The Land Before Time: A Complete Guide to the Franchise

Introduction

Since the first Land Before Time movie was released in 1988, the franchise has captivated audiences young and old with its loveable cast of animated dinosaurs and heartwarming tales of friendship and adventure. But with 14 films in the series, it can be hard to keep track of which ones you’ve seen and which ones you haven’t. In this article, we aim to clear up any confusion and provide a complete guide to the Land Before Time franchise.

The Complete Guide to the Land Before Time Franchise: A Look at All 14 Films

The Land Before Time franchise began with a single movie in 1988, but has since expanded into a series of 14 films, as well as a TV series and various direct-to-video releases. The films follow the adventures of a group of young dinosaurs as they journey through a prehistoric world filled with danger and wonder.

Here is a breakdown of all 14 Land Before Time movies, including plot summaries and release dates:

1. The Land Before Time (1988) – The original film introduces us to the main characters, including young apatosaurus Littlefoot, brash triceratops Cera, and the kind-hearted duckbill Ducky. Together they journey to the Great Valley, a land untouched by the devastation that has ravaged their homeland, encountering danger and making new friends along the way.
2. The Land Before Time II: The Great Valley Adventure (1994) – The gang teams up to save a herd of tiny longnecks from a pair of ferocious sharpteeth.
3. The Land Before Time III: The Time of the Great Giving (1995) – Littlefoot and his pals must team up to stop a devastating famine from wiping out their food supply.
4. The Land Before Time IV: Journey Through the Mists (1996) – Littlefoot and friends go on a quest to find a rare flower that may hold the key to saving Littlefoot’s grandfather.
5. The Land Before Time V: The Mysterious Island (1997) – Littlefoot and his pals discover a new land filled with new creatures and dangers.
6. The Land Before Time VI: The Secret of Saurus Rock (1998) – Littlefoot and his friends team up to solve the mystery of a legendary dinosaur named Doc.
7. The Land Before Time VII: The Stone of Cold Fire (2000) – Littlefoot and his friends encounter a charismatic flyer who claims to have seen a strange, glowing stone that could hold the key to their future.
8. The Land Before Time VIII: The Big Freeze (2001) – Littlefoot and his gang must overcome a harsh winter with the help of a new friend.
9. The Land Before Time IX: Journey to Big Water (2002) – Littlefoot and his friends meet a new friend, Mo the swimmer, and embark on a journey to find a new water source.
10. The Land Before Time X: The Great Longneck Migration (2003) – Littlefoot and his friends follow a herd of longnecks on their annual journey, encountering new friends and dangers along the way.
11. The Land Before Time XI: Invasion of the Tinysauruses (2004) – Littlefoot and his friends must save the Great Valley from a swarm of tiny, mischievous dinosaurs.
12. The Land Before Time XII: The Great Day of the Flyers (2006) – Littlefoot and his friends participate in a flying race in order to gain respect from their dinosaur peers.
13. The Land Before Time XIII: The Wisdom of Friends (2007) – Littlefoot and his friends learn about the importance of honesty and trust when they encounter new dinosaurs who seem friendly at first, but have a hidden agenda.
14. The Land Before Time XIV: Journey of the Brave (2016) – Littlefoot and his friends set out on a dangerous journey to find Littlefoot’s father, who has gone missing while on a mission to defeat a group of vicious Sharpteeth.

Each film in the Land Before Time franchise brings new adventures and new challenges for Littlefoot and his dinosaur friends. Along the way, we are introduced to new characters and settings, and given glimpses into the ever-expanding prehistoric world these creatures inhabit.

From Littlefoot to Ruby: Ranking the Best Land Before Time Movies of All Time

With 14 films in the franchise, it can be hard to know where to begin or which movies are worth watching. That’s where our ranking comes in! Here are all 14 Land Before Time movies ranked from worst to best:

1. The Land Before Time XIII: The Wisdom of Friends – This film was poorly received by audiences and critics alike, and is often cited as the weakest entry in the franchise.
2. The Land Before Time IX: Journey to Big Water – While this film has its charms, including the introduction of the character Mo, it ultimately falls short compared to other films in the series.
3. The Land Before Time VII: The Stone of Cold Fire – While this film has some great animation and music, its plot is confusing and its pacing is uneven.
4. The Land Before Time IV: Journey Through the Mists – This film has the potential to be great, but suffers from a weak plot and subpar animation.
5. The Land Before Time VI: The Secret of Saurus Rock – The mystery at the heart of this film is interesting, but the film as a whole is bogged down by clunky dialogue and a slow pace.
6. The Land Before Time XI: Invasion of the Tinysauruses – Despite some cute moments, this film lacks the heart and soul of the earlier entries in the franchise.
7. The Land Before Time VIII: The Big Freeze – This film has some fun moments, but its slow pacing and weak storyline make it one of the weaker entries in the series.
8. The Land Before Time X: The Great Longneck Migration – While this film is engaging and introduces some interesting new characters, it suffers from being too similar to previous entries in the franchise.
9. The Land Before Time II: The Great Valley Adventure – This film is a charming continuation of the original story, with engaging new characters and a strong sense of adventure.
10. The Land Before Time V: The Mysterious Island – This film is a fun and exciting exploration of a new setting and new creatures, with great music and animation to boot.
11. The Land Before Time III: The Time of the Great Giving – This film has a strong storyline and interesting new characters, and expands on the themes of friendship and sacrifice that make the franchise so beloved.
12. The Land Before Time XIV: Journey of the Brave – This film is a return to form for the franchise, with engaging characters and a strong sense of adventure. It also introduces new characters like Chomper and Ruby who add to the diversity of the franchise’s cast.
13. The Land Before Time – The original film is a classic tale of friendship and adventure that has stood the test of time. It introduces us to the beloved characters that have become icons of the franchise, and sets the stage for countless adventures to come.
14. The Land Before Time XII: The Great Day of the Flyers – This film has stunning animation and a fun and engaging storyline, and expands on the themes of cooperation and friendship that are at the heart of the franchise.

Of course, your own personal ranking may differ! But we hope this list gives you an idea of which movies to prioritize if you’re looking to dive into the franchise.

How The Land Before Time Has Evolved Over The Years: A Review of the 14 Films

The Land Before Time franchise has been around for over three decades, and has seen many changes over the years. From improvements in animation technology to changes in storytelling style, the franchise has evolved in many ways since its inception.

One of the most notable changes in the franchise over the years has been in animation style. Early films in the series featured hand-drawn animation that was charming and endearing, but lacked the polish and detail of modern computer-generated animation. In recent films, however, the animation has become more detailed and realistic, with vibrant landscapes and lifelike dinosaur movements that truly immerse the viewer in the prehistoric world.

Another major change in the franchise has been in the introduction of new characters. While the original film focused primarily on Littlefoot and his friends, later films have introduced new characters like Ruby and Chomper, who added greater diversity to the franchise’s cast and brought new perspectives to the series’ themes of friendship and loyalty.

Perhaps most importantly, the Land Before Time franchise has continued to evolve in its storytelling style, with later films exploring more complex themes and storytelling techniques. While the original film was a simple tale of friendship and adventure, later films have tackled weightier topics like sacrifice, loss, and betrayal, and pushed the boundaries of what a children’s animated movie can accomplish.

Exploring the Timeline of The Land Before Time: Which Movie Should You Watch First?

With 14 films in the franchise, it can be hard to know where to start if you’re new to the Land Before Time world. While the films do follow a loose chronological order, it’s not strictly necessary to watch them in that order to understand the story.

If you’re looking to jump right in, we recommend starting with the first movie in the series, simply titled The Land Before Time. This film introduces us to the main characters and sets the stage for the adventures to come. From there, you can watch the movies in whatever order you prefer, or skip around to your favorite entries in the series.

The Legacy of The Land Before Time: 14 Movies and Counting

The Land Before Time franchise has become a beloved classic over the years, capturing the hearts and imaginations of children and adults alike. With 14 movies in the series and counting, the franchise shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon.

So why has the Land Before Time endured for so long? Perhaps it’s the endearing characters and their timeless themes of friendship and loyalty. Perhaps it’s the immersive prehistoric world that the franchise has created. Or maybe it’s just the fact that every generation of children deserves a chance to experience the magic of Littlefoot and his dinosaur friends.

Whatever the reason, we can’t wait to see where the Land Before Time goes next. Will we get more movies? A TV series? Only time will tell. But one thing is for sure – the Land Before Time will continue to enthrall and delight audiences of all ages for years to come.

References

Land Before Time Wiki. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://landbeforetime.fandom.com/wiki/Land_Before_Time_Wiki

The Land Before Time. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.universalpictures.com/movies/the-land-before-time

The Land Before Time: 14 Animated Adventures. (2016). [DVD]. Universal Pictures.