# Pete's Dragon

> 2016 film by David Lowery

**Wikidata**: [Q18786473](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q18786473)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pete's_Dragon_(2016_film))  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/pete-s-dragon

## Summary
Pete's Dragon is a 2016 American fantasy adventure film directed by David Lowery, serving as a live-action/CGI remake of the 1977 film of the same name. The story follows an orphaned boy named Pete and his friendship with a dragon named Elliot, blending elements of drama, music, and family-friendly entertainment. Produced by Walt Disney Pictures and Whitaker Entertainment, the film features a voice cast including Robert Redford and Bryce Dallas Howard.

## Key Facts
- **Release Dates**: August 12, 2016 (U.S.), August 25, 2016 (UK), August 19, 2016 (Australia), August 18, 2016 (Ireland)
- **Director**: David Lowery
- **Writers**: David Lowery, Toby Halbrooks
- **Production Companies**: Walt Disney Pictures, Whitaker Entertainment
- **Runtime**: 102 minutes
- **Budget**: $65 million
- **Box Office**: $154.5 million (worldwide)
- **Genres**: Fantasy, Adventure, Family, Musical
- **Cast**: Oakes Fegley (Pete), Bryce Dallas Howard (Grace), Wes Bentley (Jack), Karl Urban (Gaston), Robert Redford (voice of Elliot)
- **Country of Origin**: United States
- **Filming Locations**: New Zealand (primary)
- **Music**: Daniel Hart
- **Based On**: 1977 film *Pete's Dragon* by Malcolm Marmorstein
- **Studio**: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
- **Aspect Ratio**: 2.39:1
- **Sound Mix**: DTS, Dolby Digital, Dolby Atmos
- **Color**: Color
- **Language**: English
- **Awards**: 2016 Hollywood Film Award for Animation (Elliot)
- **Critical Reception**: 71/100 (Metacritic), 87% (Rotten Tomatoes), 7.4/10 (IMDb)

## FAQs
**Who directed Pete's Dragon (2016)?**  
The film was directed by David Lowery, who also co-wrote the screenplay with Toby Halbrooks.

**What is the connection to the 1977 film?**  
The 2016 version is a remake of the 1977 live-action/animated musical film *Pete's Dragon*, though it reimagines the story with modern CGI and a darker tone.

**Who voices the dragon Elliot?**  
Veteran actor Robert Redford provided the voice of Elliot, the titular dragon.

**How did the film perform commercially?**  
Pete's Dragon grossed $154.5 million worldwide against a $65 million budget, with $76.1 million earned in the U.S. and $78.4 million internationally.

**Where was the film shot?**  
Primary filming took place in New Zealand, with locations including Wellington, Queenstown, and the Waikato region.

**What are the key themes of the film?**  
The story emphasizes friendship, trust, and overcoming adversity, set against a backdrop of small-town secrets and environmental themes.

## Why It Matters
Pete's Dragon revitalizes a lesser-known Disney property through modern storytelling and visual effects, appealing to both nostalgic audiences and new generations. Its blend of live-action and CGI animation demonstrates advancements in filmmaking technology, while its focus on emotional depth and environmental undertones adds layers to the traditional family adventure genre. The film also highlights Disney’s strategy of reimagining classic stories for contemporary audiences, contributing to the studio’s legacy of blending fantasy with heartfelt narratives.

## Notable For
- **Technical Achievement**: The CGI design of Elliot the dragon, which won a 2016 Hollywood Film Award for Animation.
- **Star Power**: Features the voice acting of Robert Redford, a legendary actor and director, in a rare animated role.
- **Critical Acclaim**: Holds a 87% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with praise for its emotional storytelling and visual effects.
- **Box Office Success**: Grossed over $154 million worldwide, outperforming its production budget.
- **Cultural Revival**: Introduces the *Pete’s Dragon* story to a new audience while maintaining the core themes of the original 1977 film.
- **Filming Location**: Utilized New Zealand’s landscapes to create the fictional Pacific Northwest setting of Millhaven.

## Body
### Production Background
Pete's Dragon was directed by David Lowery, known for *Ain’t Them Bodies Saints* (2013), and written by Lowery and Toby Halbrooks. Produced by Walt Disney Pictures and Whitaker Entertainment, the film serves as a reimagining of the 1977 original, shifting from a musical comedy to a darker, more grounded fantasy adventure. Filming took place primarily in New Zealand from January to April 2016, with a budget of $65 million.

### Release and Reception
The film premiered in Los Angeles on August 8, 2016, and was released in the U.S. on August 12, 2016. It expanded to international markets throughout August and September 2016, including the UK (August 25), Australia (August 19), and Ireland (August 18). Critical reception was largely positive, with an 87% Rotten Tomatoes score and a 7.4/10 IMDb rating. Metacritic assigned a weighted average score of 71/100, indicating "generally favorable reviews."

### Plot and Themes
The story follows Pete Healy (Oakes Fegley), a feral boy raised in the Pacific Northwest wilderness by Elliot, a dragon he befriends after a childhood tragedy. When Pete is discovered by a park ranger (Bryce Dallas Howard) and a logger (Wes Bentley), the group works to protect Elliot from those who seek to exploit him. Themes of environmentalism, trust, and belonging are central to the narrative, supported by Daniel Hart’s orchestral score.

### Cast and Crew
- **Oakes Fegley** stars as Pete, a role that marked his major film debut.
- **Bryce Dallas Howard** portrays Grace Meacham, a park ranger and Pete’s ally.
- **Wes Bentley** and **Karl Urban** play loggers Jack and Gaston, respectively, whose intentions for Elliot drive the plot’s conflict.
- **Robert Redford** voices Elliot, contributing to the film’s emotional core with his gravelly, endearing performance.
- **David Lowery** directed and co-wrote the screenplay, balancing action with introspective character moments.

### Box Office Performance
Pete's Dragon earned $76.1 million domestically and $78.4 million internationally, totaling $154.5 million worldwide. It opened at #3 in the U.S. box office, eventually becoming the 10th-highest-grossing film of August 2016. The film’s financial success underscored the viability of Disney’s strategy to revive lesser-known properties with modern sensibilities.

### Technical Details
- **Runtime**: 102 minutes (1 hour 42 minutes)
- **Aspect Ratio**: 2.39:1 (Cinemascope)
- **Sound Mix**: DTS, Dolby Digital, Dolby Atmos
- **Color**: Color (Digital Intermediate)
- **Film Gauge**: 35 mm (source format)
- **Camera**: Arri Alexa 65 (primary filming equipment)

### Cultural Impact
While not a blockbuster on the scale of Disney’s Marvel or Star Wars films, *Pete’s Dragon* carved a niche as a thoughtful, visually stunning family film. Its success reinforced the appeal of practical location shooting (New Zealand’s landscapes) combined with CGI, influencing subsequent Disney live-action projects. The film also sparked discussions about environmental conservation and the ethics of exploiting natural wonders, resonating with eco-conscious viewers.

## References

1. Disney Finds Its Pete For ‘Pete’s Dragon’ Remake (EXCLUSIVE)
2. [Source](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2788732/)
3. [Source](http://www.filmaffinity.com/en/film959493.html)
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5. [Source](http://www.allocine.fr/film/fichefilm_gen_cfilm=219903.html)
6. After Gritty Sundance Debut On ‘Ain’t Them Bodies Saints’, David Lowery To Reinvent ‘Pete’s Dragon’ For Disney
7. Daniel Hart Scoring Disney’s ‘Pete’s Dragon’
8. [Source](http://www.metacritic.com/movie/petes-dragon)
9. [Source](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2788732/fullcredits)
10. Karl Urban to Replace Michael C. Hall in Disney’s ‘Pete’s Dragon’ Remake (Exclusive)
11. Bryce Dallas Howard in Talks for Disney’s ‘Pete’s Dragon’ Reboot (EXCLUSIVE)
12. PRODUCTION ON “PETE’S DRAGON” BEGINS IN NEW ZEALAND, STARRING BRYCE DALLAS HOWARD, OAKES FEGLEY AS PETE AND ROBERT REDFORD
13. Wes Bentley Joins Robert Redford in Disney Remake ‘Pete’s Dragon’ (Exclusive)
14. Robert Redford in Talks for Disney's 'Pete's Dragon' (Exclusive)
15. Pete's Dragon Press Kit
16. [Source](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2788732/fullcredits?ref_=tt_cl_sm#cast)
17. [Source](https://www.shootonline.com/news/rep-report-december-12-2014)
18. The Movie Database
19. Pete's Dragon. Rotten Tomatoes
20. [Source](http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=petesdragon2016.htm)
21. [Kinopolis](http://www.mathaeser.de/mm/film/C6454000012PLXMQDD.php)
22. [IMDb](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2788732/releaseinfo)
23. Base de datos de películas calificadas
24. [Source](http://nmhh.hu/dokumentum/198182/terjesztett_filmalkotasok_art_filmek_nyilvantartasa.xlsx)
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29. A Minute With: Robert Redford on magical childhood stories
30. [Source](https://www.amctheatres.com/movies/pete-s-dragon)
31. Pete's Dragon: Meet Disney's new, furry Elliott — exclusive first look
32. Kinopoisk
33. [Source](https://bbfc.co.uk/releases/petes-dragon-2016)
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