Dinosaur

Dinosaur has built a real following in Australia on Disney Plus, and in the US on Disney Plus among viewers who do not usually seek out animation. A tight runtime that never overstays its welcome. With 2,768 viewer ratings on TMDB, this is not a title flying under the radar. A harder one to justify skipping than to start. There is no real reason to keep putting it off — it is right there on Disney Plus.

Whatever else is competing for your attention this week, Dinosaur is worth clearing space for. The look of Dinosaur gets people in the door, but the writing is what keeps them there. An orphaned dinosaur raised by lemurs joins an arduous trek to a sancturary after a meteorite shower destroys his family home. D. B. Sweeney and Alfre Woodard bring voice work that does more than the format usually asks for. It was released in 2000. Dinosaur uses the freedom of animation to tell stories live-action could not attempt. It delivers reliably on what it promises, which is more than most of its competition manages.

Dinosaur belongs on any best-of list regardless of format. It does not lean on comparisons to make its case. Short enough to finish in one sitting, substantial enough to feel satisfying. D. B. Sweeney's voice work is a big part of what makes it distinctive. If you have been sleeping on it because of the format, the format is not the thing here.