Homeward Bound (Exclusive Series) (Disney Plus)

Initial release date: February 3, 1993

Studios: Walt Disney Pictures

Tagline: In the classic tradition of Walt Disney Pictures comes a story about courage, adventure and friendship.

Plot: Before the Seavers leave for San Francisco, they drop off their pets - Chance, an adventurous American bulldog; Shadow, a wise golden retriever; and Sassy, a cautious cat - at a friend’s ranch. But when the animals start to worry that they’ve been left for good, the three embark together on a treacherous and thrilling journey to find their way back home through the California wilderness.

Cast

Robert Hays (Sharknado 2) - Bob Seaver

Kim Griest (Homeward Bound II) - Laura Burnford-Seaver

Michael J. Fox (Netflix’s Designated Survivor) - Chance

Sally Field (AMCs Dispatches from Elsewhere) - Sassy

Don Amece - Shadow

Benj Thall (Homeward Bound II) - Peter Burnford

Veronica Lauren (Homeward Bound II) - Hope Burnford

Kevin Chevalia (Homeward Bound II) - Jamie Seaver

William Phipps - Quentin

Jean Smart (HBO Max’s Hacks) - Kate

Writer(s): Caroline Thompson (Welcome to Marwen; City of Ember; The Corpse Bride; The Nightmare Before Christmas)

Linda Woolverton (Maleficent: Mistress of Evil; Alice Through the Looking Glass)

Sheila Burnford (based on the ‘Incredible Journey’ novel)

Director: Duwayne Dunham (TVs Halloweentown; Little Giants)

Rated G (84 minutes)

The 1993 Disney flick ‘Homeward Bound’ is a heart-warming and sometimes hilarious family movie. This is definitely a movie that animal lovers will really enjoy! And, yes, will even shed a tear or two while watching it.

The scenery that is shown throughout the movie is very beautiful and breath-taking. There are a few moments that can be a little heart-breaking and sad. The scenes where the kids leave the pets is a little sad and when the dogs and cat get separated at the waterfall.

Even though this Disney family favorite can be a little sad at times, this is a definite must watch for a family movie night! A lot of people grew up watching ‘Homeward Bound’ throughout their childhood (myself included). When I watched it tonight for the first time in years, it was almost nostalgic in a way watching the movie. Remembering the emotion and the laughs that the movie offers.

So, if you have the Disney Plus streaming service, I highly suggest watching this movie with the entire family.

FYI - ‘Homeward Bound’ is 28 years old and will be three DECADES old in 2023!!!!

Here are a few interesting tidbits about this nostalgic Disney movie:

• This was one of Don Ameche’s final movies before his death the year of the film’s release.

• Chance running full throttle into a sapling and then keeping on running was done completely by accident by the dog actor. They thought it was somewhat hilarious, so they kept it in.

• Although the film is a remake of the 1963 version ‘The Incredible Journey’ and based on Sheila Burnford’s novel of the same name, the main character’s names and breeds have been changed.

• One of the rare talking animal movies in which the animal’s mouth doesn’t move in sync with their lines.

• The original ‘Incredible Journey’ didn’t feature the animals having voices, but instead relied on narration.

• The film grossed $41,833,324 in the US and Canada and $15.5 million internationally for a worldwide total of $57.4 million.

• A sequel, ‘Homeward Bound II: Lost in San Francisco,’ was released in 1996.

https://youtu.be/GyONxFhfuuQ