Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Mild
- Complexity
- Simple
- Violence
- None
- whimsical
- witty
- warm
- family movie night
- nostalgic weekend
What critics said
Critics generally found the film a kind-hearted, witty children's road picture, though aggregate scores were mixed overall.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Big Bird leaves the Dodo family and travels back toward Sesame Street while friends, pursuers, and strangers cross his path.
The film brings Sesame Street characters and performers into a theatrical road story produced by Henson Associates and Children's Television Workshop.
Critics specifically noted its biting wit and tone of kindly kidding, while the characters remain fundamentally warm and accessible to children.
Big Bird rejects an imposed relocation to a family of Dodos and undertakes the journey back to his Sesame Street community.
Films like Follow That Bird, and why
the muppet movie
family road movie with musical numbers, child-friendly humor, and a warm friendship-centered journey
muppets take manhattan
children's adventure comedy combining puppetry, music, eccentric characters, and an affectionate ensemble spirit
pee-wee's big adventure
musical family road adventure built around playful comedy, colorful characters, and a homesick protagonist
paddington 2
gentle children's road comedy with whimsical encounters and a strong feel-good tone
Movie Details
- Director
- Ken Kwapis
- Release Date
- 1985-08-02
- Runtime
- 88 min
- Rating
- 6.5 / 10 (93)
Cast
- Caroll Spinney
- Jim Henson
- Frank Oz
- Richard Hunt
- Kathryn Mullen
- Jerry Nelson
- Paul Bartel
- Sandra Bernhard
- Waylon Jennings
- Laraine Newman
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Howdy Amazon Channel
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Follow That Bird about?
- A homesick Big Bird flees an unwanted new home and crosses the country in a musical quest to reunite with his Sesame Street family.
- What is Follow That Bird like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Follow That Bird as brisk, its intensity as mild and its storytelling as simple.
- Is Follow That Bird violent?
- No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in Follow That Bird.
- What did critics think of Follow That Bird?
- Critics generally found the film a kind-hearted, witty children's road picture, though aggregate scores were mixed overall.
- Which films are like Follow That Bird?
- Films with a similar feel include the muppet movie, muppets take manhattan, pee-wee's big adventure, and paddington 2.
- How long is Follow That Bird?
- Follow That Bird runs 88 minutes.
- Where can I watch Follow That Bird?
- In United States, Follow That Bird streams on Howdy Amazon Channel.
In Ember's collections
Movies like Follow That Bird
- A Muppet Family Christmas1987
- It's a Very Merry Muppet Christmas Movie2002
- The Muppets Take Manhattan1984
- The Dark Crystal1982
- Muppets Haunted Mansion2021
- The Tigger Movie2000
- Muppets from Space1999
- Being Elmo: A Puppeteer's Journey2011
- Pooh's Grand Adventure: The Search for Christopher Robin1997
- Muppets Most Wanted2014
