The Land Before Time (1988) Parents Guide: Is the movie OK for kids?
Age Rating, Sex, Violence & Language
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.
Rated G • 1988 • 1h 9m
While rated G, "The Land Before Time" is a notoriously intense and somber animated film that may be too frightening for very young or sensitive viewers. The story of Littlefoot's journey earns its reputation with significant scenes of dinosaur peril, including several menacing attacks by a T-Rex, and the emotionally devastating on-screen death of a parent. The film's primary focus is on themes of grief, loss, and survival in a harsh… Sign up for the full guide
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Is The Land Before Time appropriate for kids?
While rated G, "The Land Before Time" is a notoriously intense and somber animated film that may be too frightening for very young or sensitive viewers. The story of Littlefoot's journey earns its reputation with significant scenes of dinosaur peril, including several menacing… Read more — free account
Content severity in The Land Before Time
What happens in The Land Before Time, moment by moment
- 0:05 🔥 Mature Themes 3/10
- 0:09 ⚔ Violence & Gore 4/10
- 0:11 ⚔ Violence & Gore 5/10
Sex and nudity in The Land Before Time
None. There is no sexual content, nudity, or innuendo.
Violence and gore in The Land Before Time
Moderate but intense for a G-rated film. The primary source of violence is a menacing Tyrannosaurus Rex, called "Sharptooth," who relentlessly hunts the main characters. An early scene depicts a fight where Littlefoot's mother is bitten, leaving a visible, though not gory, wound on her back. Other scenes involve the young dinosaurs in peril from earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and attacks from other dinosaurs. The climax involves drowning the antagonist, which is intense but not graphic.
Language in The Land Before Time
None. No profanity or name-calling beyond mild terms like "flathead."
Drugs, alcohol, and smoking in The Land Before Time
There is one very brief, fantastical scene where the children eat from a tree laden with what look like hanging cherries. After eating them, they all become sleepy and fall asleep in a pile. This is presented comically and is not analogous to drug or alcohol use.
Mature themes in The Land Before Time
The film's themes are strong and emotionally challenging. The central theme is dealing with grief and parental loss, as Littlefoot's mother dies early in the film, and he must cope with her absence for the remainder of his journey. There are also themes of prejudice and segregation (Cera's father forbids her from playing with "longnecks"), famine, and the struggle for survival in a desolate landscape.
Scary moments in The Land Before Time
No standout scary moments have been catalogued for The Land Before Time yet. Because this title is recommended for younger kids, sign up to get community-flagged jump scares, tense scenes, and startling imagery as parents submit them.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Land Before Time appropriate for kids?
Bontent's parent guide suggests The Land Before Time is best for ages 8+. It's rated G. While rated G, "The Land Before Time" is a notoriously intense and somber animated film that may be too frightening for very young or sensitive viewers. The story of Littlefoot's journey earns its reputation with…
What age rating does The Land Before Time have?
The Land Before Time is officially rated G. Bontent's independent parent guide recommends it for ages 8+.
What is The Land Before Time about?
While rated G, "The Land Before Time" is a notoriously intense and somber animated film that may be too frightening for very young or sensitive viewers. The story of Littlefoot's journey earns its reputation with significant scenes of dinosaur peril, including several menacing attacks by a T-Rex, and the emotionally…
Is there sex or nudity in The Land Before Time?
None. There is no sexual content, nudity, or innuendo.
How violent is The Land Before Time?
Moderate but intense for a G-rated film. The primary source of violence is a menacing Tyrannosaurus Rex, called "Sharptooth," who relentlessly hunts the main characters. An early scene depicts a fight where Littlefoot's mother is bitten, leaving a visible…
Is the language in The Land Before Time appropriate for kids?
None. No profanity or name-calling beyond mild terms like "flathead."
Are drugs, alcohol, or smoking shown in The Land Before Time?
There is one very brief, fantastical scene where the children eat from a tree laden with what look like hanging cherries. After eating them, they all become sleepy and fall asleep in a pile. This is presented comically and is not analogous to drug or alcohol…
What mature themes appear in The Land Before Time?
The film's themes are strong and emotionally challenging. The central theme is dealing with grief and parental loss, as Littlefoot's mother dies early in the film, and he must cope with her absence for the remainder of his journey. There are also themes of…
How long is The Land Before Time?
The Land Before Time runs 69 minutes, directed by Don Bluth, released in 1988.
Where can I read the full The Land Before Time parent guide?
Create a free Bontent account to unlock the full scene-by-scene notes, filter by your kids' ages, and save titles to your personal watchlist.
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