The Good Dinosaur

  • 2015
  • PG
  • 93m
movieMx RATING
6.7/105.9K
VERDICT
HIT
Advertisement

Performance & Direction: The Good Dinosaur Review

Last updated: February 22, 2026

movieMx Editorial Team
REVIEWED BY

movieMx Editorial Team

🔍 Cinematic Analysis Expert

Leading cinematic analysis expert with over 10 years of experience in Bollywood and Hollywood box office tracking. Reviewed 500+ films with a focus on narrative structure and commercial profitability.

📅 Updated: February 22, 2026 🎟️ Verified Viewing

🎬 Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?

Is The Good Dinosaur (2015) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a HIT with a verified audience rating of 6.7/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Adventure.

🎭 Cast Performances: A Masterclass

The success of any Adventure is often anchored by its ensemble, and The Good Dinosaur features a noteworthy lineup led by Frances McDormand . Supported by the likes of Raymond Ochoa and Jeffrey Wright , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.

Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.

💡 Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?

In summary, our editorial assessment of The Good Dinosaur (2015) is generally positive. With an audience rating of 6.7/10, it stands as a highly recommended experience for genre enthusiasts.
Result: HIT
Based on verified audience sentiment and box office trajectory, The Good Dinosaur stands as a HIT.

Story & Plot Summary: The Good Dinosaur

Quick Plot Summary: Released in 2015, The Good Dinosaur is a Adventure, Animation, Family film directed by Peter Sohn. The narrative presents a compelling narrative that engages viewers from start to finish. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict involving Frances McDormand.

Story Breakdown

The title presents its narrative with careful attention to pacing and character development. An epic journey into the world of dinosaurs where an Apatosaurus named Arlo makes an unlikely human friend. The story unfolds naturally, allowing viewers to become invested in the outcome while maintaining engagement throughout.

Narrative Structure

  • Opening Hook: The title establishes its world and central conflict efficiently in the opening act.
  • Character Arc: The main character shows growth throughout the story, though some supporting characters could have been more fully realized. Frances McDormand's arc is present but occasionally predictable.
  • Climax & Resolution: The climax brings together the narrative threads, providing resolution while staying true to the established tone.

Thematic Depth

The film operates on multiple levels, using its genre framework to explore deeper themes about human nature, society, and the choices that define us.

What Works & What Doesn't

✅ Strengths

  • Solid execution of genre conventions
  • Engaging moments that showcase the creators' vision
  • Competent performances from the cast

⚠️ Weaknesses

  • Some narrative choices that feel predictable
  • Occasional pacing lulls in the middle act

Ending Explained: The Good Dinosaur

Ending Breakdown: Directed by Peter Sohn, The Good Dinosaur concludes its story with a mix of closure and open interpretation. The finale presents its approach to adventure resolution.

The conclusion addresses the core thematic questions involving Frances McDormand, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.

Ending Analysis:

  • Narrative Resolution: The story concludes by addressing its primary narrative threads, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
  • Character Arcs: Character journeys reach their narrative endpoints, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
  • Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the adventure themes established throughout the runtime.

The final moments of The Good Dinosaur reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.

Who Should Watch The Good Dinosaur?

Worth Watching If You:

  • Enjoy Adventure films and don't mind familiar tropes
  • Are a fan of Frances McDormand or the director
  • Want solid genre entertainment

Box Office Collection: The Good Dinosaur

Metric / RegionCollection (Approx)
Production Budget $175.0M
Worldwide Gross $332.2M
Trade Verdict CLEAN HIT

The Good Dinosaur Budget

The estimated production budget for The Good Dinosaur is $175.0M. This figure covers principal photography, talent acquisitions, and visual effects. When accounting for global marketing and distribution, the break-even point is typically 2x the base production cost.

Advertisement

Top Cast: The Good Dinosaur

All Cast & Crew →
Frances McDormand
Frances McDormandMomma (voice)
Raymond Ochoa
Raymond OchoaArlo (voice)
Jeffrey Wright
Jeffrey WrightPoppa (voice)
Steve Zahn
Steve ZahnThunderclap (voice)
Sam Elliott
Sam ElliottButch (voice)
Anna Paquin
Anna PaquinRamsey (voice)
John Ratzenberger
John RatzenbergerEarl (voice)
A.J. Buckley
A.J. BuckleyNash (voice)
Marcus Scribner
Marcus ScribnerBuck (voice)
Peter Sohn
Peter SohnForrest Woodbush (voice)
Maleah Nipay-Padilla
Maleah Nipay-PadillaYoung Libby (voice)
Jack Bright
Jack BrightSpot (voice)
Advertisement

Where to Watch The Good Dinosaur Online?

Streaming Hub

📺 Stream on

JioHotstarJioHotstar

🎟️ Rent on

Google Play MoviesGoogle Play Movies
YouTubeYouTube

🏷️ Buy on

Google Play MoviesGoogle Play Movies
YouTubeYouTube

The Good Dinosaur Parents Guide & Age Rating

2015 Advisory
PG

Official Age Rating

Wondering about The Good Dinosaur age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:

The Good Dinosaur is rated PG. It is generally suitable for all ages.

⏱️ Runtime & Duration

The total runtime of The Good Dinosaur is 93 minutes (1h 33m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.

Verdict Summary

Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 6.7/10, and global performance metrics, The Good Dinosaur is classified as a HIT. It remains an essential part of the 2015 cinematic calendar.

HIT
Official movieMx status for The Good Dinosaur. Rating: 6.7/10

Frequently Asked Questions

Is The Good Dinosaur worth watching?

The Good Dinosaur is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Adventure movies. It has a verified rating of 6.7/10 and stands as a HIT in our box office analysis.

Where can I find The Good Dinosaur parents guide and age rating?

The official parents guide for The Good Dinosaur identifies it as PG. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.

What is the total runtime of The Good Dinosaur?

The total duration of The Good Dinosaur is 93 minutes, which is approximately 1h 33m long.

Best Movies to Watch if you liked The Good Dinosaur

How The Good Dinosaur Compares & Where it Ranks

Critic Reviews for The Good Dinosaur

🛡️

movieMx Verified

This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.

This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.

Advertisement
Expert Consensus
Live Rating
MOVIEMX
★ 6.7
The Good Dinosaur
<a href="https://moviemx.in/review/the-good-dinosaur-105864" target="_blank" style="text-decoration:none;"><div style="background:#121212;border:1px solid #f5c518;border-radius:12px;padding:15px;width:180px;text-align:center;font-family:sans-serif;box-shadow:0 10px 20px rgba(0,0,0,0.3);"><div style="color:#f5c518;font-size:10px;font-weight:900;letter-spacing:2px;">MOVIEMX</div><div style="color:white;font-size:28px;font-weight:900;margin:8px 0;">★ 6.7</div><div style="color:#888;font-size:12px;font-weight:500;">The Good Dinosaur</div></div></a>

Share this rating on your blog or website. Includes a 100% organic backlink.

More with Frances McDormand

View full filmography