrontation on a bridge where Elliot uses his fire-breathing abilities to save lives.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Pete (Oakes Fegley): An orphaned boy who has lived in the forest for six years with his dragon friend, Elliott.
• Elliott (N/A): A friendly and protective dragon who becomes Pete’s loyal companion in the forest.
• Grace (Bryce Dallas Howard): A kindhearted park ranger who discovers Pete and helps him reconnect with civilization.
• Meacham (Robert Redford): Grace’s father, who is a storyteller and local legend, and claims to have encountered a dragon in the forest years ago.
• Natalie (Oona Laurence): Jack’s daughter who befriends Pete and assists in protecting Elliott.
• Gavin (Karl Urban): Jack’s brother, a determined hunter who seeks to capture Elliott, causing conflict.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Meacham: “Magic makes you see the world differently.” – Meacham explains to his daughter Grace that his encounter with a dragon changed his perspective.
• Pete: “Elliot!” – Pete often yells out for Elliot when he’s in danger or needs his friend.
• Grace: “You are the bravest boy I’ve ever met.” – Grace tells Pete after hearing his story and seeing his resilience, showing her growing affection for him.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $65,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $76,233,151
• Worldwide Gross: $143,695,338

💥 Pete’s Dragon Reviews

Personal Review

I absolutely loved Pete’s Dragon! From the moment Pete met Elliott, I was hooked. The forest scenes were magical, and I found myself tearing up at the ending. It reminded me of my own childhood dreams and made me wish I had a dragon friend too! Oakes Fegley was perfect in his role. It’s a movie I’ll definitely watch again when I need a dose of childlike wonder.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Families”
  • “Kids who love fantasy and adventure”
  • “Viewers who enjoy heartwarming stories”
  • “Fans of Disney films”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Brief depiction of a car accident involving the death of parents (handled sensitively)”
  • “Mild action violence”
  • “Some scenes may be emotionally intense for very young children”

Professional Reviews

• Bethany Cox: “Charming and touching friendship carries the film. The film especially soars, Speaking of Elliot, he is a very lovingly crafted creature with not just beautiful details to him but also with a personality that wins one over in how endearing he is.
• Movie Critic: “A heartwarming family film that manages to capture the magic of childhood wonder, even if it occasionally relies on familiar tropes. Great for a cozy movie night!
• Movie Guru: “Despite Robert Redford’s involvement and the special effects, this movie lacked soul. I wish Disney had taken more risks. Not recommended.

Audience Reactions

The CGI dragon, Elliott, was incredibly realistic and expressive.: Viewers praised the heartwarming friendship between Pete and Elliott.

The film was visually stunning, with beautiful shots of the New Zealand forests.: Fans appreciated the film’s nostalgic, Spielberg-esque tone.

Overall Consensus: Pete’s Dragon is a heartwarming and visually stunning family film that successfully reimagines the original. While the plot is predictable, the film’s emotional core and beautiful scenery make it a worthwhile watch for audiences of all ages.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Director David Lowery explained that he wanted Elliott to be a furry dragon so that audiences would want to hug him, rather than fear him like the dragons in ‘Game of Thrones’.”
• “The film was shot on location in New Zealand, utilizing the country’s lush forests to create a realistic and magical environment.”
• “Unlike the original 1977 film, this version of ‘Pete’s Dragon’ does not feature any musical numbers.”

🖥️ How to Watch Pete’s Dragon?

Pete’s Dragon (2016) is readily available for streaming on Disney+. You can also rent or purchase the movie through various digital platforms like Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Physical copies on Blu-ray and DVD can also be purchased from major retailers.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Pete’s Dragon, you might like these similar films:

• E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982): Features a similar theme of a child forming a deep bond with a magical creature and protecting it from the outside world.
• The Jungle Book (2016): Another Disney reimagining of a classic tale about a boy raised in the wilderness and his relationship with animal companions.
• How to Train Your Dragon (2010): Explores the friendship between a young boy and a dragon, emphasizing themes of understanding, acceptance, and the importance of protecting endangered species.
• The Iron Giant (1999): A boy befriends a giant robot from outer space and must protect him from the military.

🛒 Pete’s Dragon Related Products

• Pete’s Dragon (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack): Relive the magic with the original soundtrack, featuring enchanting scores and heartwarming songs from the movie. Perfect for fans who want to keep the spirit of the film alive.
• Pete’s Dragon Blu-ray + DVD + Digital HD: Experience the wonder of Pete’s Dragon in stunning high definition with this combo pack. Includes bonus features, behind-the-scenes footage, and a digital copy for on-the-go viewing.
• Funko Pop! Disney: Pete’s Dragon – Elliott (Flocked): A flocked Funko Pop! figure of Elliott, the lovable dragon from Pete’s Dragon. This rare, flocked version is a must-have for any Disney collector.
• Pete’s Dragon Movie Poster: A high-quality reproduction of the original Pete’s Dragon movie poster. Perfect for framing and displaying your love for this magical adventure.

🎧 Soundtrack

Pete’s Dragon features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “The Dragon Song” – performed by Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy
• “Something Wild” – performed by Lindsey Stirling feat. Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Kid Finds Real Life Dragon… Then This Happens…

Ever wondered what Pete’s Dragon is all about but don’t have time to watch the whole movie? This recap nails it in just 11 minutes! Honestly, it’s so well done, it almost feels like watching the film itself.

Pete’s Dragon Movie Explained In Hindi & Urdu | Pete’s Dragon (2016) Film Explained

Want to understand Pete’s Dragon but Hindi or Urdu is your language? This video breaks it down perfectly! I personally found it super helpful in catching some details I missed the first time.

✨ Rate