Remember when we were younger and had time to slow down, take a break from homework, and enjoy movies?
Yeah, me neither.
No, I do. I just feel like they were forever ago. Growing up, I, like many other kids, watched a lot of Disney movies. I loved the princess movies. (I related to Belle on a deep level–talk about that library!) My very favorites, however, were not princess movies at all. Only one of them even featured royalty at all, and they were animals! Here are my five favorite Disney movies from childhood.
Swiss Family Robinson (1960)
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This movie was probably my absolute favorite from the time I was about six years old. It had everything–animals, a beach, a jungle, pirates, a family, and even a treehouse! It was released in 1960 and starred Dorothy McGuire, John Mills, James MacArthur, Tommy Kirk, Kevin Corcoran, and Janet Munro. (The book it’s based on is good, too.)
Mary Poppins (1964)
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This was my other absolute favorite Disney film. How can you not love Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke? The songs were great (my favorite was “Chim-Chimeree, Chim Chimeree”), the message was everything, and now that I am an adult, I relate to Mary Poppins herself more than I thought I would. Yes, I watched the sequel, and yes, I cried. So much.
Holes (2003)
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I admit, while I completely loved this film, I also underappreciated it when I was younger. I read the book, and it’s probably one of the most (if not the absolute most) accurate film adaptation of a book. It was released in 2003 (17 freaking years ago, geez). The actors (Shia LaBeouf, Khleo Thomas, and Sigourney Weaver, to name a few) were absolutely amazing. Everyone should watch this movie.
Robin Hood (1973)
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This remains one of my favorite animated films. The songs are catchy, the characters are hilarious and the animal representation was just the icing on the cake. Prince John is my favorite bad guy to hate and Little John is my spirit animal.
Babes in Toyland (1960)
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This movie is one that we typically watch around Christmas time, but I love it any time of year. It stars Annette Funicello, Tommy Sands, Tommy Kirk, and Ed Wynn. Every nursery rhyme character you can think of is brought to life in the most colorful and whimsical setting imaginable. The villain is the crooked man who lived in a crooked house, there’s a toymaker, and trees talk!
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (1968)
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Another classic starring Dick Van Dyke alongside Sally Ann Howes, this movie is the keeper of many happy memories for me. The screenplay is by Roald Dahl (who wrote such books as Charlie and Chocolate Factory!) and it is based on a novel by Ian Fleming (who created James Bond!). Dick Van Dyke and Sally Ann Howes play Caractacus Potts and Truly Scrumptious, respectively (I live for these names). Oh, and there’s a car that’s alive!! Well, sort of. If you haven’t seen this movie yet, you need to.
Well, that’s my list. Go watch them, or rewatch your favorite childhood classics!