We’re Back! A Dinosaur’s Story

We’re Back! A Dinosaur’s Story

Year: 1993

Runtime: 72 mins

Language: English

Directors: Phil Nibbelink, Simon Wells

FamilyScience FictionAnimationFairy-tale fantasy and enchanted magicAdorable animals and heartwarming families

When the eccentric Captain New Eyes sends his Brain Grain cereal back to the Cretaceous, a group of dinosaurs becomes intelligent and gentle. The friendly dinosaurs join the Captain on a mission to the “Middle Future” to fulfill the wishes of New York City children. Their plan to meet Dr. Bleeb at the Museum of Natural History is derailed by new friendships and a showdown with the Captain’s nefarious brother, Professor Screweyes.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – We’re Back! A Dinosaur’s Story (1993)

Explore the full timeline and setting of We’re Back! A Dinosaur’s Story (1993). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

1993

The present-day storyline takes place in 1993 New York City, where a time-traveling ship drops dinosaurs into the city. The plot also flashes back to the Cretaceous Period to reveal Rex's past and the desire for a place in the modern world. The blend of ancient memory with contemporary spectacle emphasizes the characters' search for belonging across time.

Location

New York City, East River, Central Park, Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, Museum of Natural History

The action unfolds across New York City in 1993, with key moments around the East River, Central Park, and the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. The dinosaurs ultimately reach the Museum of Natural History to meet Dr. Bleeb and reveal their existence to the world. The city skyline and public spaces serve as a backdrop for wonder, pursuit, and eventual reunion.

🗽 Urban setting 🚢 Waterway 🎪 Parade 🏛 Museum

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 16:21

Main Characters – We’re Back! A Dinosaur’s Story (1993)

Meet the key characters of We’re Back! A Dinosaur’s Story (1993), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Rex (John Goodman)

A large orange Tyrannosaurus who once roamed as a predator but now speaks with reflection. He is intelligent, protective of his friends, and haunted by his past. Throughout the story, he wrestles with his nature while forming deep bonds with the human kids and the rest of the group.

🦖 Wise 🛡 Protector 🗺 Leader

Buster (Blaze Berdahl)

A young bluebird who runs away from his siblings and befriends Rex. He is curious, brave, and acts as a bridge between the dinosaurs and the human world. His resilience helps guide the group through the city toward a place where they belong.

🐦 Curious 🧭 Determined 🤝 Friend

Louie (Joey Shea)

A runaway boy who seeks belonging by joining the circus. He is resourceful, hopeful, and deeply cares about the dinosaurs. He forms a strong partnership with Cecilia to help navigate the modern world and find a safe home for his new friends.

🧒 Brave 🐾 Loyal 🎯 Resourceful

Cecilia (Yeardley Smith)

A neglected girl who befriends Louie and learns to trust again. She shows empathy and courage in rescuing the dinosaurs and guiding them toward the museum. Her bond with Louie turns into a meaningful romance by the end of the story.

👧 Empathetic 💪 Brave 🧭 Guided

Professor Screweyes (Kenneth Mars)

An unhinged clown who runs the horror-themed circus. He uses Brain Drain pills to strip away the dinosaurs' intelligence for his own showfulness, displaying cruelty and manipulation. His schemes threaten the group until they confront him directly.

🤡 Villain 🧪 Manipulator 🌀 Dark

Captain Neweyes (Walter Cronkite)

A time-traveling captain who aims to bring the dinosaurs to the past so they can be shown to the world. He orchestrates rescue missions and works toward reuniting the creatures with Dr. Bleeb and a crowd of hopeful children. His plan frames the journey as a mission of wonder rather than conquest.

🚀 Explorer 🧭 Planner 🗺 Visionary

Dr. Julia Bleeb (Julia Child)

A scientist who guides the dinosaurs toward the Museum of Natural History. She embodies knowledge and curiosity, helping ensure the dinosaurs transition from spectacle to legitimate representation. Her guidance anchors the final reveal to the museum's visitors.

🔬 Scientist 🧭 Mentor 🏛 Curator

Elsa (Felicity Kendal)

A purple Pteranodon who is part of the dinosaur group. She adds to the dynamic with a unique perspective and lighthearted presence, helping the team maintain morale during tough moments.

🦅 Graceful 💫 Mysterious 🗺 Team member

Woog (René Le Vant)

A blue Triceratops who stays loyal to the group and provides a steady, dependable presence. His calm demeanor helps balance the team during chaotic city scenes.

🦖 Loyal 🧭 Steady 🧱 Solid

Dweeb (Charles Fleischer)

A green Parasaurolophus who brings cleverness and a touch of goofy energy to the group. He contributes practical ideas and comic relief that keep the mood hopeful.

🧠 Clever 😂 Goofy 🛡 Protector

Stubbs (Martin Short)

A friendly clown who works for Screweyes and later helps the children and dinosaurs escape. His departure from Screweyes marks a turning point in the group’s fight for freedom.

🤡 Friendly 🤝 Ally 🎭 Performer

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 16:21

Major Themes – We’re Back! A Dinosaur’s Story (1993)

Explore the central themes of We’re Back! A Dinosaur’s Story (1993), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🤝 Friendship

Two worlds collide as Louie and Cecilia befriend Rex, Elsa, Woog, and Dweeb. The group learns to trust and rely on one another despite differences in species and upbringing. Their bonds help them navigate a city that fears them and ultimately seek a place where they belong. The story highlights how empathy and loyalty can transform strangers into a makeshift family.

🎭 Exploitation

Screweyes and Captain Neweyes exploit the dinosaurs for entertainment and discovery, using Brain Grain and Brain Drain to control their minds. The narrative critiques commodifying sentience for spectacle and the harm caused by manipulation. It shows the moral costs when power is used to bend living beings to another's will. The dinosaurs' eventual reclaiming of autonomy serves as a rebuttal to exploitation.

🧠 Identity and Memory

Brain Grain and Brain Drain test what makes the dinosaurs themselves, while emotional bonds restore their true intellect and personality. Rex and the others recover their sentience through love, courage, and connection with Louie and Cecilia. The film suggests that memory and relationships define identity, not simply natural instincts or external labels. Ultimately, memory guides the reunion with Dr. Bleeb and the museum audience.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 16:21

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We’re Back! A Dinosaur’s Story Summary

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We’re Back! A Dinosaur’s Story Summary

We’re Back! A Dinosaur’s Story Timeline

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We’re Back! A Dinosaur’s Story Timeline

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