Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey

Laura marries Bob Seaver in the morning ceremony. Chance, the narrator bulldog, shows little interest in his new stepfamily and greedily devours the wedding cake in front of the guests. This moment hints at his rough start in the family dynamic.

Soon after the wedding, Bob must relocate the family to San Francisco, so the pets are left behind at Kate's ranch. Shadow misses his boy, while Chance and Sassy see this as an opportunity to roam free. The move marks the start of the animals' adventurous journey.

Kate heads off on a cattle drive, leaving Frank to watch the animals. A partial note to Frank gets lost, making him fear the animals have been taken with Kate. Shadow, Chance, and Sassy decide to follow Shadow on a journey toward home.

Shadow leads the way as the animals trek through rocky, mountainous terrain. They adjust to the harsh wilderness, relying on instinct and each other to survive. Nightfall brings creaking noises of the woods and a sense of danger.

The trio stops at a river for breakfast, but their peace is broken by two black bear cubs and a large brown bear that forces them to retreat. They press on, staying alert to predators and the rugged landscape. The encounter tests their resolve and strengthens their bond.

At a second river crossing, Sassy attempts to cross a wooden path and falls into the water when the boards break. Shadow tries to save her, but she disappears over a waterfall, and the others must accept her apparent death. The loss weighs heavily on Shadow and Chance as they press on.

Sassy is alive and is found on the riverbank by an old man named Quentin who nurses her back to health. She stays hidden while the others continue their trek. This quiet rescue hints at the possibility of a future reunion with the rest of the family.

Shadow and Chance run into a mountain lion and devise a plan using a rock seesaw. Shadow lures the lion as bait while Chance flips the rock, sending the predator into the river. Sassy, hearing the dogs' triumph, returns to rejoin them.

Back at Kate's farm, Frank confronts Kate about the note, and she reveals she didn't bring the animals. Bob begins coordinating search efforts by sending flyers to park rangers, hoping to locate the trio. The family remains hopeful but uncertain about the pets' fate.

The animals continue wandering and Chance is quilled by a porcupine, prompting a pause in their journey. They encounter a missing girl named Molly and guard her through the night. Shadow leads the rescue party to bring Molly to safety.

Rangers identify the trio from a flyer and take them to a local animal shelter, where medical staff remove Chance's quills. Believing they are trapped, the trio escapes and Sassy helps free Shadow, rekindling their bond. They slip away just as the owners are closing in on a lead.

The animals finally reach their hometown and travel through a train yard where Shadow injures his leg by falling into a muddy pit. Chance refuses to leave him behind and insists they press on, culminating in a heartwarming reunion with their owners. Shadow limps in behind them, rejuvenated by the family reunion.