Maybe it’s just nostalgia talking, but there are some movies from my childhood that still make me feel warm and fuzzy every time I watch them. To the untrained eye, it may just look like a poorly animated film with bad actors, but to me, it is pure magic. After talking to a few of my friends, we came to the realization that the movies depended on what generation we came from. I think most college-aged students will agree with me on the list I made of the ten most nostalgia-inducing movies that are surprisingly still winners.
Ella Enchanted
Anne Hathaway teaches us how to be an independent woman who don’t need no man, even if he is absolutely cute. It is magical, filled with elves, ogres, giants, and fairies, and it recreates the traditional Cinderella story perfectly.
Princess Diaries
Again, Anne Hathaway shows what it really takes to be a princess; a really cool royal grandma. Plus who doesn’t love that scene when she goes from dork to diva?
A personal favorite of mine. The Emperor’s New Groove is a classic and the sarcastic comments are just what we need in our life.
Nanny McPhee
I really think this movie is underrated. It is so whimsical and fun. It is a lot like Mary Poppins but with a lot less singing and the best part is watching her progressively get prettier the better the children behave.
Miss Congeniality
Why is it so satisfying to me to watch the transformation of a sloppy tomboy into beauty queen material? The movie also battles a lot of stereotypes about beautiful women.
School of Rock
A bunch of awkward preppy kids turning into a rock band with Jack Black as their leader? Everyone loves a good underdog story.
The Cat in The Hat
It seriously is “enormously funny.” All the hidden adult jokes are greatly appreciated by adult me.
Hitch
Can anyone really get enough of Will Smith in one lifetime? The best love advice I will ever get came from this movie. It is seriously funny and seriously adorable.
Aquamarine
I really wish my coming of age was as awesome as Claire and Haley’s. Living on the beach and crushing on cute lifeguards. The best part about this movie was how it showed that you don’t need boys to love; your friends will love you too.
17 Again
Zac Efron in his younger days still manages to make me swoon. There are definitely some cringy scenes of attempted incest, but overall it is entirely entertaining.
Some movies can never get old. As the years go by and animation gets better, critics will say that these movies are so 2007, but they will forever hold a special place in my heart.