The Reluctant Dragon

The big feature show with a thousand surprises!

1941 • 74 min • Animation · Family · Comedy

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Synopsis

Humorist Robert Benchley attempts to find Walt Disney to ask him to adapt a short story about a gentle dragon who would rather recite poetry than be ferocious. Along the way, he is given a tour of Walt Disney Studios, and learns about the animation process.

Our family guide

Best from age 4

Movie Knight Score

166 reviews

66 Audience · 166 · 100%

Robert Benchley visits Walt Disney Studios hoping to pitch a story about a gentle dragon. During his quest to find Walt, he receives an extensive tour of the animation process, from sound effects to character design. It's a fun, behind-the-scenes look at how Disney cartoons were made in the early 1940s.

Violence & peril: 0/10
Language: 0/10
Drinking, drugs & smoking: 0/10
Romance & sensuality: 0/10
Scary moments: 1/10

Heads up

The live-action segments may be less engaging for very young viewers.

What it models well

The creative process
Imagination
Friendship

Talk about it after

How animation is made
The history of film
Being yourself, even if you're different

Written by the Movie Knight editorial team for The Reluctant Dragon. Our own words, our own scoring — always double-check against your family's standards.