Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Mild
- Complexity
- Simple
- Violence
- Mild
- sentimental
- nostalgic
- gentle
- family movie night
- lazy sunday
What critics said
Critics broadly viewed the film as a clean, picturesque, and unusually sincere modernization of a classic children's dog story, while noting its syrupy sentimentality.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Lassie's unflinching loyalty gives isolated teenager Matt companionship and helps him grow up after the family's move.
The Turner family leaves the city for Virginia's countryside, creating Matt's central displacement and adaptation struggle.
The film embraces a picturesque, sweet dog-story tradition while contrasting Matt's skepticism, MTV-era sensibility, and references to classic Lassie television.
The wilds of Virginia provide the Turners' new home, Lassie's domain, and the setting for conflict with sheep farmer Sam Garland.
Films like Lassie, and why
Old Yeller
heartwarming boy-and-dog adventure centered on loyalty, belonging, and growing up
The Black Stallion
family-friendly rural adventure using an animal companion to explore childhood courage and responsibility
Because of Winn-Dixie
sentimental children's adventure about a young protagonist finding connection and resilience through an animal
Movie Details
- Director
- Daniel Petrie
- Release Date
- 1994-07-22
- Runtime
- 94 min
- Rating
- 6.1 / 10 (225)
Cast
- Tom Guiry
- Helen Slater
- Jon Tenney
- Brittany Boyd
- Frederic Forrest
- Richard Farnsworth
- Michelle Williams
- Joe Inscoe
- Yvonne Erickson
- Clayton Barclay Jones
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Artiflix
- Rent
- Amazon Video
- Buy
- Amazon Video
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Lassie about?
- A lonely teenager finds belonging and maturity when a fiercely loyal collie joins his family's difficult transition from city life to rural Virginia.
- What is Lassie like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Lassie as brisk, its intensity as mild and its storytelling as simple.
- Is Lassie violent?
- Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in Lassie as mild.
- What did critics think of Lassie?
- Critics broadly viewed the film as a clean, picturesque, and unusually sincere modernization of a classic children's dog story, while noting its syrupy sentimentality.
- Which films are like Lassie?
- Films with a similar feel include Old Yeller, The Black Stallion, and Because of Winn-Dixie.
- How long is Lassie?
- Lassie runs 94 minutes.
- Where can I watch Lassie?
- In United States, Lassie streams on Artiflix.
