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The Good Dinosaur - 2015

The Good Dinosaur - 2015
Movie Info

Rating: PG


Age-appropriateness: some scary scenes, the main character witnesses his father's death


Overview: In a world where dinosaurs and humans live side-by-side, an Apatosaurus named Arlo makes an unlikely human friend. A dinosaur learns to overcome and live with his fears in a scary world with the help of some new friends.


Themes: dinosaurs, friendship, getting lost, fear, hard work, family, death/grieving

The Quick 3

Ask these quick questions to hit the major themes of the film.

1. Fear. What are your biggest fears? What are some ways you might work through those fears?

  • Arlo is often fearful throughout the movie. He learns to work through his fears. True bravery isn't about being fearless. It's about doing the right thing, even though you're scared. Arlo had to face his fears in order to do the right thing.

  • Check out this article about How to Talk to Your Child About Fear.


2. Hard work. Did you realize that you don't need to earn God's love? Because God loves you so much, how can you work really hard to spread His love to others?

  • The dinosaur children have to "earn their mark" through hard work. Through grit and tenacity, the dinosaurs grow toward maturity. In God’s Kingdom, you don’t need to work your way toward his acceptance. He loves and accepts you, even in your imperfections. Ephesians 2:8-9 says, "God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it." As a result of Christ accepting us, we should then do the hard work to spread his love to others! The very next verse in the Bible, Ephesians 2:10, says, "For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago."


3. Dinosaurs. Which dinosaur was your favorite, and why?

After The Movie Discussion Guide

Follow this 5-10 minute discussion guide to drive an in-depth conversation.

1. Parent self-evaluation: Poppa tries to help Arlo overcome his fears by tough love and by throwing Arlo directly into his fears. What are your child's greatest fears? What do you think is the best strategy to help them overcome it?


2. This movie featured a lot of different kinds of dinosaurs! Which dinosaur was your favorite, and why?


3. Arlo is often fearful throughout the movie. He learns to work through his fears. True bravery isn't about being fearless. It's about doing the right thing, even though you're scared. Arlo had to face his fears in order to do the right thing. What are your biggest fears? What makes those things so scary?


4. Arlo discovers what he’s truly capable of by confronting his fears. What do you think you’d be capable of if you confronted your fears? Is there anything you currently think you’re incapable of doing?

Minute By Minute Guide

Use this break down of the entire movie in addition to the “After the Movie” discussion guide. Great for repeat viewings.

:09 The dinosaur children have to "earn their mark" through hard work. Through grit and tenacity, the dinosaurs grow toward maturity. In God’s Kingdom, you don’t need to work your way toward his acceptance. He loves and accepts you, even in your imperfections. Ephesians 2:8-9 says, "God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it." As a result of Christ accepting us, we should then do the hard work to spread his love to others! The very next verse in the Bible, Ephesians 2:10, says, "For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago." Did you realize that you don't need to earn God's love? Because God loves you so much, how can you work really hard to spread His love to others?


:20 Poppa gets washed away by the flood. Poppa sacrificed himself so that his son would survive. Jesus did a similar thing for us – like Arlo, we are faced with a situation that we cannot help ourselves. Sin has caused a brokenness in our life and it separated us from God and there’s nothing we can do to make things right again. But Jesus sacrifices himself so that we could be saved and be with God forever! How much must Poppa love his son, if he were willing to give up his life to save him? How much must Jesus love you, since He did the same thing on the cross?


:25 Arlo blames the “critter” for the death of his dad. Do you think it’s the critter’s fault? Why or why not?


:28 Arlo’s worst fear is realized: he’s all by himself, far from home, and he’s stuck under a rock. Do you think he’ll find his way back home? What should he do?


:39 Arlo was afraid of swimming, but then he sees Spot swim and gains confidence to do the same. How can your friends help you overcome your fears? Who can you ask to help you?


:47 Some of Arlo’s fears come from scary/sad past experiences (the storm/flood that took his Poppa). Is there anything in your life that happened in the past that make you scared of something today?


:49 Thunderclap is thankful for scary moments in his past. He even says that, “the storm provides”, as in the storm was a scary, but good thing in his life. Can you see any way that the scary things in your life can actually lead to good things? Do you see how overcoming your fears can help grow you as a person?


:52 The T-Rex’s saw the pterodactyls picking on Arlo and Spot, so they came to their defense. They stood up for what is right. What can you do to help other people who are scared?


1:03 Butch, the T-Rex, helps Arlo understand that you can’t get rid of fear, but you can get through it. And it’ll improve your character and confidence. Did you realize that you can’t get rid of fear? What could you do to help you get through your fears?


1:13 Arlo gains confidence, trusting that he can get through his fear. He’s driven by knowing he needs to help his friend, Spot. Can you think of any good thing that you can use as motivation to help get you through your fear?

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