For his third feature, director and master animator Don Bluth collaborated with Steven Spielberg and George Lucas to create a gentle fable set in prehistoric times that launched an animation dynasty, with 13 video sequels (so far) and a TV series. After a family tragedy strikes and an ecological upheaval devastates his homeland, Littlefoot, an orphaned young brontosaurus, sets off to find the Great Valley, where he and other creatures may live in peace. Along the way, he’s joined by four other baby dinos, each as cute and cuddly as Littlefoot. Drawn in vivid colors that recall the pastoral ambience of Fantasia, The Land Before Time evokes a sense of wonder and hope only attained in the best animated films. — Laura Emerick

Rated: G