There are so many movies that I used to love as a child – some of them I outgrew, some of them I love and would still watch to this very day. From being able to pick up on new jokes, to developing a new appreciation for the soundtracks, to realizing how tacky some of the acting is, I love to rewatch movies that I loved as a child. Here are a few of my top picks of films you should pop in the DVD player or try to find on Netflix to indulge your inner child!
1. Sharkboy and Lavagirl
I’m not gonna lie, I was in love with this movie back when I was five years old. Whether it was the storyline, the effects, or just my massive crush on thirteen-year-old Taylor Lautner, I remember watching this movie countless times in my Lavagirl 3D glasses – however, it wasn’t until I watched it again last night that I realized quite how cringy the entire movie is, from the special effects to the superhero shots to George Lopez as a villain. But if I’m being completely honest, the cringy-ness is the best part – it was great to take a walk down memory lane with this flick!
2. The Shrek Movies
Now, these movies are on the list for a completely different reason than the first one – if anything, I find this series even funnier now than I did when I was a child! From the subtle humor aimed towards the adults in the audience to the great messages the story holds, this series is just something that never gets old. Plus, let’s be honest, the entire scene of the Fairy Godmother performing “Holding Out for a Hero” from the second movie is quite potentially the single greatest thing in the entire history of cinema.
3. Hercules
Now, there are a lot of Disney animated movies that could have potentially made this list, but Hercules has got to be one of my absolute favourites. From the incredible soundtrack (this movie has one of the greatest opening songs of all time with “The Gospel Truth”), to the amazing performance of the voice actors (James Woods’ performance of Hades still remains to be my favourite Disney villain to this day), to the jokes that probably went right over your head as a kid (“Someone call IX-I-I!”), this is a movie you’re sure to enjoy as an adult the same as when you were young!
4. Bridge to Terabithia
I got goosebumps just thinking about this movie! This story of imagination and make-believe is sure to bring you back in touch with your inner child as well as pull on your heartstrings. Josh Hutchinson and AnnaSophia Robb are both terrific leads in this movie, giving an incredible performance despite their young age. This movie is incredibly powerful and will both touch your heart as well as pull on it – I’ve only even seen my dad cry a few times in my life, and one of them was at this movie.
5. Sky High
Another one of my personal favourites, Sky High is a movie that I loved as a child and love even more as an adult. A great underdog story about self-discovery and friendship, this movie is definitely one you should delve into again in your adult years. The acting is great (come on, Kurt Russell is in it!), the story is one to resonate with and the characters are simply fantastic. Step aside, Marvel, now here’s a real superhero movie! I’m kidding – kind of.