Pete's Dragon

During a family road trip in 1977, Pete's car nearly collides with a deer and flips over. His parents die in the crash, while Pete survives and clings to life in the wreckage. A mighty dragon swoops in to pull him to safety, beginning their extraordinary bond.

Pete quickly forms a bond with his dragon rescuer, whom he names Elliot after a character in his favorite book. The forest becomes their shared home and Pete's first true family beyond his parents. He clings to the dragon as a protector and friend.

Six years later, near a lumberjack camp, Pete is spotted and pursued by locals. Gavin knocks Pete unconscious and Pete vanishes. Elliot's panic leads him to knock over a tree as he searches, triggering Gavin to organize a hunting party for Pete and the dragon.

Pete awakens in a local hospital and quickly escapes, intent on returning to the forest and reuniting with Elliot. He moves through town and out toward the wilderness, hoping to be reunited with his dragon friend. His escape marks the beginning of Gavin's intensified search for both boy and dragon.

Gavin and his men locate Elliot's treehouse near the lumber camp, and when they search, Elliot reveals himself, scaring them away. He then follows the hunters into town in his search for Pete. The moment reassures Pete that his dragon is alive and watching over him.

Pete settles in with Grace's family, and Elliot quietly leaves the area. Pete gives Grace a drawing of Elliot, hoping she will believe in his dragon friend. Grace's father, Conrad, confirms he had encountered the same dragon in his youth and urges them to trust Pete and pursue Elliot.

The next day, Pete, Grace, Natalie, and Conrad trek into the forest to meet Elliot. Hunters led by Gavin ambush Elliot and tranquilize him, then lock him up in Jack's warehouse. The group is shocked by the capture and vows to free him.

Pete and Natalie free Elliot from his chains with Conrad's help and they escape on a lumber truck. Gavin's men pursue, but the trio uses the road and terrain to gain distance while planning their next move. The bond between Pete and Elliot proves strong enough to overcome human threats.

Gavin sets up a roadblock at the bridge to stop the trio. When Elliot tries to fly, he crashes into the truck, damaging its brakes and it goes through the barricade. Elliot carries Grace and Jack to safety as the bridge collapses, and a firefighting helicopter closes in.

Pete pleads with Elliot to let him stay and protect him, but Elliot argues that staying close would put Pete in greater danger. He shows Pete the book that inspired their bond and urges him to return to Grace and Jack. After a very emotional goodbye, Elliot returns to the mountains.

In the years that follow, Grace and Jack marry and adopt Pete as their son. The dragon Elliot slowly fades from the town's memory as life goes on, while Gavin reforms his approach and becomes more scrupulous. Pete grows up within a loving, blended family.

Pete and his family later go on vacation and witness Elliot being reunited with his fellow dragons. The sight confirms that Elliot is safe and continues to belong with his kin, while Pete's life remains intertwined with the forest and the legends that saved him. The family concludes their journey with a sense of lasting wonder.