Childhood Movies You Forgot About

From Hayao Miyazaki, starring Yôji Matsuda, Yuriko Ishida, Yûko Tanaka, Billy Crudup
Rated PG-13

Princess Mononoke is a 1997 Japanese animated fantasy film written and directed by Hayao Miyazaki. Set in the late Muromachi period of Japan, the film follows the story of Ashitaka, a young Emishi prince who is cursed by a demon and searches for a cure. He soon finds himself embroiled in a struggle between the gods of a forest and the humans who consume its resources. He eventually discovers that the struggle is being caused by the ambitious Lady Eboshi, who is trying to conquer the forest for her own gain. With the help of San, the human-like Princess Mononoke, Ashitaka must find a way to bring peace to the two sides and save the forest. Along the way, the film explores environmentalism, human nature, and the power of love.

From Brad Bird, starring Eli Marienthal, Harry Connick Jr., Jennifer Aniston, Vin Diesel
Rated PG

The Iron Giant is an animated science fiction film released in 1999 and directed by Brad Bird. Set in the 1950s, the film follows the story of a young boy named Hogarth Hughes who discovers a giant robot that has fallen to Earth from outer space. With the help of a friendly, beatnik artist named Dean McCoppin, Hogarth and the Iron Giant form a close bond as they work together to prevent the robot from being discovered by the military, who would use it for destruction. The film follows the two unlikely friends as they learn to understand each other and work together to protect the Iron Giant from the military and its sinister agenda. Along the way, Hogarth learns valuable lessons about friendship, loyalty, and the importance of standing up for what you believe in.

From Hayao Miyazaki, starring Mayumi Tanaka, Keiko Yokozawa, Kotoe Hatsui, Minori Terada
Rated PG

Castle in the Sky (1986) is an animated adventure film directed by Hayao Miyazaki. The story follows two young heroes, a girl named Sheeta and a boy named Pazu, as they search for a mythical floating castle known as Laputa. Along the way, they are pursued by a dangerous group of sky pirates and a powerful government agent. In addition to evading their pursuers, the two must also try to unlock the secrets of Sheeta's mysterious amulet. The film is set in a world of steam-punk technology, magical crystals and incredible flying machines. As the adventure unfolds, our heroes must outwit their opponents, face their fears and ultimately discover the truth behind the fabled Laputa.

From Tim Burton, starring Johnny Depp, Winona Ryder, Dianne Wiest, Anthony Michael Hall
Rated PG-13

Edward Scissorhands is a 1990 romance fantasy film directed by Tim Burton and starring Johnny Depp as the titular character. The film tells the story of an artificial man named Edward, created by an eccentric inventor, who has scissors for hands. After the death of his creator, Edward is taken in by a suburban family, where he finds himself struggling to fit in with the strange suburban life. Despite his differences, Edward soon becomes smitten with the daughter of the family and helps the community in unexpected ways. The film explores themes of unrequited love, loneliness, and acceptance, and ultimately speaks to the challenges of fitting in and finding acceptance in a strange and unfamiliar world.

From David Mickey Evans, starring Tom Guiry, Mike Vitar, Art LaFleur, Patrick Renna
Rated PG

The Sandlot is a 1993 American coming-of-age comedy film starring Tom Guiry, Mike Vitar, and the late James Earl Jones. Set in 1962, the film follows a group of young boys who play baseball and their summer adventures at an old sandlot. The leader of the group, Scotty Smalls, moves to town with his family and is soon welcomed into the group. Together, they teach him the basics of baseball and have numerous fun-filled adventures. However, they soon face a formidable foe when a legendary ballplayer nicknamed "the Beast" threatens to take their beloved sandlot. In the end, the gang comes together to face their fears and take on the Beast. The Sandlot is a classic coming-of-age story that celebrates the joys of youth and the power of friendship.

From Robert Zemeckis, starring Bob Hoskins, Christopher Lloyd, Joanna Cassidy, Charles Fleischer
Rated PG

Who Framed Roger Rabbit is a 1988 live-action/animated film directed by Robert Zemeckis. The story takes place in Hollywood in 1947, where humans and "Toons" (cartoon characters) live side by side. Private detective Eddie Valiant (Bob Hoskins) is hired by the Toon-hating Judge Doom (Christopher Lloyd) to investigate the alleged infidelity of cartoon star Roger Rabbit (Charles Fleischer). Valiant reluctantly agrees, but soon discovers that the plot is far more sinister than it first appeared. It turns out that Doom is planning to use a newly invented Toon-killing device to wipe out all Toons, and in the process, gain control of all of Toontown. Valiant and Roger must team up to save the Toons, and the only way to do it is by uncovering the identity of the real murderer. Along the way, they uncover a conspiracy by a powerful businessman to use a secret formula to take over Toontown and turn it into a profitable real estate venture. The film was a box office success and is now considered a classic of the fantasy comedy genre.

From Richard Donner, starring Sean Astin, Josh Brolin, Jeff Cohen, Corey Feldman
Rated PG

The Goonies is a 1985 adventure comedy film directed by Richard Donner. It follows a group of pre-teens who live in the "Goon Docks" neighborhood of Astoria, Oregon. When their homes are set to be demolished, the Goonies learn of the hidden pirate treasure of One-Eyed Willie and set out on an adventure to find it. Along their search, they encounter a family of criminals and must outwit them in order to stay alive and find the treasure. Through their daring escapades, the Goonies form an unbreakable bond that proves that friendship is more valuable than any riches.

From Directors: Martin Rosen, John Hubley, starring John Hurt, Richard Briers, Ralph Richardson, Michael Graham Cox
Rated PG

Watership Down is a 1978 animated adventure drama directed by Martin Rosen and John Hubley. The film follows a group of rabbits on their journey to find a new home after their warren is destroyed. Led by the brave Fiver and his resourceful brother Hazel, the rabbits face numerous obstacles and hardships along the way, including the ruthless General Woundwort and his army of vicious dog-like creatures. With the help of a seagull, they ultimately find a safe haven, but soon realize they must fight to protect it. The film is based on the 1972 novel of the same name by Richard Adams and features an all-star voice cast including John Hurt, Richard Briers, and Michael Graham Cox.

From Tim McCanlies, starring Haley Joel Osment, Michael Caine, Robert Duvall, Kyra Sedgwick
Rated PG

Secondhand Lions tells the story of Walter, a young boy sent by his mother to stay with his two elderly uncles, Hub and Garth, on their farm in Texas. Walter soon discovers that his uncles are far from ordinary, as they have a deep and mysterious secret past that they are unwilling to share with him. As the summer progresses, Walter begins to uncover the truth about his uncles and their unknown past, full of exciting adventures, romance, and even hidden riches. With the help of his uncles, Walter learns important life lessons and discovers that family is the most important thing of all.

From Don Bluth, starring Elizabeth Hartman, Derek Jacobi, Dom DeLuise, Arthur Malet
Rated G

The Secret of NIMH is a 1982 animated fantasy-adventure film directed by Don Bluth. It tells the story of Mrs. Brisby, a timid mouse who must move her family out of their home in a farmer’s field before the local farmer plows the field the next day. With the help of a group of highly intelligent, escaped lab rats, Mrs. Brisby discovers a mysterious secret that could save her home and family. The rats, led by a wise and powerful leader named Nicodemus, have escaped from a laboratory where they were being experimented on. With the rats’ help, Mrs. Brisby must find a way to safely move her family out of the field and to safety. Along the way, she learns of the mysterious “Secret of NIMH”, a secret that could be the key to saving her home and family.

From Directors: Jules Bass, Arthur Rankin Jr., starring Jeff Bridges, Mia Farrow, Angela Lansbury, Alan Arkin
Rated G

From Carol Reed, starring Mark Lester, Ron Moody, Shani Wallis, Oliver Reed
Rated G

From Wolfgang Petersen, starring Noah Hathaway, Barret Oliver, Tami Stronach, Gerald McRaney
Rated PG

From Don Chaffey, starring Todd Armstrong, Nancy Kovack, Gary Raymond, Laurence Naismith
Rated G

From Leonard Nimoy, starring William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, DeForest Kelley, James Doohan
Rated PG

From Jim Henson, starring David Bowie, Jennifer Connelly, Toby Froud, Shelley Thompson
Rated PG

From John G. Avildsen, starring Ralph Macchio, Pat Morita, Elisabeth Shue, Martin Kove
Rated PG

From Joe Dante, starring Zach Galligan, Phoebe Cates, Hoyt Axton, John Louie
Rated PG

From Agnieszka Holland, starring Kate Maberly, Maggie Smith, Heydon Prowse, Andrew Knott
Rated G

From Richard Fleischer, starring Kirk Douglas, James Mason, Paul Lukas, Peter Lorre
Rated G

From Ron Howard, starring Val Kilmer, Joanne Whalley, Warwick Davis, Jean Marsh
Rated PG

From Richard Linklater, starring Jack Black, Mike White, Joan Cusack, Adam Pascal
Rated PG-13

From Directors: Jim Henson, Frank Oz, starring Jim Henson, Kathryn Mullen, Frank Oz, Dave Goelz
Rated PG

From Ken Annakin, starring John Mills, Dorothy McGuire, James MacArthur, Janet Munro
Rated G

From Fletcher Markle, starring Émile Genest, John Drainie, Tommy Tweed, Sandra Scott
Rated G