So this week has been stressful, maddening, upsetting, and any other synonym you could think of. Because of this, I have gotten to thinking about when life was easier, or it at least seemed to be. That brought me back to my childhood, and the movies that made me happy even when I was sad. So here is a list of fifteen movies that could always put a smile on my face, and the story as to why it is so special.
1. AnnieĀ
As a kid, Annie held a special place in my heart. The songs would make me get off my feet and dance. I remember when I took ballet the company put on Annie. Being one of the orphans was a dream come true for little me.
2. The Wizard Of Oz
"The Wizard of Oz" will always be a special movie in my life. As a kid, I remember owning so many pairs of Ruby Slippers. Every time that I went up a shoe size or they got scuffed I had to have a new pristine pair. I wore them everywhere. My Dorothy dress got well used as well.
3. Scooby Doo and Scooby Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed
GiphyThese two movies were well watched in my house. Family movie night almost always consisted of one of these flicks being watched. The Scooby Doo cartoons were a big part of my mom's childhood so she had to share it with us. When the movies came out we watched them and fell in love. This movie was a connection between my mom's childhood and mine.
4. Shrek
GiphyThe story behind how I first got to see "Shrek" is amazing. My family and I went to a flee market and we got me a Snow White music box. On our way out, we passed a box full of movies for a dollar. We looked through the box and found "Shrek." Having no clue what it was, my parents looked at the cast and found that it had some good/funny actors in it so they bought it for us. That night we popped it into the DVD player and a night full of laughs followed.
5. Monsters Inc
"Monsters Inc." was the first movie that I ever saw in theaters, that in itself makes it special. My parents told me that Mike Wazowski was a cyclops and made it so that it was brought up in conversation so that child me was able to proudly proclaim that fact.
6. The Grinch
"The Grinch" was my go-to Christmas movie. Every year my brother and I would watch it and pause at the point when Grinch teaches Max how to be a reindeer. We would quote the movie and reenact our favorite parts. This movie always makes me think of happy memories.
7. Princess Diaries
I am going to start off by saying that Anne Hathaway is amazing. This movie was and still is iconic. The story is amazing and I was able to relate to the story of trying to find yourself even as a child.
8. The Sound of Music
The first time that I remember seeing this movie was my kindergarten music class. We all sat huddled on the carpet facing the old box set television. I was the only child that sat still, I was enraptured by the story even at a young age. To this day the movie captures my attention and keeps it until the end credits.
9. Eloise at the Plaza
Giphy"Eloise at the Plaza" was one of those movies that I was able to watch over and over again. I remember as a kid I was in New York for a day (it's a long story as to why) and I wanted to see the Plaza. My mom decided that was an achievable goal, she was wrong. We got so lost, and never got to see the Plaza.
10. Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
Snow White was my favorite princess growing up. She was my grandma's favorite princess and after she died when I was younger my love for Snow White made me feel closer to her.
11. The Little Mermaid
"The Little Mermaid" was my go-to movie when I was sick. The soundtrack is amazing and I still find myself jamming and singing along. I will never be too old for this movie.
12. Wild Hogs
Growing up my parents rode motorcycles. When this movie came out we got on and rode to the theatre. This movie was a family staple and Dudley was a family favorite. "Wild Hogs Man, Wild Hogs."
13. Polar ExpressĀ
This is another Christmas staple in my house. My brother and I would go to a friend's house and we would watch the movie. When the hot chocolate song came on we would all sing and dance around the house while our friend's mom made us hot chocolate. It was always fun to let loose and be silly.
14. Ella Enchanted
GiphyThis movie is so underrated. "Ella Enchanted" was funny, musical and all around amazing. My mom and I would cuddle up on the couch and watch this movie if one of us had a bad day. This movie was our go to feel good film.
15. Mary Poppins
"Mary Poppins" is an iconic movie and person. This movie was a huge part of my childhood. Sometimes I wished that I had an experience like that as a child, I had to make do with my imagination.
