If you’re hunting for a Where the Red Fern Grows movie trailer, you’ve probably realized something pretty quickly: things are a little messy. This isn't like looking up the latest Marvel teaser. Wilson Rawls’ 1961 classic about a boy, two hounds, and a whole lot of heartbreak has been adapted several times, and each version carries a completely different vibe.
You’ve got the 1974 original. Then there’s the 1992 sequel (which, honestly, many people try to forget). And then the 2003 remake that sat on a shelf for years before Disney finally put it out. Depending on which Where the Red Fern Grows movie trailer you find, you’re either looking at a grainy piece of 70s nostalgia or a early-2000s family flick starring a very young Daveigh Chase and Joseph Ashton.
People search for these trailers because this story sticks to your ribs. It’s the "Old Yeller" of the Ozarks. But finding the right one—the one that actually captures the soul of Billy Colman’s journey—requires knowing exactly what you’re looking at.
The 1974 Trailer: Pure Ozark Nostalgia
The original 1974 film is the one most Gen Xers and older Millennials remember from school assemblies or rainy-day VHS rentals. When you watch the 1974 Where the Red Fern Grows movie trailer, it feels like a time capsule. It’s gritty. It’s tactile. You can almost smell the damp earth and the coon fur.
Stewart Petersen played Billy. He wasn't some polished Hollywood kid; he looked like he actually lived in the woods. The trailer focuses heavily on the bond between Billy and his Redbone Coonhounds, Old Dan and Little Ann. It’s got that classic 70s voiceover—you know the one—deep, authoritative, and slightly dramatic.
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But here’s the thing: that trailer doesn't shy away from the danger. It shows the mountain lion. It shows the blood. It’s a "family movie," sure, but it’s a 1970s family movie, which means it’s prepared to scar you for life. If you find a version of the trailer on YouTube that looks like it was filmed through a layer of orange marmalade, that’s the 1974 masterpiece.
That Confusing 2003 Remake Trailer
Fast forward to the early 2000s. There’s a different Where the Red Fern Grows movie trailer floating around that feels much "cleaner." This is the 2003 version.
This production had a weird history. It was actually filmed in 1999 but got caught in a distribution limbo. It stars Joseph Ashton as Billy and features big names like Ned Beatty and Kris Kristofferson. When you see this trailer, you’ll notice the colors are brighter. The music is more sweeping and orchestral. It feels less like a documentary about poverty in the Depression and more like a Hallmark special.
- It premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival in 2003.
- Disney eventually snagged the rights for home video.
- Daveigh Chase (the girl from The Ring and the voice of Lilo) plays Billy's sister.
Honestly, if you’re a purist, this trailer might feel a bit "off." It lacks the raw, lonely atmosphere of the Rawls novel. It’s polished. Some might say too polished for a story about a kid who works two years to save $50 in a K.C. Baking Powder can.
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Why the Trailers Rarely Mention the "Red Fern" Legend
One weird thing about almost every Where the Red Fern Grows movie trailer ever made? They barely explain the title.
In the book, the "Red Fern" is a sacred plant from an Indian legend that supposedly only an angel can plant. It never dies, and it marks hallowed ground. Most trailers focus on the hunting, the competition, and the dogs. They sell it as an adventure story.
But the movie—and the book—is a tragedy. It’s a coming-of-age story about loss. Trailers usually try to hide the "tragedy" part to get parents to buy tickets, but anyone who has read the book knows what’s coming at the end of that trail.
The Lost Sequel: Part 2 (1992)
Yes, there is a second movie. And yes, there is a trailer for it. It stars Wilford Brimley.
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Basically, it’s a "what happened next" story where Billy comes home from WWII. If you stumble upon a Where the Red Fern Grows movie trailer featuring old men in veterans' uniforms and a very different tone, you’ve hit the 1992 sequel. Most fans of the original book tend to ignore this one because it steps away from the source material entirely. It’s more about healing from war than it is about the dogs, though dogs are still involved.
Watching and Sourcing
If you're looking to watch these trailers today, YouTube is obviously the primary hub, but quality varies wildly. The 1974 trailer is often uploaded by fan accounts in 480p. The 2003 trailer is easier to find in high definition.
If you want the most "authentic" experience, look for the Doty-Dayton Productions logo on the 1974 version. They were the ones who really understood the rural, dusty heart of the story.
What to do next
- Compare the vibes: Watch the 1974 and 2003 trailers back-to-back. You’ll see a massive shift in how Hollywood portrays rural poverty and childhood.
- Check the labels: Ensure you aren't watching a "fan-made" concept trailer. Many creators use footage from Dances with Wolves or other dog movies to create fake trailers for a modern remake that doesn't exist yet.
- Go back to the source: If the trailers make the movie look too "soft," go re-read the final three chapters of the book. No trailer can accurately capture the weight of that ending.
The hunt for the perfect Where the Red Fern Grows movie trailer usually leads down a rabbit hole of nostalgia. Whether you want the gritty 70s version or the sanitized Disney-distributed remake, the core remains the same: two dogs, one boy, and a legend that doesn't quit.
Pro Tip: If you're trying to show this to kids for the first time, watch the 1974 trailer with them first. It sets a more realistic expectation for the emotional weight of the story than the 2003 version does.