The Good Dinosaur

The Good Dinosaur

Year: 2015

Runtime: 93 min

Language: English

AdventureFantasyComedyAnimationFamily

In a world where dinosaurs never disappeared, a young Apatosaurus named Arlo finds himself separated from his family. Embarking on a perilous journey to find them, he unexpectedly forges a remarkable bond with a human boy. Together, they face dangerous environments and learn valuable lessons about courage, trust, and the true meaning of friendship in this heartwarming adventure.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen The Good Dinosaur yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Timeline & Setting – The Good Dinosaur (2015)

Explore the full timeline and setting of The Good Dinosaur (2015). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Alternate prehistory

The film is set in a fascinating alternate prehistory where dinosaurs thrive after a missed asteroid, allowing them to develop their own society. This unique setting gives rise to themes of survival and personal growth in a time where natural instincts and familial bonds are crucial.

Location

Apatosaurus farm, wilderness, river, mountains

The movie primarily takes place on an Apatosaurus farm, a serene and fertile land where the dinosaurs cultivate crops. As the story unfolds, Arlo journeys into the wild wilderness, filled with dangers and adventures. The vast mountains loom in the background, symbolizing both the challenges and the hope of returning home.

🏞️ Nature 🏡 Home

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 18:49

Main Characters – The Good Dinosaur (2015)

Meet the key characters of The Good Dinosaur (2015), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Arlo (voiced by Jack Bright)

Arlo is a young and timid Apatosaurus struggling with self-doubt and responsibilities. Over the course of the film, he embarks on a significant journey that challenges him to confront his fears and discover his inner strength. His emotional growth and brave acts ultimately lead him to understand the value of family and friendship.

🦖 Dinosaur 🌱 Growth

Henry (voiced by Jeffrey Wright)

Henry is Arlo's father, a strong and caring figure who strives to instill responsibility in his son. His tragic sacrifice profoundly impacts Arlo, serving as a catalyst for his character development. Henry embodies the spirit of perseverance and love, guiding Arlo even after his death.

🦖 Father 💔 Loss

Ida (voiced by Frances McDormand)

Ida is Arlo's nurturing mother, providing support and encouragement to her family. Despite the challenges they face, she represents a stable and loving presence in Arlo's life. Her gentle guidance helps shape the emotional core of the story.

🦖 Mother ❤️ Love

Spot

Spot is a feral cave boy who becomes Arlo’s companion throughout their adventure. Resourceful and courageous, he faces his own challenges as an orphan. The bond he forms with Arlo highlights themes of friendship and loyalty amid adversity.

👶 Companion 💪 Strength

Butch (voiced by Marcus Scribner)

Butch is a tough and savvy Tyrannosaurus who helps Arlo and Spot in their quest. His experience and leadership play a vital role in confronting dangers they face. Butch symbolizes resilience and the importance of family ties, having lost his longhorn herd.

🦖 Protector 🐂 Herd

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 18:49

Major Themes – The Good Dinosaur (2015)

Explore the central themes of The Good Dinosaur (2015), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🦕 Courage

Courage is a central theme as Arlo faces his fears and insecurities throughout the movie. Initially timid and burdened by responsibilities, he learns to confront challenges head-on and protect those he cares for. His journey reflects the importance of bravery in overcoming obstacles and growing from hardships.

💔 Loss

The theme of loss is poignantly illustrated through Arlo's journey after his father's tragic death. Both Arlo and Spot share experiences of losing their families, emphasizing their bond formed through shared grief. This theme explores how love and loss shape personal identity and relationships.

👬 Friendship

The relationship between Arlo and Spot showcases the fundamental theme of friendship. Their connection deepens as they face challenges together, illustrating trust and loyalty. By supporting each other through trials, they demonstrate that true friendship can transcend differences and lead to mutual growth.

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 18:49

Mobile App Preview

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Mobile App

From blockbusters to hidden gems — dive into movie stories anytime, anywhere. Save your favorites, discover plots faster, and never miss a twist again.

Sign up to be the first to know when we launch. Your email stays private — always.

Explore Movie Threads

Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

Adventures of Unlikely Bonds like The Good Dinosaur

Adventures where an unexpected friendship is forged through shared survival.Discover movies like The Good Dinosaur that feature perilous journeys where an unexpected duo forms a powerful friendship. These stories blend adventure, survival, and heartfelt emotion, perfect for viewers seeking similar tales of courage and bonding against the odds.

adventurousheartwarmingbondingcourageousemotionalhopefulsurvival

Narrative Summary

Stories in this thread follow a linear journey narrative where the central conflict revolves around surviving a treacherous environment. The emotional core is the gradual development of a deep, loyal friendship between mismatched characters who learn to rely on each other to overcome their fears and external dangers.

Why These Movies?

These movies are grouped together because they share a specific blend of adventurous peril and heartfelt emotion. They focus on the theme of found family, use the journey as a metaphor for personal growth, and deliver a viewing experience that is both exciting and emotionally rewarding.

Bittersweet Coming-of-Age Movies like The Good Dinosaur

Stories where triumph is tinged with the sadness of necessary goodbyes.If you liked the emotional ending of The Good Dinosaur, explore these movies with bittersweet conclusions. These stories feature young characters on transformative journeys where achieving their goal is accompanied by a heartfelt sacrifice, creating a powerful and memorable emotional impact.

bittersweetemotionalcoming of agehopefulheartwarminggriefcourage

Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern involves a young character overcoming a significant emotional hurdle or external challenge. The arc is about gaining courage and maturity, but the resolution acknowledges that growth involves loss. The ending is hopeful yet somber, emphasizing the value of the journey and the relationships formed over a perfectly happy conclusion.

Why These Movies?

Movies in this thread are united by their specific emotional tone and story structure. They balance hopeful character development with a conclusion that incorporates loss or sacrifice, creating a more complex and realistic portrayal of growing up that resonates deeply with audiences.

Unlock the Full Story of The Good Dinosaur

Don't stop at just watching — explore The Good Dinosaur in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what The Good Dinosaur is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

The Good Dinosaur Summary

Read a complete plot summary of The Good Dinosaur, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

The Good Dinosaur Summary

The Good Dinosaur Timeline

Track the full timeline of The Good Dinosaur with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

The Good Dinosaur Timeline

The Good Dinosaur Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of The Good Dinosaur that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.

The Good Dinosaur Spoiler-Free Summary

More About The Good Dinosaur

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about The Good Dinosaur: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About The Good Dinosaur