Realizing that I am an adult about to start my first full-time job has been quite difficult. It’s no wonder that I want to go back to simpler days when I didn’t have to worry about things like work and finances. Even while I might not be able to turn back time and return to my childhood, I definitely can pretend. Here are some nostalgic movies that bring me back to my childhood memories.
Nostalgic Must-See Movies
1. Shrek
“Somebody once told me the world is gonna roll me…” Even if you’ve seen Shrek hundreds of times, it will still make you smile, make you nervous, and make you feel good all at once.
Favorite character: Shrek
2. Stuart Little
Even if Stuart Little’s lead character is a mouse, it’s still a heartwarming film that will make you feel good on the inside.
Favorite character: Stuart
3. Ratatouille
“Anyone can cook,” including a rat! Yes, another movie with the main character being a rodent. This charmingly absurd film about a young, ambitious rat named Remy who aspires to be a great chef is brilliant, humorous, subtly moral, and dramatically compelling. I actually wrote about this film and the new ride at Disney World in my Disney class. If you want to read more about Disney World, click here to read my post on my ultimate guide! It’s one of my favorite Disney nostalgic movies.
Favorite character: Remy
4. Matilda
Every young person who has ever felt like they didn’t belong might connect to Matilda. It serves as the anthem for realizing that you possess something unique that you are struggling to share with the outside world. Even if it didn’t always seem that way, watching it as an adult is a reassuring reminder that it’s OK to be unique. It also brings me back to elementary school when we used to have Roald Dahl Day.
Favorite character: Bruce who ate the whole cake
5. Toy Story
In Pixar’s first movie, we were persuaded that when we’re not around, our toys really do have a life of their own (that incident with Sid still haunts me). Over the years, the show has expanded with its audience, representing our maturation into adults as we put our childhood toys away. But there’s a sentiment you experience when you open a discarded box and find your beloved toy inside: a sense of loss and affection. The original still functions as well as it does because of this. You may always open that box to remind yourself of how things were in the past.
Favorite character: Bullseye
6. Hook
Literally, it’s about a grown man discovering how to recapture his inner kid. While growing up, I was so scared of this movie, thinking that Captain Hook and Mr. Smee were going to come into my house and take me away, that I would hide the DVD. One day, I felt brave at Disney World and I took a picture with Captain Hook, and I hung it up to remind myself to be brave.
Favorite character: Rufio
7. Honey, I Shrunk the Kids
Childhood phobias may not necessarily be the most valid. Who else thought there really was a monster under the bed and made sure you slept in the middle, never letting your arm or leg hang over the edge? Because of this movie, one of my phobias was to be shrunk to the point that commonplace objects such as lawnmowers, insects, and morning cereal may kill you.
Favorite character: Nick
8. Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory
Again, a classic Roald Dahl book turned into one of the best nostalgic movies. This film has a unique premise. It will quickly take you to a world where it perfectly makes sense for a factory to produce sweets in fields, churn chocolate in indoor rivers, and sing tales from the oompa loompas, regardless of when you were born or how old you are now. Even Johnny Depp’s eerie visage cannot diminish the impact of the first movie. All of my childhood fantasies came true with this movie.
Favorite character: Grandpa Joe
9. Finding Nemo
“OK. I’m thinking of something orange, and it’s small…” Few movies can make you smile as much as this one, and have so many famous lines.
Favorite character: Marlin
10. High School Musical
Who are you if Breaking Free isn’t among your favorite Disney songs? My dad would sing this constantly throughout my house and whenever we went on Soarin’ in Disney World (even though they aren’t related). Growing up, I thought that I would experience the same thing that Gabriella and Troy did in the beginning of the movie. That obviously didn’t happen and I’m a horrible singer, so that’s really a good thing. Fun fact: when my brother was three years old, he had the biggest crush on Sharpay (Ashley Tisdale) and when she came on the screen, he fell backwards off the arm of the sofa in excitement and broke his arm.
Favorite character: Taylor
11. Monsters, Inc.
Your heart will melt for Mike, Sully, and Boo thanks to their endearing bond. This movie, which is perhaps among the finest Pixar productions ever, is ideal for relaxing with when you need a pick-me-up. I was Mike for halloween once and have a Monsters University hat that I love!
Favorite character: Mike Wazowski
12. Pirates of the Caribbean
Without a doubt, this movie altered the trajectory of Disney productions, and for some of us, it marked the beginning of an obsession with Orlando Bloom, the dreamboat. When the first lines of the theme song play, you are immediately transported back to your childhood, and we are all suddenly on the lookout for Davy Jones’ locker. I’m also impressed that this movie started as a ride from Disney World rather than the other way around.
Favorite character: Joshamee Gibbs
13. The Little Mermaid
Immerse yourself in this timeless tale of the sea, which highlights Ariel adventures.
Favorite character: Sebastian
14. Mary Poppins
Watching Julie Andrews as the loving nanny and assisting the Banks family in Mary Poppins may cause you to hear A Spoonful of Sugar in your mind for the foreseeable future. I love to consider myself to be a present-day Mary Poppins, ready at all times by carrying everything possible in my purse.
Favorite character: Mary Poppins
15. Indiana Jones
I have adored Indiana Jones ever since I was a young child. From the movies, to the video games, to the live-action show at Disney World. One time, I babysat two kids who also loved Indiana Jones. When it came time to put them to bed, he set up an Indiana Jones trap for me. When I opened the door, all of their clothes fell on me. Now it is funny, but back then it was so frustrating to get them to sleep.
Favorite character: Indiana Jones
16. The Incredibles
I’ve seen the movie so many times that I can pretty much repeat it word for word. At Disney World I met Edna Mode and she was fabulous!
Favorite character: Frozone
17. Harry Potter
It instantly transports me back to my childhood thanks to the quirkiness, childlike innocence, and sense of wonder that come with learning about the world. I love the movies, the books, and the lands at Universal.
Favorite character: Sirius Black
18. Transformers
I got chills watching these movies as a kid. Whenever my family saw it was on, we would watch it immediately. My dad was obsessed with Optimus Prime and would say “I am Optimus Prime” in his voice all day after watching the movies.
Favorite character: Bumblebee
19. Any Marvel Movie
These movies make me feel like a kid again because I get lost in the story and all the details that connect to the other movies in the MCU. I’m actually watching the MCU in order right now with my boyfriend (including the shows). Yes, I’m very committed and a little crazy since it will mess up with the crossovers, but it’s amazing to watch in order and I get excited when the movies and shows make certain references. Right now, we are watching season 1 of The Punisher, which I highly recommend. Some of my favorites to watch are Guardians of the Galaxy 1 and 2, especially because of the soundtrack and, of course, Groot.
Favorite character: Spider-Man
20. Home Alone
The heartwarming reunion of Kevin and his family provides the entire film with that classic holiday charm, but I didn’t only watch this movie around the holidays. I think my brother made me watch this about 100 times.
Favorite character: Old Man Marley
21. The Lion King
This is one of the best nostalgic movies because of its score. I cry every time.
Favorite character: Mufasa
22. E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial
I cry so loudly at the last scenes of this movie.
Favorite character: E.T.
Nostalgic Movies are the Best
It was actually very difficult to choose this short list because I think all my family did growing up was watch movies. To this day, we all bond by sitting on the couch watching movies together. We all love a movie marathon. I didn’t even include my dad’s favorite Adam Sandler movies that I grew up watching. This list could go on forever, so I’ll probably have to do this again some other time. What do you think are the best nostalgic movies?