Children's movies from my generation seem to be less specifically targeted to only kids. I remember watching movies like "Toy Story" with my parents and watching them crack up at lines that I didn't understand. When we speak of "children's movies," we're really talking about G-rated films, and these are created with the whole family in mind. There are moments where everyone laughs together and also times when younger children do not understand the jokes and older siblings or parents must explain them, thus strengthening relationships among families through entertainment. The following works are typically designated as "kids' movies," but we can appreciate them as adults for the outstanding stories they tell and the heartwarming nostalgia that perhaps reminds us of a simpler time.
1. "Matilda" (1996)
Based on the Roald Dahl novel, this movie about a young girl with an incredible mind has never failed to amuse and delight. I watched this time and time again and each time low-key wanted to be adopted by Miss Honey and outright wished I could have cool mind powers. And as a child whose love of reading was never really appreciated, I identified with Matilda and her voracious appetite for books.
2. "The Princess and the Frog" (2009)
This movie came out during my adolescent years as a revamp of the classic story by E.D. Baker where a princess kisses a frog and he turns into a prince. In this rendition, the main character Tiana is African American and a working class woman with ambition, passion, and a can-do attitude. Because it is a Disney film, Tiana and the frog prince fall in love, but her goals have not been to marry him, but to buy her own restaurant and be her own boss. She has been one of the most relatable Disney princesses of all time.
3. "Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron" (2002)
How do I have so many emotions about this horse? Watching “Spirit,” I genuinely care about this animated stallion. He represents the need of all living things to be free and wild, and his interactions with the cowboys and Native Americans give insight to just how dominating humans are over nature.
4. "The Road to El Dorado" (2000)
First of all, it’s a hilarious movie. But also tells the exciting tale of two gold-loving rascals who end up in the luckiest and unluckiest of situations pretending to be gods of the people in the City of Gold. I love it because it’s not only a fun adventure to watch play out, but also depicts Spanish conquistadors as they were - ruthless murderers. There are few historically accurate children’s movies and this is one of them.
5. "Astro Boy" (2009)
Previously a comic and TV series, “Astro Boy” is about a robot child made by a brilliant inventor in the image and having the memories of his recently deceased son, Toby. Astro struggles with the knowledge that he is not a real human and finding his place in a world where robots are servants and helpers to humans. It is a beautiful film about defining ourselves by our actions and values, not where we came from.
6. "Ratatouille" (2007)
The food in this movie is enough to make me tear up. But what I take away from the film as it’s most important message for the audience is that “Anyone can cook.” In addition, the idea that you don’t have to choose the path your family has laid out for you.
7. "Gremlins" (1984)
I watch this movie every Christmas. It’s not a very good movie, the premise is quite strange, and the sequel is garbage. But it’s just a weird film that I love to watch and I don’t know why. Freakish little Furby-looking creatures turn into monsters when fed after midnight and destroy an entire town. Sign me up, it's good family fun. Plus, Gizmo is the cutest.
8. "Toy Story(s)" (1995, 1999, 2010)
Every "Toy Story" movie has been amazing. It’s one of the greatest trilogies to exist in the film world, and I think we can all agree it evokes nostalgia in anyone who had toys that were basically their best friends.
9. "Wall-E" (2008)
I might have a thing for robots. But you can't deny how innovative and adorable this movie is. Somehow a simple trash-compacting robot falls in love and tries to save planet Earth and the human race? Plausibility aside, I'd watch this any day of the week.
10. "Space Jam" (1996)
Looney Tunes plus Michael Jordan and Bill Murray equals cinematic masterpiece of our generation. Also, think about how ridiculous the filming must have looked with human actors interacting with cartoon characters. This movie gets five stars.
11. "The Incredibles" (2004)
Pixar continuously knocks it out of the park. It's a superhero movie with great plot twists and a lovably average family despite their powers. Also, I'm convinced Frozone is the greatest character Pixar has ever created.
12. "Spirited Away" (2001)
Hayao Miyazaki is a genius and should be worshiped as such. The animation for his films is incredible and the characters' journeys in the fantastical realms they venture into provides a story you will never forget. This movie is the reason I grew fond of anime and always makes me feel better when I've had a tough day. The soundtrack by Joe Hisaishi is one of the most moving and beautiful compilation of songs I've ever heard.
13. "Atlantis: The Lost Empire" (2001)
14. "Meet the Robinsons" (2007)
