It all started with a little girl’s story…
Journey back to the prairie this Thanksgiving weekend for a homecoming years in the making!
In celebration of the beloved television show’s 50th Anniversary, comes a heartwarming new feature-length documentary: LITTLE HOUSE HOMECOMING — a journey that brings together members of the original cast and generations of fans in a shared tribute to Laura Ingalls Wilder’s legacy.
Join Karen Grassle (“Caroline Ingalls”), Dean Butler (“Almanzo Wilder”), Alison Arngrim (“Nellie Oleson”), Charlotte Stewart (“Miss Beadle”), Wendi Lou Lee (“Baby Grace”), and Michael Landon, Jr. as they travel to the real-life places that inspired Laura Ingalls Wilder’s books—and reconnect with the spirit of Little House that continues to inspire audiences around the world.
This virtual cinema event, hosted by Dean Butler and Alison Arngrim, allows fans to experience LITTLE HOUSE HOMECOMING with friends and family from the comfort of home. The documentary film features exclusive heartfelt interviews with members of the original cast, reflections from devoted fans and historians, and extraordinary footage of the places that Laura lived in and wrote about.
LITTLE HOUSE HOMECOMING is not coming to theaters; it will only be available for the time being on Trellis Virtual Cinema, which is essentially a way to watch new movie releases as an event where you buy a ticket but watch from home. Go to this link to buy tickets for the Trellis release and this link for the official website.
Trailer
Review
I’m a longtime fan of Little House on the Prairie – both the books and the TV series. So when I saw that this documentary was coming out, I jumped at the chance to see it. The film is almost 2 hours long, but the time goes fast.
Speaking of time, it’s hard to believe it’s the television show’s 50th Anniversary! I love the Almanzo Wilder character, so I’m happy to see Dean Butler keeping the legacy alive – along with Alison Arngrim (Nellie Oleson) of all people, the girl you love to hate.
They’re a lot older now, but it’s nice to know they still speak fondly of their characters. Baby Grace is almost 50! And Victor French Jr. looks just like his dad! Too bad Melissa Gilbert and Melissa Sue Anderson didn’t make an appearance.
The documentary is mostly people talking about their memories and reflections on Laura Ingalls Wilder, the places where she lived, her books, and the television show. It also takes you on a tour of historic sites. Filming locations include:
- Laura Ingalls Wilder Museum, Pepin WI
- Little House on the Prairie Museum, Independence KS
- Laura Ingalls Wilder Museum, Walnut Grove MN
- Laura Ingalls Wilder Park & Museum, Burr Oak IA
- Laura Ingalls Wilder Memorial Society, DeSmet SD
- Spring Valley United Methodist Church Museum, Spring Valley MN
- Laura Ingalls Wilder Historic Home & Museum, Mansfield MO
- The Ingalls Homestead, DeSmet SD
- Little Plum School, Pepin WI
It’s really interesting to see that all these locations are still in the middle of rural farm country today! The places are so far-flung, they’re pretty much like you imagine they would be. No big cities sprung up way out here! You can even walk into Laura’s house on Rocky Ridge Farm, with the furniture and everything just the way she left it. So you can see the books she read, the dishes she used, the chair she sat in, etc. It’s also fun to see the docents, reenactors and visitors alike wearing their prairie dresses and bonnets, wide-brimmed hats and suspenders – just as we homeschoolers like to do!
This documentary came about when the director and producer, Jonathan Parker, and his family went on a “Little House” road trip. His daughter was so enamored with the story that he made LITTLE HOUSE HOMECOMING as a “love letter to Laura” for his daughter and all Little House on the Prairie fans.
“We just tagged along and did these interviews and met fans and gatekeepers and all this kind of thing and put together this project that’s kind of a celebration that’s been built up around the show, the books, and Laura Ingalls Wilder,” said Parker.
LITTLE HOUSE HOMECOMING is absolutely made for people (like me!) who love Laura Ingalls Wilder, her books, and the TV series. There is a multigenerational connection to Laura. With her books being passed down through the generations, grandmothers, daughters, and granddaughters are all fans now. And the TV show, originally broadcast from 1974-1983, is now streaming on Amazon Prime Video. Who’d have thought it would still be so popular 50 years later!
If you are a Little House fan, this documentary is for you! Buy tickets today to see LITTLE HOUSE HOMECOMING on Trellis Virtual Cinema starting November 26th!
Giveaway
Are you a fan of the Little House books, TV show, or both? Leave a comment for a chance to win 1 free code to view LITTLE HOUSE HOMECOMING through Trellis Virtual Cinema! (Note: This is limited to US winners only, who haven’t won the same prize on another blog. Please submit your full name and email address by noon Pacific Time on 12/1/25. We will not be able to accept winners submitted after this date.) Check the box that says “Notify me of follow-up comments by email” to receive winner updates. Comments are moderated, so there may be a delay before yours appears if you haven’t commented on our site before.
Disclosure
Many thanks to Trellis Virtual Cinema for providing a sample of the product for this review. Opinions are 100% my own.
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